Some observations about the hobby.

[Deleted]

I have been asked to hook up with a third party hosting service so that I might share some photo's of my work. It's a great idea but looking around in here over the past couple weeks who would really see them? Other than Chris' post and the What's new from Spot model, this evening may have been the first time I have ever seen it this "dead". What happened to all the prolific builders we had? Is no one working on anything anymore, are we entering another down cycle for the modeling hobby?
I recently had pictures of my latest project, a WTCC Chevy Cruze, posted thanks to the generosity of Joel W. My observations on that, 3 other people commented on them 3. I cannot say how many actually viewed them. A handful of our more skilled builders never even bothered to look or make a comment. It's very discouraging. I had a blow up over this a couple weeks ago that and some personal pressure I was experiencing at the time.
Why should I go through all the bother and extra expense to get a hosting service, take the time to set up for pictures, write a short synopsis of what I had done for, basically nobody. I know Chris tries like hell to instill excitement here, I laud him for his efforts. Chris is a good man and he doesn't deserve this, this being the current apathy if you will going on in here. I have also been accused of NOT commenting myself. Let's face it, my interests in racing are quite limited. If it doesn't involve Jim Hall, or some sort of factory backed "tin top" I pass, not because I don't appreciate the builders work, nothing could be further from the truth, it's because I am just not that interested at looking at other types of cars.
Trans Am is pretty much toast looks like the glory years are over there, IMSA, well they have their own hot mess to contend with. Subject matter for me is getting somewhat scarce, let's see I have the Revell 1/25 IMSA Motorcraft Mustang. I have Testor's wide bodied Charlie Kemp Mustang. I have a Modelers Chaparral 2D with the "snorkle", I have Scott Pruetts Visteon Reynard CART car, I have Ron Fellows Trans Am Sunoco(day glo who knew) Camaro, I also have Brian Simo's Valvoline Trans Am 'Stang, BMG Ind. Resin kit plus a myriad of others but you get the idea, not exotics here, I am the odd Duck in the forum Ferrari's, Porsche's, etc.,etc.. I am just not interested in those marques.
So here I am about to embark on another project the QUIKSKINS 1996 IMSA GTS-1 Olds Aurora. I am well into this kit, I started the chassis 20 years ago and have a lot of items ready to be placed. My idea on this, since there is such a large rear windscreen, is to detail everything I can back there. I have extensive reference material here: 1- The 6 hours at the Glen race in 1996, 2- a day at Brix Racing's shop in 1996 in Wixom MI. I was trying to scratch build an Aurora at the time but Joe Vondracek beat me to it. they are surprisingly close.
So in conclusion I do not believe the Cruze stirred much interest in anybody and starting work again on a 20+ year old subject, the Aurora, will generate pretty much the same reaction. 

Good Night
PEACE
Bill Brown

[Ben_B]

I've been pretty active on various modeling forums for years. They all tend to ebb and flow. I'm sure most people are like me, where life keeps interfering with modeling. I'll often go weeks or months without touching a model. I do pass through various hobby web sites almost daily, if I find myself with a few minutes to kill, just to check in with online friends, I just may not comment on every new post. And like you, not every subject appeals to me, either. I personally have little interest in Formula 1, drag racing, hot rods, armor, or ships, but one can often find techniques that can be applied to my own interests (military airplanes, airliners, modern GT cars). Plus, I never know when I'll see something that makes me say, "Oooooo, I never knew I needed one of those!," which is how I felt when seeing your build of the Cruze. For that one, the realities of space, time, and money killed that thought.    Maybe once I build down my stash....

Yes, posting photos of your work and writing up a quick note about what you've done can be tedious. I see it as an online version of our local club's show and tell. Plus, I enjoy writing, which is why I've written articles for FineScale Modeler and still do so for Modeling Madness. Other folks don't want to spend the time doing any of that, which is perfectly fine. It's all about what parts of the hobby you enjoy. It does take a while for me to photograph my models, because I'm still not that skilled with that respect of the hobby, so that can also cause delays in my posting. I use Imgur.com for my photo hosting. It costs nothing but a few minutes to sign up and figure out how they work, but it's pretty easy to work with.

So, bottom line of my ramblings is, post photos if you want, participate in the forums as much or as little as you want, it's all about what parts of this hobby you enjoy. I'm sure I speak for everyone else on the forum when I say we are interested in you builds and your thoughts!

Cheers!

Ben

[afx]

Life has gotten in the way of my bench time the past few months. I have several on-going projects that I intend to get back to work on soon.

