Experience

[chris.mincemoyer]

Am I the only who skills seem to have gotten worse with experience? I'm only 59, so can't really blame age. I have all the proper tools, but heck I don't think I could create a nice tight square corner on a structure if my life depended on it! Frustrating to say the least.

[deemery]

Well, your abilities and standards/expectations increase, and if the standards/expectations exceed your abilities at a given point, it might well feel like you're going backwards.  BUT I suspect if you look at stuff you did 20 years ago, you'd realize you have actually improved a lot.  You can blame the internet for exposing us to some really great modelers who raise everyone's expectations...


dave

[Jim Donovan]

Hi Chis;

Good to hear from you. My modeling efforts also ebb and flow. Sometimes I feel like one step forward two steps back. What I do when I hit that wall is try another part of the hobby. I've learned a little bit about electronics which I never thought I would because of just trying something new. But I agree with Dave, the internet lets us see some amazing modeling setting the bar ever higher. I just try to enjoy the hobby and if the corners are not perfect oh well, the real building probably wasn't either.

Jim

[labdad]

I'm a big fan of jigs and fixtures.
Keep at it.
I learn more from mistakes than success.
Also don't be afraid to start over.
And take on a challenge out of your comfort zone.
Lastly don't be afraid of criticism.
MJinTN

[deemery]

Well, gluing a part on upside down is an experience I could have done without...     But working a new set of foundation castings will go much faster the second time.

dave

[jbvb]

People work differently. That said, if I was looking at a tricky operation that was critical to a satisfactory result (like a conspicouos corner joint), I'd practice on scrap pieces first.