Workbench time and its value.

[Carlisle Exile]

Hello All
My time at the workbench is of far more value than the contents of my wallet or the labels on my clothes.
Yet after a great day out at Scale Scotland last Saturday(Thanks to Eduard Fernandez for his time) I have managed to add yet more kits and bits to my "Loft insulation".I end up getting all excited like and throwing money at the likes of SK mins etc.
So now i am both money and time poor.

I use A reporter's notepad for the projects that are on the workbench.
Starting with a good look at the kit and trying to work out how to best to assemble it for ease of painting etc.
Estimate how long it will to clean up and prep it.
Dry fit and pining
If there will be some converting and alterations needed note this also.
Then think about the painting process and the colours for the paint palette.
So often there will be a curve ball chucked at the process just to keep me on my toes.

Does anyone have a better way of planning for the workbench?
I would be really interested in your mashups as the young folks say.

All The Best
Thomas

 

[valiant]

Like any practical job I tackle, I go through the task mentally, first, to try to imagine any problem areas...then just wade in!!

 

[Paul Kernan]

And every now and again, I dig through my grey army and remind myself (or surprise the hell out of myself, more like) of some of the gems I have hidden deep in my collection, just waiting from to move them up the work bench .

 

[Paul Kernan]

Hello All
My time at the workbench is of far more value than the contents of my wallet or the labels on my clothes.
Yet after a great day out at Scale Scotland last Saturday(Thanks to Eduard Fernandez for his time) I have managed to add yet more kits and bits to my "Loft insulation".I end up getting all excited like and throwing money at the likes of SK mins etc.
So now i am both money and time poor.

I use A reporter's notepad for the projects that are on the workbench.
Starting with a good look at the kit and trying to work out how to best to assemble it for ease of painting etc.
Estimate how long it will to clean up and prep it.
Dry fit and pining
If there will be some converting and alterations needed note this also.
Then think about the painting process and the colours for the paint palette.
So often there will be a curve ball chucked at the process just to keep me on my toes.

Does anyone have a better way of planning for the workbench?
I would be really interested in your mashups as the young folks say.

All The Best
Thomas

Thomas:

Be careful you don't fall into the trap I found myself in a few years ago. I didn't seem to have enough time to paint but I could pick away at cleaning and pinning pieces. Trouble was, I found I had up to a dozen pieces prepped and just sitting around on shelves or 'safely' stowed away in boxes. I'm afraid that when I finally go to paint them, I will have misplaced them and even worse have a box of various parts that I'm not quite sure of what goes with what

 

[Carlisle Exile]

Paul

Thomas:

Be careful you don't fall into the trap I found myself in a few years ago. I didn't seem to have enough time to paint but I could pick away at cleaning and pinning pieces. Trouble was, I found I had up to a dozen pieces prepped and just sitting around on shelves or 'safely' stowed away in boxes. I'm afraid that when I finally go to paint them, I will have misplaced them and even worse have a box of various parts that I'm not quite sure of what goes with what

Paul
I do have a couple of projects in a similar position all in little really useful boxes with labels on them all on one of those hairdressers trolleys.
As a rule i try to make sure if the rest of the stash stays in their original box,in a walk in wardrobe that should be for clothes and shoes.
Some I have sold on ebay just so I can get at the clothing on the rail inside.

Thanks for your time and reply.

 

[Carlisle Exile]

Like any practical job I tackle, I go through the task mentally, first, to try to imagine any problem areas...then just wade in!!

Sounds like a plan.

 

[custer760]

Like Paul, I also Fell into this trap and now,having time with a broken hip at home, I look in the "Started cabinet" (thats what I call it) An I realize that I have over 40 kits already part pinned,part undercoated etc. but now I have new ideas and want to Start something new,probably because someone here on Planet figure has inspired me with their work! Wierd... but....Thats the way I like it. Its all about enjoyment.
I do sell sometimes the part assembled,part base-painted figgies at shows like Kulmbach and it is good to see that pleasurable look on someone elses face,as I am packing the peice for them.But 5 minutes later I remember how I wanted to paint the peice and seriously debate with myself if I should try to purchase the kit again in case I get "the buzz"....We are weirdos sometimes!!
Regards
Pete

 

[Nap]

Hello All
My time at the workbench is of far more value than the contents of my wallet or the labels on my clothes.
Yet after a great day out at Scale Scotland last Saturday(Thanks to Eduard Fernandez for his time) I have managed to add yet more kits and bits to my "Loft insulation".I end up getting all excited like and throwing money at the likes of SK mins etc.
So now i am both money and time poor.

I use A reporter's notepad for the projects that are on the workbench.
Starting with a good look at the kit and trying to work out how to best to assemble it for ease of painting etc.
Estimate how long it will to clean up and prep it.
Dry fit and pining
If there will be some converting and alterations needed note this also.
Then think about the painting process and the colours for the paint palette.
So often there will be a curve ball chucked at the process just to keep me on my toes.

Does anyone have a better way of planning for the workbench?
I would be really interested in your mashups as the young folks say.

All The Best
Thomas

Hi Thomas

BIG WELCOME to PF good to have you with us

Glad you enjoyed Scale Scotland and donated to the "save the Steve K " fund ....LOL

You sound really organised ..for me ...I now have around 30 all prepped and in some cases basecoated,eyes done !!.....and like Paul I shock myself going through the GA !!!....obviously while Mrs Nap is out shopping

I am full of good intentions but afraid like Steve ( Valiant ) end up ploughing in ..........then in the middle of a piece I find something else and begin also on that ...

Oh and I also get the putty out and detail up and chop and change busts !!!

...as Pete put it so elequently " we are weirdos sometimes "

Nap

 

[Ferris]

I also first go through the project mentally, checking for challenging areas and exploring how to solve them. In case I don’t find a satisfying solution that’s where it stops.
If I do get all the way through I am very happy to start painting, looking forward to a speedy result.
Then, usually, there is a range of unexpected challenges in areas I thought simple and a mysterious accelleration of time jumping me forward at least one year....if I reach the finish line at all.
Then the cycle starts anew.
In the meantime I have bought at least 8 new figures.....

Ah well....

 

[housecarl]

Hence my post.
Bargains are in abundance.

 

[Blind Pew]

I reckon we have all uttered those words "No more figures..."

This is a really good and thought provoking thread.

I'd say to anybody, stay enthusiastic throughout the project, if you don't it'll show up somewhere and be obvious in terms of a down turn in quality.