Tired of your current kit?

[Roadworn]

Hey all, I'm curious how many of us get tired or frustrated with the kit you're working on and want put it on the shelf before it's complete.

I'm working on a kit now that's just giving me grief every step of the way. I know there is something to be said for sticking with it, facing and overcoming challenges but im losing interest in this one. Do you ever call a timeout and put it on the shelf incomplete to get to it at another time? And...if you do put it on the shelf when do you generally get back to it?

Love to hear everyone's thoughts.

 

[BarleyBop]

Hey! I'm a relative newbie to model making, but do have a lot of experience in the creative arts.

Unlike other domains where the work ethic adages of old force us into submission, talk to artists and you will hear them say a few things: nothing is gained by forcing it, more to lose;
stepping away gives time for background mental processing to run its course;
there may be other things you need to learn first, on a simpler project that you don't care so much about.

I'm sure other folks will have much to say on this subject! We've all been there!

 

[mark2]

I usually have more than one on the go,if one becomes a bit tedious I get on with the other, sometimes I don't come back to kit for ages and just start new things,most get done eventually, when I put my tamiya tiger on the shelf of doom I came back and finished it four years later, enjoyed finishing it.

 

[Roadworn]

"Shelf of doom" HA! I love it!

 

[Pantherman]

Hey all, I'm curious how many of us get tired or frustrated with the kit you're working on and want put it on the shelf before it's complete.

I'm working on a kit now that's just giving me grief every step of the way. I know there is something to be said for sticking with it, facing and overcoming challenges but im losing interest in this one. Do you ever call a timeout and put it on the shelf incomplete to get to it at another time? And...if you do put it on the shelf when do you generally get back to it?

Love to hear everyone's thoughts.

Hi and welcome to the forum. I tend to have 2 kit's on the go so when one gets frustrating I move to the other, the break kinda refreshes it. Never yet used the shelf of doom or the flak hammer (ask Downtime). Pantherman

 

[TimM63]

I just put a partially completed kit back in the box and put it on a shelf. I currently have two kits that are incomplete and waiting for me to get inspired again to finish them. I have also had two kits end up in the trash bin. One I dropped and it broke into about 100 pieces (I have since bought a new kit of the same model) and the other was just unbuildable.

 

[Jakko]

If all of the time you're having to scrounge up the will to keep working on something, then don't — simple as that. Put the kit back into its box, put the box back into your stash, and find something in there (or in a shop) that you do fancy building.

I've got dozens of part-finished models in their boxes (and some out of them), some dating back up to thirty years or so. Technically, I intend to finish all of them, except for the very old ones where I now consider their unfinished state to be historical, but I doubt I ever will. And I don't mind — I build models to enjoy myself, and if that's not happening then why would I keep at it?

Of course, you sometimes hit a rough patch that you have to get through on any given kit before it becomes enjoyable again. In that case it's a matter of biting the bullet that you keep putting off, though. For example, I don't enjoy working with two-part epoxy putty, so I've been putting off finishing my M4 (105 mm) tank because all that's left to do is to sculpt a cover over the machine gun. And I did the same when I had to make the cover over the gun mantlet and the sandbags on the rear deck for it. But eventually, I just got out the putty and made those things. However, if you find that pretty much nothing about the model is making you want to continue working on it, then just put it away for later.

 

[ohbejuan]

I just put a partially completed kit back in the box and put it on a shelf. I currently have two kits that are incomplete and waiting for me to get inspired again to finish them. I have also had two kits end up in the trash bin. One I dropped and it broke into about 100 pieces (I have since bought a new kit of the same model) and the other was just unbuildable.

This is how I usually handle it. I have one project I am trying to focus on right now, because it is for a friend. But usually o have the two kit method going on.

 

[PatW]

Well if anyone in this position of giving on any auto/truck PU or bike kits you can throw them my way, as a pensioner I'm having a problem buying some kits as they have become so expensive!
I build one at a time and after 65+ years at this, I contrive some way or other to fix things!

 

[Col.Kilgore]

This is a great topic and one I have pondered myself. I usually get to the weathering stage and get antsy to move on to my next project. It's not uncommon to have two kits going at the same time. I also have a "Shelf of Shame". Kits that I have screwed up and waved the surrender flag on them. I am in the process of salvaging parts from those kits and save them for future use.

