Can I just say, I love your work, from the quality of the information, the production values, the gentle humor, I really think you're the leading light in the scale modelling video scene.
I find that when I make mistakes, I'm often not too worried, I'm usually enjoying myself so it's not the end of the world, even when it's at least frustrating. But often I find my anticipation of mistakes or lack of perfection stops me from attempting something in the first place. To that end, as I've aged I've started to embrace the potential mediocrity of what I try and do. Rather than try and aim for perfection, I embark on a project knowing it will only ever be mediocre, but that mediocre was better than not having done anything at all, which was the result of the perfectionist way of thinking. Making mistakes, simply serves as an opportunity to improve something beyond mediocre, rather than as a reason not to start at all.
I’m a firm believer that, what separates an experienced model builder from a novice, is the ability to correct mistakes, or at least hide them very effectively ☺️
I handle my mistakes, by stepping back, assessment, and time, usually the resolution will present itself without effort, all good as long as you are using your time meaningfully in between. Thanks for a thought provoking topic
I don’t build models any more, but I paint. What I have found is that sometimes a screw up can result in what the late Bob Ross describes as a “happy accident “. Also, I have learned that there is a point when I try to correct my mistake that any further attempt towards correction will make it worse. Therefore, I have a philosophy of L.I.O. , that is LEAVE IT ALONE. The trick is in determining the point where further correction is counterproductive. Happy Modeling
I build 1/700 ships, when lots of PE involved, the instruction doesn't always help so i need to plan my own steps. There are a few time i was lazy, too eager to see the final result or discovered a historic detail too late that i glued parts together too prematurely, and got my self into a corner. My summary is do as much research, planning and test fit as possible is the best way to avoid mistake. But for me these "mistake kits" are extremely useful, they become the test bed for new paints, new techniques sharpening my skill thus makes my future builds even better.
I'm glad I found your channel. Great content and very relaxing. I'm 55 getting back into the hobby except now with some small struggles with MS. Mistakes are often now as well as confidence in my abilities. I'm learning to laugh at my mistakes and move on with how to correct them. That experience alone helps teach me new things and improves my confidence. Recently I tried to un-warp a Porsche 917 body using hot water. As soon as it went in it curled into a tight ball. Had to laugh. In trash it went and the rest of kit parts donated to spare parts box. 😆 take care
In orthopaedics we often have a saying (especially with complex cases in experienced hands) better is the enemy of good. You sometimes have to accept what you have and stop before you make things worse!
Speaking of mistakes, here's my message without errors : Paul, this is an important topic. And it's good to hear that feedback from such an accomplished person. Thank you, it inspires me to improve my craft (and my english !). Best regards from Toulouse, France.
I learned a long time ago that mistakes are opportunities to improve, and plan for them ahead of time by building in reducing levels of permanence. That way I only have to go back 1 step when I mess up, instead of starting over again.
I like a lot of modeling channels and there are so many good ones.But this gentleman is like the Oxford don of them all. Sure I’ve made mistakes but I won’t give up on a kit no matter how frustrating.I just think if you just throw the kit away it starts a bad habit.Suddenly nothing looks right and you look for excuses to do it again.So I just try to carry on the best I can and learn from it and learn more as the kit builds.No kit is so easy it builds itself.Also how many times have you thought ‘oh now that looks a nice easy build’..Then.!..Some kits are better than others.But be prepared for anything.!.Thanks to this gentleman I push myself further to a limit,but then.Right now I’m building Tamiya’s old 1/48 Ki-84 Frank.Raised panel lines and no rivets.I built this as my last kit was hard and I thought...But though this kit is ok and even basic.Thanks to this channel I thought,let’s tackle the panel lines and I have.Let’s have a go at riveting and slowly I’m getting there.Both Ive never tackled before.But Ive hit a limit as I wanted the cockpit to be better.So Ive ripped out areas in it as there was a bad gap in the floor that bugged me.I’ve made a floor with plastic card and bang the limit fell on me and I’ve dug myself one glorious hole.Ok scary..No.!.Just something to think about try dry fit and try till I figure it.I’m sure there be mistakes but I will find a way.But getting hot headed and angry and acting spoilt by balling and chucking it away I just can’t do.!.I don’t care how long it takes I’ll get there and channels like this help. Sorry if this comment is long.But I just wanted to share my thoughts on standing by your kit and how great this channel is in pushing my modeling.Thank you all and keep safe.🇬🇧🇺🇸👍🌎🌍🌏❤️
I'm improving. When I was young I was so angry whenever I did a mistake. I gave up in scale modeling for 15 years more or less not accepting that I wasn't "The perfect modeler". Now I learned that when I make a mistake I have to fix it immediately! I don't do anything else till I fixed the mistake. Doing this I have no time to get upset and complain about myself! But I admit that I need 5 minutes all alone to calm down when this happens!
A smooth piece of philosophy and a cup of coffee - my Saturday morning is complete! I wonder what my first mistake of the day will be? Interesting thought, but of zero importance ;)
I love these videos. this one is what I needed. I have a few kits I put away because i "messed it up", but I come back after a while and getting inspired after seeing something that might help in another modeling video to fix what I did. one thing I've learned, try to scratch build a much as you can first, because there's no going back once you've screwed up the original.
I like your honesty. I learned the hard way, that some mistakes are better laid to rest for at least one day. This gives cement and paint a chance to dry and yourself some time to think on a possible solution. It works quite well most of the time. If it doesn´t you hide it at best as you can.
Thanks, I needed that. I've been fighting an Amodel G-550 for weeks and can't make any progress that doesn't seem to dissappear during the next step. I'm starting to realize that there are only a certain amount of times that you can re-sand a wing before it becomes pointless. I can't wait to go back to grungy armor modeling.
