The Little World

Do you build models in parallel or do you build them in serial? Is your workbench pristine and pure – a minimalist’s paradise? Or is it awash in 14 kits and a broken toy that you prised apart for the gears?

It can be a seriously diagnostic thing to see – a window into your soul, out of which shines your inner light. Or out of which you throw the unsuccessful kits.

Let me state at the outset that I would prefer to be the serial builder – to concentrate my mind on one model at a time and to finish it before starting another. However, the time required for different stages of the average model to progress can stretch out inordinately. Cement dries at its own pace, as does paint. Choose the wrong material and every stage of the game ends up being separated by a week. You risk not only loss of time but also loss of interest.

This is where two or three models on the go may well be better than just the singleton. While the cementation is proceeding with the first model, you trim and fit the second. Then when the second is gluing, you knife the third. By the time you’ve trimmed the sprue, the first is ready for the first paint coats – and on it goes, leapfrogging itself day by day.

You need to have a good organisation of the sprue, parts, boxes, and instructions for maximum efficiency and you’ll always risk parts loss or mis-direction if you have the three kits on the same bench. To obviate this, I’ve taken to using cheap plastic containers from our local $ 2 shop as job bins for each model started. As you do a task, you put the completed subassembly back in the box and close the lid.. With a little thought you never lose parts .

I have met modellers who claim to have 14 kits on the go at one time – this seems excessive. I think the pleasure one derives from handling or working would be largely lost. By all means have dozens of things in your stash, but only juggle three scale chain saws at any one time.