Most common mistakes new builders make.

[The Dark One]

I've see a lot of people freaking out about deadlines. I never understood that.

"I HAVE TO HAVE IT BY HALLOWEEN!"
"I HAVE TO HAVE IT BY THIS CONVENTION!"
"I HAVE TO HAVE IT FOR THE OFFICE PARTY!"

No. You dont. If you really want a piece part of your collection, something you want forever... "forever means no deadline." You have all the time in the world to complete any project you are working on; short of the ones you have intention to sell and made an interest list and set goals to people that paid into it (then that's your very real problem). I've also seen, these people who set these type of deadlines run into a lot of problems because their goal is the deadline and not the finished piece.These deadlines people worry about...happen every year.

Every year.

Most of the time; these projects are "one and done" never to be revisited again. Which means some projects are haphazardly finished, not up to the builder's potential, and likely they are unhappy with their results. Why punish yourself about something like that, because you had to have it done by something that happens every year?

The other hand is the person that buys into something from a run with a deadline of their own. A seller is making a piece runs into legitimate problems that potentially push deadlines; and someone who pays into it then harasses based on their personal deadline rather than the safe progression of a quality product. There is at least one example in the junkyard I've been watching if things ever turn back around for this seller; but two members with their own deadlines bumped the thread almost daily to harass a seller who was dealing with problems outside of their control.


Personal example:
I've been in the planning stages on a project for a little over 5 years; only recently did decide I was ready to start buying for it. I've taken up to 4 years and counting on the building and assembly of another project, which took one year on just the scratch building to get to that point. I've had many Halloweens, cons, and office parties that this stuff didn't get worn to or showed off, because a really good end result of the project has more value than those things that happen every year.


tl;dr
You have a deadline? Ok. You want it good or not? Good? Is it an annual event? You dont have deadline anymore.

 

[Exterminator]

Painting fun!!

It says on the can something like "Touch dry in an hour" ... yes, but only if you're painting/spraying in Death Valley in the "hot" season!! Leave your beautifully painted object alone (preferably somewhere warm) for at least 24 hours before even thinking of extending a digit towards it, unless the design absolutely requires a big wobbly thumb print right in the middle of the smooth painted surface.

Sometimes it's necessary to hold an object when spraying it. If this is the case, I turn an old carrier bag inside-out and put it over my hand, and securing it at the wrist with a rubber band, that way, if the phone rings or a visit to "the smallest room" is suddenly required, then taking a bag off your hand is easier than trying to hold a phone (or anything else, for that matter!!:lol) with painty hands!! Why use the bag inside-out? The spray paint can react with the printing inks on some carrier bags, and it will fall off and float around ... straight on to your new wet paint! Grrrrrr!!! :angry :facepalm

Finally, if you are holding an object while spraying it, make sure you can put it somewhere while it's still wet, and if necessary practice putting it down before you start spraying!! For example, if you're spraying something that's hollow, you can spray it upside down with your hand up inside it ... but once the outside's covered with fresh, wet paint, what do you do with it??!! If you can't put it down, you'll have to stand there until it dries ... let's hope someone can pop in to your workshop from time to time and feed you sandwiches!! :lol

 

[SofaKing01]

2 things: NOT taking your time to do the job right the first time and mixing two different types of paints...

 

[The Dark One]

Finally, if you are holding an object while spraying it, make sure you can put it somewhere while it's still wet, and if necessary practice putting it down before you start spraying!! For example, if you're spraying something that's hollow, you can spray it upside down with your hand up inside it ... but once the outside's covered with fresh, wet paint, what do you do with it??!! If you can't put it down, you'll have to stand there until it dries ... let's hope someone can pop in to your workshop from time to time and feed you sandwiches!! :lol

That's easy. Talk real nice with a local dry cleaning chain if you can have some wire hangers. They'll give you more than you'll ever find use for.

