The Secret to Building a Better Model

[Ace-Garageguy]

Here ya go. Obviously having "fun" or he woulda quit after the 4th or 5th one. Yup, it should be FUN and nothing remotely resembling "work", which implies (apparently to some) not-fun things like quality craftsmanship, understanding and respect for form and line, technical-correctness, etc. 

SO...if this is your definition of "fun" within this hobby, that's fine and dandy. It's not my definition of "fun", it doesn't have to be, and that's fine too.

To each his own.

The bottom line is that each and every participant in this hobby probably has a slightly different definition of "fun", and they ENJOY different aspects of building differently, and some more than others. I personally usually enjoy challenging myself to continually raise the bar on my own work. I like difficult modifications and long-term projects. I don't do it for approval or recognition or competition. I do it for ME, and all the builders whose work I greatly admire (and who continually inspire me to do better work) I'm certain do it to please themselves first. They're having FUN.

What I'm tired of is the same old implication that striving for personal excellence in this hobby, OR IN ANY ENDEAVOR, and taking on challenging work can't be viewed as "fun".

Edited December 20, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[blunc]

while it's apparent that few of that builders' models were "out of the box" it sure looks like the builder was thinking outside of the box.

it looks like the desire to build a favorite style like long roofs is evident, the builder may not have been exposed to other models like most of us here and/or may have had limited tools and supplies to work with.

I'm fairly certain that builder was having fun.  

[cruz]

Very good subject and points guys, I personally learn something new every day and that is also very important.

[Stuntman Mike]

I started late to use the net and it took me a very long time to build halfway decent models. I remember that I was looking at pictures of built models on kit boxes and how impressed I was by them when I was a kid. There was no scale modeler around who could actually teach me how to put a kit together, how to clean up parts or how to paint properly. It was a long, dirty and expensive road until I was a "competitive" modeler. BMF and sheet styrene were discovered accidentaly in a shop a few years before my internet entry. I was glad to realize that I wasn´t the only freak on earth who did bodywork on scale models when I stumbled across a modeling forum for the first time.

Today, when somebody is really interested to become a modeler, it´s very easy to gain knowledge. There are tutorials for everything on the Tube and the answer to any question is just a few minutes away. I´ve seen "first builds" that were way better than anything I could come up with after being ten years in the hobby. I´ve learned it the hard way and I´m proud my 28 years of experience. I´m happy with my results and I still use my prehistoric tools that have turned out to be useful and that´s it....I´m having fun.

The secret to building a better model is easy to answer. It´s not about aftermarket stuff, tools from space or the amount of scratchbuilding. It´s about taste and craftmanship. One does not only need to apply a paintjob properly, one does also need to have a good hand at chosing a color that suits the subject and thus makes it stand out of the crowd. It´s about making the best with what you have and improve it where ever you can.

Photography could be mentioned, but I doubt that a camera can improve the result of a build.

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

 

Photography could be mentioned, but I doubt that a camera can improve the result of a build.

It CAN be helpful from the standpoint of catching flaws you might otherwise miss. I've seen so many defects pop up as a result of posting my models online that I now take a lot more shots than I used to, blow them up and look more closely than my tired old eyes may be able to on the bench.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I started late to use the net and it took me a very long time to build halfway decent models. I remember that I was looking at pictures of built models on kit boxes and how impressed I was by them when I was a kid. There was no scale modeler around who could actually teach me how to put a kit together, how to clean up parts or how to paint properly. It was a long, dirty and expensive road until I was a "competitive" modeler. BMF and sheet styrene were discovered accidentaly in a shop a few years before my internet entry. I was glad to realize that I wasn´t the only freak on earth who did bodywork on scale models when I stumbled across a modeling forum for the first time.

Today, when somebody is really interested to become a modeler, it´s very easy to gain knowledge. There are tutorials for everything on the Tube and the answer to any question is just a few minutes away. I´ve seen "first builds" that were way better than anything I could come up with after being ten years in the hobby. I´ve learned it the hard way and I´m proud my 28 years of experience. I´m happy with my results and I still use my prehistoric tools that have turned out to be useful and that´s it....I´m having fun.

The secret to building a better model is easy to answer. It´s not about aftermarket stuff, tools from space or the amount of scratchbuilding. It´s about taste and craftmanship. One does not only need to apply a paintjob properly, one does also need to have a good hand at chosing a color that suits the subject and thus makes it stand out of the crowd. It´s about making the best with what you have and improve it where ever you can.

Photography could be mentioned, but I doubt that a camera can improve the result of a build.

 

I agree with most all of that.