[mike_t]

My problem, like most people, is time. Although I'm single and live alone, I still have a full time job, which at this time of the year is quite busy (automotive parts and service...winter tire season...yippee ). When I do sit down at the model bench, I prefer long stretches...8, 9 or more hours at a time. 1 or 2 hours just doesn't give me enough time to "get in to it", so weekends are generally when it happens. Now, of course, some of those hours may produce a sizable amount of progress, while sometimes it's just hours of monotonous stuff...sanding seams and mold lines, painting small bits and pieces, etc. so I'm not going to post an update after every session. I don't mind sharing my progress but who wants to see and read about each shock I painted or each plug wire I installed? Once the shocks are mounted and the plug wires are all installed, maybe, but....

I don't post for attention. I post because I think a few others may be interested in that particular subject. I like to see other people's work, get some ideas, learn new tricks...so, hopefully, someone will do the same with my work. If they do, great...if not, oh well, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. And as far as the subject goes, I have probably 15 kits in various stages of assembly right now. Some are motorsport related, which is why I'm here on this board but others are way off base. Space shuttle, Squad 51 truck, street bikes, garage diorama. Sure, they'll get their fair share of the spotlight but it may be years before they're done. The garage diorama, for instance, I started when my youngest daughter was just starting school...she's 19 now! I'm pretty sure no one would be following that build since the beginning!

Right now, all my time and effort is going in to the 1/12 F190. It's big, which just screams for detailing and, of course, with the aftermarket stuff that's available now, I want to go full out on this one. Wiring, plumbing...even brake bleeder screws, fer gawd sakes!! I've got over $1100.00 invested in this thing so I want to do it right and that ain't happening overnight! So, I will continue working on it and posting and maybe some people will see it and comment...but it won't be every day and I don't expect glorious praise from everyone that sees it. However, I am building with my local show/contest in mind and if I don't come home with any hardware, I'm gonna be pretty PO'd! ...J/K...but contests are supposed to be where you are rewarded for your efforts, not by posting your work online. I take it for what it is. A place to talk with like-minded builders, to learn new things and maybe help others. I don't consider myself a "pro" by any means but relaxing and getting away from the "real world" once in awhile is why I do this. If people want to follow along and enjoy it as well, that's great. If not...c'est la vie!

[pontz]

Seems there is a common theme in these response - work and family commitments and bench time restrictions that get in the way of the hobby. I am just getting back into this after many years away, so don’t have any WIP or finished kits to share that I feel allows me the latitude to freely comment on all posts.

I did look at you build of the Cruze while it was in progress, and think it is very clean and detailed, in particular the decal-ing. Apologies for giving you an impression that no one was following your posts. Will attempt to respond more frequently to you and others on the site so this situation does not pop up again.

Regards,

Richard

[arcticwolf]

Bill, I can understand how you feel. I build single seaters and I didn't even know you could make a Cruze into a race car. Or why anyone would want to. Which is no reflection on your modeling talents. But if you do build the Aurora, please post it. I'd love to see it.

Paul

[Chris K. Hale]

I am enjoying this thread and its participation by so many different members. Mike, when I built competitively I actually found posting my work to be a negative, why..well the guys who I building to beat were watching and building to exceed what I was doing? I know that sounds maybe paranoid but its true.. I built a 48 Anglia basically from scratch and posted my progress, I used real car aftermarket catalogs to add the latest and newest Hot Rod stuff, did the interior in split leather, put a blown 427 Ford injected engine under the hood, went to car shows to make sure everything was right on, the result ended up in a issue of Car Craft magazine about the future of Hot Rodding, but when I took it to the one show I entered it in, the judges had all seen it on line, and I couldnt believe this one, disqualified it because when I installed the rear quarter windows you could see a minute bead of clear cement, I mean minute, but they had to come up with something, some reason why it wasnt the best car on the table and of course the Locals had to win.. so after that I no longer posted contest builds. Now I build for me and only me and could really care less about contests other than should be a place for like minded people to meet and share their work, not a huge competition that they used to be.
Right now most builders are getting ready for the Holidays, Thanksgiving and then of course Christmas the weather in most areas it is already winter like. Here its been in the low 40's in the morning with highs in the low 60's, so painting is at a minimum, that is killing my current project, I finally got the tub painted just to spend days covering it in Carbon Fiber... not really the stuff of good posts. Bill, most builders are now concentrating on the Holidays, Thanksgiving then Christmas, there is Family and travel etc.. On all the Modeling Pages its slow and will be until probably the 1st of the year. Guys like You and me who are retired build year round so keep posting. I read every one of your posts and I dont always comment sometimes I wait to give a better response. Dont be fooled by the numbers they really dont tell any story at all.
Well thats enough for now, Guys Build or dont Just Enjoy life and be content.. Chris

[mike_t]

