How Do You Decided What Your Going To Build Next?

[stanleymsn]

Well i look on my shelf and what grabs my eye for that moment is what i build even tho i have like 10 on the go but whos counting.

[stanleymsn]

that's to funny:) but do you start one and never finish it I seem to never finish them right away and move on to the next project. It takes one little trigger to move on to the next project etc.. photo etch ,decals ,rims, or anything cool, and wholla I am off to a new project.

[Zoom Zoom]

It's a tough call. Often it's something new, often it's something inspired by a car or model I've seen previously, or building for a theme. Or getting a review sample that needs building. Right now, in addition to at least a half-dozen models I started last year, I'm working closely on two models that are similar. One inspired by a model I built last year, another inspired because I got a resin transkit for it, and it's part of a group build project.

[ismaelg]

There's no formula for that. I probably had 10 different reasons for the last 10 builds. The only common thing is I build for myself so it has to be something I like. I don't care if it's not the cup of tea of somebody else or if it's not the judges favorite color. Something I usually take into consideration when choosing the next build is "Do I have everything I need?" that includes among other things paint, decals, any aftermarket parts, etc. but most importantly reference. We all have many projects started, but I try to concentrate on one primary build.

Thanks,

[stanleymsn]

thats true i build for myself but i try to do each better as I go but I am easily side tracked

[Dr. Cranky]

I find that what often triggers a build is being influenced by something I have seen here or in a magazine or on TV . . . going to model shows is often a great energy booster . . .

And many times, it's true, a new kit will trigger a build!!!

[stanleymsn]

I have been biulding for years and never been to or entered a model show but i am going to keep my fingers crossed I am entering my first show on Feb..23 and I am going to be nervous having some one judge my masterpiece.

[stanleymsn]

Thats what i like to hear well we have something in common right before I go to bed i think or dream who knows but i can forsee my build or modfication in my sleep right now I am building a 69 z28 camaro for a model show so it's running through my mind like a cop chashing a robber well you know what i mean, I can feel you where your comming from and hey thank you for the responce.

[gasman]

anytime I buy a kit I plan on what i'm going to do to it, and what ever suits me at that moment is what I'll build. most of the time i'll have three projets going on at once. right now I have three completely different projects going. a Tamiya Carrera GT, and MPC 78 Chevette "woody", and a Revell 41 Chevy pickup rat rod

[stanleymsn]

are you going to post pic of them

[CAL]

Pretty much like everyone else, what ever strikes me at the time. It could be a someone elses build, could be some thing I saw somewhere, could be working on one model that sparks another. I don't think there has been any one reason that's inspired me to build X.

I also do tend to have several going at the same time,

Revell Porsche GT-1 EVO

Revell Lambo Diablo VT

Revell AG Ferrari F2005

Johan Mercedes 500k Special Limo - why it's called a limo I don't know. It's seems to be a coupe to me.

And a few more in the wings

Tamiya Mercedes GTR mostly built.

Tamiya Ferrari Enzo with the engine started.

AMT Pro Shop 57 Chevy that needs the interior built.

Eleanor, which I have taken a break from and waiting for the anticipated German resin release of the kit.

Italeri Porsche Turbo barely started on preping the body.

AMT Pro Street 67 Nova body is ready to go into the booth.

and will work on whatever is moving along the best at that moment. If it starts to fight I move on to the next. I am trying to finish what I have started unless I really get the itch to build something else. So far I have resisted that urge.

This is what the bench is looking like at this ten-seconds.

Come back in a day or two it could look completely different.

Edited January 30, 2008 by CAL

[mikelo]

A couple things influence me. What normally does every year is one that I have to do. Our club has a "Same Kit Build" every year that I try to keep as a "Have to do". After that, I have found I really need some motivation. Whether it is a kit almost done, really cool ideas to a new one or a 1:1 that seams like an "easy" build. I ave also noticed it helps me sometimes to render out what I want it to look like when done. That seems to keep me focussed.

[CaseyG83]

i don't pick what i'm gonna build: it picks me! sadly this is no joke i can't think of the last time i really decided what i was building things just find their own way on my bench

casey

[mademan]

i don't pick what i'm gonna build: it picks me! sadly this is no joke i can't think of the last time i really decided what i was building things just find their own way on my bench

casey

I have the same problem, Im mainly a cadillac guy and they seem to keep finding there way onto my bench...... that and my model a.d.d, lol

I have a desk that every kit that gets started gets put on. All of the margerine containers are started kits too, they are mostly builtups that i have bought and broken down for re-building

Edited January 31, 2008 by mademan

[Billy Kingsley]

I can't; that's why I have 97 NASCAR models in progress and an unknown number of street cars!

I enjoy painting and decaling much, much more then chassis building, so that doesn't help. I have painted as many as 16 cars in one day, give or take (I can't recall now if any of those were multi-color builds...I've done more then one color on a car in one day, and sometimes it even works!).

Last year I decided that things were getting out of hand, and that I needed to stop starting so many projects. So, I went through and figured out exactly how many NASCAR projects I had in progress. I then sub-classed them down three seperate ways:

1) Box Stock Builds that are ready to go

2) Close to box stock that needs very little to worry about or box stock that needs another color or something else major, or detailed models that were fairly close to completion.

3) Intense Projects. These are the builds that I've gone beyond box stock, some well beyond with major scratchbuilding and detail work.

I didn't figure out the totals of each group, only that there were 112 total. I've gotten that down to 97, however, I DID start one more even though I vowed not to, as it was the Model King Torino which I did not have any other copys of. I will likely add one more as I just got some Model King Cyclones and I don't think I can wait too long before tearing into one, it's burning a hole in my stash! (LOL)

I also have a 4th category: Dead Projects. These are the projects that have failed for whatever reason, these are the ones that I tried something my skills are currently not capable of, or decals that shattered, or I put it on a insufficiant body or any other reason for a project has failed. Those are NOT counted in the total.

It had gotten to the point that my skills were improving so much, that I would paint and decal a body, and by time I got to building a chassis for it, I now considered it crappy, and not good enough. That's the main reason I have stopped myself from starting new projects.

I did not count the street car projects, as I have been moving farther and farther away for building street cars. And besides that, most of my street car builds are not too complicated, they get painted, then, if nessicary BMFd, then clearcoated, and then just finished. If it takes me a while for a street car that means it's either complicated or being held up for some other reason.

I do have a Porsche 959 that I have sworn that I will FINISH this year. I have a nearly flawless metallic silver paint job on it (Tamiya Gloss Aluminum) but I pulled it out a few nights ago and decided that I think I would probaby rather have it another color-most likely red. So I will probably take a while to decide weather or not to repaint it...Unless someone has an unpainted, complete Tamiya 959 body they would like to send me

Here's a washed out photo after the first coat of paint, when it was still uneven.

I have no prohibitions against starting new street car projects, though, and after I got all the parts back from Chrome Tech Bob back in November I know for sure that I will be starting at least three more street car projects very soon- Motor City 72 Ranchero, Scale Coachworks 70 Dart Swinger and MCW 66 Nash Ambassidor-although technically I've already started the MCW Nash, as I've filled the pinhole on the trunk and scratchbuilt new drip rails-they were mostly all broken off of mine. And, I've already started my Aardvark/Model Martin Firebird III.

I only completed two street cars last year (My R&R Vacuum Craft 63 Impala Wagon and my Parts Box Monster, which I'm not sure really counts anyway) but 2008 should be a bit higher in street cars. Of cource, 2007 was a bit of an off year for me, as I only finished 23 total models.

After sorting my 1/64 street car collection last week and part of the week before, I've also got an urge to build several Porshes and Ferraris. Luckily, I won't be tempted as I can't currently afford the Tamiya kits it takes to build them! (Those would be: 1970s 911, 928 and 944 Porsches and Ferrari F40 [My all time favorite non-American car] and 308. I don't even know if a 308 exists in model form, though. I've never paid much attention to foreign car kits, but after seeing these 1/64 cars I had when I was a child, it rekindled some great memories that I wish to capture in build form)

For my NASCAR builds, well, I choose what I build based on how I'm feeling. Lately, I've been in a 1980s mood and burned out on the 2000s stuff. I keep bringing out my 4 box-stock Intrepids and just can't get anything done on them, the 80s cars I breeze through because I'm having so much fun. Lately I've been working on my 1984 Lake Speed car that I started back around 2005. I'm doing this one for a couple reasons- One, I promised Fred Cady in Toledo I would have a finished model with his decals at the NNL next October-I've never actually finished a model with his decals. I figure if I do it now, I won't have to rush and mess things up the last week before the show---again! The second is that my friend Charlie Kroll (Tuffy's Garage on here) called me up one day and challenged me to build a Notchback Monte Carlo. This was the only one I had in progress, so, here it is! I have it about 90% done. I finished the decals a few days ago (the contingencys came from 8 different companys and 11 different sheets) and the bulk of the chassis is done already. I need to do the wheels, still, and finish up the interior. I also need to scratchbuild a new front airdam and I'm debating weather or not I want to cut into the window net. The Monogram net does not really match any of the photos I have of the car, so I'm debating doing a cut and reshape deal. I've never tried that, though, so it would be an adventure if I do it. I've already done something new as I noticed that the nose of the car had an integral airdam molded in to the body, which was not on the 1984 car, (any 84 Chevy actually), so, working VERY carefully, I used my razor saw and removed it. Thus, the first body modification I've done AFTER the car was painted and decaled.

Here's the only shot I have, before I did any of the contingencys. I don't know why the green and red looks so wavy-I never noticed that before. The real model is not like that. I also hadn't finished the basic decaling, the red outlines on the 1s and the black outlines on everything else.

Next, since I am in a 1980s mood, I will likely do the 1986 #02 Mark Martin Miller American car I have painted, and I'm also working on a moderatly detailed 1989 Dale Earnhardt car-I've done all the modifications to make it a 1989 car, which is something I've never tried before. I thought I had it in final primer already, but it ran on me, and then I discovered that the headlight buckets were filled in on the 1989 car, so I have to do that too.

Now, I just have to wait for it to warn up enough to actually do some work! It's been too cold, and when it wasn't too cold, like yesterday, it was raining. It's supposed to be warm enough and not raining later this week, so I expect to finish the Speed car very soon.

...Man, that was longer then I expected!

Edited January 31, 2008 by Billy Kingsley

[Paul Payne]

The last few years I have been concentrating on hot rod projects. Current is my double deuce project which has been posted here. A couple nights ago I put together some parts for a re-build of Monogram's Black Widow, which will be next.

[jbwelda]

i am kind of a strange builder: i actually finish projects, if only eventually sometimes. but i tend to get 6 or so builds going seriously and then decide thats enough, and strive to complete them, or most of them, before starting something else or more likely another 5 or 6 projects.

what determines which i start next is kind of a crapshoot. i have a mental stack of kits in my head that i want to build in the relatively short term, and those are first in the queue to be built next. but then im easily influenced ('led" some might say" by what i see and especially these days what i see in this forum or the mag itself. hence my current interest in hot rods which a few years ago i almost never did, instead concentrating on sports and sports race cars. but now ive got a hankering to do some customizing so maybe this next run will include some chopping and channelling.

other than that after im done with the miata im building (should be by the weekend) and the lakes roadster that is long term and liable to not actually get done in the near future, my current queue consists of:

hasegawa jaguar xjs-he twr race car

hasegawa mazda cosmo race car

tamiya nissan xanavi gt-r

some sort of 1/8 scale kit bash lakes roadster, essentially a 1/8 scale copy of the offy roadster im doing in 1/24 (but with a flathead motor probably)

wilhelms wild dream, two actually, one out of box and a second "improved" by me

hot rod mag concept car XR6

chop/channel/kustom project i mentioned above but havent decided on the vehicle (no mercs, thats for sure)

those ought to keep me going a couple of years at my rate.

edit:

oh and a ski boat. thanks a lot model cars magazine!

Edited February 1, 2008 by jbwelda

[Billy Kingsley]

Here's two better photos of the Lake Speed car that I posted earlier. This is how it sits now, obviously not done...

Should be posted as finished in the NASCAR section within a week...