RMweb Premium OnTheBranchline Posted April 20, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 20, 2013 I think that I am coming down with the symptoms of being a rivet counter. When I look at layouts lately, I think "well, that's not accurate at all". Next, I might have to open my mouth and tell off the layout owner how inaccurate his layout is. Is it curable? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandc_au Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Wouldn't it be safer to just keep counting rivets. You never know what the layout owners response may be :no: Khris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazmanjack Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Just keep reminding yourself of 'Rule No. 1'...! Cheers, Gary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 lol. I've been wondering the same thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted April 20, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 20, 2013 I think that I am coming down with the symptoms of being a rivet counter. When I look at layouts lately, I think "well, that's not accurate at all". Next, I might have to open my mouth and tell off the layout owner how inaccurate his layout is. Is it curable? No, but it is controllable by finding a suitable wall and then repeatedly banging your head against it in frustration. if you do find the urge to critisize, then do it in the method described as 'Damning with faint praise'. Regards Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post Flying Pig Posted April 20, 2013 RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted April 20, 2013 I think that I am coming down with the symptoms of being a rivet counter. When I look at layouts lately, I think "well, that's not accurate at all". I think you may possibly have made the mistake of acquiring knowledge of the Real Thing. Unfortunately there's quite a lot of that about on RMweb and if you read the offending posts without due care and inattention you may well find your enjoyment impaired in a number of common modelling situations. Other sources of information such as books and actually looking at the prototype are fortunately much easier to avoid, but you should in all cases take proper steps to preserve your precious ignorance or you may never be able to look another TMD layout in the face again. 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonB Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Can you do better?? If so, why are you not exhibiting, so that we can count your rivets? Coat on...... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted April 20, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 20, 2013 I hope it is not contagions Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted April 20, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 20, 2013 I think recognising others' mistakes simply reflects a greater awareness of how things should be. Mentioning the fact to the other modeller can be unhelpful, needs to be ultra-diplomatic, may not win you many friends if done clumsily. Meanwhile, as others have said, continue to look just as closely at your own modelling - if any - and make sure you apply the same critical judgement, at least. None of us knows it all, and the more we know, the less we can accept mediocrity. Compromises, nevertheless, are a part of modelling - and accepting them may help to get the model you actually achieve, rather than the one you never do. A question of balance, IMHO, and that probably applies to that other chap's model that you know isn't quite right, so perhaps he/she deserves some slack? 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptic Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Snip................." or you may never be able to look another TMD layout in the face again." Or a Hornby 4-VEP ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 Aft'noon all, ....voting with your feet and saying nothing at all is a good strategy. The best layouts at exhibitions tend to have numerous people around them for a reason. Cheers Dave 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard hines Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I don't think that there is much wrong with becoming a rivet counter but restrict it to your own efforts.Since my recent sojourn into this wonderful hobby I have gained so much knowledge of the subject mainly because it is so easy to research.However the obvious vast knowledge and standards attained by others on here and elsewhere always keeps me in my place.I would never criticise the efforts of anyone else. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 (edited) ....everyone is a rivet counter to some extent...usually in areas where they have broader knowledge and expertise. I once saw a very mediocre layout at an exhibiton with nothing to recommend it stockwise and yet the gardens of the modelled cottages looked superb. All manner of vegetable crops were very well represented and I spent an enjoyable 20 minutes or so listening to the older chap explain that his allotment was the joy of his life and that the model railway connection was due to his grandson liking model railways but wanting some help with the scenery aspect. It was a great story and for that reason one of my favourite layouts in the show on the day. Maybe this guy was a 'radish' counter? Cheers Dave Edited April 21, 2013 by Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel W Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I once counted all the rivets on a Heljan Dogfish.........................ignorance really is bliss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRman Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 No, there is no cure ... there is no hope for you now!! I think Ian (Olddudders) summed it up nicely. A couple of others have also put a nice rational slant on it too. I suppose that even though we become aware of inaccuracies, we still have to be tolerant and allow others to run their layouts the way they wish to. If they ask questions then we should answer honestly but without negative criticism. I still remember the long and torturous learning process with my modelling ... come to think of it, that is still going on right now!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandc_au Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Let's face it....it is a hobby after all. You exhibit and display your efforts.....beauty is in the eye of the beholder! khris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 I think that I am coming down with the symptoms of being a rivet counter. When I look at layouts lately, I think "well, that's not accurate at all".... Good. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Road Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 There is no cure - you just start modelling in P4 ( other scales are available ) ! M b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71 Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 ...get ready with the 'lock' button Andy....some people seem to enjoy gauge wars. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Road Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Sorry Dave - I will consider my wrists slapped ! I'll get back to my private OO 16.5mm track gauge thoughts . Mike b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfwit Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 I think that I am coming down with the symptoms of being a rivet counter. When I look at layouts lately, I think "well, that's not accurate at all". Next, I might have to open my mouth and tell off the layout owner how inaccurate his layout is. Is it curable? I've been doing that for years. I generaly keep quiet though unless I feel that the builder can take a bit of constructive criticism, and its always important to remember that you're looking at someones pride and joy. However, I do also wonder if I could do any better, and I wouldn't let a few inaccuracies spoil my enjoyment of an otherwise good layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
icn Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 (edited) I've only been on this forum for a short while and I too am starting to feel as if I've been infected too. And I haven't even so much as built a model of my own yet... I'm hoping I'll return to normal once I actually start some modelling of my own (tomorrow afternoon, assuming the tools I've ordered arrive). But I do want to be criticised openly so that the end result is as good as it can be... Edit: and on the gauge/scale topic: I'm jumping straight into P4 you'll be happy to hear. Edited April 22, 2013 by icn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 I am a rivet counter! I was on the Coalville Collier railtour back in the 80s and we were stuck for an hour or so beside a siding full of HAAs so I counted the rivets on the side of one and then on the end of another and then doubled it to get the grand total, I cant remember the exact number but it was well over a thousand. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffalo Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 We have a wealth of really good layouts and engine / rolling stock pictured on this site (and it would be unfair to single out any one or two contributors) so it is not surprising to me that we are all making comparisons between them; I also know that in doing so, I am made very aware of my own shortcomings. I honestly feel that such attention by you - fellow contributor - and me can only improve our individual modelling output as these images demonstrate "advanced" thinking that I, as a mear mortal, would have failed to include. If that means I am turning into a rivet counter, I am glad to be tarred with that brush! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjnewitt Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 I wouldn't worry about turning into a rivet counter. I would worry though when the size of the rivets starts to become important... 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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