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How to be less stressed while building

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  • Member since
    March 2021
How to be less stressed while building
Posted by berd on Thursday, April 1, 2021 2:58 PM

I'm on my second model and and feel very stressed(From finding right supplies,what things are compatible, etc.) I feel like I can't mess up, do you guys have any tips on reducing stress while making models?

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Thursday, April 1, 2021 3:02 PM

Just glue it together and have fun.  No body is watching, just enjoy

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Northeast WA State
Posted by armornut on Thursday, April 1, 2021 3:04 PM

    Practice, practice, practice! If your only on your second model don't be so hard on your skills or knowledge. It takes years to become a master modeler and to be honest there are darn few of them. I suggest getting inexpensive, less detailed models with low parts counts in order to get yourself comforatble and familiar with the building process, which is different for each of us. Onece you get "the basics" down you will find your stress goes down as well as your skill to handle different situations better goes up. Above all do EXACTLY what you have already done....ASK A QUESTIONGeeked, ya never know until ya ask.

we're modelers it's what we do

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Thursday, April 1, 2021 3:09 PM

Don't try to be good at it, just be yourself.

 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    February 2021
Posted by MJY65 on Thursday, April 1, 2021 3:38 PM

When I got back into modeling, I bought a cheap kit and started experimenting.  Tested different glues, putty, paint, etc.  I had no intention of ever displaying it.  Its sole purpose was a learning tool.  Didn't care if every seam ended up perfect, but wanted each to improve.  

I also agree with building to your own standards.  I guess if someone wants to criticize the exact color of my rendition of burned metal on a jet exhaust, they can.  I try to make things look pleasing to me and realistic "enough".  

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Thursday, April 1, 2021 3:41 PM

Building is what I do to de-stress.

I don't build for contests...and other than the occasional commission, I build only to please myself. The 'problem-solving' part of the hobby is what I've continued to enjoy (and be challenged by) over the years.

If you're not having fun, you're taking it too seriously.

(Just my 2 cents)

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Thursday, April 1, 2021 3:42 PM

To Quote many Modelers I know:

 If you had fun with it, then it is good. Don't worry what other's think, Build for YOU!

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • From: North East of England
Posted by Hutch6390 on Thursday, April 1, 2021 3:50 PM

berd
I feel like I can't mess up

The first step in relaxing in your hobby is to forget about feeling like that - you are in control, no one is judging you, you can mess up as many times as you like!  It is your hobby, and it's a hobby, not a matter of life or death.  Most of us here have been modelling for many years, and EVERYBODY messes up!  When you stop making mistakes, you stop learning and I, for one, never want to do that (not that that's likely to happenSmile).  Make your mistakes, learn from them - just as in life generally - and enjoy learning and improving.  Just have fun - that's what it's about.

Vell, Zaphod's just zis guy, you know?

   

TakkaTakkaTakkaTakkaTakkaTakka

 

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by rcguy on Thursday, April 1, 2021 4:08 PM

I don't find building models stresses me at all.

In fact I build models to relive the stress after a hard day or week at work.Smile

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, April 1, 2021 4:09 PM

And when people answer your questions,acknowledge them and engage,its a forum,and forums are conversations

When you feel stressed put it down a bit,can't be like work where you pounding deadlines.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Thursday, April 1, 2021 4:29 PM

I can show you plenty of kits i have not messed up anything on. They are all in the stash waiting for me to build them and mess something up.

Some great advice above, just relax and enjoy it and take each build and it comes. And don't try and do everything or get every tool at once. Some of us have been building and accumilating supplies for decades. And yep, we still mess up.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by rcguy on Thursday, April 1, 2021 4:37 PM

I also fly RC planes and as much as I love that hobby it stresses the hTongue Tiedll out of me.

Taking a plane that's worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars up in the air and no matter how good you can fly if you make a mistake there is a good chance your taking it home in a garbage bag.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Thursday, April 1, 2021 5:07 PM

^^^^^ lol.  Flying is 1/2 the hobby. Fixing the stuff you crash is the other 1/2.   I do helicopters as well....so even more time fixing

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by JoeSMG on Thursday, April 1, 2021 5:27 PM

berd

I'm on my second model and and feel very stressed(From finding right supplies,what things are compatible, etc.) I feel like I can't mess up, do you guys have any tips on reducing stress while making models?