Color can be a big deal with making a build look nice.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen very well executed builds ruined by some oddball paint scheme.

Strange combinations can many times make a model look like.......well, a model.

Our main job as builders is to make our builds look as close to the real thing as possible.

 

Steve

[mikemodeler]

Despite having built models for nearly 45 years, reading this has reminded me of some of the basics that I have learned and forgotten many times!

I think it is important to always try to learn something every day, and model building is no exception. And just like real life, sometimes we get a little over confident and make mistakes.

Whatever your skill level and comfort zone is, reading a topic like this is a great way to keep you humble. 

[DiscoRover007]

The biggest thing I can recommend to a beginner to make the leap into higher quality model building is too simply  hold yourself to higher standard of building. Do not allow yourself to accept mistakes and flaws. If you mess up, strip it down and paint it again until you get it right.

And with that I do believe comes buying quality paints and airbrushes. If you are trying to get serious about the hobby you need a workhorse gravity feed air brush. I know a lot of people will say you don't but if you want to get really good you need to give yourself the ability to do that.

I would agree with the OP that studying your subject is a must. One thing that I do. The one standard/minimum goal that I have to accomplish with a model is that it must look like the real deal from the outside. That means a quality paint finish, removing and or filling panel lines that do or do not exist on the real car. 

Quality products are a must. That doesn't mean you have to get real expensive you just need to know what to buy. For beginners reading this thread. For interiors and engines, stick to acrylics. Vallejo has the best acrylic brush paints you can buy. Their model air line has premium opaque colors perfect for interiors too. Tamiya acrylics also allow for a variety of metal finishes.

Tamiya TS line and Duplicolor are awesome for body colors. I like the testors lacquer line too but most of their metallics are out of scale.

Personally I still use spray cans for bodys(mostly) and use my airbrushes for interiors and engines.

And there is no substitute for Tamiya masking tape.

Lastly you have to treat the model as a work of art, every piece of it. We are artists,  we just paint on models. The whole hobby is a lot like golf in my opinion. You need a lot of patience, practice, and decent clubs(supplies). You are competing against yourself and no one else. Take as much time as you need to make the model the way you want it to. Rushing will only lead to disapointment.

Edited December 24, 2015 by DiscoRover007

[Snake45]

The biggest thing I can recommend to a beginner to make the leap into higher quality model building is too simply  hold yourself to higher standard of building. Do not allow yourself to accept mistakes and flaws. If you mess up, strip it down and paint it again until you get it right.

And with that I do believe comes buying quality paints and airbrushes. If you are trying to get serious about the hobby you need a workhorse gravity feed air brush. I know a lot of people will say you don't but if you want to get really good you need to give yourself the ability to do that.

I would agree with the OP that studying your subject is a must. One thing that I do. The one standard/minimum goal that I have to accomplish with a model is that it must look like the real deal from the outside. That means a quality paint finish, removing and or filling panel lines that do or do not exist on the real car.

Quality products are a must. That doesn't mean you have to get real expensive you just need to know what to buy. For beginners reading this thread. For interiors and engines, stick to acrylics. Vallejo has the best acrylic brush paints you can buy. Their model air line has premium opaque colors perfect for interiors too. Tamiya acrylics also allow for a variety of metal finishes.

Tamiya TS line and Duplicolor are awesome for body colors. I like the testors lacquer line too but most of their metallics are out of scale.

Personally I still use spray cans for bodys(mostly) and use my airbrushes for interiors and engines.

And there is no substitute for Tamiya masking tape.

Lastly you have to treat the model as a work of art, every piece of it. We are artists,  we just paint on models. The whole hobby is a lot like golf in my opinion. You need a lot of patience, practice, and decent clubs(supplies). You are competing against yourself and no one else. Take as much time as you need to make the model the way you want it to. Rushing will only lead to disapointment.

Interesting. You and I seem to share nothing in the way of tools or materials, and yet I produce good results, and I'll bet you do, too.

"There are many paths to the top of the mountain."

Specifically regarding airbrushes, it should be noted that a good air supply is at least 50% of the equation (though often taken for granted by those who have one). I would rather work with a $15 flea market Chinese pirate clone of a third rate SA airbrush and a good, reliable, controllable air supply than with the finest airbrush ever made and a Propel can or one of those dicky little desktop compressors (as I struggled to do for many years). I've often said that the day I bought my Campbell-Hausfeld compressor with tank and regulator was the single happiest day of my modeling life.

And there are many paths to a "good air supply," too. They all have upsides and downsides. Bad air supplies have nothing but downsides, and are often just as expensive as the good ones.

