What's your goal when you are building?

qtaylor

Member since
March 2005
From: Nova Scotia, Canada

What's your goal when you are building?

Posted by qtaylor on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:35 AM

I wish my goal could be a perfect scale model. But, that's not even going to come close to happenning!

But, I love building models! I love learning new techniques, and spending hours trying to get good at them. On a side note, do any of you catch yourselves trying too many new techniques on one project? On this Hurri, I have cut/repositioned elevators and rudder, used milliput for the first time, put decals under a final coat, used enamel paints for the first time, creating damage patches, using Alclad II, am trying to weather with humbrol under the paint........and, to top it all off, the plane fell off the bench during the construction stage and created some brand new jagged panel lines for me!

Anyway, back on subject.... I build this model not to have the perfect model, but to have a blast modelling. I've met builders who refuse to weather their planes. Not their thing; they want a perfect plane. I've met other builders who want to make models fast...and cheap. They don't accept the proposal that if the modelling is about the modelling, then the photoetched parts are worth the value because of the extra modelling time they allow.

So, do you model for:

a. The perfect scale model (Quality/perfection)
b. The hobby time of it
c. Skill building
d. The collection building of built models (#s)
e. Or..another variation that I haven't considered yet Clown [:o)]

Just wondering. It is a great hobby, with a lot of sides to it.

QT

"Neither a purist nor a perfectionist be."

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zokissima

Member since
July 2003
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Posted by zokissima on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:56 AM

I build for no other reason than the joy of having built a model. I just enjoy the activity, the construction and painting. Don't really care for accuracy or a "perfect scale model".

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Bgrigg

Member since
May 2005
From: Left forever

Posted by Bgrigg on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:57 AM

B The hobby time of it, with Cand D following close behind. And A is way back there, but is catching up!

There's also E, as it's offers me yet another way to purchase specialty tools! Wink [;)]

So long folks!

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Foster7155

Member since
July 2003
From: Pensacola, FL

Posted by Foster7155 on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 11:19 AM

I build models because I enjoy the hobby, to relax and relieve stress, and to test and improve my abilities. My goals are to build the best models possible. For me, an ideal build is a balance between accuracy and artistry. I also enjoy research and try to apply as much as possible in my final model. I never place time limits or artifical barriers to my builds. Whether the journey takes two weeks or two months, as long as the result satisfies me, I find the builds equally pleasing.

Robert Foster

Pensacola Modeleers

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:11 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by qtaylor
So, do you model for:

a. The perfect scale model (Quality/perfection)
b. The hobby time of it
c. Skill building
d. The collection building of built models (#s)
e. Or..another variation that I haven't considered yet

a. Sometimes. If it is a vehicle I crewed or am otherwise interested in, I may make it super accurate. If it is a vehicle that just interests me marginally, I might slap it together OOB.
b. I enjoy just building and having a good time. Usually more so building the kit that marginally interests me (see above).
c. See first part of answer a.
d. Not really, I don't collect up my build kits and just started to display them this year.

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KINGTHAD

Member since
May 2004
From: Dallas

Posted by KINGTHAD on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:40 PM

For the pure joy of it, If I can step back and smile at my build when it over it was good times spent:)

Thad

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:03 PM

My goal when I am building is to actually finish the build.

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archangel571

Member since
June 2005
From: NJ 07073

Posted by archangel571 on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:42 PM

Some of A, n lots of D!!!!! (the d part, i don't think i should explain more). To me as long as the kit itself has good quality mold details and okay to better fitment. I normally would try to find a detail set for the kit if possible. I like details, but it doesn't have to be perfectly accurate. n then there are days where i find all the interior parts and PE sets for one tank out of every tank family to make it a super detail project.

I think C is a must have attitude for most modelers. When you build a bunch of kit and merely glue them up and slap some paint on it, without thinking about how to make it look better and what tools and techniques to use and learn to get that far, then one day really soon you will find yourself thinking why the heck you wasted so much money on some plastic crap and give up on modeling entirely and instead starting to shell out money and buy built models from ebay. That is a sad day for scale modelling as a hobby.

-=Ryan=- Too many kits... so little free time. MadDocWorks

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:33 PM

My goal is to produce an attractive and fairly accurate model. I do a lot of 1/72 planes and don't weather them because it's so easy to over-do at that scale. I do weather my 1/35 armour but only to a point. I recently built a twin-turret Vickers tank and decided to go whole hog on the weathering, mud, etc. It looked very convincing but not like shelf material-so I tossed it! 4 weeks of work-gone. I'll never try that again.

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nathaniel

Member since
September 2005

Posted by nathaniel on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:00 PM

My 1/72 armour is for miniature wargaming. I want a decent paint job with a touch of weathering. I only putty in serious problems and generally don't both looking at reference photos for more than a minute before I start painting. Also, if the kits have known inaccuracies, I don't bother fixing them.