Bend the hanger so it's straight and looks like a straight banana, then bend it in half again so it's an L to get inside your piece. Hang with hook.

 

[inblackandlace]

Mix your resin in separate cups, then mix them together... Then pour them into a different cup, then mix again. I just learned this one the hard way

 

[Philly]

Before you cut, shape, glue, fill, sand or paint anything, think and be sure.

Then think again.

Then again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Only then do it.

Sanity will be preserved :lol

Then start again cos mistakes always find a way of happening :lol

 

[obiwan kowalski]

Mix your resin in separate cups, then mix them together... Then pour them into a different cup, then mix again. I just learned this one the hard way

I don't understand what you mean by mixing resin in separate cups. Could you clarify?

 

[TrentR]

I don't understand what you mean by mixing resin in separate cups. Could you clarify?

I'm sure he meant measure in separate cups, then mix.

Sent from my Nexus 4

 

[nomuse]

This is all some fantastic advice.
Something that stuck out for me this week was listening to the Still Untitled podcast and one of the episodes they talked about not buying tools you don't know how to use. I'd say the same thing about bulk materials. To any first time builder I can't emphasize enough the need to understand your materials before you go out and buy them. If you're unfamiliar with something then test it first make sure it's what you want to work with before spending the money on it.
I mostly build theatre props and sets and it's been a long period of discovery for me figuring out what materials I'm not only comfortable with but capable with. Too much time and money wasted on projects that could have been done smoother and cheaper.

Hiya -- another set-builder here. Mostly ex -- I got tired of lifting platforms and went over to the dark side. (Lighting, then sound. Not acting -- I'm not that crazy!) For me the difference is that you will be ready to open on Friday...but on the other hand, forty feet can hide a lot of compromise.

 

[inblackandlace]

I don't understand what you mean by mixing resin in separate cups. Could you clarify?

Sure ... Resin (at least the resin that I've been working with) is kind of temperamental. If you put the resin and the hardener in the same cup without mixing them separately, you run a higher risk of getting weeping resin, which basically means it's ruined. It kind of seeps this goo and it stays pliable no matter how long you wait. What you're supposed to do when mixing resin is to pour the resin in one cup and mix for a few minutes, then pour the hardener in another cup and mix that one for a few minutes. Then pour both the resin and the hardener into another cup and mix for a few minutes. Then pour it into yet another cup and mix for yet another couple minutes. Measuring cups are cheap. Resin gets expensive if you're constantly getting weepy resin and throwing it all out.

 

[ApophisV]

What you're supposed to do when mixing resin is to pour the resin in one cup and mix for a few minutes, then pour the hardener in another cup and mix that one for a few minutes. Then pour both the resin and the hardener into another cup and mix for a few minutes. Then pour it into yet another cup and mix for yet another couple minutes.

Well, that sounds like your resin is the biggest diva ever! My (pretty cheap, non branded) epoxy resin only failed me once (at very low temperatures and I wasn't too accurate with the ratio)

I usually put resin and hardener together in one cup directly coming from their containers and stir it less than a minute and besides the mentioned case it always worked out nicely!

 

[banthapoodoo]

If you're unsure how to fix a minor defect, you may very well create a major defect when trying to fix it. Better to leave the minor defect alone and call it "screen accurate."

 

[inblackandlace]

Well, that sounds like your resin is the biggest diva ever! My (pretty cheap, non branded) epoxy resin only failed me once (at very low temperatures and I wasn't too accurate with the ratio)

I usually put resin and hardener together in one cup directly coming from their containers and stir it less than a minute and besides the mentioned case it always worked out nicely!

I'm jelly then ... My resin is a HARDCORE diva. And probably old. At least I've used up pretty much all of it, so now I can get some new, non-picky resin.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm sure he meant measure in separate cups, then mix.

