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Just about had it

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  • Member since
    April 2011
Just about had it
Posted by cooleric on Saturday, May 28, 2011 2:00 PM

Well, as the title says, I just about had it and almost gave up completely on model building. I was working on a 1/48 SBD2-Dauntless that was not being very friendly. The horizontal stabilizers kept wanting to come off and after priming it and getting it ready for painting, i had it sitting in my makeshift paint booth outside when one of my cats decided to play with it. Needless to say, cat hair and and the like and horizontal stabilizer missing. In a fit of anger I turned that bad boy into a real dive bomber. So that is one that wont ever get done, seeing as how it is hard to piece back something that was splashed into the carpety ocean.

I was just about to get rid of all my stuff, thinking in my head that I will never get any good at building models like some of the fine builders I have seen on this site and other sites. The detailing and the like just seems so overwhelming. Then I cooled down and thought about it, I could just go back to building cars and trucks. I have always found those types to be a little bit easier to build and I do not get as stressed out with them. (Model building should be fun right?) I also figure, build more trucks and cars and basically let the knowledge of weathering and whatnot come to me.

May not make sense, but for some reason it is to me hahaha. I will build the stockpile of planes that I have sooner or later, but at the current moment, I will stick with the auto's.

Anybody else have a situation like this?

 

Cheers,

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, May 28, 2011 2:26 PM

Bad model situations yes, but involving part malfunctions and cats at the same time no...

But you have the right idea. When something gets to be too difficult in model building, set it aside and go to your comfort zone. Get relaxed and once you are better off and feel up to whatever challenge the difficult kit gave you, tackle it again.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Saturday, May 28, 2011 2:31 PM

Yes for sure,sometimes you just need a timeout.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Saturday, May 28, 2011 2:44 PM

Yes and no. Sure I've been frustrated with building. I usually put the offending kit aside and then return to it at a later date. One is this resin armored car that I was building, might never get completed. Alas, there is always something fresh in the stash.

I too love airplanes, but so far have been unable to complete one in over 10 years. I have 10 in my stash too.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Washington, DC
Posted by TomZ2 on Saturday, May 28, 2011 2:45 PM

Not to sound TOO cavalier, but who hasn’t?

In my case, I’d dry-assembled a space station model that had a massive fake zero-gee SFX (clear acrylic rods) and DROPPED it! Dropped it onto the edge of a marble table! There was minor damage to some of the primed plastic, but ALL the rods broke! Worse, I had to set it aside (out-laws visiting) and leave it totally alone — for over a week. It was a good long while before I could stand to look at it.

Tags: SFX

Occasional factual, grammatical, or spelling variations are inherent to this thesis and should not be considered as defects, as they enhance the individuality and character of this document.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Saturday, May 28, 2011 9:49 PM

I did, but then I ate the bastage(cat) for breakfast. Cats are the most evil creature on earth, to begin with. When you're a modeller, they are the devil in the flesh! Eat the little "effer", and all your troubles will be gone!

  • Member since
    March 2010
Posted by shoot&scoot on Saturday, May 28, 2011 11:17 PM

A couple of years ago I did up Academy's M36 Jackson and got so frustrated with the lousy fit and off scale proportions I just about took it out to the range and put some scale 88mm holes through it.  I had to step back and cool off for a while.  In the end (after about 400 hrs) it turned out pretty good.  It will be featured in an upcoming diorama in the coming mos.

                                                                                             Pat.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Canada
Posted by HisNHer Tanks on Sunday, May 29, 2011 12:14 PM

So many of my kits hail from the 80s, and the tech just isn't the same any more, in fact todays kits are great and my old kits jusrt suck in comparison.

But like so many modelers I have back log :)

Recently I have been more active and putting out the effort to just get those old kits off the que. But I have had a different slant on seeing how great newer kits truly are.

I for instance had the Academy M10 which sounds similar to that Jackson. It was garbage, I mean total garbage, complete crud. Not worth the glue. It was round filed and I am glad to be rid of it. That was about hmm 10 years ago I did that. It felt 'wrong' throwing away a model then though. Today, I wouldn't give it a second thought. I have in recent months spent a day on some kits and after a day of assembly resolved 'you suck, get out of my home' for a few kits that have been collecting dust for a long while.