My 1/144 Gundam Mecha kits are also for gaming, but I give them a lot more attention. I sand, putty, sand, prime, sand, putty, prime and so on to get a perfect finish. I assemble them very carefully and airbrush them very carefully. As it's sci-fi I general am not concerned with accuracy to the cartoon, but really like to design my own colour & camo schemes and make sure they suit the figure. I'll eventually get a gallery of them up.

I haven't done any larger historical kits in a long time. I don't really know what my goal for them would be. I generally don't like painting for display.

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jcheung5150

Member since
January 2005

Posted by jcheung5150 on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:06 PM

unfortunately due to the buildup of unbuilt kits in my stash, a main goal is to finish a model just for the sake of finishing it. I want to make a dent in my unbuilt stash and have vowed not to buy any new models until the others are done.

with that said, of the catogories listed above, a & b, quality (but not perfection) and hobby time are what I'm in it for. I don't care about making it 100% accurate, but at least reasonably so. basically like trowlfazz mentioned above, build an attractive and fairly accurate model.

Jimmy

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jlwilliams

Member since
April 2003
From: South Carolina

Posted by jlwilliams on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 4:07 PM

I enjoy using my hands to accomplish a task. Modeling gives me a finished product from this tactile activity. I strive for clean builds to give the illusion that the model is metal rather than plastic. I tend to be more concerned with accuracy in builds of automobiles. Other kits are done out of the box.

I find that thinking about the problems of the build takes my mind off of the stresses from other parts of my life. After a good model session I am refreshed and ready to tackle other things. It does not matter if the parts of the model fell in place or if I had to struggle with poor fitting parts.

J. Lee Williams 2007 New Year's Resolution: Complete a group build 2008 New Year's Resolution: Complete a group build on time You load 16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt! In my stash gallery: http://pics.jamesjweg.com/gallery/3989211

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 4:36 PM

My goal when building... to be better than the last!

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 5:33 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by falcon039

My goal when I am building is to actually finish the build.

I guess this is kind of my answer any more. I used to crank them out as a kid, but of course am more into accuracy now. I try to complete a model that satisfies me to my standards. That does limit the amount that I build. Could they be better. Sure, but then that would take the fun out of it.

Eric

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rebelreenactor

Member since
October 2003
From: Clovis, Calif

Posted by rebelreenactor on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 5:56 PM

I love to build for fun. So far Ive been jsut building OOB but now I want to spice it up a little and have started using resin, pe etc. I have a lot offun building, looking at the finished project and then taking it to a competition. Lots of fun. I also like how it can portray a small piece of history, especially dios.

John

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kaleu

Member since
February 2003
From: Racing capital of the world- Indy

Posted by kaleu on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 7:08 PM

My goal when I am building is simple: Just to enjoy the hobby and the build. Sometimes I do try to build an extremely accurate model if it is a vehicle that I really like. Such as most Russian/Soviet vehicles.

Erik "Don't fruit the beer." Newest model buys: More than I care to think about. It's time for a support group.

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Aviator

Member since
March 2005

Posted by Aviator on Thursday, October 6, 2005 6:45 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by falcon039

My goal when I am building is to actually finish the build.

I don't seem to have enough time lately. that's the biggest thing. But yeah, I like the actual building of the model, the research is kind of fun too because you get to know more about the plane (or whatever you may be building). And of course, after you finish a build, you can enjoy looking at it. Now I don't see myself having a museum full of finished models, but it would be nice to build a few models that (in my opinion and according to my own tastes) are "perfect." But my goal now is just to get to that point. Big Smile [:D]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 12:11 AM

QUOTE: So, do you model for:

a. The perfect scale model (Quality/perfection)
b. The hobby time of it
c. Skill building
d. The collection building of built models (#s)
e. Or..another variation that I haven't considered yet

Definitely B and D. C& A will eventually come along don't you think? Wink [;)]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 12:30 AM

The joy of putting abunch of tiny plastic parts together to create a replica of something I enjoy. The challenge of creating a realistic illusion and finally its good for the brain!
With the arrival of small children in my house I've been forced to collect diecasts, didnt really interest me at first but now its the challenge of finding the best, and in my case, the biggest. Now I want to detail the big ones, 1/18 aircraft, any hints.

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richard bent

Member since
July 2005
From: Queensland ,Australia

Posted by richard bent on Friday, October 7, 2005 6:06 AM

My main goal of modeling is to do it for the pure enjoyment of it , i work pretty long hours and i find it relaxing to do something different so modeling is it.
I aim to get a model as perfect as my abilities will allow, I usually like my models to look "new" so i don't weather much. I don't set time limits so i can potter along and enjoy the project without pressure, sometimes after a long day i will just do a small amount of actual work and then spend time going thru my stash to work out what i want to build next.