[Ace-Garageguy]

The biggest thing I can recommend to a beginner to make the leap into higher quality model building is to simply hold yourself to higher standard of building. Do not allow yourself to accept mistakes and flaws... until you get it right.

 

That right there is the key. If you want to build good models, it takes effort and commitment and...perish the thought...work.

First-rate tools and materials definitely make building first-rate models easier, but they're just no substitute for paying attention, thinking about what you're doing, being careful, and honestly critiquing your own work.

[STYRENE-SURFER]

1. Buy an expensive air brush – Wrong.  An air brush can certainly improve your builds, when used correctly.  However many award winning builds have been finished with nothing more than rattle cans. I have already broken rule one,  the best airbrush I got was so expensive for me that it seems sacrileges to let paint even close to it. Still haven't used it yet because I know how my cheeper one behaves.

2. Start with an expensive kit – Wrong.   Whether it is a plastic or resin kit the price of the kit will not ensure great results.  In fact buying a kit above you current skill level often results in a disappointing build.Have looked at some amazing builds of high end kits with all the extra photo etch and pluming bits that are available for them, and all those pieces would still be up to me to assemble. What I could do with all that extra detail is not just a matter of owning it.

3. Kit bashing – Wrong.  If the additional parts aren't installed correctly or inappropriate parts are added this detracts from the finished build.Guilty! but I would have more finished models if I hadn't.

4. Aftermarket parts – Nope.  You can buy as many aftermarket parts as you can fit on your build but if they aren’t installed or finished correctly this again will lead to disappointment.No experience with them.

5. Study your subject – Ding Ding Ding we have a winner!  The best way I have found to improve my builds is to understand the subject as fully as possible before I start to build.  Instead of buying a bunch of aftermarket parts buy a book on your subject or do some research on the internet.  Understanding what each kit part is supposed represents and what its function is on the vehicle allows you to:This is something I have been obsessing about lately, has led me to endless searches here and other sites (I am now addicted to the H.A.M.B.) I think this element of the hobby is key, yet it has a way of sending one through the rabbit hole for perfection.

•  

[aurfalien]

To me, the secret to building a better model has been this board

Many real craftman here for sure.  I feel lucky to be a member here.

[restoman]

To me, the secret to building a better model has been this board

Many real craftman here for sure.  I feel lucky to be a member here.

Absolutely! 

Seeing some of the builds here has pushed me to push myself.

[om617]

To me, the secret to building a better model has been this board

 

X2.

Also what got me back into the hobby. I would say all my improvements are thanks to the tips,tricks and feedback from people on here.

[Deathgoblin]

Both the board and the magazine have greatly improved my build quality.  Now, is there a cure for having hammer hands?  

 

[Phaze]

Interesting. You and I seem to share nothing in the way of tools or materials, and yet I produce good results, and I'll bet you do, too.

"There are many paths to the top of the mountain."

Specifically regarding airbrushes, it should be noted that a good air supply is at least 50% of the equation (though often taken for granted by those who have one). I would rather work with a $15 flea market Chinese pirate clone of a third rate SA airbrush and a good, reliable, controllable air supply than with the finest airbrush ever made and a Propel can or one of those dicky little desktop compressors (as I struggled to do for many years). I've often said that the day I bought my Campbell-Hausfeld compressor with tank and regulator was the single happiest day of my modeling life.

And there are many paths to a "good air supply," too. They all have upsides and downsides. Bad air supplies have nothing but downsides, and are often just as expensive as the good ones.

really? Air compressor is that important? I use a cheapo, beginner type desktop compressor and I didn't think I had a problem with it. I mean, I would like to get a better one, but I didn't think it would make much of a difference. I guess I need to change my priorities a bit. I'm really new, and I learn so much from you guys, so thank you for the tips and keep them coming.

 

[cruz]

really? Air compressor is that important? I use a cheapo, beginner type desktop compressor and I didn't think I had a problem with it. I mean, I would like to get a better one, but I didn't think it would make much of a difference. I guess I need to change my priorities a bit. I'm really new, and I learn so much from you guys, so thank you for the tips and keep them coming.

 

Yes, the airbrush is much more important than the air source. Of course they have to work in tandem but a cheap airbrush will not give you constant satisfactory results.

[MrBuick]

Being somewhat new to the hobby and lacking many of the skills that a lot of you around the boards possess, I want to add a few of my thoughts from the point-of-view of an entry level hobbyist, not only on how to build a better model (for yourself), but also how to enjoy the hobby more thoroughly.

