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Two builds at once?

Joined
May 11, 2025
Messages
16
Points
28

Some posts have hinted the have more than 1 model going at the same time!
Is this common or only an advanced methodology to get more done while the glue is setting up?

Dave Lynam
 
I started working on 2 mostly because I split time between Colorado and Puerto Vallarta and it didn’t make sense to try to pack it for each trip.

I don’t think it makes the builds go faster, but it’s nice that just as I seem to be feeling a big stagnant in one of my builds, it’s time for me to switch locations. I always feel sad about leaving one, but that feeling is fleeting as I know I will be getting to work on the other one.

When working on multiple builds was first explained to me it was more to help when get frustrated and you know it would be best to take a break, but it’s difficult to just not “work.” Having a ship in the wings gives you a fresh canvas to work on while you put the frustration of the other ship “away.” Although I’ve also found this time away also helps me mentally solve whatever I was struggling with.
 
For me, it’s one at a time. Variety comes by building different parts; each a model by itself. For example, at the moment I’m building six brass steam winches; four for the ship’s cargo gear and two for handling wire rope mooring lines. At 1:96 scale the base of each is about the size of a postage stamp. This project will keep me mentally and physically occupied for several months.

Roger
 
I started working on 2 mostly because I split time between Colorado and Puerto Vallarta and it didn’t make sense to try to pack it for each trip.

I don’t think it makes the builds go faster, but it’s nice that just as I seem to be feeling a big stagnant in one of my builds, it’s time for me to switch locations. I always feel sad about leaving one, but that feeling is fleeting as I know I will be getting to work on the other one.

When working on multiple builds was first explained to me it was more to help when get frustrated and you know it would be best to take a break, but it’s difficult to just not “work.” Having a ship in the wings gives you a fresh canvas to work on while you put the frustration of the other ship “away.” Although I’ve also found this time away also helps me mentally solve whatever I was struggling with.
Thanks for the advice!!
 
I started working on 2 mostly because I split time between Colorado and Puerto Vallarta and it didn’t make sense to try to pack it for each trip.

I don’t think it makes the builds go faster, but it’s nice that just as I seem to be feeling a big stagnant in one of my builds, it’s time for me to switch locations. I always feel sad about leaving one, but that feeling is fleeting as I know I will be getting to work on the other one.

When working on multiple builds was first explained to me it was more to help when get frustrated and you know it would be best to take a break, but it’s difficult to just not “work.” Having a ship in the wings gives you a fresh canvas to work on while you put the frustration of the other ship “away.” Although I’ve also found this time away also helps me mentally solve whatever I was struggling with.
Thanks!
 
For me, it’s one at a time. Variety comes by building different parts; each a model by itself. For example, at the moment I’m building six brass steam winches; four for the ship’s cargo gear and two for handling wire rope mooring lines. At 1:96 scale the base of each is about the size of a postage stamp. This project will keep me mentally and physically occupied for several months.

Roger
Maybe that’s why I’m ok with only working on one in each location even though I have a few in the wings
 
HAHA too funny. now if I I set the Admiral in a rowboat on Hudson Bay..I 'd have lots of time and space..but if she rowed back..oh my! right now, to finish up in FL..OKESA, HANNAH, Cross section VICTORY and soon an Admiralty style Antscherl ECHO with figurehead carved by David personally..another story later.. In NY, !/30 Royal Caroline..Scratch tramp steamer tactfully named the DIANE MARIE (guess who) Fortunately, in NY I have lots of space. Generally, in FL, I will ship the finished model home via a friend..or Fedex, depending on the shippability (?) of the model. Concerning the Swan class ECHO, I was blessed to inheret the POF scratch to finish. Also all four volumes of Antscherl books,NMM plans.. I purchased a stash of Pear, box and Holley as well..
 
The number of simultaneous builds available to you is directly proportional to the amount of space the Admiral allows.



