Builders Slump

[Rich Chernosky]

I would like to know how many of you beat  "builders slump"  For me this happens right after I finish a project.   Which one of the 250 + projects do I tear into next.  Sometimes it can be days wandering through boxes to get inspiration. Much of my stash has been started and is in various stages of completion. Each one was stopped for a reason.  I find inspiration in various places.   Do I have room in my display cases...??   Is this a project that can easily be finished...?   Is it a new kit that hasn't been started.....?  Did I see someone else finish a project on this forum,  I have or want....?  Would be interested to hear anyone   elses  take on this common problem. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

I don't get enough bench time to ever experience a "slump", but there are days I just don't feel like building models, period.  

[Anglia105E]

Hi Rich . . . I do understand this feeling, and this ' slump ' always follows a project of mine, and particularly when the most recent project has been somewhat lengthy, challenging and intensive. Having completed a 1:24 scale Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud build, which has taken me 7 months to complete, I have just finished building an O gauge 20 ton brake van for the railway line on my factory diorama, and this one only took me 3 weeks.

Then I sat there in my loft room with an empty workbench, and I had no idea whatsoever what would be brought to the table next. I simply waited for around one week, during which time there were no ideas coming to me. Then something appeared quite naturally, and I knew this was the way to go . . .

My Dad taught me to drive as soon as I reached the age of 17, and he did so with his own 1963 Ford Consul Cortina 4-door. I passed my driving test at the third attempt, at the wheel of my late Dad's Cortina.

When I started to look round for a kit from which to build this car, I soon realised that only 2-door versions were available, usually the Lotus Cortina in 1:32 scale. Then I discovered a Ford Consul Cortina kit by Frog in 1:16 scale. To my surprise, although the box art clearly shows a 2-door version of the Cortina, the body inside the box is the 4-door version . . . I managed to win an Ebay auction yesterday and got this very rare kit, which was produced in 1962, so 60 years old !

I think this is the sort of natural occurrence that has to follow a difficult build.

Here is one photo of the kit box, and one photo of my Dad's original car.

David

[atomicholiday]

I find myself in a slump frequently.  I don’t get nearly enough bench time, so my slump is a result of not being sure where to begin after an extended break.

 I’m lucky right now because I feel like I’m on a roll.  Things are progressing and I’m having fun.  But I know it’s only a matter of time.

The hardest part for me is just picking up a tool or part and just starting.  I find once I begin, the creative juices start flowing pretty soon.
 

Probably not the best answer you’ll get, but it’s where I’m at.

 

Edit- The other thing that will throw me into a slump is hitting a wall with a project that I can’t find a solution to.  That’s a sure fire way to get me to shelve a model.

Edited June 2, 2023 by atomicholiday

[tbill]

I don’t find myself in a slump very often, probably due to the fact that from late April to mid October I don’t do much building, if any, so once fall comes around and the weather tanks, I’m ready to spend the winter at my bench ( nights and weekends), helps to keep me motivated I guess.

[BlackSheep214]

Been there many times. Take a break away from the bench. 

[Tom Geiger]

I haven’t worked at my bench since the 24 Hour Build in January. I got busy at work, NNL East was coming and I had family and house things to do too!

I had purchased an old built up 57 Ford at a show that wasn’t a bad car and the engine was even wired. It was missing the front bumper and grille.  I spent a wee bit of time installing new from my parts box.  That broke the curse so I may build a little this weekend.

[iamsuperdan]

All the time. Probably why I have a dozen kits on the go at any given time!

And there are many days that, like Bill, I just don't feel like hitting the bench.

 

 

[imarriedawitch]

I just thumb through a hot rod magazine and I'm off and running again.

[John M.]

I stopped building a few years ago and concentrated on buying complete model cars and others that I can fix using the kit bashing method and I've been slumping on the latter for quite sometime now. I have over two dozen cars that only need minor assembly but with the workload at my job and other things going on in my life, I don't have the time or energy to get to them even on my days off but I haven't forgotten about them.

[SpikeSchumacher]

Hi Rich, you are not alone. I have more "ideas" and "planned builds" than I have time, or motivation, to complete (and sometimes even start) them all. Sometimes I don't build or touch anything for a couple, or three months. But, the thing is, it's a HOBBY. It's supposed to be FUN. It is meant to take your mind off of the daily grind, or deadlines, or whatever... At least that is my perspective, for whatever it's worth.

Sometimes just stepping away from the bench and doing anything else may bring inspiration/motivation.

Hope to see more of your builds as they definitely inspire me! ?

