Upon Group Builds - Should I Run One?

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

Bobstamp asked in the Aircraft Thread about how much time it takes to run a Group Build.

Bob,

It depends on the amount of time you wish to spend. If you’re dedicated, you’ll spend a lot more time on the GB. We have people on the forum who have run many Group Builds, and even run multiple Group Builds at the same time, and they may be able to answer your question better than I.

Years ago, someone asked a similar question, so I’ll just give you a link to that thread.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/161495.aspx

Me? I’ve only run one Group Build and it took up a lot more of my time than most, as I was posting a lot of stuff (such as “Today in Space History”), cards and photos that are not normally a part of a GB, in addition to trying to build my own models for it.

As a suggestion, I would join a Group Build before trying to run your own. That way you can see how someone else does it, and then make your own choices.

Hope this was helpful in some way!

Gary

PS> Bish (who has probably run more Group Builds than anyone in history) did a nice write-up on this subject. It can be found here.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/154045.aspx?sort=ASC&pi240=1

(I have no idea why the links are not showing up as links. Please copy and paste in your page address bar)

2

Gary,

Your GB was a real pleasure to be part of. You put much more work into it than I do.

Thank you.

I have run a few, and I was much more hands off. I just tried to keep things organized and moving forward.

If anyone wants to see the 2 bookends of a GB, take a look at my Trainer GB and compare it to GAFs “Race to Space” GB. Gary put MUCH more work into the space GB, and it showed.

3

I have not participated in one in quite awhile, I never go out and buy a kit to participate, but if something in the stash fits and the time frame is right, I get in.

But I have been in group builds on some forums where the leader starts one and kind of disappears or doesn’t say much.Or I commend,encourage,and critique,but when I post a progress pic,many just ignore. The leader should definitly show an interest in everyone’s builds, and participants should should show a degree of interest in other builds besides their own.Otherwise it can quickly lose steam.

4

One other thing you have to contend with on Group Builds is this Forum! Why are links not working as intended? Makes you want to scream! In addition to the lock-outs, the disappearing profiles, the lack of a search engine, running a Group Build is like pulling teeth!

Sheesh!

Gary

5

Keep in mind that there are TONS of open GB’s atm and if you add another it will likely not get the traction it would at another time. Another thing to consider is the newer members of the forums usually pull in fewer participants than those that have been around for awhile. I’m not trying to talk you out of it, but you might have a better experience if you wait till near the end of the year like Nov-Dec to open a feeler to see if there is interest. That way you can get your foot in the door and get more people playing along. This year I am enrolled in 12 GB’s, I’m not gonna take on another. That’s kinda extreme, but others also feel they are full up atm. Timing is key to having one work well for you. Also, get several under your belt as a member to get a feel for what it takes to run one. They can be a lot of fun, but sometimes they are an insane amount of work to deal with. Good luck.

BK

6

I hosted my first GB back in 2010 (GAF, in case your woundering, i have hosted 18 of my own and a few more as co host for other’s GB’s).

I think there has been some great advice here. I would deffinetly recommend joining a few GB’s first before hosting your own. I have become a bit weary of joining a GB if i do not know the host that well. As others have said, there have been quite a few GB’s were the host has just vanished. I know life can get in the way, but on a few occsaions i have seen the same person do it several times.

Personally, i like to plan my GB’s ahead. Think of a subject, get a badge sorted, put out a feeler if i am not sure and give a month or so notice. I am not so keen on GB’s where you simple have a post that says this is the GB and it starts tomorrow. But, maybe thats just me.

I have not had a single day since 2013 were i wasn’t hosting a GB, and there have been a couple of times were i was hosting 3 at once. Personally, i think once you have the idea, the rules and the post, the members will make it a good GB. The host just needs to be attentive, try to check in every day, or every couple of days at most. People have made the effort to join your GB, so make the effort to make them welcome. If a GB is really busy, it is easy to miss a post of a build or an entry, so make sure people feel comfortably in pointing out if you have missed somthing.

I take the veiw that if a GB is a success, its down to the members who joined it. If its a faliure, its probably down to the host.

And yes, timing is key. As i think i put in that long post that GAF linked (i had completly forgotten about that), personally, i think around a dozen GB’s at any one time is the max. Though the forum does not seem to be as busy as it was in 2013, so maybe that should be less.

There are currently over 20 open GB’s if you including Checks World at war anniversary GB and Steve’s ships GB’s which are pretty open ended.

7

Great advice Bish!

I would like to add that being in a GB and running a GB are really worthwhile!

They really make you a better modeler and expose you to a lot of information and helpful hints. I also try to expand my building subjects with them, try new things.

8

I agree with Tojo, and far as I’m concerned, that is the only thing I expect from a GB leader.

