Perfectionists and the model railroading journey

If you think something is perfect, get a larger magnifying glass.  Nothing is perfect.  Except God.

Perfection is an individual perception in the hobby.

With what we play is  precision. Precision help us to get close to our perfection.

AG.

I've noticed it doesn't matter what scale your into...

At first, through ignorance... many enthusiasts happily accept what-ever they can get their mitts on; then, after gaining some experience/knowledge, they become more discerning... and, soon, limits are held, re: what will be accepted/rejected...

All this seems quite normal to me; that's the way I did it...

I agree that, in most situations, striving for perfection is usually unrealistic... The ability to create a perfect scale rendition... is actually very possible; it just that, it requires a lot more...

So, adjustments are made, including , mental adjustments... and the word "best" comes into play... taking the place of the word "perfection".

The meaning of the word best... pats the excuse maker/taker on the back... it mirrors the human condition: they did their best...

So, for the true perfectionists, like myself... we are often looking ahead... hoping... but, also, attempting to practice acceptance... just in case, once again -

A few years ago, I was being filmed, by my young child, as I opened a coveted locomotive, that I received for Christmas. My body language and vocals clearly showed that I was happy... until... until I noticed a deformed stanchion... In the video, you see me clearly pause... become quiet and focused... and then, when my happy, young daughter asks me if I like it... I immediately regained being present... smiled, and said, "yes" very much...

Some of you know, I hadn't forgotten about the stanchion, though(smile).

I guess I'm not truly a perfectionist, because I can do "good enough" too. And, for a time, short time, it was good enough... at least, until the roof mounted headlight melted the cab roof(smile).

Being a perfectionist is hard work, even in HO scale; but, there are times when a simpler, less taxing simple pleasure has it's moments(watching Eric enjoy his new find...)

Rick

Rick - You are absolutely correct.  We were just talking about this earlier today.  I have loved my K-Line 21" California Zephyr cars until I noticed how shiny and toy-like the plastic is around the nose of the observation car.  Now every time I look at them it bothers me.  I love the metal sides and all, but the shiny plastic now bugs me.  I know that they are just toys and all, but I want them to be as realistic looking to me as my talents and budget will permit.

Or when you think a section of your layout looks pretty good until you look at it in a picture and you spot something you hadn't seen before.  Maybe the track isn't perfectly straight or the plywood is peaking out and then it bothers you until you do something about it.  Or you a lot of dust on a die-cast car that you hadn't noticed until you took the picture and put it on the forum.

Great thread in my opinion.

Art

interesting point.

When you buy something obviously you want to see it perfect (withing some tolerances)

but when you make something and you put all your effort on it, your tolerances are more flexible.

I start 0-27 as many, today I am 2 rail and I pass through everything in between looking for more realism. After make almost all my rolling stock, re power and convert few engines, make all my switches from scratch, I am a lot more open to accept mistakes, and you know, our real life is full of them. 

I wasn't sleep thinking how to improve something that after was finished i didn't like.

but not anymore, beside every time you fix or correct something you skills are getting better. Today I move forward quicker that before, creating and doing, after that I fix, because if you are planing to make it right in the first shot, will take forever.

Andre.

Guys like us will probably always naturally gravitate, to our vision of choice; it's innately part of who we are.

We'll learn to move on... but, we'll probably always be perfectionists...

That doesn't have to be a bad thing...

BTW, check out one of my designs at: bcblacksmith - facebook  it's titled "Rick's coffee table"

My friend, Miran, is a blacksmith and he builds my designs. I've done about ten different pieces, altogether.

Rick

Beautiful work Rick!!

I don't think my shin want to find it at night.

look pretty strong table.

AG.

Thanks Andre,

My inspiration for the table came from old wood-sided gondolas and mining cars.

BTW, that baby is heavy.

If you want to see a really stunning piece, that Miran and I did, scroll down a lot further; it's titled "globe"

It's made from steel and copper.

Rick

Yeah, I'm very perfectionistic about my scale models.  But when I start getting too obsessive over it, I go and run my prewar tinplate trains for a while.

I saw almost all of them the Iron bench a terrific! thank for posting.

AG.

Andre,

Most of those creations, on that facebook page are Miran's; just the coffee table is my design; and, the globe concept is my idea(Miran wanted to work with the copper..., so I approved). We also co-designed the globes features...

A professional photographer, a friend of Miran's, photographed some of my other designs; but, they, the photographs, are on the photographer's private website.

We've done some really cool pieces.

BTW, heavy gauge steel is the backbone of my designs.

Rick