discussion How long to make a standard model??

[SilentWhisper]

Hi All,

Just wondering how long it takes more experienced people to do a real job on a model.

I am far away from where I want to be since I haven't even hit 12 months yet. It takes me on average for research, build and painting about 15 to 20 hrs; I am only now starting to get into pre-shading and weathering.

 

[kacitgirl]

personally as others will confirm sometimes a few days

 

[flyjoe180]

Depends what you are building Nigel.

I do't get a lot of spare time for modelling, so it can take me a long time to build even the simplest 1/72 aeroplanes. Couldn't tell you how many hours of actual bench time it takes.

Paint types also contribute to the time, enamels for instance can take days to dry and harden. Complex kits, or the addition of after market stuff can extend the time further, especially if modification is required. Masking can take a day in itself. Badly moulded or designed kits can take a lot of time to correct.

Everyone is different, there are many ways to build and finish the same kit. It takes as long as you want it to, but in personal experience haste often leads to cock ups. Take your time, the whole reason for building models is to enjoy a hobby and share your work with like minded people.

 

[Andy T]

I can't say that I've ever timed myself but as Joe says, it's very dependant on what I'm building.

A little tamiya 1/48 armour kit could be knocked together in a couple of hours and probably painted in about the same if you really wanted to.

Then there are those that take weeks or even months on a large, complex build with a highly detailed & weathered paint job.

The short, but not very helpful answer would be that it takes as long as it takes

 

[Neil]

As above, for me I only get 1 day a week most of the time so I am slow. So long as a I learn something new each time I’m happy enough. This time around - make sure the gloss varnish is smoooooth before decals, because they don’t move easily you don’t. Definitely need to improve my decalling techniques,

Some people (looks at @kacitgirl !) probably do 10+ in the time I take to get one done.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Im pretty experienced in building these days, having tried most genres over the last forty years. A half decent small scale figure takes me about two hours, depending on complexity. A large scale bust can take around twenty hours. A 1/35 tank takes me around thirty to forty hours (trucks and half tracks take longer due to the internal parts) and a 1/48 single engine fighter takes about the same time. As I get in about five to ten hours in a very good week you can see a tank or plane can take me around six weeks. None of this includes drying times, just the time I’m sat at the bench. When I used to scratchbuild 1/76 model steam locomotives they used to take around a hundred hours, so my productivity is through the roof in comparison…..

 

[pjgtech]

As above it depends, on lots of things...
What the model is.
How big or small the model is.
How many parts the model has.
How complicated the model is.
How much time you have to carry out your modelling.
How much research you like to do (or not).
What experience, tools, space and equipment you have to help you with the build.

There's not really any such thing as a "standard" model, as they are all different.
It also depends what you mean by doing a "real" job? eg: just the actual build, painting as well, weathering, etc.

I tend to be quite quick, but I am not as good as other modellers.
As with most things the more time effort you put into something (generally, but not always) you should get a better result.
Some people can literally take months or even years on a model, if its large, complicated or they are going for an extremely accurate and detailed model, perhaps using very advanced techniques, etc.
Other people can almost build a model a day!

I would say I average about one model every two or three weeks, bit of research, the main build, painting and weathering.
But I have also built some small, low part count models in just a couple of days.
I'm retired and have a very understanding Wife, so I can spend all day in my modelling room if I want.

So.....How long? good question.....

 

[PaulTRose]

Can't answer...... Too many variables

I've done group speed builds where I've done 1/24 cars in 48 hours and then there was Roger the droid that took about 8 months cos of all the problems..... I'd leave it and come back, leave it and come back

I'd say a decent kit takes 2-3 weeks but I'm retired, I can be as slow or fast as I want, an hour a day or 5 hours a day........ But I deliberately don't do too much too quickly or I tend to feel like a production line and the fun goes out of it but I also hate taking too long or I get bored with it

Too hard to answer so I guess it's whatever you are comfortable with...... It's not a race lol......
I was once on a forum (that did my head in and told a few truths in the end before telling them where to stick it but that's another story lol) where if they were really motoring they might manage three kits in a year!........ Group builds had six months planning and buying time then ran for another six months! So build threads were often a year long in total. .. Drove me round the twist lol

 

[PaulTRose]

More.....

