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When do you stop trying to fix your mistakes and call it done

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  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Tucson, AZ
Posted by Archangel Shooter on Monday, January 6, 2014 10:15 PM

Been trying to detail an Airfix 1/24th FW-190 but the kit poor fit on just about everything had me so upset that at one point I tossed it in the trash can by my hobby desk and it sat there for several days. I took a second look at it and went back to work on it and it's slowly coming along now.

Scott

 

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 On the bench: So many hanger queens.

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Sunday, January 5, 2014 8:41 AM

I have rarely ever "given up" on a model. On those rare few that I have, it's been either when:

  a) I've given it a decent amount of sincere attempts to fix or improve whatever I "screwed up", and have to realize that the "fix" is either above my skill level, or not worth the time to me to fix it. I'm a huge proponent of walking away from something for a while until the *** for finishing it returns.

  b) I realize that the effort required to fix or improve something is still not going to be worth it because the rest of the model will still be too flawed to matter for the time necessary to correct this one part or section.

Modeling SHOULD be fun---but it can also be an important tool for building patience and teaching determination in the face of reasonable odds and challenges. The TRUE "wisdom" is learning when a goal is achievable and realistically within your grasp.

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Douglas AZ
Posted by littletimmy on Saturday, January 4, 2014 12:34 PM

Perhaps you should try knitting for a while....... then when the "fun" wears off you can go back to modeling.

Or just "blow the   #$@%%$#&  thing up!

This usually  calms me down.........   usually......    

 Dont worry about the thumbprint, paint it Rust , and call it "Battle Damage"

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Saturday, January 4, 2014 7:30 AM

Tojo72

When I am happy with it

Ditto

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Saturday, January 4, 2014 7:18 AM

FlyItLikeYouStoleIt

Sometimes it's just a matter of walking away from it for awhile. Put it away for a week or two. A fresh look at it might reveal just what needs to be done, if anything at all.

Ditto

Every time I start to get frustrated with a model. I just put it down and do something else. Usually the  next morning I have the problem figured out. I don't worry about my models perfect just what makes me happy.

David

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Minnesota City, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Posted by FlyItLikeYouStoleIt on Thursday, January 2, 2014 1:45 PM

I don't think I've ever been COMPLETELY happy with any model. I have some that I built 30 yrs ago that I've recently tore apart and started fixing.

Sometimes it's just a matter of walking away from it for awhile. Put it away for a week or two. A fresh look at it might reveal just what needs to be done, if anything at all.

Bill.

On the bench:  Lindberg 1/32 scale 1934 Ford Coupe and a few rescue projects.

In queue:  Tamiya 1/35 Quad Tractor or a scratch build project.

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: MOAB, UTAH
Posted by JOE RIX on Thursday, January 2, 2014 1:11 PM

Can't say as I ever stopped. But, what I do is if it is something that I cannot tackle immediately then I set it aside and walk away for awhile. It may be hours, days or even months yet, it gives me time to collect my thoughts and to start weighing options for a repair. I too have an NMF booboo on a 1/48 Tamiya P-47D. On one spot on the fuselage there is a blotchiness that no matter if I paint over it of recoat it it keeps occurring. Really baffling. So, it sits in a dust proof plastic container until such time as I go back and strip it and repaint it. My point is that over time I will at least attempt to repair it. I have yet to give up and toss a model in the round file.

"Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did". George Carlin

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: NW Washington
Posted by dirkpitt77 on Wednesday, January 1, 2014 11:36 AM

Sometime right after Step 1.

    "Some say the alien didn't die in the crash.  It survived and drank whiskey and played poker with the locals 'til the Texas Rangers caught wind of it and shot it dead."

  • Member since
    August 2012
Posted by JimNTENN on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 12:06 PM

Like Don said, that is a judgement call. I make my share of mistakes like anyone else but I generally catch them and fix them long before the model reaches those "finish" stages. Those mistakes would consist of "build process" mistakes such as forgetting to paint a particular part, or realizing that a certain part was left off or attached wrong. I don't go back and fix mistakes after the model is complete such as realizing that a particular color or marking or detail is wrong unless I can fix those errors without messing up the rest of the model. I am something of a perfectionist with my models, as I suppose other model builders are as well, but I'll never build a model that is 100% free of mistakes. If I tried to eliminate every mistake in a model I'd never finish many if any at all. And my enjoyment of the hobby would probably drop off dramatically as well. I consider one done when it gets to the point that I can "live" with it. The mistakes I make are "lessons learned" that I'll apply to the next build, if possible.

Current project(s): Hobby Boss: 1/72 F9F-2 Panther

                                  Midwest Products: Skiff(wood model)

                                  

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 9:33 AM

Heck, I've stripped down models to the bare plastic a started over.

But it depends where the error is.  If its in the cockpit but the canopy is closed I'll let it go.  Or if its in the wheel well but you'll never see it unless you pick the model up I'll let it go as well.

If its in a spot that is very noticeable I'll pretty much do what it takes to fix it.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 9:28 AM

This thread sort of reminds me of Zeno's paradox.  First, I fix half of the problems and mistakes.  Then I fix half of the remaining ones.  Thank god for integers, or I'd never be able to finish a model!

Seriously, it is a judgement call.  Sometimes I fix every flaw I am aware of, other times I say, "oh, well, that last flaw isn't that visible, and it would take a lot of effort to fix a barely noticable flaw, so I'll wrap it up and call it done.  Think many times the decision is made by how hot I am to get started on the next model in by bench queue:-)

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 9:00 AM

It depends on the subject. I build mainly 1/72 scale armor and that genre is mostly populated with German armor. I don't really care about accuracy or fixing items and tend to build those out of box.

Now for a modern US vehicle that I've served on, I tend to over work a lot of issues and often times create second and third order items that I then need to fix.

Needless to say, I tend to complete more German armor than modern US tanks!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 7:46 AM

Till it's done right and I'm happy with my work. Sometimes you have problem areas like a seam tucked deep into an intake that is out of reach to cover up and sand so you just have to live with it.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 7:06 AM

After I chuck the freaking thing against the wall! Whistling

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 6:21 AM

When I am happy with it

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: Oklahoma USA
When do you stop trying to fix your mistakes and call it done
Posted by Khalee2 on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 3:22 AM

 Been working on a Tamya f84 first time with model master non buffing aluminum too, Made some mistakes on it but trying to fix those I have made a few more So Like the question says when do you stop and just call it done.  

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