 

[Roadworn]

Shelf of shame, I like that even more.

This is super encouraging. I've always been a "clean your plate" or "finish what you started" kinda guy.
(Still am the clean your plate thing which is why I could use to lose a few pounds)

I am getting back into the hobby after many years and consider myself a newbie because I never built models to this level of detail. Taking time and patience on weathering, removing mold lines, painting details on a small scale, ect.

I'm definitely going to start the two kit at a time method. It sounds like that helps keep it fresh. One model easier than the other.

Good stuff

 

[Col.Kilgore]

I'm with you Roadworn. I'm one year into my return to the hobby after a 50+ year hiatus. Weathering was not a thing back in 1972 . . at least for me it wasn't. I mainly build armor right now and started off with the Tamiya 1/48 line of vehicles . . .a good way to not drop big money if I mangle what I'm working on.

 

[PatW]

This is a great topic and one I have pondered myself. I usually get to the weathering stage and get antsy to move on to my next project. It's not uncommon to have two kits going at the same time. I also have a "Shelf of Shame". Kits that I have screwed up and waved the surrender flag on them. I am in the process of salvaging parts from those kits and save them for future use.

To me the weathering part is the most creative part so I'm on it straight away!

 

[Edbert]

I do this all the time, as in everyday. I try to finish up some that are close before opening the bags on another one, just because it can become an issue with too many in progress at once. To keep track of all the bits and pieces (not only to avoid losing them but to not mix the parts from multiple kits) I use small jars with plastic lids. I have a few kits that were started 25-30 years ago, I do think I'll finish them someday, only exceptions would be ones I've generally ruined, for those I'd like to try and finish as best I can just on principle.

Here's some examples for my bench as of today:

Nearly done (but off to the side)

McLaren MP4/4
Merkava Mk IV​

In progress (various stages)

F-35I Adir
J2M3 Jack
Panther Ausf D
F-105 Thud​

Shelved (need inspiration)

Bf109
F-16 Aggressor
B-17 Waist Gunner​

Shelved (maybe long-term)

B-25 Mitchell
Fokker DVII
M5A Stuart​

(the ones from the 1990s are not listed here )

 

[Jakko]

I've currently got four models that I consider to actually be under construction, in order from most to least finished:

• Piranha PWI
• M4 (105 mm) HVSS
• M2 halftrack
• Churchill Mk. VI

I intend to finish them all before starting a new one, but I should really get off my ass and do just that instead of working on non-model things all day and night

 

[BarleyBop]

To keep track of all the bits and pieces (not only to avoid losing them but to not mix the parts from multiple kits) I use small jars with plastic lids.

I recently picked up some deeply discounted kits at a hobby shop in town that were probably part of an estate sale or some such. There were were multiple, identical kits, with what seemed to be a 'mother kit' with the best representative parts from all the kits in it.
At least I hope that's what went down!
Anyhow, opened sprue bags neatly wrapped in newsprint, cut pieces organized into pill cases...
Here is an example:

It is a little bit weird, looking into the building habits and medical history of someone... a cross between forensic investigation and anthropological research, with artifact reconstruction and completion!

 

[Edbert]

I'm always hearing of estate sales and such, but of the things one sees listed, a collection of unbuilt models is never included.

 

[Belugawrx]

I've got about 9 on the go, in varying states of completion. Sometimes it's just finding the proper paint or waiting on decals that don't explode upon touching water, or waiting on parts, or, and this one takes up the most time, researching the interwebs to find exact detail pics to replicate in the subassemblies I'm working on.
Put it in its box, pull another one out, stay busy at the bench. Saul Goodman

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Well I can only express my own experiences with this "illness". I have had times with multiple kits going, a shelf of shame filling up, and more excitement building the "stash" than actually building kits. I've fought this beast for years until the wife and I built a new home.

I sold my stash of models and my cure was found. I build one before I buy one. I have found for me, I can stay motivated and focused on the build, research, planning, and gathering materials as I build knowing there is no stash beckoning me to open a new box to the smell of fresh styrene.

Trust me, this wasn't a easy process, but having very little stash actually helps me build more. I can almost guarantee all of us have had a wishlist of kits sitting on the shelf, that even given the best hopes, we will never build them all in our lifetime. Investing in a single subject has been more productive for me than investing in everything I "would like" to build.