There's too little time, and too many GOOD kits out there to waste time on junk, even if you DID spend what seemed like good money at some time in the past.

Tamiya 1/48th scale armour fan

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, May 29, 2011 12:31 PM

The Tamiya clone Academy M10 is not that hard to put together decently. I have built a couple. Their new tool M10 even less so. I agree with you that there are too many good kits out there today and too little time to build them all. But even the most difficult kits an be turned in to nice builds with patience and perseverance. I threw away one kit in construction, not out of frustration, but because it was a conversion and another company came out with the kit I was making the conversion of. In that case it was a case of time not being worth the effort when I could go buy that kit off the shelf. Maybe it's ego- no kit will defeat me. But if I start it, unless there is a catastrophe, I will finish it, no matter how long and how many frustration sidelines it takes.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    April 2011
  • From: Upstate New York
Posted by Warthog Wrencher on Sunday, May 29, 2011 4:26 PM

It's funny you mention frustration at building aircraft.  For me, it's just the opposite. Until recently, I built auromotive subjects exclusively. But, I got so burned out trying to get the perfect, polished paint job, so tired of making sure the engine wiring and plumbing were done right, the colors were appropriate for the year muscelcar I was building...it just never seemed to end. I got so burned out on it i haven't touched a model in almost 10 months now.

I have since turned to aircraft and armor as a means of releasing the block I have on the hobby altogether. I am currently digging into an Italeri SH-60B Seahawk helicopter and am really enjoying the research and ;earning curve of  building this rotary winged bird. Will it be a contest winner?  Heck no.  Is it going to be 100% accurate? Probably not.  But what it WILL be is fun and for me, it's been ages since building a kit has actually been enjoyable. 

Check Six!!!

Brian

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Monday, May 30, 2011 5:52 AM

Just walk away in such a situation, try the model later, do an easy model in the mean time. And do not set the bar to high, focus on the proces, not the outcome of modelling.

 

Getting frustated with a model happens to all of us (I for one can't stand Tyra Banks)

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Monday, May 30, 2011 7:09 AM

Its just plastic !

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Monday, May 30, 2011 11:54 AM

Some have already stole my thunder, just don't set the bar so high and seek individual improvement.  Yeah, I know, if you tend to be a bit of a Type-A'r, you tend also to have high expectations.  At first I measured my builds by other's standards and soon realized... it ain't happen'n, no more than I'm going to run a 2:10 marathon.  Build the best you can (without stressing it) and look for areas of improvement.  Remember, there are no Rivet Police to kick down your door, have fun with it. Smile

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 9:06 AM

In a fit of anger I turned that bad boy into a real dive bomber. So that is one that wont ever get done, seeing as how it is hard to piece back something that was splashed into the carpety ocean.

Doesn't seem to fit your screen-name, Cool...Wink

  • Member since
    April 2011
Posted by cooleric on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 9:19 AM

Hans von Hammer

In a fit of anger I turned that bad boy into a real dive bomber. So that is one that wont ever get done, seeing as how it is hard to piece back something that was splashed into the carpety ocean.

Doesn't seem to fit your screen-name, Cool...Wink

 

Well I am not cool headed, not nearly as hot headed as I used to be. I am just cool in the fact that I am snazzy dresser hahaha.

It was actually a nickname my best friend gave me a few years back which I believe came from a night of binge drinking and chasing loose women. Then again he might have called me that because I am (Pops Collar) Cool.

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 9:34 AM

There was once an F-16 pilot I knew of that begged for the callsign "Iceman"... Nobody in the squadron thought he was cool enough to be called "Ice"... So he was immediately tagged with "Slush"...

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: West Virginia, USA
Posted by mfsob on Thursday, June 2, 2011 8:23 AM

We all have these "moments," sometimes they last for a few minutes, sometimes for a few months. I'm a one project at a time person for the simple fact that I don't have space for more than that. And I also have a cat, so there's no leaving anything out until I get around to it, because it might vanish, never to be seen again. Moments like these are what a good cup of coffee and your favorite book or movie are for - just turn your back on the offending hunk of resin or plastic for awhile.

