Do we need a shake up/down?

[Ian M]

In a resent post that accidently got deleted, I touched upon an idea to try inject a bit more club house vibe and maybe a bit more life into the forum.
The idea:
Within the GB forum I could make a new section and call it the club house or the club build. I am not sure how many here actually physically visit a club with a build night. Basically you meet up with what you are working on and all sit together and build away. Simple. However... (here it comes) Guidelines will be in place. My thinking is that the existing GB section is kept in use for the more focused type of GB's and not the more "build something" wide open themes like we have seen over the years. Not to pick out embarrass or shame, but just as an example, the Vintage airfix GB is a prime example. Don't get me wrong, its a good idea just a bit vage as a GROUP build everyone building something totally different. As a club table build its a blood great idea.
I see it working like this. (using myself as an example and a neutral subject).

I want to do a Group Build of a Scania series S truck. This would be offered up in the GB suggestion box.
If I get ten takers, it gets to the GB section without further ado. If there is a swing to can I build a series 3, 4, R or S as they are all Scania it would still be a GB. If however members wanted to join in if they could build a Volvo, a Mercedes or one of the more exotic US trucks then we are moving into club house builds. if agreed a club house build could be started in stead.
A what !?
A club house build would be, using the above as an example:
I start a thread in the Club build section, if there is enough interest, and anyone that wanted to join in does just that. IN THE SAME THREAD so we are all at the same 'bench' building. No need for the sprue shots, though a box top might be nice.
All building together in one thread we can offer help if requested, or suggestions. Chat away, have a laugh tell a joke. When you finish the model, a quick photo to say your done then post the results in the normal finished section, so in this case the completed civilian (or military) trucks section.

So what do you all think of this idea. Feedback please.

[Tim Marlow]

All seems unnecessarily complicated to me, but I’ll go with the flow. Personally I’d just call them all (specific or non specific) club house builds if you feel the need to rename them, have a single thread for each build group, and get on with it from there.

[Ian M]

Not that complicated, just hard to explain. The basic idea is to get the GB section back to more focused builds and have a new section where it is more an informal "club meet up" where the subject is a bit more relaxed. The chat is more relaxed (still within the forum rules, naturally).

[Geoffers]

So, if I’m reading this right.

Keep the group builds as they are but add a club house build section as a sort of extended buddy build?

Geoff.

[Ian M]

You got it pretty much, just tighten the GBs up a bit. Not saying the GB's should only be single interest; Build a Sherman E8 but Build a wwII sherman. where as the club table would be; Build a Sherman..... Does that make more sense?

[Mr Bowcat]

Ian, as I said in the other thread, I like the idea. Maybe a trial run to see if ti works?

[Airborne01]

Try anything once!
Steve

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I can see some positives coming out of this Ian so as Bob has pointed out lets give it a go. From a site navigation point of view having a single thread to visit that covers multiple building projects on the go may be a good thing. I also like the sound of it being a less formal type of thread. As Pauls upcoming Airfix GB seems to fit this new criteria if Paul doesnt mind could we trial it using the Airfix build?
The only negative that I have just thought of. As a model building forum the individual build threads do serve as a great reference source for somebody about to start a model and wants to see how someone else on the forum may have tackled that same model previously. By having a generic group build like the Cluhouse build you will loose that specific build information unless the builder chooses to create a seperate build thread in the "Under Construction" section. I hope that makes sense.

[PaulTRose]

Trying to understand

Do you mean instead of individual threads for a group build everyone builds in a single thread?

Was once on a forum that did that and it worked quite well.....brings everyone together

[Ian M]

By having a generic group build like the Cluhouse build you will loose that specific build information

Well I am assuming that members will still do 'ordinary' build threads like we do now. The idea with the club house builds are just a way to have a more open Group building together without everyone building the same thing.
I am sure there are a lot here that would enjoy a visit to the club house once in a while as a break from their own build just as there are those that would live in the club house and just do a normal build thread once in while to get a bit of peace lol

[Geoffers]

I’m easy either way, as already said maybe trial it and see.

I’d rather start a new one though rather than use the Vintage Airfix GB.

Geoff

[Lee Drennen]

Sounds good Ian something different. I’m on another forum that kinda does this thing. You have the Main GB subject where we all once a week show what we have done and comment on each other’s work together but you also have your own build thread on your subject. It’s a good set up to interact with others builders. For example “Paul please don’t take offense” I would set it up like GB Aifix Vintage build Club Meet week of 04/01/2025 we all meet in that thread show our pics progress together chat and if need add a link to every ones personal build thread. Each week start a new date and meet. Another thing they have is “Progress Week” where you show what you’re building on that week and the progress you have made. Kind like “What on the bench” but instead of just random post of builds once in awhile it’s dated week to week. Every week everyone post in that tread what they been working on and chat, comment and commentary. That would be another good thread to get everyone together. Just my thoughts.

[davecov]

I can see how it works very well in a "Clubhouse" environment where everything is in one thread. One positive of such a thread is that members posting their own builds may stumble across a genre that they have never tried before and are encouraged to try something different.

The only negative I can see, is if every man and his dog end up building the same/similar subject it can be a bit tedious scrolling through the thread (especially when it is pages long) looking for updates to somebody's particular build unless you search for their posts via their profile.

At the end of the day though, IMHO, you can never have too many GBs whatever the format.

Dave

[Geoffers]

If it’s going to replace GBs with individual build threads to a bit of a “what’s on the bench” thread I’m not in favour.

Geoff.

[minitnkr]

Sounds veerrrryy interesting.

[PaulTRose]

The idea with the club house builds are just a way to have a more open Group building together without everyone building the same thing.
l

Now thats where im confused cos the way i interpret it its the exact opposite of that

[dave]

As I understand the idea there would be one thread where we all bpost and discuss about our current build, a sort of more interactive, ongoing what’s on the bench thread.

sounds like a good idea, happy to give it a try