Cheers

 

[jaymcminn]

Yup, I generally get a slump after a big project that's really pushed my limits as a builder. After my 1/12 Fiat Mefistofele build a few years back, I cleaned up my work bench and didn't touch another model for three months. I'm working on another big project now, the new Italeri 1/12 Bugatti 35B. I'm a month or so in with probably another two to go. Whenever it starts feeling like a grind I'll take a few days off until I want to get back to work.

When I'm ready to get back to the bench after a big project I'll build a "shelf model" or two... generally something easy that will look good on the shelf without stressing me out too much. Ironically quite a few of these "slump busters" have walked away with awards at contests.  

Slumps absolutely happen. I've gone a year plus without building until the right project catches my eye and I'm back in the game. As far as display case room goes, there's nothing like buying a nice new display case (I like the Ikea Fabrikor cases, myself) to give you the urge to fill it up!

[Joe Lange]

OK Rich, here goes my 'cure'.  (didn't someone once say, "One man's cure is another man's poison"?)   Up until my retirement I never had enough bench time to have a slump.  Now, I limit myself to a couple of hours in the evening after dinner when my wife is off doing her internet business in her own corner of the house.

I have found that no matter how involved / in-depth a particular model may get, sometimes you just have to step back from it for a while.   My solution is to find another kit, and start to work on it.  I know you stated that a lot of your "stash has been started and is in various stages of completion".  THIS is where self-discipline comes in!  Grab one and close the closet door and don't look back until one or the other is done!  I've found having two going in different stages gives me a chance to forget about the other for a while.  It really works well if the 2 cars are from different decades.   It also works well if I am waiting on a freshly painted body to dry.  (That for me is easily a few days). 

 And then, like Bill E. said,....sometimes there are days when you just don't feel like building models.  Have a beer and watch a movie.  (Something with lots of cars in it.)

[Richard Bartrop]

I do something else until I feel like building models again.

[redscampi]

Modeling is a diversion from other things in my life instead of the other way around, so a slump for me is being busy with the myriad minutia that keep me away from the bench. That makes modeling particularly rewarding when I do get back to it. Focusing on it too much waters down the enjoyment.

[MeatMan]

Like Bill, I never get enough bench time to get in a slump, but I do get discouraged when things aren't going according to plan (like now). In those instances I move to another build.

I typically create build plans for my kits which keeps me researching and planning so when I need to move to a new project its planned out and by then I'm anxious to get to it.

[Miatatom]

I've Been in one of those for months now. My shaky hands are a big deterrent. Sometimes I feel like just selling everything.

[slusher]

I am coming out of a slump now after breaking my arm. I look and read my model magazines like contest cars and  watch car shows help motivate me..

[Tom Geiger]

9 hours ago, redscampi said:

Modeling is a diversion from other things in my life instead of the other way around, so a slump for me is being busy with the myriad minutia that keep me away from the bench. That makes modeling particularly rewarding when I do get back to it. Focusing on it too much waters down the enjoyment.

During Covid I had all the time in the world to build models. At first it was delightful, but after a while the thrill wore off.  Finished models were coming too quick and easy. It was never a big event to actually finish one!  And sitting down every morning at the bench for the day made it feel like work!

[Rich Chernosky]

On 6/2/2023 at 11:37 AM, Anglia105E said:

Hi Rich . . . I do understand this feeling, and this ' slump ' always follows a project of mine, and particularly when the most recent project has been somewhat lengthy, challenging and intensive. Having completed a 1:24 scale Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud build, which has taken me 7 months to complete, I have just finished building an O gauge 20 ton brake van for the railway line on my factory diorama, and this one only took me 3 weeks.

Then I sat there in my loft room with an empty workbench, and I had no idea whatsoever what would be brought to the table next. I simply waited for around one week, during which time there were no ideas coming to me. Then something appeared quite naturally, and I knew this was the way to go . . .

My Dad taught me to drive as soon as I reached the age of 17, and he did so with his own 1963 Ford Consul Cortina 4-door. I passed my driving test at the third attempt, at the wheel of my late Dad's Cortina.

When I started to look round for a kit from which to build this car, I soon realised that only 2-door versions were available, usually the Lotus Cortina in 1:32 scale. Then I discovered a Ford Consul Cortina kit by Frog in 1:16 scale. To my surprise, although the box art clearly shows a 2-door version of the Cortina, the body inside the box is the 4-door version . . . I managed to win an Ebay auction yesterday and got this very rare kit, which was produced in 1962, so 60 years old !

I think this is the sort of natural occurrence that has to follow a difficult build.

