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[RipSlider]

Hello all.

Just a quick question.

Every time I look at my current build, I am immediately struck with a massive case of I-can't-face-it-itis.

It's happened to me a few times on other builds, but with this build, of a PCF river assualt boat, everything that could be a mess IS a mess. The kit is, frankly, horrific, with maybe 1 in every 2 pieces, including most of the plywood sheeting pieces, needing either modification or a complete re-build. Absolutely ever task on the build has been a pain in the backside, and things that should take 15 minutes take 2 hours.

I'm at the point where I can't really be bothered to keep going, but that both annoys me as I don't like giving up on things, and raises comments from SWMBO, which is never good.

I'm guessing others must hit this kind of "doldrums" as well, so just wondering how you've managed to get over it in the past?

Many thanks

Steve

[Shipmate60]

Steve,
Either just leave it for a while or get another Quick-build, even a plastic kit, then go back to it.
I know what you are talking about as I am going through it now too.
It will pass.
But if you start another complicated build you just might lose all interest, hence all the part built boats on eBay!!

Bob

[Colin Bishop]

Well, if the kit is really as bad as that then you could complain to the supplier/manufacturer listing the deficiencies and ask for a refund. Then start again on something else. If you want advice on which kits are suitable for your skill levels and which are likely to be up to a minimum level of quality assurance, give Barry at Westbourne Models a call. His policy is only to stock those kits which are unlikely to give the sort of frustration you are experiencing. He's also good at matching people to projects.

I am also struggling with a kit which, quite frankly, should never have seen the light of day as there is so much wrong with it. However, I've decided to use my scratchbuilding experience to turn it into something better although I will be calling it a different name when it's finished!

One way of reducing the frustration count is when you've got something right, then is the time to put it down for the night. Don't start another task immediately as you are just likely to go to bed with another problem hanging over you which means that you can't face the thing the next day.

[Ron1]

I just keep taking the tablets,   

[BlazingPenguin]

Thats generally the norm for me, I beaver away till I get fed-up with, move onto another unfinished project and do a bit more to that. Failing that...fall back on plan 'B' and sail a previously completed boat and remind yourself exactly why your doing it in the first place.

Some projects of course are complete jonahs and you just box it up and sell it on, you dont need the grief do you.

[Colin H]

Good advice from people on my last build `Slo-Mo by Billing` I had similar problems and had to resort to both Bob & Colins advice.

I walked away for 3 weeks at one stage and then went back to it, things seemed to go a lot better looking at it through fresh eyes. Then when I did get something right I left it and had a glass of wine and read a paragraph from a good book. The next problem was for the next day, I had to do this as I found myself thinking about the damn thing in bed and it kept me awake.

Good luck Colin H.

[RipSlider]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I did get the kit through Westbourne, and was told that this was the last available kit, as it had been withdrawn. I can now tell why.

If everything was OK with the kit, then it would be a very simple build. However, when the white metal window frames are 6mm smaller than the pre-cut holes on the plywood, the cast metal guns need completely re-building in Resin and Green stuff, and even the superstructure is 19mm smaller than the hole in the deck, it does kind of great wearing.

To be honest, if I had purchased from another shop, it would have gone back long ago. The issue is that I have purchased everything boat releated I've ever had from Westbourne, and would rather have 1 dodgy kit, but friendly experts at the end of the phone, rather than no dodgy kits, but annoyed people at the end of the phone. Essentially, I'd prefer to keep the relationship.

I think that the answer, from what has been said, is to put the whole lot in the garage for 1 month, with a note on the calander, and then I'll re-start work on it.

Is it usual for kits to be of poor quality?

Steve

[DickyD]

Depends on the make Steve.   :-\

[RipSlider]

This is a CalderCraft kit.

Steve

[Colin Bishop]

May still be worth registering your disappointment with Barry and ask for his help. If you are a good customer he may be able to help get you a refund, especially if you then spend it with him. The sort of defects you have mentioned are not good enough.

With regard to Richard's point, yes it does to a large extent depend on the make but I think there can be variations within a manufacturer's range too either due to the basic design of the kit or because you've got the equivalent of what used to be termed a "Friday" car.

Edit: Just seen your last post. I can't speak for current Caldercraft kits but I did the Model Boats reviews for Talacre, Imara and Cumbrae when they first came out years ago and Frank Hinchliffe was still at the helm. Talacre was generally pretty good with some minor faults. The were more discrepancies on Imara which, to be fair was a much bigger kit and I had a very early production example. Many of the problems were due to not having a full sized plan to take off dimensions. Cumbrae was very easy to put together with virtually no problems at all.

[Dave Buckingham]

Hi Steve
I am retired and work in the workshop two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon none in the evening.

This I find maintains my interest and with my health is enough hours.

Before illness worked all hours and lost interest in some big projects.

I tend to take on projects that only last weeks 1 to 6 not years on a single thing
Best of luck Dave

[DickyD]

Whilst Colin has a point you will find that certain manufacturers tend to do better quality kits [in general] than others, without going into the individual kits.
If you read through some of the builds on the forum you can get a rough idea of who does the superior kits. Model Slipway, for example has several very positive write ups.    