1) Don't get discouraged. I'm working on a model right now that I'm extremely pleased with the results of so far, but then I'll look around the boards and mine doesn't even begin to compare to many of the builds posted. It was discouraging at first and I didn't even want to post progress pictures, but then I looked at how it's coming along vs. my first build, and I realized I've come a long way, even if I have a long way yet to go.

2) I've learned this one the hard way...Don't try to learn too much too quickly. With the exceptional assistance other users around this forum and others are willing to provide, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all of the skills you need to develop to build that realistic looking model. Part cleanup and preparation, body preparation, painting, detail painting, detailing accessories (engine wiring, etc), the list goes on-and-on, and it's easy to get caught up in the builds the more experienced builders have going on and want to replicate those. But, you really need to hone one skill at a time. Become as good as you can at simply assembling a box-stock model first, then try to get the highest quality paint possible with that box stock model, then start focusing on the small details (do this in whatever order you prefer), just avoid trying to do it all at once...you'll just overwhelm yourself and the hobby will cease to be any fun at all.

3) Don't assume you have to do something just because someone else does it. Many of the guys around here compete in contests or have more time to dedicate to the hobby than you may (retired folks ). Don't assume just because they spend months or years building a single model to perfection that you must do the same. Find that point where you're happy with your builds and stay there until you have a desire to learn more. There's no reason that you should stress over building a competition-winning model if you aren't wanting to win competitions. That being said, don't let the fact that you aren't competing in competitions stop you from building a prize-winning model either if that's what you want to do...the point is, be sure to have fun and do what makes you happy, not what someone else thinks you should do.

4) Take criticism from other builders with grace...I've discovered that around here and other forums that focus on this hobby, there aren't many (if any) trolls that are just there to be immature. If someone around here criticizes your build, they aren't doing it to be hateful, they just want to help, but there's only one way to say, "you should have done _______, what you did doesn't look good."

5) Don't be afraid to ask for help. As cliché as it is, there really is no such thing as a stupid question. Knowledge that more experienced builders take for granted may completely elude you, but you can bet on the fact that they're willing and eager to share...you just have to ask.

5) Don't assume just because you're new to the hobby you have nothing to offer. Sure, many people here have more experience than you do, however, that doesn't make your opinions or the experience you do have invalid. You should contribute as much as you can, even if you think someone else might have a better answer...you'll learn more and build rapport with other members quicker.

 

[Kit Basher]

That was very well said, Colby. That attitude will take you far.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Mr Buick all very good points. Number 4 taking criticism well is important if you want to improve. Unfortnately there are some who view it as a personal attack. For them anything other than telling them how great they are is unacceptable. There loss as they will never have a chance to grow and improve.

[DrDevil72]

You forgot one... Always sacrifice one of the most tiniest, most important parts of the most expensive kit to the "carpet monster"...    

You're not a true modeler if you haven't sacrificed to the carpet monster.

[Twokidsnosleep]

You forgot one... Always sacrifice one of the most tiniest, most important parts of the most expensive kit to the "carpet monster"...    

You're not a true modeler if you haven't sacrificed to the carpet monster.

...and then step on that piece a week later and embed it in your foot

[Yo Jutt]

Im new to this hobby, the number one thing I've done to improve my modelling skills was joining this forum and patcipating in the activity. Biggest thing was accepting the fact that I wasn't going to get the same results as everyone else. That's why I participate! It's a big help everyone is so helpful here. I also took and still do take baby steps so to speak. Each model build I look at my last one and think "I really don't like how this part turned out" so my next one that may be my focus. I just try to build my next one a little better than my last or a little more detail than the last.. For me this makes it "fun" and in the end I'm left with something that looks good on the shelf. 

[Tom Geiger]

You have the right idea Justin!  Don't settle for "accepting the fact that I wasn't going to get the same results as everyone else.".  If you keep working at it and focusing in on the areas you need to improve,  your work will get better each and every model.

I built models as a kid and got the expected results. I tried again in my 20s and got the same results because I used the same skill set I had as a kid. I lost interest quickly. Then I got the modeling bug again in my 30s. I found Scale Auto Enthusiast Magazine and a club.  There I learned that the difference was that there were techniques and materials I hadn't discovered on my own.  Once under the guidance of adult modelers who taught me the tricks, my model skills grew rapidly.  It's easier today since we have the Internet and this board!

Note that some of the guys on this board have been at this for 30 years as adults.  Their early stuff wasn't all that great either!

 

 

[Yo Jutt]

No tom, I don't plan on settling at all! I just ment that as the starting point. It's intimidating posting your first builds in front of a bunch of ppl that have been doing it for years. But by posting my builds on this site the help, feedback, and ideas has been the biggest factor in helping me "build a better model."