What have i learned This Week ...

[De.Mort]

I've learned ...

Having 1 - 1.5 hrs of an evening to model build isn't enough ! Getting up at 6 and being rather tired by 8pm .. it's not so good lol ... mistakes have been made ! several days i had no time at all .. glue has a set time to cure .. use that time !

Trying to do a first ever complex build , ie .. full engine , box , suspension parts etc .. you need to read through the ENTIRE instructions .. understand how each part you fit has an impact on the next item .. Don't just go from page to page in order .

Ie .. no real instructions for mounting the engine in the frame .. if it's wrong though .. the exhaust doesn't fit .. for some reason i mounted the wheels and the track rod components ( steering don't reach ) ..

test fit EVERYTHING before glueing .. sigh ..hence .. see the parts that fit to it and make sure they fit .

Save for a retirement when you are young .. most important part as i still have another 8 years to go ! .. whilst it could be spent on projects ! .. 67 year old mechanic .. hmm .. that's not so easy to accomplish .

AK kits .. they need a dam good cleaning .. just IPA doesn't work .

You are all very aware of these issues im sure .. but just in case .. for the newbies like me .. this is what we learn as we go .. please don't throw your model out the window as i wanted to do mid week .. .. any mistake can be rectified .. exhaust .. add an extension .. it does work .. most of these items cannot even be seen so don't worry to much .. it's a challenge .. do what you can and enjoy the end result !

I'm not there yet either lol .

[Waspie]

One of the little things I learned, which you have touched on is the re-reading the instructions many times.

First thing I do is print off the instructions from the Scalemates web site. If they're not available I would scan and then print them.

Next, after reading the instructions I decide what order things will happen. Pencil in notes on the now printed copy of the instructions, change of colours etc. 'Do this before that' and other hieroglyphics that mean something to me but would probably need a cypher clerk to sort out my mind!!!

It's also been useful scribing a blog on here and getting the feedback from the more experienced chaps on here. Also, taking pictures I found very useful as it helps me see what I miss and make decisions about progress. That brings in my notes again. (Helps a lot as my short term memory is shot to blazes).

[The Smythe Meister]

You make many good points there... the key one for me is DRY FIT,DRY FIT,DRY FIT!!....
.... Lost count of how many times I've done it and thought,"hang on,that doesn't seem quite right",it can save you so much grief in the long run :thumb2:

[David Lovell]

Sorry lain ,although we all sympathise with you we've all ridden the learning curve ,re read your last paragraph you've summed up the hobby for beginners and thoes with more experience alike ,honest its not only newbies who have bad days we don't throw em out the window they become the quaintly named cupboard queens. Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Lots of good stuff there Iain, and it applies to all of us……like Doug I find scrawling all over the instructions is very useful, especially if there are alternative parts…..I don’t bother copying them though, because I tend to bin the originals after I’ve finished.

[Ian M]

New trick of the day Iain. Dont go to mad with the glue then if a mistake is discovered it can SOMETIMES be UN-GLUED with a carefully placed drop of liquid (Ultrathin) glue at the joint.. Not 100% but it has often saved me from finding the micro saw and sawing things apart.
Also a good idea to always have a CA de-bonder at hand for the same reason.
Regarding the greasy kits. A better and kinder way is a luke warm bath in a perfume free washing up liquid. (perfumes are 99% of the time oil based.) and a big soft brush. I use a softish flat brush. Rince well after and leave to dry. The last time I used IPA to wash marks of a kit it marred the surface. One buggered kit!
I always look through the instructions and the colour call outs to find my colour choice and any issues in the assembly. Dry fit and check that all the nubs from sprue gates are removed and flat.
I also try to build up as large a part as possible that can still be painted (if a single colour). Then detail paint as the build progresses.

[Jim R]

I'm sure we all recognise ourselves in your post Iain.
I model at a glacial rate. It takes real patience to follow a build of mine :rolling:
Like Tim I go through the instructions a few times and use coloured pencils to make all sorts of notes. I also do endless dry fits, often preparing parts for many stages ahead and checking for fit.