Building models is mostly stress relief for me but at times I can relate.

If the model was an expensive gift there is pressure not to blow it.

Or if I'm making a model as a gift, I want it to look good.

I can only imagine building on commission... probably takes all the fun out of it.

Other then the above, I do get stressed when adding that one extra touch to something that currently looks great, knowing that I could wreck the whole thing by doing so...

Dang, model build IS stressful!

So, back to stress reduction tips... Beer? Smile

- Joe the SMG

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • From: Maryland
Posted by wpwar11 on Thursday, April 1, 2021 5:36 PM

I struggle with this sometimes.  Building models doesn't stress me but I do want to get better.  No question my current build is better than model number 1.  My advice would be to stay patient and enjoy the process.  As you gain experience you'll continue to grow as a modeler.  Learn new techniques, experiment, and like many have said dont be afraid to make mistakes.  It's only a model not a kidney.  I think in time you'll look back and be thrilled with your progress.  That's exciting.  That's fun.  

  • Member since
    July 2019
  • From: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posted by Bobstamp on Thursday, April 1, 2021 8:53 PM

Good advice from everyone! I struggle with this too. I've been a perfectionist all my life, and mostly get depressed when I see the incredible models that many FineScale modellers build. I'm sort of, more or less pleased with the three models I've completed, as long as I'm standing six feet away from them! And there's no question that they look a lot better than ones I built when I was 16 or 17. 

My biggest challenge is not rushing. Too many times I've managed to get fingerprints in fresh paint, or "overspray" with my rattlecans and get drips, or get frustrated trying to remove hardened putty and resort to coarse files or sandpaper — and regret it. And I'll admit I get pretty upset when I realize that the quality control of some kits is so bad. I guess it's time to sit back, sniff some styrene cement, and consider that the mistake I make on one kit I won't repeat, hopefully, on the next one!

I got back into model building primarily because my best friend kept talking about his models and eventually convinced me to build a Hampden bomber kit that a mutual friend gave me more than a decade ago. I started, and he offered lots of good advice, and then the bottom fell out.

One night, about a year ago, I walked over to his apartment, just a block from mine, to show him the nearly finished bomber. It was that night that he told me he'd just been diagnosed with a rare prostate cancer, and was scheduled for surgery in two weeks, surgery that would result in him having to wear colostomy and urostomy bags for the rest of his life. I saw him a couple of times after his surgery, but he was never again without pain, and couldn't even sit at a table to work on his models. Then in December he died.

I wish I could show him my latest model. I wish I could just talk with him! Since his death, I've found it quite hard to get back to my model building. And then, of course, there's the pandemic, which has certainly made life more challenging. I'm a wounded Vietnam combat veteran. I swear that my tour of duty in Vietnam was easier and more pleasant than much of the last year has been.

Bob

 

 

On the bench: A diorama to illustrate the crash of a Beech T-34B Mentor which I survived in 1962 (I'm using Minicraft's 1/48 model of the Mentor), and a Pegasus model of the submarine Nautilus of 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas fame. 

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Land of Lakes
Posted by cbaltrin on Thursday, April 1, 2021 8:58 PM

Buy a horrible kit.. like some old airfix job.. then you can't screw up...only improvement is possible....

Also less money spent = less stress Stick out tongue

On the Bench: Too Much

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Thursday, April 1, 2021 9:05 PM

With the exception of a halt because of a war for a couple years, I have been building since I was about 5, back in 1956.  There were frustrations every now and then but as I went along things got better. with the experience.  At first I would not use putty, would brush paint the kits and for a time teh only way I knew where teh decals went was to match them to the molded markings on the kits.

What helped was to find a club and start to show up at meetings, talk to the members and learn what I needed to know about the building process.  Almost all the members were better than me, infact, most were far superior.  But I didn't give up and learned what I needed and progressed.  It takes time, don't rush it.  You can also listen to music while building.  It helps.