Paul, one of your best episodes ever. Thank you for sharing this. I Build in HO scale, heavy equipment and trucks. I always try to build as clean as I can. But when the paintjob is done and I watch the model for the first time on a photo and that for very enlarged, I still see many mistakes. To a certain amount I use them combined with a moderate weathering to tell the story of a used but well maintained machine or vehicle. But sometimes I can be disapointed with the end result nevertheless. This is when my hobby mates kick in: They see the model for the first time and are amazed and enthusiastic about what I tunred down as not perfect enough. And I scratch my haed ... and start to enjoy my little accumolation of mistakes again that I have build. PS: Using photos the hunt down mistakes or imperfections during the build process has improved my modeling skills a lot.
This topic is much easier for me to relate to now than when I was in college building models seriously for the first time. Many times my local hobby shop owner (also a serious modeller) tried to give me advice about the process of modelling. Me being an engineering student viewed it as a process that had a precision requirement, and I missed the artistic side completely. Secondly, one cannot help but marvel at the level of impatience one has at 22 years of age. At that time, mistakes were enough reason to trash a project. Because of that, doubt and fear set in. Because of that, I liquidated my entire first kit collection because the fear of making a mistake prevented me from even starting a project. Paul, you are exactly correct. Now, in my mid 40s, I am aware of these paralyzing fears and have developed a way to deal with them (that works for me). After coming to be at peace with success and failure, I joined a modelling club. I highly recommend this because it is valuable to share experience, both in modelling and in life, because they are intertwined. One has an effect on the other.
Well that brought back memories. I’m a retired dentist (UPenn ‘81) and build models too. Pre-clinical lab and dripping inlay wax. Sigh. I do mostly 1:48 scale aircraft and 1:35 armor. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but it’s kind of satisfying learning and improvising.
I'm 67 and I've been building for 60 years. I'm still learning so mistakes are supposed to be part of the journey. They're very annoying though. You'd think I would have made them all by now, but no, I keep finding new ones. Or even recycling old ones. I do love it when a model does turn out right though. It's like a birdie on a par 5. It's rare but it keeps you coming back.
I built the 1/350 BB New York. Was very proud, tried a few things that worked etc etc. On final assembly putting the funnel on. I had built the entire assembly upside down. I modified the funnel a little so the upside down part could get clear contact with the deck. Got it to fit, and stick. Put it on the display shelf and gushed over her like a new dad. No one I know would ever know the difference lol
For the most part i have a small anxiety attack and either eventually calm myself down enough to fix it, or I keep desperately trying to fix it, building the anxiety up worse, while freaking out to the point that I make it unsalvageably bad. Unfortunately for me I absolutely can not step away from it. My mind won't let me. Even if I try my mind will constantly go over it and over it and won't let me have any peace. That being said I am getting better at calming down and thinking through a fix rather than rushing in to try and fix it unplanned and making it worse. Anxiety sucks.
I had a sneaking suspicion of your profession. Your work bench, instruments, methods and materials are were clues that brought about my suspicion. I really enjoy your channel and the humor you throw in now and then. Thanks for sharing your expertise and knowledge. May all your margins seal like glass and all your articulators be set correctly.
I've been so frustrated by my modeling mistakes. Depending on how bad it is, I may even wonder if I've lost my edge (with age and l older eyes). But I find that if I keep going, it all works out in the end. Oh... and I usually ONLY build armor, so it's easy to "weather" over most mistakes. :-) Thank you for the video!
I agree, but I make one exception. When I'm working with a kit that is so badly engineered that it is absorbing an inordinate amount of time, I set it aside and work on another "WIP" kit. I often learn on one kit and take the lesson back to another.
My way of handling mistakes are by stopping what I am doing, and not to think about it for a while. Might be a minute, an hour or days. The point is not to let my anger, ego, peer pressure, and guilt controls and consumes me when a mistake comes.
Great presentation...modeling mistakes are simply opportunities to be introspective and challenge us to be creative and find how to achieve solutions...remembering my first tooth wax up in dental school and the many mistakes that I made until I achieved the symmetry needed to obtain a proper result!
I make a mental list of mistakes I can and can’t live with. For whatever reason mold lines drive me nuts; I will re-sand a part if I detect it after priming. However a missed ejection pin depression doesn’t bother me at all so I will leave it. I also tell myself to correct an error once. If I can’t fix it after one try I just move on and hope I do better on the next build. I also respect early on that if it is a poorly designed kit, my threshold for accepting mistakes is lowered (looking at you, revell 1965 mustang fastback).
I usually shelve the model for a bit and come back to it later. It maybe 6 months or more before I get back to it and by that time I’ve figured out how I’m going to correct my mistakes. It just works for me. 😊
I understand your buying two kits that you really like. You are bound to learn from the first both what you might have done wrong but also the potential to do something exceptional. As a fine art painter I would never attempt a finished piece without extensive studies and a definitive working drawing. That working drawing can be changed, patched, erased and even sometimes started over. Once I know that all the elements are correct I can move onto the canvas and think only of the emotion an marks I’m making because I trust my preparation. I’m f this can be translated into scale model building then what I have to contribute is valuable. I do build models as a fun relief from the press of having to be brilliant in my work but I haven’t figured out the bridge. )))
Every model I make is two steps forward, one step back and it gets worse as I get older. The thought of a piece of plastic getting the better of me helps me push on 😉
Are they truly mistakes or unexpected outcomes based on unexpected events! I don't think we sit down to make a mistake! The other day I was re milling a 1 inch vice, cleaning up the jaws, thought th he cutter was up and drove I th right into the side of the jaw, chipping out a chunk! Did not expect that event! You know the feeling ^%$&&$$^&*((&%#@:&**^%$!
