SPA Modeler

Hmmmm...well, I do usually begin with a new #11 blade. Maybe two of those bad boys! (one for each hand?) And I always clear the table of any "last build" remnants, give it a good brushing off, put all of the paint jars and tins back in their places and then start at step one most of the time. I fill up my paint thinner and H2O bottles and put away any stray tools. I keep a pretty good feel for when my CO2 tanks might be running low, and will swap them for full bottles if needed before a new build begins. (nothing like running out of "air" when you press the trigger...) Sometimes, I will also place a new calendar page down on the work table top to give me a nice clean surface. I use old aircraft calendars' pages that I tape down to the table. They provide a nice white surface, along with a handy grid feature.

And then, after all that, I'm over it...all set to go and pooped out and tired of it all! No, really, usually I begin, of course!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCYGyg1H56s

I make a sacrifice to the modelling gods. The size of the sacrifice depends on the kit.


Actually I just clean the bench off and organize things.

I always, open the kit, get the books out and start to add text to the instructions on things I want to correct, change or add. Then research the colours and add those in text in the instructions. That is a part of my "build prep".

That's actually a good habit / ritual, to study the instructions with notes etc. Thanks for the tips!

- Kari

BorgR3mc0 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 7:52 am I always, open the kit, get the books out and start to add text to the instructions on things I want to correct, change or add. Then research the colours and add those in text in the instructions. That is a part of my "build prep".

I usually do this everytime.

I usually do this Neverytime. But I should.

It is really handy, it will save you time in the long run. For instance, when checking the colours I either convert to the paints I have or I know I have to buy new paints. So that helps to keep the flow in my build.

I do the same thing as Borg. Especially the colors. I also make notes about anything I'll do differently.

Ya, these are good habits to get into. I often find myself stalled or slowed due to things I should have seen coming only to have to deal with them later and come up with paints or solutions to issues I could have avoided. It comes from being a thick headed Irishman. Or so I've been told.