What's the most common modelers' mistake?

The greatest mistake is getting into the hobby... (And then you start spending...AND have to find a symathetic girl... Man, coke would have been a better choice: I would spend as much, but the frustration would be much, much less.)
The second greatest is to do an NMF plane... :)

Taking realism too seriously and forgetting what the hobby it is all about: having fun!

Mistake? You mean I'm only allowed one?

As my build table and kitchen table are one and the same, I would say my most common mistake is gluing or painting something just before dinner. Then having to move everything while it is still wet or curing.

Which reminds me...Breakfast is almost ready, I have to go and move my stuff!

I wonder if cell phones have a negative effect on modeling.

My biggest mistake is spilling MicroSol all over my cutting board. Turned it pale green and it still stinks. Awhile back on Hyperscale there was a topic relating to the use of MicroSet and MicroSol and one guy started a chain of people who admitted to have spilled one of them.

The biggest mistake is: Don't drink and model. I've ruined a few kits that way.

Dan

Vapo, I can tell the difference. I build for me and I also enter contests. The model I as talking about had a ton of aftermarket stuff in and on it. That part was expertly done, better than I can do. But when you looked at the running gear from the front, the wheel were not in alignment. Also, there were some gravity defying roadwheels, and the tracks were tied together with string that was right smack in the middle of an open space between the wheels.

When you looked at the detail that was added to the model, that was awesome, but when you looked at the build as a whole, it had a lot of basic construction problems. All I'm trying to say is what the title of this tread asks for.

Ajlafleche summed it up pretty good. I have only been judging for about three or four years, but it does help me to try to be a better modeler. It gives me a chance to see how other builders are getting it done.

