The more I get, the more I need...

[TheRX7Project]

As I've been working on a few kits, I've found that the more detail I put into a model, the more detail I need to put in.

There was a time, not that many years ago, when a plain enamel-painted body and a few picked out details here and there was plenty to me. I never even considered buying BMF or PE parts, or even scratchbuilding supplies. I used what came in the kit (and whatever my parts box could supply) and I was good.

Not too long ago, I bought BMF and used it on a model for the first time. Wow, what a difference. Suddenly I was wondering how I had been building all these years without it. What else had I been missing out on? On that same model, I bought a pre-wired distributor, and although all my models don't get them, I could see the difference it made under the hood, and my newest project is getting one.

While building this engine, I thought what a shame it would be to go through the trouble of wiring the engine and not having an alternator bracket. So I ordered a set of Detail Master engine brackets. While I was on the alternator I added a wire coming off it, because, you know, why not. That means, really, I need to pick up some "battery cable" wire (can someone recommend a size or good place to buy it bulk?). And why detail the engine so much if I'm not going to do the same for the interior? So I also ordered some PE seat belt latches and "seat belt material". That warranted a trip to Hobby Lobby for some embossing powder as well.

Also while building this engine, my first time using a pin vise. WHERE HAS THIS THING BEEN ALL MY LIFE? I'm beginning to question what I was thinking all those years I spent without it. "Ah, I don't need that much detail." "All I need is glue, paint and an x-acto." Boy, was I only fooling myself.

So today, here I find myself looking at resin cast "ignition kits" that include an MSD box, coil, and wired distributor... and thinking about how great that's going to look under the hood of my next muscle car project. But if I'm going to buy one, I might as well buy a resin molding kit so I can just mold my own instead of paying $10 every time. It's not like I won't use it, right?

Anyone else experience the "snowball effect" of detailing?

[disabled modeler]

Only a few times myself...sometimes there is a thing called too much....a simple but clean build can be just as good too.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

That's why the max I do is change the belt with tape, put battery wires on, and ignition wires.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Anyone else experience the "snowball effect" ...?

Yup. Building mostly highly-modified stuff, I'm constantly in the mode of one-mod-leads-to-another. It's challenging for me to stay on task when a model takes almost as much planning and engineering as a real car.

If I could drive the finished product, that would be one thing. But something to put on a shelf and just look at occasionally? I often question my sanity.

[tbill]

snow ball effect.....yup....same boat as you......run with it [ easier than not doing it.........]

[southpier]

it's called "growth".

just roll with it.

[Petetrucker07]

I got back into modeling a llittle over a year ago. I too bought a pin vise and felt the same, WHERE HAS THIS BEEN. I use that thing A LOT. I know what you mean about try this then now I got do that. I did my first detailed diesel CAT engine. 3 hours later I found my eyes were only thing gonna stop me. I'm gonna be building my first heavy detailed car this year, my Cannonball run forum contest entry. I'll be doing the engine, battery, fuel lines, brake lines, etc. I'm a little intimidated by it, but that's the only way to improve skills, try.

[58 Impala]

It's an uncontrollable sickness, one detail leads to another to another to another....... I also wish sometimes I could just shake the box and use only what falls out, with just a little paint. That'll never happen. Lol

Edited March 1, 2015 by 58 Impala

[Ramfins59]

It's an uncontrollable sickness, one detail leads to another to another to another....... I also wish sometimes I could just shake the box and use only what falls out, with just a little paint. That'll never happen. Lol

Yep... some of us have it BAD. Once you wire your first engine and it comes out good, it's just "easy" to do it on every model. The engines just look so bare without the wiring... then you add brackets, and fuel lines, and master cylinder brake lines, and battery cables, and heater hoses, and a radiator overflow line. and a windshield washer fluid line............ that snowball just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Don't get me started on interiors...!!!

[uncle potts]

Me too. Did the same thing with a Ferrari 250GT that I built a couple years ago. I couldn't stop adding detail after detail. Got it all together, and couldn't see half of it, what a bummer! My current build, straight out of the box, need to complete something, so went for a simple project to get the juices flowing again. Then back to another supper detailed project that I started over a year ago. Maybe I'll get it done now.

[kruleworld]

As your skills improve you need to keep pushing yourself to get further. unfortunately, the kits don't typically make for much of a challenge (other than paintjobs). so adding more detail is a necessary next step. You can avoid aftermarket sink by using household items and raw styrene to add detail.

Edited March 1, 2015 by kruleworld