_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Mario Matijasic
How many are building OOTB?
Precious_rob
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United States
Joined: March 09, 2009
KitMaker: 206 posts
Armorama: 183 posts
Posted: Monday, September 04, 2017 - 09:09 AM UTC
I generally don't build OOTB often if at all anymore. Its not some rivet counter thing or anything causing me to do so, I've just always have enjoyed the acquired skill side of the hobby. Part of the fun to me is scratch building a new sub assembly on a kit that ends up not looking like garbage or actually having a kitbash project finished. Plus I just want keep improving my skills as a builder. I see nothing wrong with building OOTB however, if its something that individual builder chooses to do, we all enjoy this hobby differently and I can totally understand the sentiment about just wanting to have projects finished. I have more then I care to admit in various stages of completion myself.

I also find that a fair deal of the subject matter that interests me, Modern IDF and postwar soviet tank rebuilds arent really as available as other subjects, so that contributes to it as well.

sapper25
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Colorado, United States
Joined: October 17, 2009
KitMaker: 12 posts
Armorama: 11 posts
Posted: Monday, September 04, 2017 - 09:48 AM UTC
I used to build all out. PE, after market tracks, you name it. But then I came to the realization, who am I building for, the judges at contests, the club members??? I lost sight of what was the hobby for me. Modelling was no longer fun, and quite frustration at times. NOW, I build strictly for me, OUT OF THE BOX, I finish more kits, enjoy it more, and can focus on my painting skills...I on a occasions I will replace tracks and or wheels but rarely


mmeier
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Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Joined: October 22, 2008
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,015 posts
Posted: Monday, September 04, 2017 - 06:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I, too, build OOTB most of the time. AM is rather expensive and extends the build time. OK, honestly, I teach and have little time to build at all, except in the summer. After ending up with innumerable unfinished projects, it was time for a change. I still use AM for storage; or an occaisional barrel. I'll brag and say that I managed a 2nd place at a recentish IPMS nationals in the OOB category and, earlier, a silver at a AMPS national in OOB. Those were satisfying almost wins because it reflected modeling skills, not AM additions. Yes, reverse snobbery.


AM for storage and diorama parts is something I still use. Easier to buy a trash container or tool car than build one.
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Monday, September 04, 2017 - 11:45 PM UTC
Almost never. I'm one sick puppy.
JSSVIII
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: March 28, 2007
KitMaker: 1,169 posts
Armorama: 1,067 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 - 04:08 AM UTC
Since my favorite part of a build is the weathering stage, I am finding that OOB is a lot of fun for me, especially with the quality of some of the kits out there. I still enjoy my second favorite part though, which is scratchbuilding, so I still enjoy that on certain builds. I am doing more OOB lately though, it is a nice break from some of my more involved builds, a little stress relief!
KruppCake
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: July 13, 2015
KitMaker: 401 posts
Armorama: 387 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 - 05:27 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Since my favorite part of a build is the weathering stage, I am finding that OOB is a lot of fun for me, especially with the quality of some of the kits out there. I still enjoy my second favorite part though, which is scratchbuilding, so I still enjoy that on certain builds. I am doing more OOB lately though, it is a nice break from some of my more involved builds, a little stress relief!


Agreed! Some kits are phenomenal straight out of the box (for example, Dragon's Flak 88, Tiger I).
Lawyer1
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South Africa
Joined: July 22, 2015
KitMaker: 72 posts
Armorama: 67 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 - 11:53 AM UTC
Bit of a mixed bag for me. Some of the recent releases from the likes of DML can be built OOTB because all the PE you may need is contained in one box but sometimes I just enjoy getting a model done and then it's straight OOTB for me.

Having said that, I must confess that I detest sanding barrels, especially if the barrel has a muzzle brake, so I often replace barrels with AM parts.....