QUOTE: Originally posted by maxx1969 QUOTE: Originally posted by ag918w35 I realize that at the most rareified levels of competition you have to have some way to distinguish one totally amazing model from another, but it seems like there isn't any other reason to worry about this sort of thing. Realizing that this is somewhat like questioning political and/or religious beliefs, can somebody explain the thinking here? It's all fun and games until they pull out that dental mirror. I have never seen any models gone over like they do at IPMS shows. It's major points for something like that. I kinda feel like hey give the guy a break, but in most cases it really comes down to rushing a build that leads to those kind of errors. You could think of it like building a brand new house that only has siding on the front because thats all people will see driving by. I've been judging at contests for 20 years. Just about every event requires we choose the top 3 models on the tabel. AMPS and figure oriented events use a open system which is somewhat different. Sometimes, choosing the top three is quite easy. Most often, however, it involves some serious comparing of relative qualities. Sometimes, these are three super models and other times it's which are the least bad. In this type of competition, there is no cutting a break. The builder who does the best overall job, gets first. That's what's fair. If two models are equal on top and one has filled or no motor holes and the other has open motor holes, who do you think should come out on top? If I only correct the seams on the top of my plane and leave canyons on the bottom, should I get a higher award then the guy next to me who corrected both? It's no different from racing. If two cars average 190 MPH while on the track but one has to pit more often, who do you think gets the win? As to dental mirrors (I don't have one but I do use a flashlight to compensate for often poor venue lighting) they would not be necessary of the model were to be picked up. However, if you choose not to compete and only want to look at the top of youor models, leaving the bottoms unfinished is all up to you. Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 8:47 PM I think you need to make the distinction between people who build for pleasure and people who build for competition? It's very much like photography in theat respect. I build and photograph for me, I don't do competitions, as the only person who needs to think it's good is me! If I don't like it, it won't get shown to anyone. As for pifalls and mistakes? look, it's a skill, an art, it takes years of learning to achieve first class results, look at andys Ferrari if you doubt that statement! I would love to finish a model to that level, but I know my skill/patiance/ time available, simply would not allow it, so I have to settle at a level that A) lets me finish a model, and B)allows me to progress my hobby at a pace I can sustain in terms of time/money etc. Each and every one of us, WILL fail at some point, in some way(or is it just me again?) Reply Edit hwells Member since November 2004 From: Seminole, OK Posted by hwells on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:13 PM i've judged with people who go after that with gusto. I agree with AG up there, can't see it, ain't there. Now what I do look for is wheel and track alignment. I remember a particular spg at a contest a few years ago. It was very well done, complete interior, open engine hatches, all the bells and whistles. What kept it from placing high was the wheels and tracks. All that work with resin and PE were nullified becuase the builder didn't put the same amount of effort into the running gear. 'Go ahead, poke it with a stick, it ain't gonna bite' Reply maxx1969 Member since May 2004 From: Oregon Posted by maxx1969 on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 4:56 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by ag918w35 I realize that at the most rareified levels of competition you have to have some way to distinguish one totally amazing model from another, but it seems like there isn't any other reason to worry about this sort of thing. Realizing that this is somewhat like questioning political and/or religious beliefs, can somebody explain the thinking here? It's all fun and games until they pull out that dental mirror. I have never seen any models gone over like they do at IPMS shows. It's major points for something like that. I kinda feel like hey give the guy a break, but in most cases it really comes down to rushing a build that leads to those kind of errors. You could think of it like building a brand new house that only has siding on the front because thats all people will see driving by. ~Matt T Meyer Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 4:00 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by maxx1969 I was talking to one of the judges at an IPMS event about this and then I started to notice it to: People who spend countless hours, tons of research, everything is perfect...except that power slot that didn't get filled on the bottom of their tank. I was reading one of the "how to" books this past weekend and it was talking about the need to fill in the holes in the bottom of kits (e.g. the older Tamiya ones designed for powering). I'm originally from the model railroad world where one of the rules is "do not model what you cannot see." So, given that I'm not going to be able to put any sort of realistic bottom on my tank (nor do I need to unless it's been blown into a ditch or something) I'm not sure I see the point to this. I realize that at the most rareified levels of competition you have to have some way to distinguish one totally amazing model from another, but it seems like there isn't any other reason to worry about this sort of thing. Realizing that this is somewhat like questioning political and/or religious beliefs, can somebody explain the thinking here? Reply Edit maxx1969 Member since May 2004 From: Oregon Posted by maxx1969 on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 2:46 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by styrene THE most common problem is taking up the hobby in the first place! :) Gip Winecoff I was talking to one of the judges at an IPMS event about this and then I started to notice it to: People who spend countless hours, tons of research, everything is perfect...except that power slot that didn't get filled on the bottom of their tank. ~Matt T Meyer Reply scottrc Member since December 2003 From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W Posted by scottrc on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 2:00 PM Forgetting that I'm using CA instead of plastic cement and wipe excess CA glue with my index finger. Then scratch my nose Reply Foster7155 Member since July 2003 From: Pensacola, FL Posted by Foster7155 on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 11:38 AM From the construction angle, I have to agree with poor seam work and improper decal application as the two most common mistakes. However, many of these problems can all be traced back to either impatience during constuction, the modeler trying to do too much, too soon (inexperience), or just using poor or incorrect techniques. I think it's difficult to generalize just one "most common" or "biggest" mistake. One modeler's "common" mistake is just another modeler's relatively simple step in construction...it all depends on the kit and the modeler. Robert Foster Pensacola Modeleers Reply overkillphil Member since October 2004 From: Northern Indiana Posted by overkillphil on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 11:10 AM Definitely have to go with impatience. Cutting little corners may not always result in disasters, but they will erode the quality of the finished product quickly. my favorite headache/current project: 1/48 Panda F-35 "I love the fact that dumb people don't know who they are. I hope I'm not one of them" -Scott Adams Reply styrene Member since May 2003 From: The flat lands of the Southeast Posted by styrene on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 10:44 AM THE most common problem is taking up the hobby in the first place! :) Gip Winecoff 1882: "God is dead"--F. Nietzsche 1900: "Nietzsche is dead"--God Reply rjkplasticmod Member since February 2003 From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State Posted by rjkplasticmod on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 9:53 AM From the models I've seen, both posted on the Net & in real life, improper seam filling & decal silvering seem to be the most common mistakes. Regards, Rick RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All... Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 9:05 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by Macio4ever I think that the biggest one is: to be unpatient... In my case it always causes a lots of troubles. Macio I have to agree - rushing things is almost always a receipe for disaster. I find it helps to have several different projects in the works so that I can do some work on one and then set it aside for everything to dry, etc. before charging ahead to the next one. Having said that, just last night I plowed ahead on a figure painting project that really needed more drying time between coats. Rather than getting nice highlights and shadows I have a solid layer of mud Live and learn (hopefully) Reply Edit J-Hulk Member since February 2003 From: Tochigi, Japan Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 8:41 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by Rob Gronovius Drives me nuts when I putty and sand a seam then after I hit it with primer it shows a spot where I missed. Isn't that the normal procedure? That's what I go through every time... ~Brian Reply Macio4ever Member since February 2005 From: Warsaw, Poland Posted by Macio4ever on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 8:05 AM I think that the biggest one is: to be unpatient... In my case it always causes a lots of troubles. Macio Macio4ever http://www.macio4ever.net Reply Rob Gronovius Member since December 2002 From: Fort Knox Posted by Rob Gronovius on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:27 AM Most common has to do with seams. Either not filing the seams down to match (like on a gun tube or fuselage) or leaving a gap at the seam (like at a wing root or where two hull pieces meet). Drives me nuts when I putty and sand a seam then after I hit it with primer it shows a spot where I missed. Reply nkm1416@info.com.ph Member since September 2003 From: Philippines What's the most common modelers' mistake? Posted by nkm1416@info.com.ph on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:24 AM Forgetting the nose weight, applying decal upside down, interchanging the left and right part? Let' hear from the guys and gals here Question B: What is the biggest mistake that a modeler can make? Reply JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login Register SEARCH FORUMS FREE NEWSLETTER SIGN UP By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy. FORUMS PRODUCT REVIEWS READER GALLERY HOW TO VIDEOS SHOP ABOUT US FREE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER SIGN UP By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy. More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy