Unbuilt kits
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Paul Catapano
I often hear, on this list, about modelers who have a lot of unbuilt car kits awaiting assembly. I recently heard a term for unbuilt car kits.
“Boxes of Shame” Paul Catapano Winchester, VA. |
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Why? It’s not a race. I have dozens to build. Gotta buy them when you can.
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Brian J. Carlson On Mar 26, 2022, at 4:35 PM, Paul Catapano <pc66ot@...> wrote: --
Brian J. Carlson, P.E. Cheektowaga NY |
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Paul Doggett
Brian
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I totally agree with you Paul Doggett. England 🏴 On 26 Mar 2022, at 20:53, Brian Carlson via groups.io <prrk41361@...> wrote: |
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Todd Sullivan
I agree with Brian. If my modeling was a race, I lost it a long time ago. I just hope to have enough time left in my life to accomplish what i set out to do, with many reroutes in the process.
Todd Sullivan who has modeled the UP in the PacNW, a fictitious n.g. PacNW logging line, the B&O, then the NYC - VGN in WVa, the PRR - ERIE - DL&W in and around Elmira, the PRR in the Southern Anthracite Field, the D&RGW n.g. in Montrose Colo, and now the NPTCo-NP-SP-UP-SP&S in Portland. |
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Paul,
I prefer "UFO", which also encompasses those projects that are on the work bench, and may have been there some time.
UFO = UnFinished Objects
BTW, I feel no shame about my inventory of about 300 unbuilt kits. I refer to it as my "hobby shop" 😉
Regards,
Bruce Smith
Auburn, AL
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> on behalf of Paul Catapano <pc66ot@...>
Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2022 3:35 PM To: Steam Era Freight Cars <RealSTMFC@groups.io> Subject: [EXT] [RealSTMFC] Unbuilt kits CAUTION: Email Originated Outside of Auburn.
I often hear, on this list, about modelers who have a lot of unbuilt car kits awaiting assembly. I recently heard a term for unbuilt car kits. “Boxes of Shame” Paul Catapano Winchester, VA. |
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Paul Doggett
Bruce
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I am down to just under fifty kits now. Paul Doggett. England 🏴 On 26 Mar 2022, at 21:25, Bruce Smith <smithbf@...> wrote:
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Brian is right, if you think you have a remote interest in building a car, especially resin, you’d better grab it. I’ve been in this hobby 50 years and seen many small companies produce great products for a number of years and then you wonder where they went. People retire, get sick or just get burned out and the product dries up.
-- Charlie Duckworth Omaha, Ne. |
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Charles Etheredge
Plus, the cost of my kits are a lot more than when I bought them.
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WILLIAM PARDIE
Covering rwo topics in one posting. Having spent a lifetime in the hobby I learned early on that if an item comes out that you remotely feel you would want down the road "But it and tuck it away". When you decide you want the item both the product and supplier may well be long gone. Several valid reasons have been given for the exodus of suppliers. Overlooked is the fact that very few supplirs feed their families off the railroad hobby. For some the unforseen issues of running a business can be overwhelming. For some this has soured them on the hobby altogether. Consequently I find myself with a stash of kits and little time left. Recently I have been buying completed models from modelers that I have a great deal respect for. I have then passed the kits along to friends on the mainland who can build them for themselves or pass them out as door prizes at club meets. The mountain is getting smaller. Bill Pardie Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: Charlie Duckworth <omahaduck@...> Date: 3/26/22 11:28 AM (GMT-10:00) To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Unbuilt kits -- Charlie Duckworth Omaha, Ne. |
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Frank Pearsall
Bruce:
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I solved the problem of having too many unbuilt kits and saved a lot of money. Here’s a copy of the press release that I took advantage of: The Engulf & Devour Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the O.J.F. (the On2 1/2 Justification Foundation), has announced a new products that will save model railroaders big bucks. Known as “KIT BOX END FACES™,” the corporation expects a major shift in the kit collector market. Instead of having to expend large amounts of money for kits that take up valuable shelf space and will never be built anyway, the modeler will be able to purchase multi-scale KIT BOX END FACES™ modules for any kit ever manufactured. Each module (with peel-off adhesive backing) will have four representations of kit box ends. Each module will also be designed to be stackable either vertically or horizontally. As a special aid, each KBEF™ module will be the same size to save precious storage space. While the original size of some kit box ends will be reduced, original color, artwork and identifying kit contents will be reproduced faithfully. Further, each KBEF will come in three versions, mint, reasonable usage and really worn out. Model Railroaders (both real and wannabes) will be able to select particular KBEFs for any type of kits in any scale they desire and will be able to mix and match scales. For single manufacturer selection with less then four kits issued, selection will be able to be made for ones that he said he was going to produce, but never did. This will have to verified by lawyers, because they have to make money in this deal somehow. Industry observers were in agreement that KBEFs would reduce the number of unbuilt kits that could be purchased on the internet. Phone calls to E-Harbor, the leading collector sales venue on the internet were not returned. Large numbers of manufacturers thought the whole concept was a great idea. One was quoted as saying: “Those cheap clowns never bought my $300.00 kits anyway. This way, I’ll at least get a royalty check every year.” A spokesperson for Fine Scale Miniatures condescendingly dismissed the announcement, saying: “I don’t know anything about our kits being collected. As far as I know, every single one ever sold has been built. You never see our yellow boxes at flea markets, do you?” Frank A. Pearsall Brevard, N.C.
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Nelson Moyer
I’m down to 12, so my shame index must be unusually low. Actually, I’m with Bruce, no shame. Stashes can always be sold if not built.
