Friday Diatribe #28 - Kickin' the Habit

[bfrd]

You guys get a guest this week!

1. What is one bad habit that you have that you would tell a new modeler to NEVER do?

2. What is a bad habit that you have always done that you didn't realize was wrong at first?

3. What bad habit are you most proud of kicking?

4. Is there a bad habit you are currently working on kicking?

5. If you could only give one piece of advice to a new modeler, what would it be?

[aur0ra145]

1. What is one bad habit that you have that you would tell a new modeler to NEVER do?

Buy kits just because. Find what you like, and buy those. It can pile up random kits you will never build.

2. What is a bad habit that you have always done that you didn't realize was wrong at first?

Dipping tobacco.

3. What bad habit are you most proud of kicking?

Dipping tobacco. Today was the first time since 2016 my dentist didn't make a comment about my gums and tobacco. I'm glad I quit.

4. Is there a bad habit you are currently working on kicking?

Nicotine. Not dipping anymore; but, On! and Zyn are still there. I'll kick it eventually. They do make the day "better."

5. If you could only give one piece of advice to a new modeler, what would it be?

Imagine the top 10 models you ever want to make. Don't buy stuff outside those models.

Buy TET.

[Stokesy44]

1. What is one bad habit that you have that you would tell a new modeler to NEVER do?

Always let the paint dry before applying decals or another coat of anything. Impatience led to many disasters in my younger days.

2. What is a bad habit that you have always done that you didn't realize was wrong at first?

Using a knife to get parts off the sprues. Nippers are much better and there's less risk of deforming the part with the pressure of a knife blade.

3. What bad habit are you most proud of kicking?

Impatience

4. Is there a bad habit you are currently working on kicking?

Spraying too much paint from too far away resulting in rough paintwork

5. If you could only give one piece of advice to a new modeler, what would it be?

Enjoy yourself, find a subject you really want to build, research the kit then go for it. if you find you're not enjoying yourself, take a break, mow the lawn or watch the rugby. The bench will be there waiting for you when you're ready.

[digger303]

1. What is one bad habit that you have that you would tell a new modeler to NEVER do?
Only buy what you can use in the near future.

2. What is a bad habit that you have always done that you didn't realize was wrong at first?
That's a toughie cause I'm always right....

3. What bad habit are you most proud of kicking?
Your assuming I have bad habbits........I haven't kicked any

4. Is there a bad habit you are currently working on kicking?
Spending less on buying kits...not working so far so I'm trying a new approach and setting aside a dedicated bank account that I put a allowance into each month.

5. If you could only give one piece of advice to a new modeler, what would it be?
Build for fun and not the expectations of others. Make sure the girlfriend passes the modelers test.

[Panzón]

1 - 4
I don't really view any of my (or anyone else's) modeling habits as good or bad-- they are simply the way I get things done that works for me.

5
The only advice I have for a new modeler is to build subjects that interest you, and build them the way you want.

[RangerNeil]

Lets have a stab at this (which might turn out to be one of lifes more unfortunate phrases).....

1. What is one bad habit that you have that you would tell a new modeler to NEVER do?
Never Diversify. Pick a subject or a theme and stick to it

2. What is a bad habit that you have always done that you didn't realize was wrong at first?
Wandering around armed in various ways.

3. What bad habit are you most proud of kicking?
Viewing people as targets and animals as people.

4. Is there a bad habit you are currently working on kicking?
Saying what I think when I think it. Doesn't sit too well with morons made managers....

5. If you could only give one piece of advice to a new modeler, what would it be?
Pick a theme or subject and stick to it. Otherwise, as others have said, you wind up with kits you will never build.

[bfrd]

Do as I say, not as I do

Never try to get full coverage on one coat. I am guilty more than I should admit that I will spray only one coat of paint.

Wait, what

Mixing paint directly in the color cup. Still do it; still don't know why it is wrong.

Dropped it like it was hot

Sniffing the glue... J/K I like Revell Contacta Pro the best.

Work in Progress

Organization and Cleanliness. I think these go hand in hand. My bench looks like I tried to put every tool I own in a big pile and then let a cat on the bench.

Listen closely, Padawan

Patience you must have. Good models come with experience, experience comes from failure.