The difference between a good and excellent GB, IMO, is usually determined by if the leader shows an interest in everyone’s builds (good), or is enthusiastic and supportive (excellent).

Well, one more thing comes to mind; I think one needs to be able to commit to checking in pretty much every day and make sure to be willing to see it though. To borrow a great phrase from Tojo above, if the GB leader loses steam, that’s bad. (that’s why I’ve never hosted one, I know myself and unfortunately my stick-to-it-iv-ness leaves a lot to be desired). Darn it.

I have an idea for you. To test the waters, you could commit to commenting on everyone’s build in a GB even if you have not started yours yet, or if you are already done. Most folk (except the GB leader) only participate while their own builds are in progress.

My first couple of GBs, I thought it was the polite thing to do and I did that and I gotta say it wears you out and that’s a big part of why I’ve never started one…as much as I’d like to.

Just a thought.

9

One thing that I can add to all of the solid advice above, is to be sure that you have an online device that can support such effort. I ran multiple GBs in the past, some at the same time, when I had a good desktop. Trying to run one off of a laptop or tablet with the site interaction on here is extremely difficult. At least if you plan on doing things like having photos of everyone’s completed builds in one post. After we got rid of our desktop and all I had to use was an iPad, my last GB withered and died.

10

I don’t have a person interest in running a GB, but I really like to participate.

I think a good GB needs a leader who checks in multiple times a day, responds to most every post, and builds with some momentum.

Bill

11

Two of my favorites were The Panzer III Group Build by Deafpanzer Andy and Steel Cats by Tigerman I think his name is Erik,

Those builds had so much involvement and energy.

12

I don’t recall the first one, but i do the Steel cats, Great GB. Unfortunatly i have not found the armour GB’s to have been as successful the last few years.

13

I will check constantly, that’s why when notifications are down it doubles my effort. I know Bish doesn’t use notifications so I don’t know how he manages personally, but he’s always there with an answer, even though he’s on the wrong side of the world [;)]

I will try to answer all the post as soon as I can unless they are clearly not directed to me. I don’t have all the answers (my wife would say I don’t have any, just kidding dear) but if I don’t know the answer, I will try to research for one or defer to someone who does.

Most of my groups build are of subjects that are off the wall or that usually will not attract many so for me, running several at one time (five at present and co-host on one) isn’t overwhelming. I forgot how many I’ve done now but it’s seems odd to not be running one at this point.

As far as joining one, not so much anymore, usually because I can’t keep up with what I have. I won’t join one shorter than one year anymore except for the weekend GB, but Lewbud’s are special to me. There are some host’s GB’s that I won’t miss, Bish, Gamera, Check, Stick, Theuns just to name a few but they have been doing them for a while and I know what to expect from them as a host.

[2cnts]

14

Steve, one advantage i have is that i can check the builds while you guys are tucked up in bed or busy at work [;)].

I just go to my last post in any given thread, wheather its one of my GB’s or somthing else i am interested in, and check the posts that have been made since i last looked.

And i agree about trying to find info for somone. If i am running a GB, i will try and make more of an effort to find answers for anything thats asked.

15

Aww shucks, thanks Steve. There will be a Weekend GB this year, will post closer to start time. I don’t think anyone has touched on this, but subject matter is important, especially for your first one. Pick one that has broad appeal and is simple, but don’t pick one that has been done recently (within the last 12 months or so). If you want to do a group build but don’t know what you want to do, go to the group build section and go back to the first page. Not only will you find something, you’ll see how to run your build or not run a build. Keeping the guys interested is what makes for a good build.

16

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my query. I really appreciate the time you have taken.

I need to get quite a bit more modelling experience under my belt before I commit to a group build, but I have an idea for one that I think will get some attention. At least it has me interested in a particular model, which is a well-known aircraft that I intend to put a personal spin on. Details to follow when the time is more appropriate. In the meantime, on the bench are:

• A UH-34D Seahorse helicopter (97% finished)

• An F-86F Sabrejet (60% finished)

• The hospital ship U.S.S. Repose (3% finished), and

• A diorama illustrating my plane crash (almost ready to paint the wood frame), which I think has been the easy part!

Bob

17

I got caught up in the details of the conversation.

I’d like to say that you are a nice guy, have participated here since you joined, you are interested in the hobby, and you have time available. I think you’ll do great when you’re ready to give it a go, Bob. [t$t]

18

One thing Bob, if you want Bish to join, don’t do a Spitfire GB. [;)]

19

I’m sure Bish would join a Spitfire GB if he could build a Hawker Hurricane. [:D]

20

Ouch. Well, he might do one if marked as a capture in German markings, being towed by a 251.