What is your AM / PE decision making process?

[mustang1989]

Given some of the answers I feel as I need to expand a little on my previous response. If it's aircraft , I'm a stickler for details so I feel the need to add more realism to a build. If it's automotive , it seems like my imagination seems to outrun my acquisition level. I think of one thing after another it seems like and by large it seems like the only way to do that is with AM stuff. One of these days I know I'm going to get in trouble for the money I spend on this hobby but I look at it this way: If I was still building 1:1 scale muscle cars, the price would be waaaay sky high.

[RexCag]

Mustang, remembering those old 1/1 builds are what keep me sane in this hobby.

I know that no matter what I do or what I build,,,,,,none of my models can ever equal the cost of a 735 Holley for a CJ,,,,,,,and I once had three of those carbs, lol.

[Paul]

If you are not going to enter a contest and no one but you will ever see what you have why bother unless there is something that is glaringly wrong. That is totally a personal decision in my point of view. I don't usually use the whole fret any way but maybe just ip or something like that. Seat belts are another bane for me because of trying to thread the belts through the buckles and the nubs left from the fret are pretty much impossible for me to eliminate. So I wind up getting a zoom set because I don't think a full interior set is worth the money.

[KSaarni]

It depends (as always) a little bit of the project.

Lyle asked a number, very generally I could say my number / amount would be perhaps max 25% of the kit price.
Equaling an AM instrument panel or new set of wheels.
AM decals are of course another cup of tea, as sometimes the decals can be the same price as the kit itself (especially 1/72 kits)


Agree to some previous posts, if the AM stuff is not really visible, then I skip it rather..

- Kari

[LyleW]

This has been interesting for me. I can't imagine ever getting to Rex's level. One, I don't think I can. Two, I guess that isn't for me. I love to see the work for those that do use all this extra stuff. I simply am amazed. But, I used to eat boogers, too.

There is only one show that I've known of in Louisville...it is coming up again in May. Not many opportunities there. Gun barrels are a constant source of consternation for me, too. But, since no one sees them but me, I don't bother.

Keep it coming, folks. I need more coffee..

REX, go ahead and start that thread here! Should be fun.

[Medicman71]

I'm with some of you on here. I have so many aftermarket decals it's not funny. I almost always replace decals. Especially Academy decals!!

[RexCag]

Decals almost shouldn't count, you know?

So many of us buy old kits, or kits that we know will have "bad decals" in them, even if they are new kits.

Plus, no matter how "exclusive" we think our models are,,,,,,,there is a whole production run of each kit, with 1, 2, or 3 options, that we know there could be thousands of builds that are all of the same prototype if we all used just the kit decals.

But, just like Medicman, I am a decal sheet collector from way back. Which might mean that I am just trying to justify one of the many expenses I've incurred in my years in the hobby, lol.

Of course, I have a good defense (I think), many markings have only ever been done on aftermarket sheets,,,,,,,,,and I Need most of what I've bought.

[LyleW]

Decals almost shouldn't count, you know?

But, just like Medicman, I am a decal sheet collector from way back. Which might mean that I am just trying to justify one of the many expenses I've incurred in my years in the hobby, lol.

Of course, I have a good defense (I think), many markings have only ever been done on aftermarket sheets,,,,,,,,,and I Need most of what I've bought.

UnHuh, yeah, right.....

[Doogie]

Depends what mood I'm in. Does the kit need AM parts or does it look pretty good as is. Do I have the extra cash to spend on AM parts.

[Thomas_M]

Yeah! Cash is not to be forgotten... Look at those prices for even single PE sheets today!