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Truro Nova Scotia, Canada
Posted by SuppressionFire on Thursday, June 2, 2011 9:05 AM

Hans von Hammer

There was once an F-16 pilot I knew of that begged for the callsign "Iceman"... Nobody in the squadron thought he was cool enough to be called "Ice"... So he was immediately tagged with "Slush"...

It never works giving yourself a nickname, like pointed out by Hammer it often backfires.

Original poster:

Box the offending model, if it was meant to be it will find its way to your hobby bench one day.

 

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/razordws/GB%20Badges/WMIIIGBsmall.jpg

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 7:32 AM

SuppressionFire

 Hans von Hammer:

There was once an F-16 pilot I knew of that begged for the callsign "Iceman"... Nobody in the squadron thought he was cool enough to be called "Ice"... So he was immediately tagged with "Slush"...

 

It never works giving yourself a nickname, like pointed out by Hammer it often backfires.

Yupper... Like the Squadron's Air Exec, Major Nader,  who wanted to be known as "Darth"... However, he had one of the largest hooked-noses ever to be forced into an O2 mask... He forever became "Gonzo", even after he had enough rank to pick his own callsign...

"Nooner" had a really hot new girlfriend and was always late getting back from lunch... "Stitch" was 6' 7" tall and hit his forehead on a Sidewinder rail during the walk-around... "Chunks" was prone to air-sickness, as was "Two-Bags"...  "No-Neck" looked like he was a flight-helmet sitting on a pair of shoulders...Then there was the squadron's first female pilot, a Lieutenant named Eastwood, who demanded to be treated the same as the male pilots... Her callsign was "Clint"... Except withOUT the "n"...

 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: UK
Posted by Jon_a_its on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 7:59 AM

My hobby club nick-name is "Glacier"

Not 'cos I'm cool, 'cos I'm sooo sloooow Huh?

Another club guy is called Cap'n sloow, 'cos He's SLOWer than Me! Captain

East Mids Model Club 32nd Annual Show 2nd April 2023

 http://www.eastmidsmodelclub.co.uk/

Don't feed the CM!

 

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Hancock, Me USA
Posted by p38jl on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 8:10 AM

Hans von Hammer

 SuppressionFire:

 Hans von Hammer:

There was once an F-16 pilot I knew of that begged for the callsign "Iceman"... Nobody in the squadron thought he was cool enough to be called "Ice"... So he was immediately tagged with "Slush"...

 

It never works giving yourself a nickname, like pointed out by Hammer it often backfires.

 

Yupper... Like the Squadron's Air Exec, Major Nader,  who wanted to be known as "Darth"... However, he had one of the largest hooked-noses ever to be forced into an O2 mask... He forever became "Gonzo", even after he had enough rank to pick his own callsign...

"Nooner" had a really hot new girlfriend and was always late getting back from lunch... "Stitch" was 6' 7" tall and hit his forehead on a Sidewinder rail during the walk-around... "Chunks" was prone to air-sickness, as was "Two-Bags"...  "No-Neck" looked like he was a flight-helmet sitting on a pair of shoulders...Then there was the squadron's first female pilot, a Lieutenant named Eastwood, who demanded to be treated the same as the male pilots... Her callsign was "Clint"... Except withOUT the "n"...

 

  LOLOL.. Hammer.. Fire fighter nicknames are similiar...Whistling

as to the OP... most have already said the best.. take a breather... build something fun.. and simple..

[Photobucket]

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, June 10, 2011 1:13 PM

In my LRS unit, due to being in the commo section, the supervising NCOs all got callsigns as well, my boss was "Turtle" due to his resemblence to the Bugs Bunny charecter... mine was "Sinner", something the troops came up with from the sound of my last name.. at work it's "Cisco"

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Friday, June 10, 2011 1:25 PM

I think everyone, at one time or another, has had big issues with a build. Ohhhhh the stories I could tell,,,   but I don't want to hash up those memories.

Take a breath, and yes, build something you are comfortable with.

Yes again, it should be fun!

 

All the best...........

Enjoy the ride!