Here is one photo of the kit box, and one photo of my Dad's original car.

David

David....that is an awesome way to break out of a slump.  I have three cars in my collection that I owned and it was a joy to build each one of them. 

On 6/2/2023 at 12:25 PM, atomicholiday said:

I find myself in a slump frequently.  I don’t get nearly enough bench time, so my slump is a result of not being sure where to begin after an extended break.

 I’m lucky right now because I feel like I’m on a roll.  Things are progressing and I’m having fun.  But I know it’s only a matter of time.

The hardest part for me is just picking up a tool or part and just starting.  I find once I begin, the creative juices start flowing pretty soon.
 

Probably not the best answer you’ll get, but it’s where I’m at.

 

Edit- The other thing that will throw me into a slump is hitting a wall with a project that I can’t find a solution to.  That’s a sure fire way to get me to shelve a model.

Jeremy...that is a great answer.  I often find myself doing just that.  I often hear other modelers who make excuse after excuse for not doing something they obviously enjoy.   Procrastination seems to be part of our DNA.  I truly believe that sometimes we just have to stop cutting ourselves off from something we enjoy and force ourselves to do it. And once we get started we realize how foolish it was to make excuses. See it all the time. 

 

19 hours ago, iamsuperdan said:

All the time. Probably why I have a dozen kits on the go at any given time!

And there are many days that, like Bill, I just don't feel like hitting the bench.

Dan I certainly feel your pain.  But this forum has given me a lot of inspiration. Your comment about the Red Bull blue got me to open the box and take a look. Its on the bench now ready for paint. 

 

 

 

17 hours ago, SpikeSchumacher said:

Hi Rich, you are not alone. I have more "ideas" and "planned builds" than I have time, or motivation, to complete (and sometimes even start) them all. Sometimes I don't build or touch anything for a couple, or three months. But, the thing is, it's a HOBBY. It's supposed to be FUN. It is meant to take your mind off of the daily grind, or deadlines, or whatever... At least that is my perspective, for whatever it's worth.

Sometimes just stepping away from the bench and doing anything else may bring inspiration/motivation.

Hope to see more of your builds as they definitely inspire me! ?

Cheers

Mathias...thank you for the kind words concerning a few of my builds. That is very gratifying and definetly inspiration to continue. Your insights were much welcome too. 

 

 

16 hours ago, jaymcminn said:

Yup, I generally get a slump after a big project that's really pushed my limits as a builder. After my 1/12 Fiat Mefistofele build a few years back, I cleaned up my work bench and didn't touch another model for three months. I'm working on another big project now, the new Italeri 1/12 Bugatti 35B. I'm a month or so in with probably another two to go. Whenever it starts feeling like a grind I'll take a few days off until I want to get back to work.

When I'm ready to get back to the bench after a big project I'll build a "shelf model" or two... generally something easy that will look good on the shelf without stressing me out too much. Ironically quite a few of these "slump busters" have walked away with awards at contests.  

Slumps absolutely happen. I've gone a year plus without building until the right project catches my eye and I'm back in the game. As far as display case room goes, there's nothing like buying a nice new display case (I like the Ikea Fabrikor cases, myself) to give you the urge to fill it up!

Jason....very well spoken.  We humans are whats know as "periodic space fillers" .  Can't have a blank spot on the cave wall....lets paint some stuff on there. Continues to this day.    Having space to put finished projects is definetly inspiration. Thanks for the add.

 

[Rich Chernosky]

This has been a great topic for discussion. Want to thank everyone who contributed their opine.  And there is always  room for more.

[RSchnell]

My build time is limited to mostly weekends and the odd day off here & there.  I do get in a slump and since I build multiple genres(cars/trucks, Aircraft & Space and the odd naval vessel or two) I switch to a different build Ie- from a car build to aircraft. Usually have several projects going at the same time so it's easy to transition from one to the other. 

I'm fortunate that all 3 of my almost grown kids build as well and us hitting up a model show/swap and pizza afterwards is always good to keep the creative juices flowing.

[Gramps46]

Rich, you are the last person I can think of that I can associate the word "slump" with.  I envy your productivity.

[Rich Chernosky]

38 minutes ago, Gramps46 said:

Rich, you are the last person I can think of that I can associate the word "slump" with.  I envy your productivity.

Gary....now this one made me smile.  But I can assure you it does happen.  Fortunatly ,not for long.   My productivity comes from  my organization.

[ewetwo]

I'm so caught up with health issues in the family and traveling out state for periods of time to hospitals I haven't had the time to really do much at all. Miss it I do.