  • Member since
    March 2021
Posted by berd on Thursday, April 1, 2021 9:15 PM

Thank you all for the advice!

  • Member since
    March 2021
Posted by berd on Thursday, April 1, 2021 9:25 PM

I am sorry for your loss

  • Member since
    December 2020
  • From: Kansas
Posted by DM1975 on Thursday, April 1, 2021 9:57 PM

Yes. I love building anything. I always feel like I am being judged down to the last detail. I am kind of an accomplished artist and that's all I'll say about that but I feel I have to maintain a standard. 

I have since learned that I'm only going to do what I want. I toss my failures and share my successes. I learn from each encounter and try to internalize those things. I still strive to do my best but I sure as hell am not gonna go out of my way for an attaboy anymore. 

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Thursday, April 1, 2021 9:58 PM

The day I don't screw up a kit will be the day after I quit working on them.

Your builds will just get progressively better as you build more.  Don't get frustrated, if you hit a snag, step back for a few and visualize what you were doing, what it is and possible solutions to get where you want to go.

And don't be afraid to ask for help, tips, solutions, etc.  We've all been there.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in central North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Thursday, April 1, 2021 10:49 PM

My only rule is....

 

Before you do

anything

permanent.

Be patient and

think it out

first.

 https://i.imgur.com/LjRRaV1.png

 

 

 
  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Thursday, April 1, 2021 10:59 PM

Bish put it well: I have a lot of perfect models...in my stash.

 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • From: Maryland
Posted by wpwar11 on Friday, April 2, 2021 6:01 AM

Bobstamp
more or less pleased with the three models I've completed, as long as I'm standing six feet away

Lol.  I live in Maryland.  My models look awesome if your standing in Chicago.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, April 2, 2021 7:10 AM

When I am doing stressful things like rigging or applying PE, I take frequent breaks.  I also listen to music while I build.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by JoeSMG on Friday, April 2, 2021 7:41 AM

Bob, Very sorry to hear about your friend.

---

Don Stauffer

...
I also listen to music while I build.

Great tip. Can't believe this never occured to me. I've a ton of music that I haven't made the time to listen to in years that would be perfect.

 

- Joe the SMG

  • Member since
    February 2021
Posted by MJY65 on Friday, April 2, 2021 7:47 AM

Don Stauffer

When I am doing stressful things like rigging or applying PE, I take frequent breaks.  I also listen to music while I build.

 

That's a different aspect of stress than I was originally thinking.  OTOH:  I've been a dentist for 31 years.  At least the models don't move when they shouldn't, react to what you're doing or stick their tongue in the direction of a 300,000 RPM handpiece.  Smile

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Friday, April 2, 2021 7:59 AM

Be cautious of trying to get it all perfect especially when getting back into the hobby and try not to challenge yourself to someone elses standards. Just set the challenge at continuing to get better with each build. Keep building, keep posting and ask plenty of questions if you're unsure about something.

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, April 2, 2021 8:01 AM

berd

I'm on my second model and and feel very stressed(From finding right supplies,what things are compatible, etc.) I feel like I can't mess up, do you guys have any tips on reducing stress while making models? 

Build what you like, the way you like.  Remember that this is a hobby, and if it makes you upset, you should take a break.

Also, seeing other modelers' work is great, especially the work of top modelers, who have experience, who compete, and are recognized as the top.  But seeing their work can create a subconscious idea that your work has to look like theirs, or something is wrong.  It was bad enough before the advent of the Internet, but it's even worse since then-you can see world-class builds, at any time of day, and let yourself be bombarded with the images.

Remember the old joke about the tourist visiting New York City.  He stopped a man on the street, a native New Yorker, and asked him, "Excuse me, but how do I get to Carnegie Hall?"

"Practice, practice, practice," the man replied.

No one builds beautiful models right from the start.  Some have born talent, it is true.  But born talent is nothing without practice and training.  It's like athletics, or music, or writing, or any other human endeavor.  You get nowhere without practice, without training.

Keep building, master the basics, then stretch your skills. Try something new with a new build, and practice it.

And remember that it's a hobby, it's supposed to be enjoyed.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

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