Nelson Moyer
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Paul Doggett via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2022 4:27 PM To: main@realstmfc.groups.io Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Unbuilt kits
Bruce
I am down to just under fifty kits now. Paul Doggett. England 🏴
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Amen to that Brian. Kits are getting harder to find.
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Fenton On Mar 26, 2022, at 5:11 PM, Todd Sullivan via groups.io <sullivant41@...> wrote:
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Tom Madden
I'm in Bruce's range when it comes to unbuilt kits, which makes absolutely no sense considering my age and current hobby interests. Whenever someone is looking for a particular kit on one of these lists I almost always have one. But when I pull it out and have it in my hands I turn into Gollum, muttering about "My preciousssss..". and back on the shelf it goes. All the more ironic since I'm still dealing with Gail's stash of yarn, fabric, books, magazines and weaving equipment, almost four years after her death. But I know having all that meant a lot to her, and having all those kits means a lot to me. But still.....
Tom Madden |
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It seems though, when I take those unbuilt kits to a show, very few get bought. Maybe those of us who do or have built kits haven't inspired but few younger hobbyists. Between failing eyesight and shaky hands, I'm not doing much building any more. Chuck Peck I'm in Bruce's range when it comes to unbuilt kits, which makes absolutely no sense considering my age and current hobby interests. Whenever someone is looking for a particular kit on one of these lists I almost always have one. But when I pull it out and have it in my hands I turn into Gollum, muttering about "My preciousssss..". and back on the shelf it goes. All the more ironic since I'm still dealing with Gail's stash of yarn, fabric, books, magazines and weaving equipment, almost four years after her death. But I know having all that meant a lot to her, and having all those kits means a lot to me. But still..... |
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Nelson Moyer
Part of the no sale problem at shows is that the seller is asking two to four time the original purchase price. I’m against profiteering in all forms, and I won’t pay a ‘storage fee’.
Nelson Moyer
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Charles Peck
Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2022 9:22 PM To: main@realstmfc.groups.io Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Unbuilt kits
It seems though, when I take those unbuilt kits to a show, very few get bought. Maybe those of us who do or have built kits haven't inspired but few younger hobbyists. Between failing eyesight and shaky hands, I'm not doing much building any more. Chuck Peck
On Sat, Mar 26, 2022 at 9:58 PM Tom Madden via groups.io <pullmanboss=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
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Larry Smith
I can relate to what Tom said, and I've seen it on two occasions where its not just unbuilt kits but the whole model railroad. Two recent occasions was the removal of one layout that had been idle from 2009 in a basement where the dryer wasn't vented to the outside. We had to take at least a 1/2" of lent from one of the buildings. Another my club was trying to save the layout for use by our club, however the spouse decided that she wanted to keep it the way it was as a memorial to her husband. That was over five years ago and none of us has seen it since. Larry Smith
On Saturday, March 26, 2022, 09:41:38 PM CDT, Nelson Moyer <npmoyer@...> wrote:
Part of the no sale problem at shows is that the seller is asking two to four time the original purchase price. I’m against profiteering in all forms, and I won’t pay a ‘storage fee’.
Nelson Moyer
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Charles Peck
Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2022 9:22 PM To: main@realstmfc.groups.io Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Unbuilt kits
It seems though, when I take those unbuilt kits to a show, very few get bought. Maybe those of us who do or have built kits haven't inspired but few younger hobbyists. Between failing eyesight and shaky hands, I'm not doing much building any more. Chuck Peck
On Sat, Mar 26, 2022 at 9:58 PM Tom Madden via groups.io <pullmanboss=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
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I just tell my wife that is her “retirement fund”. And I thank this list for the investment recommendations that have been posted through the years. I value your input.
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Jeff Helm
As someone who hesitated to buy Sunshine and other resin or craftsman kits when I was just beginning to develop my modeling abilities because they were “beyond my skill set ”, I missed out on some great models with complexity that I’m now about ready to handle. I feel fortunate that newer manufacturers such as Resin Car Works, Yarmouth and National Scale Car, along with other individuals like Chad Boas and Jerry Hamsmith, are producing some fine models for prototypes I now want. I don’t hesitate to buy and stash now, having learned my lesson. I have also chased down a few “must have” out-of-production kits on my wishlist through various means and will continue to do so. I did amass a large stash of styrene kits and enjoy contemplating adding improved details or modifying them with mini kits that I am acquiring. My collection of unbuilt kits and detail parts far outnumbers my completed projects for now, but I feel no shame, only anticipation. Since I am still working full time, my modeling hours are quite limited. I plan to accelerate my building within the next few years and hope to enjoy my hobby for many years in retirement if health and dexterity allow. I’m cheered by seeing many highly skilled modelers in their retirement years on these forums.
Jeff Helm |
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frograbbit602
Bruce I like it, “UFO = UnFinished Objects.”
I knew there was something unique about my cabinet of unbuilt kits each time I opened the doors and the feeling I got exploring it. Now I know why, a “UFO Cabinet”. Always something new to learn in this wonderful hobby we enjoy and Keep Sharing. And, that UFO Cabinet enables us to- Keep Modeling, Lester Breuer |
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My Dad had a funny plaque up over his work bench in the basement - I don't recall the exact words but it was something like "Don't start vast projects with half vast ideas." I inherited my Dad's ability to plan half vastly. :-D On 3/26/2022 4:35 PM, Paul Catapano wrote: I often hear, on this list, about modelers who have a lot of unbuilt car kits awaiting assembly. I recently heard a term for unbuilt car kits. “Boxes of Shame” Paul Catapano --
Tim O'Connor Sterling, Massachusetts |
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