I look at every single model I make as a learning experience. I think concentrating on the idea that you improve with practice is important. You will fail often in the pursuit of perfection. That's part of the game and part of almost every hobby that is worth investing time, money and effort into. Every mistake is reinforcement, to encourage me to slow down. Take my time. Do things right the first time. When I inevitably screw up again and need to make a repair or re-do a step despite my impatience to proceed, those old mistakes remind me. One must first commit the mistake in order to learn from the mistake. Failure is part of the process of learning.
I think perhaps I can get too involved in a project and a snafu will ruin the whole damn thing. More than once, after putting it aside in disgust, I have revisited the model and found it wasn't nearly as bad as I remembered, and still worth pursuing. Two lessons learned. I'm less likely to make the original mistake. Most of my catastrophic fiascos really aren't.
Paul, very good content. When making a mistake in hobby, need to know that most of my visitors are not in the hobby, they simply won't recognize these faults. This is just a hobby, my main reason of spending my time (and money) is having good times. Simply does not worth struggling with problems where correction needs more time than buying another kit. I learnt let things flow... Next will be better.
I always found that it wasn’t until I did the third model of the same kit that I really figured it out! 😂. So true that the mistakes are usually only visible to the model builder.
i come from a auto body shop environment in collision repair and restoration, my natural outlook is to fix, repair and problem solve so my first thoughts on identifying a mistake or problem is how to over come it and i usually have several ways to do that jump into my head. i'm pretty new to your channel, i'm about to start on a 1:8 road car which will be scratch built in mostly steel, plastic (petg), rubber and glass (may have to use clear plastic if my ideas dont pan out) i'm 52 now, last time i was building scale models it was 35 years ago, as its a scratch build and i have full access to the real car in parts i have gone the slightly easier route of making it 1:8, in my research i have discovered the is a magazine typ screw together on over in the czech republic (car is the 1974 Skoda S100 to which i have had the 1:1 version many years) but i'm doing the scratch build for more realistic final model and to put it together so as any fixing points that are not how the real car comes apart are hidden. i've kinda strayed off the topic of problem solving etc but i'm pretty sure every part i create will have a high amount of thunking involved. my initial build will be a "storage box" version of the model from clear petg, this will be completely replaced as i get more into making the parts there are two reasons i'm doing that, firstly its going to take quite some time to build as with most of us life gets in the way of fun stuff and the general scratch building with very basic tools, ie no lathe or 3d printer, it will be slower though a hands on make it the old school way could be quicker than doing the computer stuff for a 3d printed part? so the "storage" type model will be a place to put parts in to to keep out of the way of my four cats!! and as the detailed parts get made they can go into the place, temporally they fit into the model, at least i will have some thing better than a box full of random parts on a hidden away shelf the other reason i'm doing the plastic 'store box model" thing is the one component i would normally start with is not easy to get to and wont be for some time and thats the floor pan of the car, the car is a shell at the moment but its burred in the depths of the spare garage and i have a few things to do before i can get to it, however i do have a 1:18 model i can make a rough 1:8 from and i have every thing that came off the car to hand alot easier to get to, i'd prefer to build the floor / chassis first but i will wait till i can take direct measurements as any other way would be inviting errors ie some one else over the net measuring theirs or trusting the 1:18 die cast for accurate final build dimensions i'm more likely to post images as i go along on face book as i'm a keep smudger but i could try a few yt vids along the way
When I care about the results, I get two kits. When I REALLY care about the results, I get three. One to build to completion without opening the other two. Learn all the lessons (where are the instructions misleading... what parts are super fiddly and likely to break... what parts should I really search for resin replacements... etc. etc.). Play around with the paint scheme and don't worry if it looks totally different in spots. Play around with the weathering. Then, with lessons learned, I open up the other two kits, and go to work for real.
Paul, I should add...I’m a model railroad guy working on my first layout...and I am not young, shall we say. This video was a timely reminder for me that the journey, especially at my age, is the point. Yes, want to do good work. I do not have enough years remaining to become very good, let alone an expert. Celebrating the journey. I can explain how an airbrush operates, though! :-)
I'm not too heavy on fine detail, I want it to look cool. So if I'm missing a small detail, i'll either forge a makeshift one out of putty or turn a blind eye to it if it's a very small part. Today I was building a CV33 and I accidently glues some parts back to front (tight), and I'm like "Yelp, too bad I guess". Cus I know when it's on display I'm gonna be thinking that looks cool!
If my mistakes don't shatter when they hit the wall behind my workbench, I consider trying to remedy them. Otherwise I sweep up what's left and toss it in the trash.
No mistakes...just Happy Accidents! Just like when I tried to "form" an ill fitting clear canopy on a 1/32 F104G in hot water and crazed it so bad I couldn't use it! 🙄
Like most here it depends on the severity. Case in point: Revell Kenny Bernstein's top fuel dragster. The tins are simply painted red. However, the decals take 3 hours to apply. After 2 days of drtying I apply a known good clear coat over them. It bubbles and crazes and basically ruins the decals and paint underneath.. The chassis is done with nearly 50 hourse of superdetailing done to it. Every known hose, wire and system plumbed to scale realism. In the right setting, a picture could pass for the real thing. I throw it all in the box where it all sits to this very minute. The decals must be sourced, the tins stripped, repainted and another 3 hours of decals await me. Or the Tamiya Yamaha with with rider that when nearly finished the cowl would not go over the bike. It all went into the garbage after well over 100.00 between kit cost and paint are involved. Not to mention 4 weeks of building the bloody thing. I react differenyly depending on the day it happems and the level of work put in. I am atypical at times I suppose.
The knack is to be able to work round your or the model company's error and not be too fussed about it. It's your model, so is it really that important - -?
This is really interesting. I’m an artist. Without going into a long boring explanation I build costumes and props for my characters from scratch. One thing that I always do is build prototypes with inexpensive materials so that I make all of my mistakes economically. I guess this isn’t really an option for building kits.
Making a mistake is not a problem, it is actually the reason we are now much better at this than we used to be. Making a particular mistake a second time, on the other hand, can be very stressing. Or a third time. As I get older I blame it on a failing memory, or something. It's a trick to get the ego -thereby the anger it produces, out of they way and get back to the business of modeling.
My biggest mistake was melting the tripod mast on a 1/700 scale destroyer while attempting to tighten rigging tread with an incense stick. I treated it as an opportunity to try a little scratch-building, and while the end result was far from perfect a casual onlooker would struggle to tell it was a botch-job and the ultimate pay-off was I gained a little experience in doing things from scratch.
Make a mistake? Adapt,improvise and overcome. This involve redoing the booboo to throwing back in box or bin and move on to something. The key is dont let "negative waves" mess with the modeling mojo. If your anything like me, it waxes and wanes on it's own as it is.
I usually swear lot and call myself an idiot, and then (depending on the project) repair it, redo it, or improvise around it. The concept of buying another one is completely foreign to me, mostly due to finances, but also due to innate stubbornness and a refusal to be defeated by myself.
I can identify with that “innate stubbornness...” you describe. In fact I’m grateful for it, for the most part. But I’ve learned how to stop and walk away before I get really frustrated. Surprising how what was so horrible a few days ago really doesn’t look too bad once you’ve allowed yourself to regroup.
I handle mistakes I cannot fix by reminding myself that no one I know will realize the mistake because they know nothing of how the model is supposed to look. Only a relative handful of people I know are modelers and knowledgable enough to determine that I had made a mistake, let alone mention it to me. Still, it bothers me that I made a mistake that I know is there. But that’s my problem!…
I know this question does not really pertaining to messing up on a model I've had my fair share but just wondering about superglue not sticking after you had awhile works great when new then say a month or less it quits sticking is there a way to store it
It's possibly been said already, but I don't make mistakes, I have happy little accidents. I lie - every time I sit at my modelling bench is a mistake.
Depending on the mistake. If my first attempt doesn't work. I'd give myself a breather. Then go back and try it another way. Unless, the kit was completely trashed. Yes, we're all a little bit OCD.
Step back and think how to solve and work the problem. I am working on the Revell PT 588 and a broke office pieces of the aft cleats. Now i need to figure out how to fix what I broke, Styrene rod or metal ? hummmm.
In a couple of locations in my workshop, there’s a label stuck where I can see it frequently. It says, “FIX THAT ****.” I’ll leave the third word to everyone’s imagination.
I know what not to do and that is throw the model down on the hard wood floor like I did when I was eight years old! I still have that glue bomb Aurora F-8 Crusader as reminder that a bad temper does not serve me. If a kit got too bad it was saved in it's box and some have been recreated as weathered junkers or something fun. I did burn and blow up many models too.
Making a mistake is just a part of the learning process, the extreme alternative is the use of a big hammer lol then pound that sucker, but hold on there tiger take a step back n review what you've done n see how you can fix it ✌🏻✌🏻🕊
Not at all William. The Postscripts are just meant to be little afterthoughts or observations, sort of after the shop-lights are switched off. ... as opposed to the Workshop videos that involve actual modeling techniques.
Always walk away from results that are unacceptable, then come back and evaluate with a fresh eye and attitude. Ask, will anyone see this or will paint and decals obscure the mistake? Will anyone notice? Will you notice? Will it bother you? There’s always one more thing you can do! Like order a spare canopy...🤔😎😆🎪
Oh God, I don't want to hear that my Dentist makes mistakes on my teeth! My biggest tip is when you feel like throwing it against the wall, to turn off the light and come at it another day. And sometimes, you just have to start over and make a new part or whatever which is OK if its just a hobby.
Bad advice! I get really angry at myself, say some words I later wish my kids hadn’t heard and then quickly try to fix it invariably making it worse in the process. A half hour later I decide that THIS F4U only had that part on the starboard wing and remove it altogether. Or that antenna was supposed to be on the back of the fuse, not the front and all the instructions and scale documentation is wrong and I’m right. See, much better. You are welcome.
To everyone making comments so far ... THANK YOU ... so many are just spot on an so constructive, Thank you again.
Can I just say, I love your work, from the quality of the information, the production values, the gentle humor, I really think you're the leading light in the scale modelling video scene.
I find that when I make mistakes, I'm often not too worried, I'm usually enjoying myself so it's not the end of the world, even when it's at least frustrating. But often I find my anticipation of mistakes or lack of perfection stops me from attempting something in the first place. To that end, as I've aged I've started to embrace the potential mediocrity of what I try and do. Rather than try and aim for perfection, I embark on a project knowing it will only ever be mediocre, but that mediocre was better than not having done anything at all, which was the result of the perfectionist way of thinking. Making mistakes, simply serves as an opportunity to improve something beyond mediocre, rather than as a reason not to start at all.
This video has everything. Wisdom, hindsight and Bob Ross.
I’m a firm believer that, what separates an experienced model builder from a novice, is the ability to correct mistakes, or at least hide them very effectively ☺️
The master has failed more times than the pupil has even tried.
I handle my mistakes, by stepping back, assessment, and time, usually the resolution will present itself without effort, all good as long as you are using your time meaningfully in between.
Thanks for a thought provoking topic
I don’t build models any more, but I paint. What I have found is that sometimes a screw up can result in what the late Bob Ross describes as a “happy accident “. Also, I have learned that there is a point when I try to correct my mistake that any further attempt towards correction will make it worse. Therefore, I have a philosophy of L.I.O. , that is LEAVE IT ALONE. The trick is in determining the point where further correction is counterproductive.
Happy Modeling
I build 1/700 ships, when lots of PE involved, the instruction doesn't always help so i need to plan my own steps. There are a few time i was lazy, too eager to see the final result or discovered a historic detail too late that i glued parts together too prematurely, and got my self into a corner.
My summary is do as much research, planning and test fit as possible is the best way to avoid mistake.
But for me these "mistake kits" are extremely useful, they become the test bed for new paints, new techniques sharpening my skill thus makes my future builds even better.
I'm glad I found your channel. Great content and very relaxing. I'm 55 getting back into the hobby except now with some small struggles with MS. Mistakes are often now as well as confidence in my abilities. I'm learning to laugh at my mistakes and move on with how to correct them. That experience alone helps teach me new things and improves my confidence. Recently I tried to un-warp a Porsche 917 body using hot water. As soon as it went in it curled into a tight ball. Had to laugh. In trash it went and the rest of kit parts donated to spare parts box. 😆 take care
In orthopaedics we often have a saying (especially with complex cases in experienced hands) better is the enemy of good. You sometimes have to accept what you have and stop before you make things worse!
Paul, this is an important topic. And it's good to here that fedback from such an accomplished person. Thank you, it ispires me to improve my craft.
Speaking of mistakes, here's my message without errors : Paul, this is an important topic. And it's good to hear that feedback from such an accomplished person. Thank you, it inspires me to improve my craft (and my english !). Best regards from Toulouse, France.
Lol, love the Ed Shaughnessy story! When I played trumpet in big bands/orchestras, if you cracked a note you shot your neighbour a dirty look...
learning from your mistakes is what make you a great master craftsman...
I learned a long time ago that mistakes are opportunities to improve, and plan for them ahead of time by building in reducing levels of permanence. That way I only have to go back 1 step when I mess up, instead of starting over again.
I like a lot of modeling channels and there are so many good ones.But this gentleman is like the Oxford don of them all.
Sure I’ve made mistakes but I won’t give up on a kit no matter how frustrating.I just think if you just throw the kit away it starts a bad habit.Suddenly nothing looks right and you look for excuses to do it again.So I just try to carry on the best I can and learn from it and learn more as the kit builds.No kit is so easy it builds itself.Also how many times have you thought ‘oh now that looks a nice easy build’..Then.!..Some kits are better than others.But be prepared for anything.!.Thanks to this gentleman I push myself further to a limit,but then.Right now I’m building Tamiya’s old 1/48 Ki-84 Frank.Raised panel lines and no rivets.I built this as my last kit was hard and I thought...But though this kit is ok and even basic.Thanks to this channel I thought,let’s tackle the panel lines and I have.Let’s have a go at riveting and slowly I’m getting there.Both Ive never tackled before.But Ive hit a limit as I wanted the cockpit to be better.So Ive ripped out areas in it as there was a bad gap in the floor that bugged me.I’ve made a floor with plastic card and bang the limit fell on me and I’ve dug myself one glorious hole.Ok scary..No.!.Just something to think about try dry fit and try till I figure it.I’m sure there be mistakes but I will find a way.But getting hot headed and angry and acting spoilt by balling and chucking it away I just can’t do.!.I don’t care how long it takes I’ll get there and channels like this help.
Sorry if this comment is long.But I just wanted to share my thoughts on standing by your kit and how great this channel is in pushing my modeling.Thank you all and keep safe.🇬🇧🇺🇸👍🌎🌍🌏❤️
I'm improving. When I was young I was so angry whenever I did a mistake. I gave up in scale modeling for 15 years more or less not accepting that I wasn't "The perfect modeler".
Now I learned that when I make a mistake I have to fix it immediately! I don't do anything else till I fixed the mistake. Doing this I have no time to get upset and complain about myself!
But I admit that I need 5 minutes all alone to calm down when this happens!
sometimes your ahead, sometimes your behind. but the race is long and in the end its only with yourself.....
Dont forget to wear sunscreen :-)
This man is a gem.
A smooth piece of philosophy and a cup of coffee - my Saturday morning is complete! I wonder what my first mistake of the day will be? Interesting thought, but of zero importance ;)
I love these videos. this one is what I needed. I have a few kits I put away because i "messed it up", but I come back after a while and getting inspired after seeing something that might help in another modeling video to fix what I did. one thing I've learned, try to scratch build a much as you can first, because there's no going back once you've screwed up the original.
I like your honesty. I learned the hard way, that some mistakes are better laid to rest for at least one day. This gives cement and paint a chance to dry and yourself some time to think on a possible solution. It works quite well most of the time. If it doesn´t you hide it at best as you can.
Words of modeling wisdom . Adapt and overcome
4:22 Hey thanks Paul! You're awesome... I think that's the absolute best advice ever
Thanks, I needed that. I've been fighting an Amodel G-550 for weeks and can't make any progress that doesn't seem to dissappear during the next step. I'm starting to realize that there are only a certain amount of times that you can re-sand a wing before it becomes pointless.
I can't wait to go back to grungy armor modeling.
We've long said at work that the mark of a true pro is how well they can fix their mistakes.
Paul, one of your best episodes ever. Thank you for sharing this. I Build in HO scale, heavy equipment and trucks. I always try to build as clean as I can. But when the paintjob is done and I watch the model for the first time on a photo and that for very enlarged, I still see many mistakes. To a certain amount I use them combined with a moderate weathering to tell the story of a used but well maintained machine or vehicle. But sometimes I can be disapointed with the end result nevertheless. This is when my hobby mates kick in: They see the model for the first time and are amazed and enthusiastic about what I tunred down as not perfect enough. And I scratch my haed ... and start to enjoy my little accumolation of mistakes again that I have build.
PS: Using photos the hunt down mistakes or imperfections during the build process has improved my modeling skills a lot.
This topic is much easier for me to relate to now than when I was in college building models seriously for the first time. Many times my local hobby shop owner (also a serious modeller) tried to give me advice about the process of modelling. Me being an engineering student viewed it as a process that had a precision requirement, and I missed the artistic side completely. Secondly, one cannot help but marvel at the level of impatience one has at 22 years of age. At that time, mistakes were enough reason to trash a project. Because of that, doubt and fear set in. Because of that, I liquidated my entire first kit collection because the fear of making a mistake prevented me from even starting a project.
Paul, you are exactly correct. Now, in my mid 40s, I am aware of these paralyzing fears and have developed a way to deal with them (that works for me). After coming to be at peace with success and failure, I joined a modelling club. I highly recommend this because it is valuable to share experience, both in modelling and in life, because they are intertwined. One has an effect on the other.
Well that brought back memories. I’m a retired dentist (UPenn ‘81) and build models too. Pre-clinical lab and dripping inlay wax. Sigh. I do mostly 1:48 scale aircraft and 1:35 armor. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but it’s kind of satisfying learning and improvising.
I'm 67 and I've been building for 60 years. I'm still learning so mistakes are supposed to be part of the journey. They're very annoying though. You'd think I would have made them all by now, but no, I keep finding new ones. Or even recycling old ones. I do love it when a model does turn out right though. It's like a birdie on a par 5. It's rare but it keeps you coming back.
I'm just starting again at 55 so in 60 years hopefully I'm as experienced as you are now! :)
I built the 1/350 BB New York. Was very proud, tried a few things that worked etc etc. On final assembly putting the funnel on. I had built the entire assembly upside down. I modified the funnel a little so the upside down part could get clear contact with the deck. Got it to fit, and stick. Put it on the display shelf and gushed over her like a new dad. No one I know would ever know the difference lol
For the most part i have a small anxiety attack and either eventually calm myself down enough to fix it, or I keep desperately trying to fix it, building the anxiety up worse, while freaking out to the point that I make it unsalvageably bad. Unfortunately for me I absolutely can not step away from it. My mind won't let me. Even if I try my mind will constantly go over it and over it and won't let me have any peace. That being said I am getting better at calming down and thinking through a fix rather than rushing in to try and fix it unplanned and making it worse. Anxiety sucks.
I had a sneaking suspicion of your profession. Your work bench, instruments, methods and materials are were clues that brought about my suspicion. I really enjoy your channel and the humor you throw in now and then. Thanks for sharing your expertise and knowledge. May all your margins seal like glass and all your articulators be set correctly.
I've been so frustrated by my modeling mistakes. Depending on how bad it is, I may even wonder if I've lost my edge (with age and l older eyes). But I find that if I keep going, it all works out in the end. Oh... and I usually ONLY build armor, so it's easy to "weather" over most mistakes. :-) Thank you for the video!
So well said, that all should watch twice!
I agree, but I make one exception. When I'm working with a kit that is so badly engineered that it is absorbing an inordinate amount of time, I set it aside and work on another "WIP" kit. I often learn on one kit and take the lesson back to another.
My way of handling mistakes are by stopping what I am doing, and not to think about it for a while. Might be a minute, an hour or days. The point is not to let my anger, ego, peer pressure, and guilt controls and consumes me when a mistake comes.
This video was truly very helpful to me.
Great presentation...modeling mistakes are simply opportunities to be introspective and challenge us to be creative and find how to achieve solutions...remembering my first tooth wax up in dental school and the many mistakes that I made until I achieved the symmetry needed to obtain a proper result!
I make a mental list of mistakes I can and can’t live with. For whatever reason mold lines drive me nuts; I will re-sand a part if I detect it after priming. However a missed ejection pin depression doesn’t bother me at all so I will leave it. I also tell myself to correct an error once. If I can’t fix it after one try I just move on and hope I do better on the next build. I also respect early on that if it is a poorly designed kit, my threshold for accepting mistakes is lowered (looking at you, revell 1965 mustang fastback).
I usually shelve the model for a bit and come back to it later. It maybe 6 months or more before I get back to it and by that time I’ve figured out how I’m going to correct my mistakes. It just works for me. 😊
I've shelved them for 20 or more years😉
I understand your buying two kits that you really like. You are bound to learn from the first both what you might have done wrong but also the potential to do something exceptional. As a fine art painter I would never attempt a finished piece without extensive studies and a definitive working drawing. That working drawing can be changed, patched, erased and even sometimes started over. Once I know that all the elements are correct I can move onto the canvas and think only of the emotion an marks I’m making because I trust my preparation. I’m f this can be translated into scale model building then what I have to contribute is valuable. I do build models as a fun relief from the press of having to be brilliant in my work but I haven’t figured out the bridge. )))
"There's always time to do it right the second time." - Mechanic's motto :D
Every model I make is two steps forward, one step back and it gets worse as I get older. The thought of a piece of plastic getting the better of me helps me push on 😉
This video gave me the motivation to continue with a project that I put on the shelf about two years ago. Thanks! 👍
Are they truly mistakes or unexpected outcomes based on unexpected events! I don't think we sit down to make a mistake! The other day I was re milling a 1 inch vice, cleaning up the jaws, thought th he cutter was up and drove I th right into the side of the jaw, chipping out a chunk! Did not expect that event! You know the feeling ^%$&&$$^&*((&%#@:&**^%$!
@@makenchips
On a lathe?
Thanks for another excellent video Paul stay safe all the best George in England👍
Thank you George 👍
I look at every single model I make as a learning experience. I think concentrating on the idea that you improve with practice is important. You will fail often in the pursuit of perfection. That's part of the game and part of almost every hobby that is worth investing time, money and effort into. Every mistake is reinforcement, to encourage me to slow down. Take my time. Do things right the first time. When I inevitably screw up again and need to make a repair or re-do a step despite my impatience to proceed, those old mistakes remind me. One must first commit the mistake in order to learn from the mistake. Failure is part of the process of learning.
I think perhaps I can get too involved in a project and a snafu will ruin the whole damn thing. More than once, after putting it aside in disgust, I have revisited the model and found it wasn't nearly as bad as I remembered, and still worth pursuing. Two lessons learned. I'm less likely to make the original mistake. Most of my catastrophic fiascos really aren't.
Paul, very good content.
When making a mistake in hobby, need to know that most of my visitors are not in the hobby, they simply won't recognize these faults. This is just a hobby, my main reason of spending my time (and money) is having good times. Simply does not worth struggling with problems where correction needs more time than buying another kit. I learnt let things flow... Next will be better.
Hahaha 😁
That was like listening to my Dad when I first embarked on this journey many years ago.
I always found that it wasn’t until I did the third model of the same kit that I really figured it out! 😂. So true that the mistakes are usually only visible to the model builder.
Awesome introspective.
i come from a auto body shop environment in collision repair and restoration, my natural outlook is to fix, repair and problem solve so my first thoughts on identifying a mistake or problem is how to over come it and i usually have several ways to do that jump into my head.
i'm pretty new to your channel, i'm about to start on a 1:8 road car which will be scratch built in mostly steel, plastic (petg), rubber and glass (may have to use clear plastic if my ideas dont pan out)
i'm 52 now, last time i was building scale models it was 35 years ago,
as its a scratch build and i have full access to the real car in parts i have gone the slightly easier route of making it 1:8, in my research i have discovered the is a magazine typ screw together on over in the czech republic (car is the 1974 Skoda S100 to which i have had the 1:1 version many years) but i'm doing the scratch build for more realistic final model and to put it together so as any fixing points that are not how the real car comes apart are hidden.
i've kinda strayed off the topic of problem solving etc but i'm pretty sure every part i create will have a high amount of thunking involved.
my initial build will be a "storage box" version of the model from clear petg, this will be completely replaced as i get more into making the parts there are two reasons i'm doing that, firstly its going to take quite some time to build as with most of us life gets in the way of fun stuff and the general scratch building with very basic tools, ie no lathe or 3d printer, it will be slower though a hands on make it the old school way could be quicker than doing the computer stuff for a 3d printed part?
so the "storage" type model will be a place to put parts in to to keep out of the way of my four cats!! and as the detailed parts get made they can go into the place, temporally they fit into the model, at least i will have some thing better than a box full of random parts on a hidden away shelf
the other reason i'm doing the plastic 'store box model" thing is the one component i would normally start with is not easy to get to and wont be for some time and thats the floor pan of the car, the car is a shell at the moment but its burred in the depths of the spare garage and i have a few things to do before i can get to it, however i do have a 1:18 model i can make a rough 1:8 from and i have every thing that came off the car to hand alot easier to get to,
i'd prefer to build the floor / chassis first but i will wait till i can take direct measurements as any other way would be inviting errors ie some one else over the net measuring theirs or trusting the 1:18 die cast for accurate final build dimensions
i'm more likely to post images as i go along on face book as i'm a keep smudger but i could try a few yt vids along the way
When I care about the results, I get two kits. When I REALLY care about the results, I get three. One to build to completion without opening the other two. Learn all the lessons (where are the instructions misleading... what parts are super fiddly and likely to break... what parts should I really search for resin replacements... etc. etc.). Play around with the paint scheme and don't worry if it looks totally different in spots. Play around with the weathering.
Then, with lessons learned, I open up the other two kits, and go to work for real.
I can't tell you how grateful i feel that you share your wisdom with us
Thank you very much 🙏
It is excellent, as usual.
Paul, I should add...I’m a model railroad guy working on my first layout...and I am not young, shall we say. This video was a timely reminder for me that the journey, especially at my age, is the point. Yes, want to do good work. I do not have enough years remaining to become very good, let alone an expert. Celebrating the journey.
I can explain how an airbrush operates, though! :-)
I'm not too heavy on fine detail, I want it to look cool. So if I'm missing a small detail, i'll either forge a makeshift one out of putty or turn a blind eye to it if it's a very small part. Today I was building a CV33 and I accidently glues some parts back to front (tight), and I'm like "Yelp, too bad I guess". Cus I know when it's on display I'm gonna be thinking that looks cool!
When I make a mistake first I curse, then I try to fix it. If that's not possible I call it battle damage.
Same thing when I get a scratch or ding on my car. Battle scars.
If my mistakes don't shatter when they hit the wall behind my workbench, I consider trying to remedy them. Otherwise I sweep up what's left and toss it in the trash.
No mistakes...just Happy Accidents! Just like when I tried to "form" an ill fitting clear canopy on a 1/32 F104G in hot water and crazed it so bad I couldn't use it! 🙄
Like most here it depends on the severity.
Case in point:
Revell Kenny Bernstein's top fuel dragster. The tins are simply painted red. However, the decals take 3 hours to apply.
After 2 days of drtying I apply a known good clear coat over them. It bubbles and crazes and basically ruins the decals and paint underneath..
The chassis is done with nearly 50 hourse of superdetailing done to it. Every known hose, wire and system plumbed to scale realism. In the right setting, a picture could pass for the real thing.
I throw it all in the box where it all sits to this very minute. The decals must be sourced, the tins stripped, repainted and another 3 hours of decals await me.
Or the Tamiya Yamaha with with rider that when nearly finished the cowl would not go over the bike. It all went into the garbage after well over 100.00 between kit cost and paint are involved. Not to mention 4 weeks of building the bloody thing.
I react differenyly depending on the day it happems and the level of work put in.
I am atypical at times I suppose.
I like your videos.
I don't make mistakes, just errors in judgement.
-Wise guy.
The knack is to be able to work round your or the model company's error and not be too fussed about it. It's your model, so is it really that important - -?
This is really interesting. I’m an artist. Without going into a long boring explanation I build costumes and props for my characters from scratch. One thing that I always do is build prototypes with inexpensive materials so that I make all of my mistakes economically. I guess this isn’t really an option for building kits.
