Your average / longest build
#1
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Your average / longest build
Hi all.
Iwas just wondering, I'm building my Corsair for 2 years now and I did about half of the job.
What is your average building time and what is longest time you have spent building a (scale) model?
Just something to think about...
Iwas just wondering, I'm building my Corsair for 2 years now and I did about half of the job.
What is your average building time and what is longest time you have spent building a (scale) model?
Just something to think about...
#2
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RE: Your average / longest build
Depends on what you call scale. I know people that take years to build models for Scale Masters or big IMAA events. Warbirds seem to take the longest. I don't build to this standard, I have never had any reason to. I just spent about 6 months building my Sukhoi from plans. Last time I built the same plane it took 6 to 8 weeks. Most kit building takes me about 6 to 8 weeks from start to finish.
In the last 5 years I have relaxed and no longer build for other people. {If I can help it} Now days I no longer spend 10 hours in my shop and I don't bother rushing, it will get finished when it gets finished. I think I spent about 3 hours in the shop today masking and painting. I have never spent more then about 8 months on any model, kit or plans. If I was to do true scale I can understand years. A scale Extra takes less time then a scale P-47 though. Size counts too. Well, in this case anyway.
In the last 5 years I have relaxed and no longer build for other people. {If I can help it} Now days I no longer spend 10 hours in my shop and I don't bother rushing, it will get finished when it gets finished. I think I spent about 3 hours in the shop today masking and painting. I have never spent more then about 8 months on any model, kit or plans. If I was to do true scale I can understand years. A scale Extra takes less time then a scale P-47 though. Size counts too. Well, in this case anyway.
#3
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RE: Your average / longest build
Average build time.. less than 2 months.
Longest build time would be my F-14D Tomcat scratch build. I am at 10 years and 4 months since i first started the design. And 2 years and 4 months since construction began. And i am only about 30% complete
Longest build time would be my F-14D Tomcat scratch build. I am at 10 years and 4 months since i first started the design. And 2 years and 4 months since construction began. And i am only about 30% complete
#4
RE: Your average / longest build
put me in at about 8-10 weeks, average build time. Used to stay up late and get all I could done but now, being a little older its a much slower pace. A lot of nights only a few pieces get glued on. I dont ever want to turn this in to a job,keeping it enjoyable, something to look foward to.[8D]
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RE: Your average / longest build
hi all, and thanks for answers.
my build is extra slow because I go to college in different town, so I can attend my build only on weekends or when my exams and lectures are over (like summer and winter break).
Maybe I'll get some more time next year, when I graduate.
my build is extra slow because I go to college in different town, so I can attend my build only on weekends or when my exams and lectures are over (like summer and winter break).
Maybe I'll get some more time next year, when I graduate.
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RE: Your average / longest build
depends on the amount of detail i go to. my 1/3 camel 2 1/2 years, and quick build stand off scale 3 months. my longest build 7 years on and off.
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RE: Your average / longest build
My Custom Rebuild of my Discontinued GP Fokker Dr1 took about 10 months, not including the glow tank adjustments and retouching of the paint. My pilot bust servo died on me, I guess it wasn't strong enough and burned out. So next week I'm putting in a new- more stronger micro servo in it. I also plan on adding the dummy engine later this winter, then it will be completely done. Added up it will be about a year total and much $$ spent.
The length of the time a build takes depends on the model, how much detail we want to put forth in it, how much scratch building we have to do, and how much money we have on hand to buy what we need to finish the project.
Build:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10038870/tm.htm
Maiden Flight:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASZqoy_uMnc[/youtube]
Pete
The length of the time a build takes depends on the model, how much detail we want to put forth in it, how much scratch building we have to do, and how much money we have on hand to buy what we need to finish the project.
Build:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10038870/tm.htm
Maiden Flight:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASZqoy_uMnc[/youtube]
Pete
#10
RE: Your average / longest build
I started a Don Smith 1/6 scale AT-6 which Im building into an SNJ. I started this in 1996. At the time I swore I was not going to detail it for contest submission, and I held myself to that. It was almost complete when I put it aside to raise my kids and such. I kept walking past it in the garage over the years, watching it collect dust and decided I was going to finish it. This was a year ago. As I started to get into it, I found many things that I could do a lot better at now than 15 years ago. So now Ive stripped it back down to its fiberglass and am detailing it the best I can, which I swore I wouldnt do. Its now in primer again, with a completely detailed cockpit, working lights, sliding canopy and everything else. Maybe one day Ill even finish it.
#11
RE: Your average / longest build
Well............................................
I started a Sig Mustang 450 a LONG time ago. I'm guessing some where around 30 years ago or so. Longest build to date It's back on the bench and at the very least it will be framed up, ready for paint, if not completely finished this winter. So with that said it could be another 30 years before it's done. LOL
I started a Sig Mustang 450 a LONG time ago. I'm guessing some where around 30 years ago or so. Longest build to date It's back on the bench and at the very least it will be framed up, ready for paint, if not completely finished this winter. So with that said it could be another 30 years before it's done. LOL
#12
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RE: Your average / longest build
My average time to complete an ARF is around 3 months or so depending on the plane and amount of detailing. It takes me years to even get a kit framed...
