RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Just a thought.... not a new thought... but a thought none the less
Not to stir any controversy or anything... I'm just wondering...What in your opinion is a reasonable amount of time for a build?....Since I've been here and have been able to go through some of the archives of builds I have seen some that have lasted several years....I can understand that amount of time if it is a scratch build or something along that line of construction and to a certain degree appreciate the kind of patience and perseverance it takes to undergo a complex build

But when it comes to just detailing a tank... and it takes that long... well...just wondering what you all thought

HAPPY TANKING GENTS

ALPHA

ps. On a personal note... I try not to exceed three months for a build ....if the timeline is compromised by parts issues...the project gets shelved

I cannot speak for anyone else my good friend but my excuse is trying to find the time. although I do have more than one Tank on the go, I suppose my Panzer 4 is finished except if I remember correctly it was you who said that we never really finish, just two Tiger 1s, one yet to get new suspension and gearboxes and both to be detailed and painted, it does not help that as you see the winning post, some dealer starts selling upgrades that you just have to have, or worse still a member of the Forum shows a build that raises the bar ever higher, so do you strip it down and start over or go out and buy another? Keep safe ALPHA, shaun

jarndice wrote:I cannot speak for anyone else my good friend but my excuse is trying to find the time. although I do have more than one Tank on the go, I suppose my Panzer 4 is finished except if I remember correctly it was you who said that we never really finish, just two Tiger 1s, one yet to get new suspension and gearboxes and both to be detailed and painted, it does not help that as you see the winning post, some dealer starts selling upgrades that you just have to have, or worse still a member of the Forum shows a build that raises the bar ever higher, so do you strip it down and start over or go out and buy another? Keep safe ALPHA, shaun

I know where you are coming from Shaun....Perhaps a better question would be... at what point do you or can you stop? I know ... I see a lot of tempting things that can be added.. redone etc....sure it's cool... but is it really practical or necessary?... I don't think I will change anything on my tanks ...just because of something someone else did...don't think I would purchase another to incorporate it either...I guess it's something to be chalked up to participating on a board...as everyone has their own point of reason

ALPHA

PS. Now just waiting for the second storm to hit... supposed to be sometime tomorrow night....It's the big one... so that's the one to watch

If it's your own tank then take however long you need. I tend to plan out my builds in sequence, drawing a line at the end of each step, so there is always a definitive end and once it's done I leave it be. I tend not to want to redo or add parts later on but do the to a standard I'm happy with first time. It's odd but I see elements of my job filter through into my hobby.

I understand the project going in to long - I have a panther which got shelved due to lack of parts which I don't think I'll ever finish.

billpe wrote:If it's your own tank then take however long you need. I tend to plan out my builds in sequence, drawing a line at the end of each step, so there is always a definitive end and once it's done I leave it be. I tend not to want to redo or add parts later on but do the to a standard I'm happy with first time. It's odd but I see elements of my job filter through into my hobby.

I understand the project going in to long - I have a panther which got shelved due to lack of parts which I don't think I'll ever finish.

I think my methodology is about the same...parts I fabricate may not be perfect...but if they are close enough they are good enough... and usually once I put them on a tank they won't be removed...I'm not one that bends or alters something because of peer pressure... unless something is totally wrong...reason I will evaluate suggestions..

One example might be with my current build of the JagdPanzer IV (V)....as it was suggested I go the route of putting Zimmerit on ....but because I want to stick to the Genre I build... I passed on the idea.... I have to say...if I did go the route of Zim...it would have been much easier as far as prepping the hull...as a lot of minor flaws would easily be covered....it's a lot more work doing a "clean" tank.. I knew this when I made the decision to go in the direction the build is going...but still... mentally I put a timetable on the build....try to stick to it without compromising the quality of the build

ALPHA

With mine, it really is a case of the self imposed deadline evolving.
Once its begun and the details and/or preferrences become obvious and take shape, the deadline kind of sorts itself out.
Outside pressures and available time constraints add to the complication of getting it done.

HERMAN BIX wrote:With mine, it really is a case of the self imposed deadline evolving.
Once its begun and the details and/or preferrences become obvious and take shape, the deadline kind of sorts itself out.
Outside pressures and available time constraints add to the complication of getting it done.

I have to admit Herman... when I had to redo the welds and smooth out the front panel ... as well as resize the center servicing hatch... I thought about that suggestion of Zimmerit ...it would have made life a lot easier.... but choice is made... and push on I must... just kind of dismayed that photobucket isn't working well... so for now no one can partake in the progress

But yes... I would say I outline my builds in the same manner...usually three months is generous as far as time is concerned...I don't think any of my builds have exceeded that... even when I had my busted hand

ALPHA

As long as it takes till your happy with it! However if I've started painting I'll rarely go back to the building of it, unless it's really really obvious and I couldn't live with it like that.

I can see your reasoning Gentlemen, but I offer but two excuses as an excuse for my tardiness ( more excuses to follow), I decided to make my own intake pipe clamps and not knowing what the originals looked like I used logic? I obtained the copper tube and the threaded brass then using scrap plate and a pin vise built a pair of working intake clamps, that was when I found a site on the web showing in detail the real thing, in the words of Master B Simpson DOH! So to excuse two, the HENG LONG TOWING PIN appears to be standard across the range of their Tanks, (a rod with a bar on top canted at 25 degrees) I made up my own in metal and pin viced a hole in the "handle" for a retaining chain, I yet again discovered another website that showed in detail a Tiger 1 pintle, it of course bore no resemblance to HENG LONG's product, into the scrap bin to make something more prototype, this saga continues as my knowledge and the availability of ever more detailed upgrades on the market thwart my progress to the finish line, ps just maybe, keeping out of the way might have something to do with it, after all just how many shelves does any house need? shaun

tomhugill wrote:As long as it takes till your happy with it! However if I've started painting I'll rarely go back to the building of it, unless it's really really obvious and I couldn't live with it like that.

Kind of glad you joined the convo Tom... you are one of those builders I think others should be inspired by...as you are able to get a high level of detail... as well as internal work done in a reasonable amount of time....I don't think I've watched one of your builds exceed three months...even when you get sidetracked with your other variants of the Hobby
I have a hunch you don't really set any timelines for yourself... but on the other hand .. still have a sense how things should progress during a build

I know what you mean about revisiting a build once it is painted...been there ....and like you say... won't change something unless I can't live with it ...again ...as an example my L70 again.... the maintenance hatch was initially made too small....according to diagrams... it should have extended a little further to the left...but it looked ok.... 24 hours changed that.... and I ground it out to correct it...the reason is exactly the reason you just stated... because later on down the line... it would still be noticeable .... and I don't think I would have been able to tolerate it... especially since the gun support would highlight how off it was
I fixed it ... and installed the gun support... but even after backtracking... think I can still complete the build within my personal guideline


ALPHA