[De.Mort]

Everyone .. Thank you .. it's a skill that needs to be learned like any other and indeed there are practises i need to learn .. my problem was the instruction manual is the size of war and peace and in places a bit ambiguous .. also with so little time i have tended to rush things a bit .. think about weeks and a model is not even half built for me !

Frustration .. yes but in my abilities i guess .. at work .. well .. shall we just say i can fabricate when needed and so i feel let down at home .

I'll try to use less glue but to be honest .. i've removed , sanded down and refitted parts many times .. :flushed: so i kinda do that , instructions warned me of engine issue against the radiator cowling but did not specify where to actually fit it .. hence it ended high and exhaust didn't fit .. BUT .. if i read more before starting i can understand what items will be based on whats fitted .. so .. lesson learned .

CA debonder .. for super glue ? i'm mainly using normal revell plastic glue .. super glue is best for small items i take it ? ... in which case the debonder would be useful hmmmm !

I've also never attempted this type of model before .. building parts that can't be seen ?? strange concept and for this model .. they are not needed as it will be mounted but i wanted to try regardless .. maybe the bonnet hinged if i can manage it .
I am Padawan !

Thank you all for your comments .. it is literally like gold dust !!!

Pen and paper are now at the ready


EDIT ... just to say i've reread and taken notes of everyone's comments so again .. thank you .

[Waspie]

Everyone .. Thank you .. it's a skill that needs to be learned like any other and indeed there are practises i need to learn .. my problem was the instruction manual is the size of war and peace and in places a bit ambiguous .. also with so little time i have tended to rush things a bit .. think about weeks and a model is not even half built for me !

Frustration .. yes but in my abilities i guess .. at work .. well .. shall we just say i can fabricate when needed and so i feel let down at home .

I'll try to use less glue but to be honest .. i've removed , sanded down and refitted parts many times .. :flushed: so i kinda do that , instructions warned me of engine issue against the radiator cowling but did not specify where to actually fit it .. hence it ended high and exhaust didn't fit .. BUT .. if i read more before starting i can understand what items will be based on whats fitted .. so .. lesson learned .

CA debonder .. for super glue ? i'm mainly using normal revell plastic glue .. super glue is best for small items i take it ? ... in which case the debonder would be useful hmmmm !

I've also never attempted this type of model before .. building parts that can't be seen ?? strange concept and for this model .. they are not needed as it will be mounted but i wanted to try regardless .. maybe the bonnet hinged if i can manage it .
I am Padawan !

Thank you all for your comments .. it is literally like gold dust !!!

Pen and paper are now at the ready


EDIT ... just to say i've reread and taken notes of everyone's comments so again .. thank you .

I can certainly empathise with you. When I started in March with one kit, a few pots of paint and a couple of brushes. That was the start of a spending spree. New glues, paints, brushes, stands, tweezers, nippers, files, sanding tools blah - blah - blah. Months on, I'm still adding to the bibs and bobs to build up a better arsenal of 'gear' to improve whatever I'm trying to build. As a mechanic you'll appreciate always use the right tool for the job. Things tend to work out better.

From my paper notes I have also added yellow stickies for when I run out of scribble space!!!

My only frustration is currently not having sufficient time to give to the hobby due some major upgrades to the bricks and mortar. (That isn't going to change for the next week although week starting 25th is looking good as we'll be unable to use the house so the garage, my work area, is looking good for some bench time.

[Ian M]

CA debonder .. for super glue ? i'm mainly using normal revell plastic glue .. super glue is best for small items i take it ? ... in which case the debonder would be useful hmmmm !

Yeah. Maybe not to clear that.use the ca debonder on superglue. As in when you buy a super glue, make sure you have a debonder as well. If you are not used to it it's good to have a safe way of ungluing your finger from the bridge of your specs! Don't ask.