Why can't I build OOB like a normal person?

I have to agree with Drew on this.  Noone is born with the skill to use photoetch or resin parts, it's something you acquire through practice.  Certainly some people develop those skills quicker than others, but everyone can attain them.

It's not like painting, drawing or music whre some people are more naturally inclined than others.  There are people who can pick up an instrument and be playing beautifully in a short amount of time.  There are other people who can practice a lifetime and still never sound as good.  Same with painting and drawing, you either have the gift, or you don't.

Using resin and photoetch on the otherhand, is just a matter of practice and patience and anyone can learn how to do it.

When I used both for the first time on my Hellcat, I had no idea what I was doing, but I just jumped in with both feet and hoped for the best.  There were PE parts I knew I'd never be able to figure out and use because of their size, but it didn't stop me from trying.  And it shouldn't stop anyone else from trying either.

-Fred

for what it's worth.

I disagree about having skills GM. Having the courage to try something and better your models does not mean you have the skills to do it right. I use several 'new to me' techniques on parts or areas that will not be generally seen. That way if it turns out less than desirable (almost always) then I have not ruined a model. Practice makes it easier to not fowl up, but never perfect in this hobby.

I have seen some models loaded to the gills in AM parts but look like an amature put them together. Their skills were in learning, all of ours are. We all set out to improve on the last kit in some way or another.

Is it a sickness, No. An addiction in the pursuit of the exact detail in miniature - perhaps. That is what this hobby has struggled over time and time again. Is it a replica in miniature or a perfect scale replica complete to the smallest detail accurately? That is one's choice how they wish to build.

ruddratt wrote:

i am the greatest modeler wrote: i do understand peoples desire for AM parts ( ONLY IF THE PARTS CAN BE SEEN) but to put them IN a model just for the sake of saying it is there is crazy Not necessarily. I look at it as a great way to hone one's modeling skills in the use of that particular medium without having less-than-desirable results spoil (for the builder) the overall look of the model itself.

i am the greatest modeler wrote:

i do understand peoples desire for AM parts ( ONLY IF THE PARTS CAN BE SEEN) but to put them IN a model just for the sake of saying it is there is crazy

Not necessarily. I look at it as a great way to hone one's modeling skills in the use of that particular medium without having less-than-desirable results spoil (for the builder) the overall look of the model itself.

i will not do anything but OOB with the occasional pc of thread or wire for an ant. maybe.

i do understand peoples desire for AM parts ( ONLY IF THE PARTS CAN BE SEEN) but to put them IN a model just for the sake of saying it is there is crazy

When I was a teenager in the 70's I used to see the photos of Shep Paine's and Francois Verlinden's dioramas and I was no longer satisfied with OOB builds.  I wanted to super detail, paint and weather the kits so they looked more like the real thing.  I stopped building because I couldn't afford the tools and supplies to do this.   Now I have the finances to build to my heart's delight and am thrilled that I can buy or make any part, accessory or feature to make my kits more authentic.  Someday I'll build OOB, but not today!!!

Yeah....I'm sick!

I think the underlying reason why you cant build OOB is because as you allude to the point, the kits are just never detailed enough coupled with your lack of acceptance to complete a kit with some slight lack of details. :)

I for one am like the few in this thread that does OOB builds 60% of the time. My later builds have AM parts but very insignificantly in the form of stowage equipment. 

If you enjoy it though, i dont see why you should stop. Its only when you are getting bored that its actually good therapy to go back to OOB builds. It actually rejuvenates your interest for the hobby again.  

I believe I would have more fun and faster builds if I were to build strickly OOB but boy, some of those aftermarket sets are hard to pass up.

Scott

waikong wrote:

Its a sign, man, definitely a sign. God help us all - when I started to thread 'seat belts' thru pe buckles, i knew I was in too deep.

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who actually threads the belts through the loops.  For a while, I thought I was nuts.  I had seen people sandwich the belt between two buckles, but I wanted to see if I could make it more authentic.

And if a kit includes PE from the manufacturer, it's OOB.  But, buying AM parts and putting them in the box with the kit, even for years, doesn't count

-Fred

OK here's a question.  When I go to the LHS,  I  WILL buy something.  So when I buy Am stuff for kits in the stash and put it in the box for when i get to it in the build list, how long does it have to be "in the box" for me to call it "out of the box"

(or is this the sign of a true problem that requires professional help)

DrewH wrote:

waikong wrote: The I-16? OOB? But this wouldn't be the Eduard kit with the PE included would it? Falls off before he even get on!   I join him too btw

Hey that is OOB.  The PE is in the box and as long as i have the instruction sheet to prove it I can get it in a contest.

waikong wrote:

The I-16? OOB? But this wouldn't be the Eduard kit with the PE included would it?

Falls off before he even get on!

I join him too btw

I have a hard time not adding after market as well. I like resin cockpit sets. If there is on out there for the subject I am working on...I will normally get it. If its not a cockpit set then I will at least put in photoetched seat belts or a resin seat. I sometimes wish too that I could just do out of the box for my tight budget would like me better for it. Oh well.

DrewH wrote:

Some how Marc, I think you and I will fall off the wagon, guaranteed

Uh...maybe this afternoon  Funny thing is, I am currently builing an I-16 100% legal OOB... and it feels weird

Ah... the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.  I guess deep down inside whenevr I open a box I plan to built it OOB ().  But I go to the LHS nd I see a cockipt set or some flaps and my plan goes awry.  Just yesterday I spent $30 on the afore mention detail set and flaps for a Spitfire that cost half that.

IT"S A DISEASE I TELL YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Years in the future...

Hi. I am Marc. And I am an aftermarketholic

Hi Marc.

It has been 9 builds since I bought an after market detail.

(Smiles of approval from the group)

Ah Fred, This is called AMS (advanced modelers syndrome). It turns into a hard to break habit. Once tried, like uh, when you first got married, you want MORE!!!!

I have about 150 kits in my stash. And very few with out some sort AM goodies. I prefer seats. Just for the molded in belts, but like the resin detail and etch for IP's. (yea, I build planes. can ya tell) I have done several with little to none in added detail. I try to use items that won't slow down my build. But that is near impossible using resin sets (other than a seat that is).

 Detail, satisfied with the kit, great! If not, pry open your wallet! That's the way it is. I like to make them look as good as I can with out going overboard

I have to build OOB because of a tight budget. It also doesnt make since to me to buy a $15 kit and spend another $50 dollars to get it to look EXACTLY accurate. I occasionally scratch build a part or two, but I have seen people paint a cockpit and it looked better than a cockpit with $10-20 dollars worth of photoetched, resin, and all those other gizmos.

I may try an aftermarket part some time in the future, but I am happy with the builds I do create and I like the challenge of detailing a model without fancy add-ons. Just my

I build OOB about 60-70 % of the time.  Just don't want to invest the extra time into adding (usually building) extra parts.  If it's a special project or large scale,  I'll usually do some extra detailing though. 

I really wish I could do something more than OOB sometimes.

I can do a pretty decent job OOB, but add in some resin, PE or scratch build, and I usually mess it up. I don't know why.

Unless something is just a 1 for 1 replacement- I end up with too much sidewall cut away, PE throttle levers glued to my forehead, scratch-built belts that look like something out of a bad 70's disco movie, and a resin cockpit tilted at a 45 degree angle!