 

[kevin]

Investing in a single subject has been more productive for me than investing in everything I "would like" to build.

I'm the same these days. I have no stash. I build one, then buy the next one.

 

[Roadworn]

Thanks Calico Jack and Kevin. I'm getting a sense of the stash pushing my need to finish a kit to get to the next one and putting less focus on finishing it with the level of detail I should.
However waiting for paint to cure kills me. I tend to rush it then the paint turns out bad.
Haven't tried the dehydrator method yet. Not sure my wife will grant me any more space.
I have 7 kits in my stash right now and 3 on the bench. I have kits in carts on line and practicing restraint from checking out. It's a start....

 

[Tye g]

Thanks Calico Jack and Kevin. I'm getting a sense of the stash pushing my need to finish a kit to get to the next one and putting less focus on finishing it with the level of detail I should.
However waiting for paint to cure kills me. I tend to rush it then the paint turns out bad.
Haven't tried the dehydrator method yet. Not sure my wife will grant me any more space.
I have 7 kits in my stash right now and 3 on the bench. I have kits in carts on line and practicing restraint from checking out. It's a start....

I know exactly where your coming from Roadworm I get that same problem I have no patience lol and waiting cement or paint to dry is waste of my valuable modelling time as for the buying of new kits I have 42 at last count in my stash and yes I have so many others in carts of so many sites even I don't know what or where they are lol ,big difference between us is I don't have a wife a partner or girlfriend so my house it's my rules in other words every cupboard all floor space is devoted to models lol keep plodding on and you will get there ONE DAY lol

 

[Bodeen]

Hey all, I'm curious how many of us get tired or frustrated with the kit you're working on and want put it on the shelf before it's complete.

I'm working on a kit now that's just giving me grief every step of the way. I know there is something to be said for sticking with it, facing and overcoming challenges but im losing interest in this one. Do you ever call a timeout and put it on the shelf incomplete to get to it at another time? And...if you do put it on the shelf when do you generally get back to it?

Love to hear everyone's thoughts.

ALL THE TIME!!

 

[PatW]

Unfortunately lately being in my seventies, I'm losing my cool quicker and braking up and throwing out those I just cannot understand! Bodies of cars that just won't fit! To my way of thinking which is probably completely wrong! But that's my fault 100 per cent. I should test fit the bodies straight out of the box, but I'm just too impatient to get on and start the next build!

 

[Murph]

Tamiya 1:12, Honda CBR 1000-RR-R
This one, Jaysus, Mary and Joseph, I find Tamiya to be an excellent manufacturer usually but this one drove me insane for some reason, all was going extremely well up until the front forks and wheel assembly, do you think I could align it to get the long screw to take up the slack ? could I hell, after 4 hours I gave up, back in the box to be continued, also accidentally got a gluey finger on the front glass that stuck out like a sore thumb, it was enough to make the Pope swear !!!

 

[Murph]

FOR SALE (Free To Good Home)

1 Tamiya 1:12, Honda CBR 1000-RR-R

All inoculations from a reputed veterinarian practice, flead, wormed, microchipped and neutered,
Opened the box yesterday after posting above and within 1/2 an hour it had me cursin' like a wild banshee
I'm beginning to think that Tamiya let some schoolkids loose in the factory on a visit and they messed with
the settings on the presses, or the entire workforce had been on a bender the night before and had not fully
recovered the next day due to the amount of alcohol consumed, or it is just cursed by a bunch of renegade Leprechauns
I just cannot get the front forks to fit properly ,they just won't line up with the holes, also managed to snap
the front brake lever

The funeral will take place on Wednesday next week at the Holy Mary Church of Eternal Agony followed
by a burial at The Sacred Heart Memorial of the Damned Cemetery in Ballyfeckit. Co. Cork
Conducted by Father A Waythebetter

 

[papaof2]

Roadworn, get you a dehydrator, it's a game changer. My wife had one of the cheap round one with plastic trays I commandeered when she upgraded to a better unit. She grow and drys all her own herbs and spices. After some modifications and making some tin spacers I have a pretty nice unit. VW in my avatar was dried for an hour and masking tape applied without incident. Not sure where your located, but I see them in thrift stores all the time for $10 +/-. New on Amazon about $35.