I hope I'm not valuated/dismissed by my building from a kit.
I admire scratch builders, but I'm not there myself (yet?)
1. it's a matter of learning curve X persistence. I assume, one typically begins with kits and may be proceeds to scratch building
1b I suspect, only few start with scratch building nowadays
2. it's a matter of challenge X skills. My kit with no instructions, only drawings and pre-cut pieces, is a major challenge for my skills (as many have seen by my questions)
3. Most of all, the sense of personal achievement is in my mind the most important factor. How is it important, if it is attained through scratch building or by building from a kit?
Yes - if I ever finish - I will proudly and honestly say that I have built it. And honestly say that I got the parts from a shop. This hobby is very personal thing to me and I cannot relate with competitions for "best boat", if that is the topic of this discussion.
There are other newbies in the forum, too. So, maybe it's not "people" but individuals in different phases of the learning curve and with different ambitions.
I have found it most comforting and encouraging with the support of Mayhemers, and I have felt welcome with my kit project
...now Somewhat disconcerted by this post.
So, here's my answer.
I've read through many builds over the weekend and all seem to be built from kits.
Does anyone scratchbuild anymore? Can you honestly say you have built a model yourself when all you have done is assemble a kit of parts by following a set of instructions, instructions written by someone more knowledgeable?
Is it because people don't want to spend the time or have the patience to actually cut/sand/file fiddly bits out of raw stock and its so much easier to splurge the cash and buy ready made?
Is it because kits nowadays far exceed anything that the average bloke could ever hope to attain themselves out in the shed?
I'd be interested to know the answers.