P.S. That last line should be read as Yoda, it doesn't really work if you don't.

[RangerNeil]

Listen closely, Padawan

Patience you must have. Good models come with experience, experience comes from failure.

Unless you work in EOD - where making a mistake removes all future learning potential....

[DRUMS01]

OK, I guess it is my time to chime in. I laugh as I read these and write my own. I feel like we are writing this Diatribe like we are in some bad type of reform and recovery. "Hi everyone, My name is Ben, and I am a modeler". (Everyone responds.. Hi Ben)

1. What is one bad habit that you have that you would tell a new modeler to NEVER do?

After over 50 years of modeling, I have to hope that I no longer have bad modeling habits. Habits are a learned process, some good and some could be bad. First if you don't recognize the "bad" habit, you are bound to repeat it. So I would encourage new modelers not to close their minds to new techniques. I have found over the years that you can always learn new ways to make a better kit. So do not be afraid to evolve and learn new techniques, products, etc. Another is to buy what you can build today as stashes are often over rated.

2. What is a bad habit that you have always done that you didn't realize was wrong at first?

See question #1 concerning stashes.

3. What bad habit are you most proud of kicking?

I'm sure this varies by person, but I remember many, many years ago I used to assemble straight from the box, seams and ejection pins and all. Within 5 years of modeling at a very young age (in the 70's), I began to take my time, clean and prep parts, test fit, build in sub-assemblies when practical, and stuff like that. In modeling the old saying, "Haste makes waste" is very true. I would love to have some of the older vintage kits I built with the experience I have now, but that journey is part of modeling as well,... embrace it.

4. Is there a bad habit you are currently working on kicking?

Non-modeling: Well, I do not smoke, dip, drink, or eat excessively. I do not have anger issues or a potty mouth. I try to stay active and exercise regularly. I love my family and life at the moment. I do have border-line OCD and on a bad day my patience can be shorter than others, so I guess that would have to be it. Modeling: I suppose that would have to be the ability to recognize a bad habit, if I have one, as nothing comes up right now (see answer # 1).

5. If you could only give one piece of advice to a new modeler, what would it be?

Don't get caught up in the modeling moment, but rather enjoy the journey. Modeling is not the summit of life. Take the time to learn to build straight from the box before dropping silly money into a kit with no experience. Nobody normally starts as a dynamic and professional modeler, it takes time, experience, and effort. Even then, many (like me) will never experience being true modeling elite, and thats OK (At least I'm OK with that). Remember that this is a hobby to be enjoyed, so do your thing, enjoy growing in the hobby. Make friends along the way. Find your karma or zen in the modeling world and grow into it with your modeling buddies.

Ben / DRUMS01

[chops1sc]

1. What is one bad habit that you have that you would tell a new modeler to NEVER do?
Forget to dry fit pieces. I get in a hurry sometimes and don't dry fit and end up paying the price.

2. What is a bad habit that you have always done that you didn't realize was wrong at first?
Biting my nails.

3. What bad habit are you most proud of kicking?
I can't think of any habits that I have kicked, LOL!

4. Is there a bad habit you are currently working on kicking?
Eating too much, LOL!

5. If you could only give one piece of advice to a new modeler, what would it be?
Enjoy your time modeling and don't take it too seriously!

[BigWall]

1. What is one bad habit that you have that you would tell a new modeler to NEVER do?

Don't be rough on yourself if you didn't get the results you were looking for on a build. It's all a learning process. Just trying puts you miles ahead of where you would be if you had never attempted to do something.

2. What is a bad habit that you have always done that you didn't realize was wrong at first?

Just breaking the parts off the sprue when I was a kid.

3. What bad habit are you most proud of kicking?

Just building apparently just to fill the bookshelf with builds. I just built straight from the box for a long time, only doing basic painting.

4. Is there a bad habit you are currently working on kicking?

I've had some pretty serious health issues going on in the last few years. I've kinda let it be an excuse to take shortcuts giving less than stellar results. I guess this goes back to my answer to question #1 though. I was doing the best I absolutely could at the time.

5. If you could only give one piece of advice to a new modeler, what would it be?

Have fun. Make friends. Try new things. Be excellent.