Cluttered Workbench?

[major]

I'm terrible for losing the Mojo halfway through a build. It's like I've had all the fun thinking about it, and now the actual execution is a chore. Then, right towards the end, I'll start to get that heart-in-mouth "oh my god I might actually finish this one DON'T SCREW UP NOW, DON'T SCREW UP NOW, DON'T SCREW UP NOW!" feeling. The few that actually have screwed up at the last hurdle have been really, really demoralising.

I also have a very good visual imagination, so I can imagine in exquisite detail just how the finished build should look, but then I'm always disappointed by what my actual physical skills manage to achieve. This doesn't help with mojo-maintenance either....

Yep! 

For me? Probably a number of things. A certain level of (self diagnosed) Attention Deficit Disorder (only explanation I can come up with!), procrastination causing me to pull something else out before finishing another, too many crazy ideas, too many models within reach (must get rid of that rolling swivel chair  ), and general disorganisation. Without them even leaving the top of my desk I have managed to lose decals, sandpaper, instructions, paint jars, and once a complete but unpainted 1/72 Hurricane! They were all eventually located, but that's an embarrassing level of mess right there.

And, Yep! 

All of the above seems to be affecting all aspects of my........  OH! Look! Something shiny in the hedge! Oh! just a bottle top.
What was I saying.... ? 

[kerick]

Managed to clear off part of the bench today. Doubled my workspace. We'll see if that leads to any greater productivity.

[strobez]

What fascinating thread.  A lot of similar sentiments to my own - I also often lose the mojo at the painting stage for example, or something else will catch my imagination and will insert itself into my build rotation.

I've found that three active projects on the go is my sweet spot.  More than that and I start to get lost and less than that and I start to get bored or disinterested at the first snag.

One thought I had though is being able to abandon a model build is actually part of the fun.  There are so few tasks in life that are wholly under our control, but building our models is one of them.  I decide the project, I decide the plan, I execute the plan on my schedule (albeit usually under external competing time constraints) and I can simply walk away from it if I wish... or walk back to it when I want.  There's a certain level of joy that comes from that level of creative freedom.

I also agree with the idea that buying/stashing model kits and building model kits are two distinct but related hobbies.  The joy you get from getting your hands on a long sought after kit which would be perfect for a project you have in mind is tangible and real.  It's almost as satisfying as actually building it in many cases.

[Rick Lowe]

Oh, yes. I agree with any and all of the above.
Any similarities to the way I do things is entirely natural and part of Modelling Madness Life.

[Gondor]

I'm going through a de-clutter process at the moment and letting the girlfriend help/be involved rather than letting her do it (she wants to use black bags and a skip). So far I have re-boxed and tidied up three Sea Harriers and one Harrier GR1/AV-8A(S) along with parts for the side by side trainer version, Interior parts for a Revel AEW Shackleton and components for four BAE Hawks and two IAI Kfir's as well. Still plenty to do such as find the box for a Revell Lancaster that will have BMW 801's rather than Merlin's. I have also uncovered parts for an F-111, a PR Mosquito and floats I was thinking of adding to a Gladiator and some parts from an old KP kit of a MiG 15 which I have forgotten what I was going to do with 
Loads of bits and pieces of Plastic that generally accumulate on a cutting mat/bench. It's progress I suppose....

Gondor

[Rick Lowe]

I must admit, I don't usually lose/cover up Projects/whole kits! 

- but then I's just a young feller and still learning the art...   

[Old Wombat]

My workspace is, currently, impeccably clean & tidy - as I still haven't had a chance to set it up after the Christmas/New Years shut down.

[Gondor]

To be fair it's not whole kits that are left on the cutting matt/bench, just recognisable parts from those kits such as fuselage half's wings and the like.

Gondor

[kerick]

I did manage some bench cleanup which lead to some actual model building being done and something getting finished! It's amazing!

[TheChronicOne]

Glorious!  things are just so much more inviting and nice when done in an orderly environment. Well...  for me anyway.

[NARSES2]

I think there is orderly (which I'm a fan of and try to practice) and sanitised (which I find a little to neat), but each to his own and long may it be so 

[loupgarou]

Nobody would dare to call anything in my house "sanitised". 
The advantages of being a bachelor: one can work on his hobbies anywhere in the house.
When I described to a group of females (and nice ones at that) how I had hanged some photo films to dry together with the laundry, and clamped books in restoration to a crystal table, they were duly horrified. 
Not to say of modelling activities going on in my computer table, as the workbench is completely buried.
When a group of friends came for dinner (NOT a formal affair) and a girl said: "The house is missing a feminine touch", my answer was: "YES, that,'s the effect I want!" 

[NARSES2]

The advantages of being a bachelor: one can work on his hobbies anywhere in the house.

Absolutely  You can also have a good scratch when needed as well 

[kerick]

LOL!!

[Joe C-P]

The biggest risk to the cluttered workbench is disappearing parts, which will usually be either that custom-carved part you've just spent 2 hours on, or one of 2/3/4 parts that are all identical and for which you have no spares. 
If you're going to be cluttered, make certain you're organized!