I'm SOO jealous...

VanceCrozier

...of guys that can run out a model - a well-done model - in 2 weeks or less. (Yeah, I'm looking at you fermis!!!). Seriously. I understand why I'm so slow in the summer, I'm generally on a ballfield 3-4 nights a week, plus yardwork, travel etc etc. But I'm still slower than I'd like in my off-season.

Other than time-travel, what kind of time-saving tricks can you share?!?!

I figure that if I give up eating cupcakes and hire some dogs to help I could finish one in a month or two

Dedicated build area...

Claim that Kitchen table !

p38jl

Dedicated build area...

Claim that Kitchen table !

"We're eating out this week folks!!"

Yep, the constant tear-down / set-up cycle is killing me. Someday....

My average is right around 6 weeks (43 days to be precise), but obviously varies on the kit and how many I've got on the bench. I've gone as fast as 22 days (Tamiya P-51B) and as long as 91 (WnW Soppy Pup). Mainly though I just put in some effort most every night. Modeling is my "the wife and kids are in bed and I'm done dealing with people for the day" time...

I finished 3 models on January, most of my time saving comes from almost 100% use of Acrylics paints. No lengthy waits for paint to cure and my old but trusty Aztek A470 in both, plastic and metal.

El Taino

I finished 3 models on January, most of my time saving comes from almost 100% use of Acrylics paints. No lengthy waits for paint to cure and my old but trusty Aztek A470 in both, plastic and metal.

I had started to switch to acrylics, part time-saver, part "less toxic", them my LHS closed up shop. Now re-thinking & looking at what the local-ist LHS has in stock.

DoogsATX

My average is right around 6 weeks (43 days to be precise), but obviously varies on the kit and how many I've got on the bench. I've gone as fast as 22 days (Tamiya P-51B) and as long as 91 (WnW Soppy Pup). Mainly though I just put in some effort most every night. Modeling is my "the wife and kids are in bed and I'm done dealing with people for the day" time...

My problem with late-night... after spending a 9-5 (or more) day staring at a computer, my eyes need some rest at some point. And I know I'll flip if I screw something up because I was tired. I need to look into fermis' "Sleep No Mo" system...

Fermis is not one man, he is many men working under tha same name...

VanceCrozier

 

 

My problem with late-night... after spending a 9-5 (or more) day staring at a computer, my eyes need some rest at some point. And I know I'll flip if I screw something up because I was tired. I need to look into

fermis' "Sleep No Mo" system...

Three words ?

Sounds like you'll need an extra set of eyeballs ..........

VanceCrozier

 

My problem with late-night... after spending a 9-5 (or more) day staring at a computer, my eyes need some rest at some point. And I know I'll flip if I screw something up because I was tired. I need to look into fermis' "Sleep No Mo" system...

I just close my eyes during the drive home...

"but officer - I have to finish my He177 before NorEastCon...."

I also have a 17" flat screen hooked to the cable... with  a DVD and VCR player.. so as I build.. I can watch TV.. a movie.. etc..

I just added a used TIVO to the set up.. now..  I can pause shows while I let the dog out.. or shoo the "agents".. or traditional potty break...

Manstein's revenge

Fermis is not one man, he is many men working under tha same name...

True, Herr Manstein. He's got an assembly line!

I try to model at least a few hours a day. It's kinda like a discipline. But, you guys know how it is. Once you're there, you get into that zone and hours go by. I have a dedicated hobby room, so I don't have to tear it down. Problem is, it stays a constant mess, which is my own fault....

p38jl

I also have a 17" flat screen hooked to the cable... with  a DVD and VCR player.. so as I build.. I can watch TV.. a movie.. etc..

I just added a used TIVO to the set up.. now..  I can pause shows while I let the dog out.. or shoo the "agents".. or traditional potty break...

Chris is right...dedicated workspace is essential. Got 15 minutes to wait for the wife before you go out? Glue a few parts onto whatever you're working on!

Manstein's revenge

p38jl:

I also have a 17" flat screen hooked to the cable... with  a DVD and VCR player.. so as I build.. I can watch TV.. a movie.. etc..

I just added a used TIVO to the set up.. now..  I can pause shows while I let the dog out.. or shoo the "agents".. or traditional potty break...

 

Swap out your stool for a toilet and you'll never have to get up from the bench...

Oh man there is a great pun in there...must ...resist...posting...it ...here

Hercmech

Manstein's revenge:

p38jl:

I also have a 17" flat screen hooked to the cable... with  a DVD and VCR player.. so as I build.. I can watch TV.. a movie.. etc..

I just added a used TIVO to the set up.. now..  I can pause shows while I let the dog out.. or shoo the "agents".. or traditional potty break...

 

Swap out your stool for a toilet and you'll never have to get up from the bench...

 

Oh man there is a great pun in there...must ...resist...posting...it ...here

Sometimes I find a clean workspace is more inviting then a dirty one. Sometimes I'lll walk in and turn around. However, when things are tidy and the room also, I feel more energized.

Whenever I think that it takes me long time to finish a model I think "whats the rush"? This is a hoby, not a competition where time counts for anything, so who cares if it is 2 weeks or 2 months. I usually model after 11pm when everybody has gone to bed and I have the kitchen to myself to breed all the paint and glue fumes. No rush at all to finish any build...

Cheers,

my average?

2.... sometimes 3 .....

a year....

but it's only a hobby, right?

First off, a dedicated work area is HUGE!!! Keeping it tidy and organized is also key. When I open the box, after looking everything over, I'll put as much together as possible, that doesn't need paint yet (wings, bombs, wheels, etc.). While pit paint is drying, break out the landing gears.......there is no down time....there's always something that can be done while something else is drying. The biggest key to the numbers that I put out is time. As I've said before, I only work about 6 months of the year (part time at that), so I have a good 6 months worth of Sundays in a row to build!

P38 - uhhh, buddy.... "traditional potty break".  I'm just going to stop my train of thought right there. I remember seeing a pic of your work area & seeing several bottles that I couldn't ID...

dupes! Low snowfall this season, did you just keep the bike out this time??  Yes, I've got 4-5 projects that I know I will be throwing some serious time at in the winter/spring, so if I have a few minutes to myself I'm trying to ___?___, assemble some landing gear, an ejection set, etc etc. I figure at some point I'll be sitting down to work on something & ~POW!~ the cockpit is already done on this one!!

VanceCrozier

...of guys that can run out a model - a well-done model - in 2 weeks or less. (Yeah, I'm looking at you fermis!!!). Seriously. I understand why I'm so slow in the summer, I'm generally on a ballfield 3-4 nights a week, plus yardwork, travel etc etc. But I'm still slower than I'd like in my off-season.

Other than time-travel, what kind of time-saving tricks can you share?!?!

Not really a time saver but this work pretty well for me: 

Fly to Thailand and hang out on the beach for awhile....find a nice girl, see the sights...

DoogsATX

VanceCrozier:

 

My problem with late-night... after spending a 9-5 (or more) day staring at a computer, my eyes need some rest at some point. And I know I'll flip if I screw something up because I was tired. I need to look into fermis' "Sleep No Mo" system...

 

I just close my eyes during the drive home...

At least you're not texting..