I have never seen so many jewelers files in one place!
Making a mistake is not a problem, it is actually the reason we are now much better at this than we used to be.
Making a particular mistake a second time, on the other hand, can be very stressing.
Or a third time.
As I get older I blame it on a failing memory, or something. It's a trick to get the ego -thereby the anger it produces, out of they way and get back to the business of modeling.
My biggest mistake was melting the tripod mast on a 1/700 scale destroyer while attempting to tighten rigging tread with an incense stick. I treated it as an opportunity to try a little scratch-building, and while the end result was far from perfect a casual onlooker would struggle to tell it was a botch-job and the ultimate pay-off was I gained a little experience in doing things from scratch.
Ever try e z line for rigging?
@@migmadmarine Not yet, but I'll give it a try some time.
Make a mistake? Adapt,improvise and overcome. This involve redoing the booboo to throwing back in box or bin and move on to something. The key is dont let "negative waves" mess with the modeling mojo. If your anything like me, it waxes and wanes on it's own as it is.
I usually swear lot and call myself an idiot, and then (depending on the project) repair it, redo it, or improvise around it. The concept of buying another one is completely foreign to me, mostly due to finances, but also due to innate stubbornness and a refusal to be defeated by myself.
I can identify with that “innate stubbornness...” you describe. In fact I’m grateful for it, for the most part. But I’ve learned how to stop and walk away before I get really frustrated. Surprising how what was so horrible a few days ago really doesn’t look too bad once you’ve allowed yourself to regroup.
Thank you for this. I’m new to the hobby and have made a bunch of booboos that run the gamut
Perfection by correction. Once I figured that, I started advancing with my models faster instead of freezing and discarding kits
I handle mistakes I cannot fix by reminding myself that no one I know will realize the mistake because they know nothing of how the model is supposed to look. Only a relative handful of people I know are modelers and knowledgable enough to determine that I had made a mistake, let alone mention it to me. Still, it bothers me that I made a mistake that I know is there. But that’s my problem!…
I know this question does not really pertaining to messing up on a model I've had my fair share but just wondering about superglue not sticking after you had awhile works great when new then say a month or less it quits sticking is there a way to store it
I've a shed full of mistakes, hate throwing them away. Just in case lol....
Glued the wheel mounts on my new panther back wards destroyed on step one 😢
It's possibly been said already, but I don't make mistakes, I have happy little accidents.
I lie - every time I sit at my modelling bench is a mistake.
Depending on the mistake. If my first attempt doesn't work. I'd give myself a breather. Then go back and try it another way. Unless, the kit was completely trashed. Yes, we're all a little bit OCD.
Step back and think how to solve and work the problem. I am working on the Revell PT 588 and a broke office pieces of the aft cleats. Now i need to figure out how to fix what I broke, Styrene rod or metal ? hummmm.
In a couple of locations in my workshop, there’s a label stuck where I can see it frequently. It says, “FIX THAT ****.” I’ll leave the third word to everyone’s imagination.
Everybody makes mistakes...? I just thought it’s because I’m jinxed.
I like to scream, cry and throw things. Fortunately my grandfather broke me of this habit at a young age.
Sounds likr the narration to Blade Runner....very film noir. 👍
I know what not to do and that is throw the model down on the hard wood floor like I did when I was eight years old! I still have that glue bomb Aurora F-8 Crusader as reminder that a bad temper does not serve me. If a kit got too bad it was saved in it's box and some have been recreated as weathered junkers or something fun. I did burn and blow up many models too.
Making a mistake is just a part of the learning process, the extreme alternative is the use of a big hammer lol then pound that sucker, but hold on there tiger take a step back n review what you've done n see how you can fix it ✌🏻✌🏻🕊
When I make a mistake that can be fixed fine otherwise ,I will put it in the round file.
Nice little philosophical pause in your pastime.
Have you ever been tempted to do that in your dentistry? Throw some paint on it and call it good?
Just put on some random bits, paint it red and call it looted .:P
The BEST teacher in the world is learning how NOT to do something
1. Make a mistake
2. Swear a lot
3. Try to fix it immediately
4. Fail and make things worse
5. Cry
Who has a local hobby shop these days?
I know, for me at least, it's a sad commentary on our times.
"Does "Postscript" mean there won't be any more videos?", he asks slightly alarmed.
Not at all William. The Postscripts are just meant to be little afterthoughts or observations, sort of after the shop-lights are switched off. ... as opposed to the Workshop videos that involve actual modeling techniques.
Always walk away from results that are unacceptable, then come back and evaluate with a fresh eye and attitude. Ask, will anyone see this or will paint and decals obscure the mistake? Will anyone notice? Will you notice? Will it bother you? There’s always one more thing you can do! Like order a spare canopy...🤔😎😆🎪
just call it battle damage 🤣
A strategically placed tarp has saved my bacon many times...lol
Oh God, I don't want to hear that my Dentist makes mistakes on my teeth! My biggest tip is when you feel like throwing it against the wall, to turn off the light and come at it another day. And sometimes, you just have to start over and make a new part or whatever which is OK if its just a hobby.
"we don't make mistakes just happy accidents"
I let my model kits just sit on my shelf. Can't make mistakes if you do nothing, right? :^)
Bad advice!
I get really angry at myself, say some words I later wish my kids hadn’t heard and then quickly try to fix it invariably making it worse in the process.
A half hour later I decide that THIS F4U only had that part on the starboard wing and remove it altogether. Or that antenna was supposed to be on the back of the fuse, not the front and all the instructions and scale documentation is wrong and I’m right.
See, much better. You are welcome.
I never make a mistake, but hypothetically if I made a mistake I would throw the model away and start over!
I handle mine by buying 3 boxes of one type.