My First Armor Build

[Jim62]

By cleaning the parts, I did not mean actual washing them. I have never done that. I meant after clipping the part off the sprue, sanding or filing the leftover nub or mark on the part. When it is a really small part or fragile part, it is a difficult process. Thanks for the positive remarks!

thanks for letting me know and what you are talking about is a real pain for sure.

 

[Jakko]

Yea I probably should do a flat or matte clear coat, but probably won't. Lol

I recognise that The model is done in your mind, and somebody points out something else that really kind of needs doing … I built a Tyrrell P.34 earlier this year, and when I was done, somebody pointed out that I had the mesh over the air intake the wrong way round (I had it with the angled part at the front when that should be at the back), and even though all I need to do is put a knife under it to pop the superglue loose and stick it back on the other way round, I still haven't

 

[Edbert]

I think your Sherman looks great, even moreso as your 1st armor. I do not have any pics of my first, but I can tell you it was crap compared to yours!

One thing I did not realize until recently is that not all sprue-snips are the same. Obviously that is true for ALL tools, but what I mean is I was wrong in thinking that metal snips would have no issues cutting plastic, so cheap is fine.

I was making extra work for myself by using cheap (Hobby Lobby 1990s I think) snippers. I would carefully snip the part and sometimes it would break, or cause a crack on clear bits. Until I bought a high quality set from Ruitool. They actually have a single side that cuts so it is not a "pinch" thing. Yes they cost more, but it saves a lot of time of cleanup and a ton of frustration with broken part repairs.

 

[Dminor9]

I recognise that The model is done in your mind, and somebody points out something else that really kind of needs doing … I built a Tyrrell P.34 earlier this year, and when I was done, somebody pointed out that I had the mesh over the air intake the wrong way round (I had it with the angled part at the front when that should be at the back), and even though all I need to do is put a knife under it to pop the superglue loose and stick it back on the other way round, I still haven't

The thing about it is that most people looking at the P.34 would never notice the mesh was on the wrong way around. There are purists out there who would call out the wrong shade of colors used, etc. I never worry about such things. I don't build to please other people, I build to satisfy myself. That doesn't mean I am happy with every build I have done, because I am not. But for the most part I am satisfied with the few I have built.

 

[Edbert]

I don't build to please other people, I build to satisfy myself.

This is the key to a long and happy life.

I do not always succeed, but I try to apply that mentality to most aspects of modern living, might not work when trying to keep the boss happy (actual boss not SWMBO), but it is good advice in general!

 

[OldManModeller]

I could be wrong, and I am old school. On a kit that matters to me, before I start the build, I will first carefully wash the sprues with dish soap and warm water and let dry. Simply to remove any mold release from them. I believe that the paint sticks better, and the glue sets firmer.

I could be wrong. But it has worked for me.

 

[Jakko]

most people looking at the P.34 would never notice the mesh was on the wrong way around.

I know I didn't, even though I had the instructions in front of me Neither did anybody else who saw photos of the model comment on it, except one person who apparently mainly builds F1 cars.

There are purists out there who would call out the wrong shade of colors used, etc. I never worry about such things. I don't build to please other people, I build to satisfy myself.

These are not necessarily opposites of each other, though. I want to build accurate models, as far as my skills allow me to, so one of the things that satisfies me is when I succeed at that — like correcting mistakes that the kit's manufacturer made.

The good thing about modelbuilding is that, as we've been saying, that you don't really have to please anyone but yourself (unless you plan to enter the model in a competition, anyway). However, the other side of this coin is that if you post photos of your work online, be prepared for people to point out things you could have done better. You sometimes come across people who take that kind of thing too personally when it's not meant like that at all, and react accordingly. Before you know it, you get hurt feelings on both sides when that was completely avoidable.