Times 2. ;)
The admiral has her own zone, her website was ‘SABLE’ for “stash amassed beyond life expectancy’ ;)
I get one bedroom as both work-from-home office and hobby zone
 
The admiral has her own zone, her website was ‘SABLE’ for “stash amassed beyond life expectancy’ ;)
I get one bedroom as both work-from-home office and hobby zone

Ah, so one tiny little desk in the corner is your office and the rest is the shipyard, right? ROTF
 
Currently I only have five ships under construction (and perhaps a couple of other non-ship models). When problems / challenges (opportunities) come up on one model often I shift to another while I continue to think through the next steps. I think at the root of the issue is that I like to work on / explore multiple projects simultaneously. It is in my nature, before retiring from my job of being a professor I most often had multiple research projects simultaneously. Some people work like that, others need to remain focused on one before moving to the next. Some people like to drive multiple cars, read multiple books, ... , If you have the time, space, and everything else needed its just a personal preference - no better, no worse! I just think that having at least one model going is better than none!
 
Heres my current list of ‘started’:
HMS Surprise 1:48 (80%)
Kate Cory 1:64 (98%)
Army Tug 1:48 (Dumas, R/C)
Winchelsea 1:48 (hull - indefinite hold due to gravity)
Daniel Morrell 1:96 (50%; potentially R/C)
Puritan (99%)
New Bedford Whale boat 1:16 (95%)
Capt John Smiths Shallop (80%, active)
Long boat 1:48 (active)
Edna G live steamer- new scratch build 1:32

and in the box or unstarted:
Seguin live steamer- fiberglass hull/scratch 1:32
steam launch hull (share power unit w/ Seguin)
Lackawanna (Dumas potentially R/C)
Sanson (Artesania)
RN Roma Destroyer (Trumpeter plastic)
Black Pearl (ZHL)
Endurance (Lego)
 
I have more than one project in work for several reasons, as stated by others, the ability to want to open and start the "new project on the block", but mostly due to either parts issues, or physical demands of progress on a kit.

You can't do much when your waiting for replacement parts from a manufacture, or new upgraded parts from second hand venders, also I can only stand and tie ratline hitches for a limited time before my shoulders and arms ache to point I have to do something else for a while.

Of course sometimes a kit gets boring and the shinny new things take attention away.

With my last project start, it was due to being able to keep up with online group build of the Gunboat Philadelphia, by our member Olha, on her YouTube channel (Saturday Mornings Live).
 
Heres my current list of ‘started’:
HMS Surprise 1:48 (80%)
Kate Cory 1:64 (98%)
Army Tug 1:48 (Dumas, R/C)
Winchelsea 1:48 (hull - indefinite hold due to gravity)
Daniel Morrell 1:96 (50%; potentially R/C)
Puritan (99%)
New Bedford Whale boat 1:16 (95%)
Capt John Smiths Shallop (80%, active)
Long boat 1:48 (active)
Edna G live steamer- new scratch build 1:32

and in the box or unstarted:
Seguin live steamer- fiberglass hull/scratch 1:32
steam launch hull (share power unit w/ Seguin)
Lackawanna (Dumas potentially R/C)
Sanson (Artesania)
RN Roma Destroyer (Trumpeter plastic)
Black Pearl (ZHL)
Endurance (Lego)
Do you have a build log for each of these so we can watch your progress, or maybe lack of on each ship in work?
 
I'm trying my hardest to only work on one at the time. At this time, I only have one other one on the shelf. Plus the one I'm working on now, the Admiral bought it and wants to hang out in the dining room when completed.

I find that there are always multiple parts that I can work on for each ship, especially when I get tired of tying ratlines.
 
After browsing through all the replies I'm relieved that I'm not the only one with multiple builds going. In my case, they're not tall ships, I started a project to build a sample of each of the classes of US Destroyers built in the 1930's-early 1940's. All are scratch, in 1/144 (fits my shelving better).

On the ways as of right now:
1. USS Walke DD416 (Sims)
2. USS Blue DD379 (Bagley)
3. USS Smith DD378 (Mahan)
4. USS ??? DD??? (Clemson) granted not a 30's DD but they lead into the great DD build program.
5. USS Stevens DD479 (Fletcher) this is early 40's as she's carrying the OS2U Kingfisher that was only for a few months.

Onward and upwards,
Bruce
 
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