My 5 cents......
Kaktusas
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Vilnius, Lithuania
Joined: April 12, 2017
KitMaker: 196 posts
Armorama: 196 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 - 04:08 PM UTC
I personally prefer to build OOTB, or with minimal aftermarket. However, I feel bad gluing part i know it is not supposed to be there. I even feel bad for other people's kits, for example when i see airplane with both ailerons pointing down and so on. So before any build i spend some time on research, so i don't feel bad later, for something i did wrong.
As for level of detail... Well i try to select newer or at least better kits, so details are good in general, with not much need for extra, to make it look good. Same goes for weathering, i try to keep things simple, while i learn to do it. I have lots of pleasure assembling kit, and seeing result, not so much the frustration of trying to align something perfectly. @ work i got nano-positioning machine, to align optics, so i leave frustration at work
vettejack
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Florida, United States
Joined: November 23, 2012
KitMaker: 1,277 posts
Armorama: 1,254 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 - 05:23 PM UTC

Quoted Text

My problem (and it is a problem and I KNOW it's a problem) is that I'm an engineer by profession and when I look at photos and compare them to what is IN the box, I cannot help but try to match the prototype as closely as possible.

I get a tremendous satisfaction being able to add details, and scratch build things like functional hatches, etc., even when doing so results in such long completion times for a kit that I'm constantly fighting the feeling of wanting to move on to something else.

I know that because I'm almost 67, and have a LOT of other interests besides modeling, that's only going to get worse as skills diminish and time starts to run out.

I still find it VERY hard to say, "that's good enough" when I know that I can do better and it's not easy to "settle" when my whole professional life as an automotive engineer was dedicated to ensuring designs were the BEST they could be.

So far I still get more satisfaction from solving some particular problem and adding something or improving something beyond what the original kit designer provided than in simply completing a kit.

At some point I know that is going to have to change, but it is a real struggle!


I'm 'technical' in my profession as well with that certain one Space Agency. I look at photos as well to compare them to what is IN the box. Unless that kit, for the most part, can be poured out into an instant perfected kit, then I'm 'tinkering' to match up to the real deal too.

Having tremendous satisfaction adding details also usually results in long completion/build times...which is a downfall. I also fight the feeling of wanting to move on to something else...which brings me to yet another point...

I'm 63 and also have other interests outside of modeling: sports, Corvettes, coin collecting, to name a few. And with age, so goes the eyesight and dexterity.

I'm with you on this one: finding it..."VERY hard to say, "that's good enough" when I know that I can do better"...the M47 being such a beast. I'm working 4 of them at the same time and about ready to add the 5th...Takom's kit that allows me to build the M47E1/E2.

I too get immense satisfaction from adding detail, and in particular, adding PE, metal barrels, metal tracks, steel/brass rod detail, nuts/bolts where there are none...because it 'feels' incomplete to me as an original kit. Besides, I can afford what ever I wish to purchase in that detailing endeavor. Money is no limit...which it is not for some folks, and I understand that as well.

Can I build OOTB? Absolutely! I'm just not there right now. My current builds keep me quite busy. I also know at some point things will change: like donating over 200 1/35 kits to charity because I know my time is limited. I now choose better detailed/engineered kits to build...which helps reduce build time and aftermarket add-ons. There is never a struggle for me on what to model...I choose my path to detail or not. My geriatric brains give me that decision making process. I build what I like, when I want to, adding detail, or not. No big deal!
Lakota
#123
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New Mexico, United States
Joined: November 17, 2008
KitMaker: 1,202 posts
Armorama: 635 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 07, 2017 - 05:39 AM UTC
Howdy Y'all
So the next question is, "What is the best OOTB kit?" I will post a new topic/thread asking this question.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"
KruppCake
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: July 13, 2015
KitMaker: 401 posts
Armorama: 387 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 07, 2017 - 08:24 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Howdy Y'all
So the next question is, "What is the best OOTB kit?" I will post a new topic/thread asking this question.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"


Some of my personal favourites are the dragon tigers (I and II) and a good portion of Meng kits. AFV club artillery pieces are also great straight OOTB.
 _GOTOTOP