#13
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RE: Your average / longest build
What is scale? Scale Masters is true scale and can take several years to build a plane. Stand off scale, in my case it's stand way off. Fun scale is just that. This plane took me 6 months to build, last time I built this plane it took 6 weeks of shop time. I'm still doing detail work on this one but I could go fly it tomorrow. I'll wait until I have the pin stripes and rivets. The spinner I put on it today is not even close to scale. Don't worry about time, it's supposed to be relaxing. This one I would go out and epoxy in a piece or two then forget it for a few days. No rush and if your just a sport pilot like I am you don't need a lot of the scale detail.
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RE: Your average / longest build
Its very hard to calculate actual time. I seem to have more than 1 build going at a time. I built my Tiger 60 in about 3 weeks while I have a TF P-51 on the bench I started last December. AND I also have a Giles 202 in work that I started around May. The Stang has been close to finished for many weeks. I will find that I need something as simple as a fuel tank and stop everything until I get it. And since the LHS is a bit of a drive, and I hate paying shipping costs, it sometimes is awhile before I get started again.
And If I were actually building detailed scale I think it would be over a year, maybe more.
And If I were actually building detailed scale I think it would be over a year, maybe more.
#15
RE: Your average / longest build
Tonight at our club meeting we were talking about build time, I didn't bring up the subject. One club member was given a kit back in 1973 that was started by a friend of his. The club member just finished it about a week ago!
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RE: Your average / longest build
l have been working on my sig 4 star 40 for over 10 years now, still not done. And that's not even scale lol. Still Need to hook up the elv. And rudder push rods and install rx.
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RE: Your average / longest build
A tough question depending on size, complexity and the amount of detail as everyone has mentioned. I tend to keep track in actual hours rather than 'years on the bench'. A nice job on a sport plane like a Hog Bipe takes about 150 hours whereas a good scale effort on something like a Spacewalker will take about 300 and a really nice WWII bird 500+. I'm retired so I tend to build about 25 hours a week including routine maintenance. I may not be any good but I'm slow
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RE: Your average / longest build
hi all and thanks for all the replies.
I see that everybody keeps their pace according to their possibilities (primary time).
Logging working hours is far better method, but you can log 100 hours in 10 days, or you can log 100 hours in 10 moths (or even years). I started this thread just to see how short / long build can be. Well, my father builds sailing boat from '84, so I know what long build means. My mother went crazy when I started my Corsair project next to my dad's sailing boat.
When I was talking about scale, I was thinking of at least sport scale.
Thanks again for all the replies.
Robert
I see that everybody keeps their pace according to their possibilities (primary time).
Logging working hours is far better method, but you can log 100 hours in 10 days, or you can log 100 hours in 10 moths (or even years). I started this thread just to see how short / long build can be. Well, my father builds sailing boat from '84, so I know what long build means. My mother went crazy when I started my Corsair project next to my dad's sailing boat.
When I was talking about scale, I was thinking of at least sport scale.
Thanks again for all the replies.
Robert
#22
RE: Your average / longest build
Hard to say as I haven't finished my longest build yet. About five years into it currently. ;-)
Usually I start in the Fall and finish by Spring. Not always.
Heck, I have had four year ARF projects that move up & back on the wokbench.
Usually I start in the Fall and finish by Spring. Not always.
Heck, I have had four year ARF projects that move up & back on the wokbench.
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RE: Your average / longest build
It's really nice to get so much answers on this not so important looking topic.
I asked this because my club mates in first place. They are mostly ARTF or BNF guys who don't appreciate builder's hard efforts to put plane together. They calculate prices for things that you just can't put price on. And their stories about 5 hours kits really put me down and got me asking myself a few questions about my build. But now I am certain that I am on the right track.
Thanks,
Robert
I asked this because my club mates in first place. They are mostly ARTF or BNF guys who don't appreciate builder's hard efforts to put plane together. They calculate prices for things that you just can't put price on. And their stories about 5 hours kits really put me down and got me asking myself a few questions about my build. But now I am certain that I am on the right track.
Thanks,
Robert
#24
RE: Your average / longest build
Toms 3 weeks to four years is about the best answer I could give!
Back when I couldn't stop building I think I once bought a SIG Midstar the first day they came out, and had it flyable in under 2 weeks. Now I just play it building ..I am not in as big a hurry.
I am trying to finish a 1/3 pup that someone else started 13 years ago ! It has been in my possession long enough I don't tease him about being slow
Back when I couldn't stop building I think I once bought a SIG Midstar the first day they came out, and had it flyable in under 2 weeks. Now I just play it building ..I am not in as big a hurry.
I am trying to finish a 1/3 pup that someone else started 13 years ago ! It has been in my possession long enough I don't tease him about being slow
#25
RE: Your average / longest build
Maybe it's our common Iowa upbringing, foodstick. (I'm originally from Cedar Rapids.) I build for pleasure. I have plenty to fly. There is no pressure to complete a model, and get it into the air.