It seems that most of the rivet counters are in HO. They obsess over details and are super sensitive. I don’t see how they can enjoy the hobby.
Rivets counters!..we don’t need no steeinking rivets counters!..yep…there are some out there like that…i had a guy tell me after hours of scratch building a cryogenic tank car that the vent pipe wasn’t prototype because it didn’t have a certain bend in the pipe that went away from the car instead of straight up…geez!..it hurt my feelings, so he can’t come over and play with my trains anymore!..there’s more than one way to skin a rivet counter…chuck[:D]
Usually when we use the term in a derogatory manner we are referring to the second example. I don’t know anyone who objects to others making their own models as accurate as possible. I know I can’t do it but I admire the work of those who have the ability, time, and desire to do so.
Trust me, HO has no patent on rivet counters. Spend some time over on some of the N scale specific forums if you want to see some good examples. They have some really good modelers (it’s amazing to me what some people can do in N scale) but there are several who fall into the category we are discussing.
Regards
Ed
You know the best way to frustrate a rivet counter is to keep your trains MOVING!! That will usually shut them up.[swg]
If the term ‘rivet counter’ is used to describe a person who comments on the lack of detail in a model or wrong detail on a model, then that person is what I would call a NIT PICKER.
countin rivets is a waste of brain cells
There are different degrees of rivet counting, don’t bad mouth all of us!
“Railroad Prototype Modelers” are a more accurate representation of 90% of counters, They build what they want, how they want it. They might not buy a BB Athern and slap it on the rails, but don’t give a hoot if you do. They’ll take any model (including P2K, Kato, etc…) and make it more prototype specific, add a few better quality details- check out a diesel with the new Canon fans, they are fantastic! It’s just a progression, we all got into model RR’ing, it’s just another step. If you’re happy with what you have, then be happy!
The other 10% are found in EVERY hobby, there are a couple on this board ! Either they have the money or anal retentive attitude to have something perfect, or they don’t have anything but can tell you exactly what is wrong with yours. My other hobby is old Mopars, but “counters” are not limited to brands. Go to any car show and there will be a couple guys walking around together pointing out the flaws on every car. Wrong vinyl for the seat covers, wrong air cleaner, that should be cadmium plated not painted, etc… But if you’re in that hobby, you’re probably just there to drive your car and have fun!
Ignore them and move on, regardless of what you’re doing!!
did you know that if you count the rivets on one side of a locomotive and multiply by two you get a fairly accurate representation of all the rivets? kinda speeds things up!
-rc
I don’t mind rivet counters but it the guys who measure the rivets that bother me!
BC