Sent from my Nexus 4

She .. (see avatar. That's me)

 

[themadprofessor]

being that this is my first post, but not my first build.. i will leave you with this tidbit.. i scoffed the first time i heard it.. but alas it rang true..

when using hot glue..ALWAYS wear pants..period...

dont ask...lol

 

[lharles]

My feeble input would be to disregard the majority of ridicule & criticism, (unless it's constructive criticism from folks who are wrapped up in this hobby like we are... ).

The very first thing built round' our place was a companion cube from "Portal: Still Alive".

My oldest & dearest friend did his best, (despite being rock steady & supportive in my life since we were in the first grade), to make me feel like an idiot for even attempting to build a prop 'cube'.

Then, he proceeded to taunt me about the time & effort I was putting into it.

Eventually, I ignored all of this input & pushed past the rest of my family losing interest until the thing was done & I was satisfied.

Now, after all the stuff I've built following that cube...I don't get that ridicule any longer.

NOW, folks ask if they can schedule a time to see the 'Museum Of Fictional Artifacts' located in our garage - populated with many of the the subsequent things we've built after the 'cube'.

Basically, if you love it, if you want to build it, FIND A WAY.

...just my thoughts...

 

[mikoyan99]

I'd add:

Sanding - don't give up on sanding too early; it can be difficult to get into inside corners etc, but if you're aiming for a smooth finish, any sanding or tool marks will stand out like a sore thumb. I've especially found this when starting with very low grit papers - it's very easy to cut large grooves into the surface, but takes hours to get rid of them. RTV is quite sensitive enough to pick up sanding marks, so be especially careful if you're casting your finished piece. Start with a low-ish grit paper and work down to very fine wet and dry.

Carpet - try and avoid working in carpeted rooms if you can. It's a real pain if you spill anything, they seem to be magnets for dust, and it's very, very easy to lose small parts if you're working on models.

Diffusion weathering - diffusion weathering is a great way to break up large, monochrome surfaces. Mix a few drops of white (or black for shading) to the base coat, and apply a rough, uneven coat in the form of lines, spirals, squiglles etc to the centre of panels or distinct areas. This will make the centre of each panel look worn and less flat. Not very good photos, but you can see the applied pattern with the over-exposed photograph, and how it looks in natural light:

The reason i'm mentioning this in "don't-do" is twofold - firstly, don't add too much white, or overdo the weathering. Secondly, don't get tempted to use the weathing colour to cover up defects in the base coat. It'll look awful; far better to touch up the base coat first and then go back to the weathering.
-Matt

 

[NyxSeraphim]

Measure twice, cut once.
Rule of thumb in any craft, really
Also: take good care of your tools
A crappy knife will make crappy cuts, sharpen it or buy new blades
And I can't agree with the scrap testing enough- test test test!
Made that mistake with the dremel on one of my main eva pieces and regretted it. Have to cut a whole new piece
And buy a heatgun. It'll be your best friend, but take your time with it. Heating and molding foam in particular is tedious crap.

EDIT: Wow, I didn't know that RPF censored everything.
That blows.

 

[TensorFlux]

Buy quality safety equipment that you think looks cool. You'll be more prone to wear it (or won't mind wearing it as much) if it makes you feel like badass!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[dstilgar]

Make a budget, then double it.

When I started making things I always underestimated how much it would cost by about half. Part of that comes from underestimating small consumables like sandpaper and glue, the other part comes from a general lack of experience, so I end up making mistakes and doing things twice (which is good, fine and valuable when learning). I would often do something once using one technique then realize at the end that there is probably a better way and go do that one as well to see if I was right.

In any case, the final cost was usually double what I had originally expected.

 

[nomuse]

being that this is my first post, but not my first build.. i will leave you with this tidbit.. i scoffed the first time i heard it.. but alas it rang true..

when using hot glue..ALWAYS wear pants..period...

dont ask...lol

Hey, at least you weren't arc welding.

No, it wasn't hot slag, and it didn't happen to me, but it was a bad sunburn...somewhere where you don't want a sunburn.