Workschedule - how to plan projects

[klutz_100]

Hi 356speedster - it's me
I've just seen this thread and for obvious reasons I want to add my

Personally, I think the most important is that you build models the way YOU feel best with. If you're the kind of person that feels best with a timetable approach, go for it! Just be prepared IMHO for frequent re-scheduling

The area you touch in this thread is a little similar to questions like "what's the best airbrush?" or "whats the best paint/thinner ration?" - i.e all answers are actually inherently subjective without black/white answers. Everyone works out what's best for them.

Let me put my Dino thread into context for you.
I am also new to modelling - I started about 18 months ago and have "only" manged to finish 4 kits in that time.

Of those 4, the first was built in about 3 weeks and was crap (only one member on this forum has seen it and has sworn never to mention it again ). I tried to build it "by the book".

The second (Cobra 427) took me about 2 months and was a bit less crappy but it got me hooked into this hobby and made me want to keep pushing my limits and add new skills. I still biult it pretty much by the numbers.

The third (Mini Morris) took me about 3-4 months and it started getting there in terms of being "not crappy". This one was definatley not planned all the way through and I started going back to things I had done already to add something else.

My 4th (Boxster SE) took about the same time and saw me starting to "think for myself" and do things "my way". This one was started, stopped, started stopped - I actually started it before the Mini.

My current build (2CV) has been going on for 9!!!!! months now because I am scratchbuilding and modifying a lot of parts and I get it wrong 4 times for each piece. No timetable any where in sight for a million miles just more and more nervousness that I'll FAQ it up before I finish it.

That's where the Dino comes in.
I was letting off steam As MPWR said, it was therapy - I needed to finish something - just like you.
Of course I kind of had a schedule (which BTW I think I got wrong) and I definitely had a deadline but hey! I didn't make it, did I To make things even funnier, last night I started thinking to myself, since I didn't finish it yet, maybe I could go back and add a couple of the things I had to leave out

I also have 3 kids and a demanding job so I get little hands-on building time. I do my planning now in my head. I "think" the kit through while driving, in the bath etc. I have built ach part in my head a few dozen times before I actually touch it and then it goes and surprises me anyway!

Focus on making your model well and for yourself rather than on schedule and you'll be really happy, I'm sure.

Also I think it's really cool that you asked his question out loud because what you get back are opinions and thoughts, some of which you'll agree with and some you won't but in the end you'll make up your own mind and that's what a forum is for isn't it?

EDIT: Jeeeeeeeeeeez I just saw how much I wrote?!?!? Didn't plan that post very well, did I

[freakmech]

See what you started Klutzy, spreadsheetsLOL, i hope your happy!

[deepraj]

I must say that plan looks too much like a MS Project plan to me! But I was also inspired by klutz_100 when he posted his great Dino thread and it did make me think about how I plan my project. I read somewhere that it is good practice to split a model into specific parts (ie engine, brakes etc) and focus your attention on working on one part of a model at a time. I find if I keep moving from one part to another I make mistakes.
Keeping a vague plan of action in your head is a great idea, I also think about the what I am gonna do next with my model while at work etc.

Deepraj

[cyberkid]

Four words for you: Go With The Flow.
whatever works for you man!
But planning to the minute will lead to a lot of frustration.

As for me, I never plan time wise. I sometimes work for maybe 5 minutes and then call it quits. I've also been sitting if front of my hobby desk for over 6 hours non stop.

My is (are? ) "listen to your heart".

Btw, I work 8-5:30, have a live-in gf so basicly I don't have much time either. But time planning has never even entered my mind.

Steve

[racer917]

For me that schedule would take the fun out of the hobby. Sometimes I MAY plan my work phases for the coming weeks (only in my head) and even then I almost never meet them. Loosen up. Besides I always have more than three projects going so there goes the schedule.

[godfather23]

From my experience: I start to screw up, when I start pushing me to do work on my models. Or pressure me to advance certain areas of a model job.

That´s why I always start with the body, I like it the most. everything else will be done later, when ever I feel ready for it. No hurry, no plan, no screw-ups!

But again, like someone said before, it´s all up to your personal modeling taste!

[KTem]

Ha, I hardly schedule anything, even though I should... No schedule on modeling for me, thank you very much!

[fujiwara takumi]

you guys think he schedules intercourse too?

[SteveK2003]

Yeah, I think like most people, my project sheet involves a calendar and not a clock.

[356speedster]

Originally Posted by fujiwara takumi

you guys think he schedules intercourse too?

Off course ;-)

No, just kidding :-)

There is some great feedback here, but I think some of you have understood me wrong.

The idea was not to make a time schedule, wich is ment to be followed by the clock or even by the calendar.

What I want to make is a form that I can take a quick look at when I continue the work on a car to get a idea of what is done and what to continue to work on without having to go through the whole project process in my head each time, becuase then I just end up daydreaming in front of the workbench and nothing gets done.

And as others have mentioned most of us are working on several projects smultanious, so if you have one form for each project, then it will actually be a good help when switching between the kits.

I will try it on a few kits to see if it does any good, otherwise it will be deletet from my harddrive :-)

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by 356speedster

There is some great feedback here, but I think some of you have understood me wrong.

I think you are probably right or at least have over interpreted your spreadsheet

A liitle Post Script to my original post.

I do make notes now while reading through the instructions at the start. I do this to highlight any areas of the build I think will be problematic or to write down ideas I have for changes or detailing - these notes act as an aide memoire later on.

Something else I shall start doing is to jot down notes during the build of how I did things for a build diary - particularly what paint/colour/gloss I used. I have already noticed that I want to repeat something I did on a previous build but I can't remember exactly how I did it or what I used.