[cos918]

hi steve i was given a half finished tug boat kit that was in such a bad state that i was beyond help. So i have kept it as a good supply of materials for other builds. john

[rem2007]

Hi Steve
I can empathize with your frustrations. I think many have previously said, there is a time to walk away with it o :)n the shelf. However, if you have invested a sum of money for qaulity, you would expect that quality when you open the box. As a tadpole on this forum, I can share others comments as their experience is what we must garner to keep this hobby a thriving challenge and gain from here the skills and patience to pass on to others when our time comes.
Right, I'll sit down now.
robert

[Sub driver]

Ripslider...

When you say the hole in the deck is 19mm bigger than the superstructure do you mean width wise ??
if so Don't know if you are aware ...forgive me if i you do .. but the superstructure on a PCF MK1 is not a square structure, the superstructure is angled front to rear and also bottom to top, the top should be 16.5 mm wide and the base 18.4 exactly 19mm difference, if the superstructure has been built square it WILL be 19mm out.

Once again forgive me if I am stating what you already know, but if not this could be your problem. The superstructure is not an easy build there are a lot of complicated compoud angles involved in its make up.

Hopefully I have attached some pics of my superstructre of my 1/16 PCF MK1 which is scratch built from very old acurate plans to illustrate my points. One also of the finished model for your info.

Regards.

[RipSlider]

Sub Driver.

Won't turn this into a rant thread, but the issue with the deck hole/superstructure is that the superstructure is smaller width wise ( accross the narrows in both the "easy bit", in the middle of the superstructure, and at the front end.

All angles are correct in the superstructure, after a LOT of jig making, especially for the 3 front panels. it's just that the "hole" in the deck is much wider than the bottom of the superstructure. I've been e-mailing a chap who has made a stunning version of the caldercraft kit, and he had exactly the same troubles, and eventually scrapped the supplied kit for the supersctructure and completly scratch build a new top so it would fit over the hole in the deck...

Spoke to Westbourne models for advice. Barry was, as usual, excellent, and offered to do a deal, which I declined, as it's not his fault.

Got in contact with his recommended chappy at caldercraft, but they are dis-continuing production of the kit ( it would seem I have the last one produced ) and they are not willing to help. He essentially to either deal with the problems, or sell it.

Think it's time to put it away for a month, then re-build a new superstructure from scratch, so that things like window frames fit, it doesn't fall through holes etc. It would seem that this is going to be quicker han fixing all the issues with the kit.

Thanks for all the advise guys.

Steve

[Colin Bishop]

Think it's time to put it away for a month, then re-build a new superstructure from scratch, so that things like window frames fit, it doesn't fall through holes etc. It would seem that this is going to be quicker han fixing all the issues with the kit.

That's basically what I have done with my little problem, no reason why it shouldn't work. I still think it's a bit naughty of the manufacturer to walk away from it though. Who are you supposed to sell it to?

[tigertiger]

I still think it's a bit naughty of the manufacturer to walk away from it though. Who are you supposed to sell it to?

Some muppet on Ebay for 500 quid? 

[Martin13]

Steve,

I had a similar problem with a kit years ago and found the ideal fix - I must admit I did get great satisfaction.

When SWMBO has gone out for the day.

1.  Find a good comfortable deck chair and place next to your Wildlife Pond.
2. Go to fridge and return with a couple of ale's.
3. Go to shed and return with a small quantity of flammable liquid - your choice.
4. Back to shed and place No.1 disaster into Wildlife Pond.
5. Pour liquid onto No.1 disaster and light up.
6. Sit down in comfortable position and begin consuming  ale.
7. Do Not get up until all ale disposed of.
8. When flame and smoke subsides, get up and go to shed, return with spade/shovel.
9. Go down to the end of yard where its windy and dig a hole.
10. Return to Wildlife Pond, Remove No.1 Disaster and place in hole then proceed to cover with soil
11. Place sign "R.I.P"

Now Here's the most important part-

When SWMBO returns and sees the sign, tell here that you buried what the cat's brought into the house :angel: :angel:

I garrantee you - a refund will not give you the satisfaction of carrying out the task above and in the years to come, you can reminisce over that damm PCF with many chuckles - I DID

Now should SWMBO as about the model - just tell her the cats wrecked it  :angel:

Besides, you still have the EarthRace and My Special Project.......

Martin from Doon Under

[RipSlider]

Martin,

I feel it's very irresponsible of you to suggest to me idea's that you know I am very likely to actually carry out. 

knowing my luck, the pond liner will melt or Cat 1 will attack the burning boat and set itself on fire.

Either way, SWMBO is pshcic and will find out some how.

No, I have decided to take the following actions:

Will find a full sized boat, throw the PCF over the side of it, with a cry of "Get you gone, Jonah!" in order to exorsise it's deamons.

And then it can go in the garage, and the calander marker up so I don't leave it in there forever.

Guys, thank you very much for all your advice. It's been a great deal of help, and knowing that this happens to others is also useful.

Steve

[Billyruffian]

I took up model boats because I was suffering badly - just as you are with the building of guitars.  Not because things were moving slowly or things were going wrong but because it was becoming a job more than a hobby.

As much as I found it hard to do, I packed away the guitar building jigs etc completely out of sight and threw myself into the wondeful world of model boats.

Now, having got past the brick wall, I am happy doing both and enjoying every minute of it.

I used to look at building as being a bit of a race - to get one finished and start the next -  but not anymore - I work when I want to work and fell so much more relaxed about it all.

Hope some of this - any of this helps