The end of an acquisition phase

[markbt73]

Yesterday, it occurred to me that I have bought seven new RC projects in the past four months. And quite a few other odds and ends too. That seems like a lot. So I'm consciously putting a hold on buying any new projects, mainly because I'm running out of places to put things and starting to lose track of what I've got. And I'm listing all the stuff I've bought here, to remind myself of what all I have.

Complete (ish) RC vehicles acquired since we moved:

Traxxas Hawk (more or less) - major project, needs parts made, more on that below

Futaba FX10 - bought as a parts car, but it's too nice, so now I have another FX10 project

MRC MT-10M - complete, but diff slips, still deciding how to proceed

Kyosho Raider - complete, great shape, run a couple of times already, really like it

BoLINK Digger 10 buggy - bought from Saito2 here, plan is to copy parts and build a runner clone, trying to resist the urge to run the original

Grapuner Cobra boat - absolute basket case, but will be a good winter project

Tamiya FF01 - Arrived yesterday, cheap find on eBay, bought a Castrol Civic body set to go with it

I also now have one of those 3018 CNC machines, just got it assembled and working the other day. Eventually, I want to make parts from G10 and nylon, anything that needs to be stronger than what 3D printing can do. I've had some success with 3D printed parts, only out of PLA so far. I've got a growing list of stuff I want to try to make, starting with a chassis plate for that Hawk, to be able to use Sledgehammer chassis braces and make a sort of hybrid Hawk/Sledgehammer thing.

Along the same lines, I want to make a Clod chassis of my own design, just to see if I can do it. I tried once ages ago, but without having a proper workshop or tools, and it worked, but it was awful. I'd like to try again, now with another 20 years experience and some proper tools.

Not to mention the piles of Grasshopper/Hornet/Lunchbox parts I still have, the RC10 parts that could become one more car, the still-unfinished Optima restoration from years ago, the experimental rally cars that I've recently gotten back interested in, the Lancia 037 body that still needs painting and assembly, two or three scale trail truck projects that stalled out and never got finished, a Bruiser that is in the middle of a re-body, and about 90 un-built static model kits.

The point is that I need to stop shopping and start doing. I've got plenty of things to do; no need to look for more.

[Grumpy pants]

There’s lots of really exciting projects for you in your list ⬆️

I really struggle to stay on track with any one project, so at the moment I have my new build Grasshopper to complete and I’m refurbishing a set of Rough Rider wheels.

Once they have been completed I’ll pick up my XV-01x2 mess and finish the Rough Rider shell.  

A larger project on the go with a side project is my current plan.

Worked out today, I’ve sold 4 cars this year and 2 kits meaning my total spending this year is about £150, which is of course is Tamiya math as I paid for the 6 that have been sold 😂

The reality is I’ve got more ‘T’ than enough stuffed away and I don’t need to buy anything more kits, projects or runners for a number of years 🤦‍♂️, however…

[JimBear]

@markbt73 - I just love that BoLINK Digger buggy project - hope you'll get to do some fun stuff there. And I mean, you've moved, but are already running out of space? Then I guess it's really time to stop buying and get on building, like you say. I've been looking around a bit concerning your Graupner 2166 Cobra - not my thing at all, but I think you needed a manual for it, right?

I can understand the struggle, @Grumpy pants - there is a million things one could do. I get lost in all the ideas buzzing around in my head, especially late at night. Time and money is a limitation, so I need to figure what's worth spending the energy on.

[MadAnt]

I've bought multiple projects in a short period of time before too. Back when I worked at a hobby store, we would host swap meets sometimes and I got some good deals. The sellers went home with a bunch of cash and I had boxes of new old but good junk lol. 

Years later I still have stuff that has been waiting for resto or repair or whatever I planned in the past. In the future(hopefully this year) I want to shrink the collection and maybe make room for something else. 

Anyway, good luck with the new projects.

[Pizza Frog]

I'm still trying to finish projects I purchased last year, I also went through a burnt-out period and was forced to sell a car because I got overwhelmed from not having enough space.   Everything is ok now and I just need to finish a Boomerang and a frog body.   

Hopefully I'll finally finish everything in time for Tamiya to re-release the Falcon 

[Grumpy pants]

I realised this morning I have 14 kits and unfinished projects tucked away in the Tamiya queue, with just 3 RTR.

They are split 50/50 between modern and vintage, some are recent purchases, others have been with me for close to a decade or more 🤦‍♂️.

At my pace of Tamiyaing I’ll be fiddle faffing with an XV-01 when I retire 😂

Hmm might be time to have a rethink, as work and home life isn’t going to get any less frenetic or expensive for another 4-5 years.