I once used to keep a tally in my signature of yearly how many bought and built..... It was a 'thing' I picked up somewhere...... Possibly the airfix forum, was a long time ago..... And I think my record was about 30 built in a year...... But then I switched it around....... Did about 15.....took twice as long, doubled the quality of the finished kit and didn't feel burnt out or get mojo loss, and I felt happier doing it

 

[kacitgirl]

More.....

I once used to keep a tally in my signature of yearly how many bought and built..... It was a 'thing' I picked up somewhere...... Possibly the airfix forum, was a long time ago..... And I think my record was about 30 built in a year...... But then I switched it around....... Did about 15.....took twice as long, doubled the quality of the finished kit and didn't feel burnt out or get mojo loss, and I felt happier doing it

i literally have lost count

 

[PaulTRose]

i literally have lost count

In my working life I have spent too long in car plants...... Toyota and Nissan mainly but also mini and Honda when they were going in Swindon....... The Takt time to build a car from sheet steel going through press, weld, paint, assembly and out the door is about 8 days....... You are more efficient than any of them

 

[kacitgirl]

maybe not now as back to work lol

 

[grumpa]

I usually have a very strict timeline, anywhere from three days to three years....strictly speaking of course.

Jim.

 

[grumpa]

See, like this one only took a few hours.

 

[radish]

Hi All,

Just wondering how long it takes more experienced people to do a real job on a model.

Awkward question to answer as everybody is an individual, NO two persons would EVER make a model EXACTLY the same way.
Maybe a ten year old given his first model will only take a couple of hours to glue it together, where-as a 'padantic rivet counter', could take many months to get it exactly 100% correct.


It's like asking ------------ "how long is a piece of string ?"

 

[boatman]

HI YES The guys an gals are correct as my uss hornet build is so far at about a yr build time an im not half way yet still got a big box of parts still to build an fit on the caerrier an im working on it near every day as its such a big kit so yes such a awkward qeustion to answer an yes i know you said a standard model but my hornet too me is a standard model
chrisb

 

[minitnkr]

I work in 1/87 scale. The models are small and limited in choice so many have to be scratched or semi-scratched. I've spent 50yrs off & on to almost finish my WWII US Engineer Battalion elements, & take about an hour to clean-up, assemble, & paint a 4 color driver figure. This & the above replies take in a wide view of the hobby. A very detailed description of a model in question, the skill level & experience of the modeler with that type might get you an estimate to arrive at a stated level of result. Lots of words before first cuppa to say no standard.

 

[BattleshipBob]

Months and months lol. Ships are something different. I consider them as many kits in one box. I can now see why so many builders take a year and more.

 

[SilentWhisper]

I just want to thank everyone for their comments and since I am new (currently just looking at airplanes and trying miniatures), I never considered the depth and breadth of all the types of flavour of modelling.

I am always trying to improve and try new things that I see in Youtube videos and books I purchase but I have had to do it in incremental steps because at first I tried to go from zero to 100 in one go and almost gave up because the model and techniques were too difficult for me and my patience level (my greatest enemy) was not very good. It has gotten better but I still find it frustrating when I am trying to do photo-etch (which I have only just started doing).

It's an interesting journey so far and I am totally into the hobby, I really enjoy it and look forward to putting 2 to 3 hours a day into it.

 

[boatman]

Months and months lol. Ships are something different. I consider them as many kits in one box. I can now see why so many builders take a year and more.

AN YES Bob you are right sir as i know my nimitz model was all scratch built but it still took near 7yrs to build so yes its many part like kits to build before i fit them on that carrier
chrisb