To repair, scrap or 'reduce to produce'?

[PR19_Kit]

As well as being in the middle of a whole slew of projects I'm also doing some repairs to various models missing landing gear legs, prop blades, aerials etc etc. So far 3 of the repairs have gone OK, and two of them have suffered even MORE breakages during the repair process!  After more than a couple of repairs per model I'm wondering if it's worthwhile, it's almost easier to build a new model than to repair some seriously bloody minded modesl that just will NOT be fixed! Aligning landing gear legs while trying to re-glue them is a total pain, and prop blades are almost impossible to replace and still look good as they did first thing.

What does everyone else do in this case? Do you always attempt a repair, sling the thing in the rubbish bin, or saw off the useful bits for further use on another project?

[andrewj]

I always attempt a repair, not always successfully, but never every throw anything away, any models past their prime are hoarded away for further use, or recycling as I like to call it. I've always found in the past that if anything is thrown away, you'll regret it the very next day ,when that one small but vital part cannot be found.

[Army of One]

Kit.......depends on the damage and my modelling skills to repair the damage......I have redudced the odd kit to scrap in the past....various components in various parts bins....and years later been glad I have as Andrewj points out. 

[kitnut617]

I try to repair things like u/c legs and props, but I to find that the repair is not as strong as original.  To solve that I use my micro drill & bits to make a hole up the center of the legs/props, and add a small length of wire to the joint.  Usually it's some small diameter MIG welding wire which I have tons off.

[Geoff]

RTC - reduce to components (spares)

[sandiego89]

I reduce for rebulid.  I usually do not display anything, (Mrs. Sandiego is fine with models contained to the garage, and so am I) so really I only enjoy the build for the first time only.  Always great to have a major parts stash.   

[Pablo1965]

I only repair the "whatif" planes, never a box kit, because always can buy again. Nobody can do your Wiff planes. Be careful and protect them after take pictures.

[Joe C-P]

I have binned a couple kits that were so far off I couldn't save them without tearing them to bits, saving parts I thought I might be able to use.
Most others I'll keep and break down, and think of _something_ to do with them. I hate wasting model parts, given how many small ones seem to disappear forever...

[McColm]

Having recieved a box of 'graveyard' kits I'm repairing most of them with my mountain of spare parts. Some like the Spifire and Hurricane have been restored to their former glory, whilst the 1/48 Mirage IIIC lacks its undercarriage doors.
a lot of the undercarriage is missing on other models, along with internal details, these will be turned into target drones or a scene similar to BAe Pegsus where they are being scrapped just have to buy a couple of wrecker vehicles.
Some will have been thrown in the bin due to frustration.
I try to repair if I can.

[Rheged]

I too keep a bits box that is regularly raided by my sons (and occasionally Mrs R for sundry nefarious purposes of her own) If a model is totally beyond redemption, it gets done up  sufficiently to make it safe and is given to the  seven or eight year old children of friends as a toy.

[Martin H]

As well as being in the middle of a whole slew of projects I'm also doing some repairs to various models missing landing gear legs, prop blades, aerials etc etc. So far 3 of the repairs have gone OK, and two of them have suffered even MORE breakages during the repair process!  After more than a couple of repairs per model I'm wondering if it's worthwhile, it's almost easier to build a new model than to repair some seriously bloody minded modesl that just will NOT be fixed! Aligning landing gear legs while trying to re-glue them is a total pain, and prop blades are almost impossible to replace and still look good as they did first thing.

What does everyone else do in this case? Do you always attempt a repair, sling the thing in the rubbish bin, or saw off the useful bits for further use on another project?

Ok what ones have you knackered?

[NARSES2]

I'll repair props, undercarriage etc, but if I "crack" any major component then the model goes in the spares box

[Pablo1965]

Do not believe that any manufacturer should make propellers and landing gear only?

[PR19_Kit]

Ok what ones have you knackered?

Only one Whiff, and that happened at Yate. My first one, the F-104K, lost its nosewheel and I can't find the darn thing.

Others are all RW models, a PR19 Spitfire (that's the one with one 5 bladed propellor, not two jets....) has lost one landing gear leg and it will NOT stay glued back on. An RAF DH88 Comet has lost two prop blades. A USN Pogo has lost the entire prop assembly and I broke two prop blades just building the replacement prop! A United 767-200 has lost its nosewheel as as a Brannif A320, and that's just the ones I can remember!

Notice a trend here? Nosewheels seem to be especially vulenrable I wish someone would make them in white metal.

[PR19_Kit]

Thanks to all your ideas and encouragement I've managed to repair 19 of 21 busted models so far. 

Thanks for the help guys, I really was very close to junking some of them, maybe 50%, but now there's only two to go before the Show on Sunday.

The killer idea was kitnut617's one of using thin wire to re-inforce the landing gear legs. Only two models failed to respond to that, a PRXIX Spitfire 'cos the legs were just SO darn thin, and an A320 that broke on a part of the strut that was only 0.65 mm thick! The Spitfire had its landing gear replaced by that from a Fujimi model and the Airbus is lying on its back awaiting conversion into something else, either that or it'll be used as a door-stop.......