Something [X-)] I hadn’t seen on here, or maybe I just missed.
When I build a kit I don’t build it as per the instructions. To me, that can make assembly difficult. I think of them as basic guidelines to point you in the general direction. I read and study them carefully, use them as a reference and skip around sequences to make the assembly easier (to me anyway). An example would be that I don’t put on the small parts until late in the assembly, and… some parts are detailed/painted and put on last, not in the order as on the instructions. I usually process my wheels first and then fit/assemble the tracks before painting.
[%-)] Well, to get to the point, what are your views?
I’m with you on the use of the instructions. I view them as mainly providing parts identification but only a suggested order of assembly. Usually, painting/masking considerations will cause me to deviate from the instructions’ assembly order.
My typical deviation from the instructions is that any small, delicate parts that are painted the same as the hull or turret will be put on after major assembly, and just prior to painting. After painting, I’ll put on the wheels and tracks. Lastly, I’ll put on any small parts that are painted differently from the hull and turret.
I build the suspension first. I frequently paint the roadwheels first, then the undercarriage, then the entire suspension assembly goes through its test-fit and final assembly process, before the tracks are painted and finally installed. I can’t imagine trying to paint a Tiger I suspension, for example, while it’s on the tank, with the tracks in place. I think that would make me crazy.
Also, I like to leave the on-vehicle equipment, pioneer tools, jack, etc, for last. I see no reason to have to paint small items like that while they’re on the tank. It’s much easier for me to assemble and paint such things separately.
Same here. I think that most builders get enough experience sooner or later to deviate from the instructions and build in an order that matches their style. Like most of you, I tend to leave all the little parts off until right before painting so that my clumsy fingers don’t break them off. Well, that is to say don’t break them off EARLY! I’ll break something off eventually![sigh].
How many of you assemble EVERYTHING, including tracks, suspension and tools, and then paint? Ron (biffa) does this and his work is great! Man, I wish I had the confidence to do it that way!
Studying the instructions before beginning assembly is key…both to help ID areas where potential problems can arise and also to determine where to skip around in order to make life generally easier. Instructions almost always tell you to start with the wheels and suspension first when the wheels at least are almost always the last item to go on. Same thing with the tracks. OVE will always be detailed separately and installed prior to weathering. Knowing when to skip the instructions order can save a lot of heartache, just like dry-fitting before gluing. [;)]