I hear what you're saying, Chris. I don't know of anyone local who is on this board but who knows. I'm not too concerned about it but I see your point. I don't normally build for contests either but back in the late 90's, early 2000's, I attended a show that was quite popular around here and I came home with a bunch of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes over the 8 or 9 years I entered. The last one I entered was in 2008 and then I had some issues...divorce, changed jobs, relocated, etc. and modelling was put away for awhile. It's only the last 3 or 4 years that I got back in to it and actually went to that same show last year for the first time since 2008. It's still fairly popular and I ran into a few old associates from that world and they convinced me to get back in the show. So, I figured, since I'm not getting any younger (and after 2 heart attacks), I might not have too many more opportunities so I'm going full out on this kit, my last kick at the can, so to speak, to bring home the big prize...the Best in Show. It won't be the end of the world if I don't, nor will it discourage me from building but I'd just like to prove to myself that I can.

[Joel_W]

Bill,
You and I have discussed most of these issues, and we're still on opposite sides of the fence on most of them. As for your WTCC Cruze build, I'm pretty sure that besides Chris, no one has spent more time reading and commenting on every one of your posts then I have, and then sending a pm when I thought that it was more appropriate. As I've said numerous times, the internet/hobby sites/forums are at least 50% visual. Detailed posts of a complicated build is almost impossible to follow by word only. Pictures explain way more then the written word. And to be perfectly frank and honest about it, anyone one can post anything. Pictures help clarify that the work was actually done, and done to a certain level. On my other list where I'm a Moderator, we've banned more then one individual over the years for that, especially when they were asked to post pictures and never did. I'm not implying you fall into that category as we're pretty good Internet friends, but I'm willing to bet that others have wondered that issue from time to time.

Several members have posted free 3rd party hosting sites, so cost isn't an issue, especially when the amount of bandwidth you'll need for just a few model pictures per month is mineable at best.

Every single thread here has two columns: Posts and views. So it's easy to tell how many members and lurkers looked at your work. Many guys just don't like to post, I don't fall into that category by any means, but that's just me. Getting members to know you, your work, and the level of it takes a commitment to both post your work, and post on others work. That's just the way it works. Not saying it's right or wrong, but such is how all sites seem to work.

As for what interests you and interests others, I look at it as a two sided issue. 1st and foremost this is a racing car model site. Following a build to see the builder's modeling skills and what he's accomplished, has very little to do with the subject matter. It's the modeling that interest me. Take the 250 Birdcage tube chassis and suspension. I can't solder anything, let alone two or more pcs of brass tubing, or even figure out how he scales the individual pcs. But the work is world class, and way above my skill level. I follow one person only on another site that builds 1/8 scale Porsche race cars!! The last one took 5 years. He doesn't even own a Dremel. Every single thing is done by hand and everything is scratch built. Try to figure out how he actually builds engines/transmissions with all that ribbing even after he explains along with dozens of pictures is so far above my head it's not even funny. But I do learn a few things every so often.

My primary interest is Indy Cars and Formula 1, not Tin Tops and Prototypes. But I some how manage to build more closed wheel then open wheel cars. If it has 4 wheels and races on a track, I'm interested in the real deal, and the model aspect of it.

As far as the list being slow, others have already said their personal why's. I have plenty of issues these days as you know, and don't find nearly as much time as I use to have to build. Winter time for me now being retired is model time almost daily, or it was till this year. I try to post an update weekly on my current build if I have something meaningful to post. If not then I take a pass on it. I usually post on the current F1 race, Indy Car race, and a few IMSA races, because I have an interest in all of those series. I'm trying to help drive others to post as well.

I guess the point of my way to long post is that you'll get out of this list exactly the same as you put into it.

Joel

[Deleted]

Hey Guys and Ladies,
    I must apologize for my lack of participation in this thread. Every Autumn as sure as the leaves are going to change colors, I contract an upper respiratory infection, you can make book on it. A result of former problems. This past week was the lucky week for me, I have been laying extremely low as one can imagine. I have a lot of catching up to do concerning my latest project, The AURORA GTS. I just ask for patience I will get into it. Please this is NOT an attempt at attention, with some of the fantastic builders in here that would be the LAST thing I'd want to do.




Peace
Bill   

[65slotcar]

I don't think the passion  for the  hobby  has died.  The  participation  in board and posting  may have dropped a little , but like most have said .  Life gets in the way  of  building models.  i have spend  a lot of time taking care of  my 90 year old dad that suffers from Dementia.  But i can't keep away to long from the hobby i have a strong passion for.  As  far as the hobby itself, this is the best time to be building models.  with 3-d  printing  and super detailed kits and parts.  this hobby is great right now!!   i have not posted  much  so far but  promise to post often.