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Denver
Posted by tankboy51 on Friday, June 10, 2011 5:51 PM

I've never reached the point of quitting, either a kit or the hobby.  In over 45 years of building these little plastic thingys,  I've never got one I couldn't finish.  I've probably have 4 that the inspiration ran out on, but I know I'll get back to them.  Mostly armor kits, and actually more aircraft than I think.  Still can't paint a figure worth a darn.  I was thinking of starting a post about how I'm totally cured of AMS, and am now quite content to build them mostly OTB.  When I did really jazz 'em up, aside from a few local guys, no one cared.  I've more awards than I know what to do with, and have built many on commision.  So I guess I have this hobby down.  At least to the level I'm content with.

Of course, link to link track can be a tad challenging.  I'm just finishing up the MiniArt Valentine Mk II, and while the track weren't bad to put on,  keeping them on during the finishing stage is, ahem, somewhat trying.  I'll get them on, but some harsh words were said earlier today.

I had no problems with the Academy M36. Was this the new kit or the old Tamiya clone?  Big difference.  I've actually never bothered getting the Academy knockoffs.  The newer stuff is pretty good.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Canada
Posted by HisNHer Tanks on Saturday, June 11, 2011 6:59 AM

Reading the OP and I have recently had a similar incident.

Tamiya 1/35th scale Brummbar of some age now.

The kit itself is fine, but the tracks, best advice, throw them away, get some real tracks for the kit or risk my own incident.

Whilst putting on the tracks, insanity took hold of me as they failed me for a third time (trying to assemble and put on model). I was supposed to be just kicking around on this kit too. I have since stopped doing 35th scale with much passion especially on my older less thrilling now kits.

The track snapped on the attempt to attach. I LOST it and football tossed it into the wall.

THAT should have killed the kit.

But after a very long cool off period it was picked up and rebuilt.

She claimed it though (think she mentioned that elsewhere). Put it back together with a bit of patience. Although the treads still suck, and the kit likely will never get taken seriously due to how the tracks fit into the drive sprockets about as poorly as I have ever seen on a 35th scale kit.

But I have indeed found it necessary to just say nope, had enough of this portion of the hobby for a while. Fortunately aircraft and ships and armour are all fairly unique to each other. I find aircraft are like cars, need spotless paint jobs, while ships are all about well planned painting stages and incredibly small parts (on 700th scale). Tanks are where I go when I just want to build something.

Ultimately, I call doing figures though, my vacation from the entire hobby option. No airbrush work. You build the whole item, prime it then get out the brushes and just relax with some fine detail work that has nothing to do with masking a canopy, or complicated painting sequence or doing interiors or tracks.

Tamiya 1/48th scale armour fan

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Truro Nova Scotia, Canada
Posted by SuppressionFire on Saturday, June 11, 2011 8:49 AM

'Never say never' ~ Shawn Connery, 007 after stating he would never film another Bond movie.

Box everything up and store out of sight for a few months / years or even a decade. DO NOT sell your modeling tools / kits / supplies. They only fetch pennies on the dollar used, 50% at best.

One day you may want to return, who knows some kits in your stash may be worth many times the original price in the future. 

I have not done anything with my HO train set sense the late 70's. Do I plan on it in the future? Who knows or perhaps my son may like the set one day? Either way its better to keep & store than to sell & regret.

 

 

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/razordws/GB%20Badges/WMIIIGBsmall.jpg

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Saturday, June 11, 2011 9:02 AM

stikpusher

In my LRS unit, due to being in the commo section, the supervising NCOs all got callsigns as well, my boss was "Turtle" due to his resemblence to the Bugs Bunny charecter... mine was "Sinner", something the troops came up with from the sound of my last name.. at work it's "Cisco"

When I was the Brigade Chemical NCO,  my "Hollywood callsign" was "Bugs", short for "Bugs & Gas"...Toast

"Von Hammer" came about, to make a long story short,  due to a broken canopy latch on the CAF's Bf 109 (HA 1112 Buchon, actually), a hammer, a 20-pound canopy frame hitting me on the head, and being in a particularly foul mood that day... It was initially just "Hammer", but quickly became "Von Hammer" since it was a German aircraft....  Ended up paying for the replacement canopy too...

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