Beat The Backlog! Hobby decluttering challenge starts December 1st

[Beaky Brigade]

 

COMING SOON ;

 

 

When: December 1st 2022

Where: Forge: Works In Progress sub forum

Duration: Rolling monthly

My name is Beaky, and I’ve been a miniature addict for 20 years.

This is the start of a hobby challenge with a twist. While painting is encouraged, you don’t have to pick up a brush to participate!

Most long-term hobbyists have a ‘pile of shame’ aka a backlog of unbuilt and unpainted miniatures made from plastic, resin, pewter, and if you’re of a certain vintage, Lead.

Finding the time and motivation to paint miniatures is hard, especially if you feel you have too many to ever finish. Perhaps you could quit your job or studies, ignore your friends and family and finish your collection in an epic painting marathon;

 

Is that a realistic idea?

Are you a regular painter but still face a growing backlog?

Have you tried selling minis but always buy more than you’ve sold?

Are you no longer interested in swathes of your miniatures, but hold onto them ‘just in case’?

Are you a sucker for the latest GW release?

Do you self-identify as a hobby butterfly?

Does your unpainted collection feel like a burden?

This thread hopes to solve these problems, and more!
 

Taking tongue-in-cheek inspiration from popular dieting clubs, this thread will encourage you to perform a personal audit of your unpainted miniature collection and assign a ‘Leadweight’ value to it.

 

You’ll then decide personal goals for your unpainted collection. Do you want to reduce it, or just keep it from growing? There is no correct amount of unpainted miniatures to own, it’s all about what you are comfortable with.

 

‘Pile of shame’ is a common term for a hobby backlog. This is a shame and judgement free space for all. Be kind and encourage each other.

 

How it works

1. Audit your collection and calculate a Leadweight value
2. Decide on your target Leadweight value
3. Post your pledge for the next month
4. Paint, donate, or sell unwanted minis
5. Re-Audit your collection and post results

1) The Audit

Spoiler

Before we start, I’ll define ‘unpainted’ as any unbuilt or fully assembled miniature that does not reach your personal standard of ‘Battle Ready’. Undercoated or fully painted miniatures that you want to strip and repaint can be counted as ‘unpainted’ if you want to.

 

Tally up how many unpainted miniatures you own from each of the following categories. If in doubt, choose the closest fit for the miniature rather than over thinking the categorisation.
 

• 28mm infantry (1)
• 28mm bike/cavalry (3)
• 28mm vehicle (6)
• 28mm monster (4)
• 28mm superheavy vehicle (30)
• 28mm Titan (75)
• Epic Scale Infantry base (0.5)
• Epic Scale vehicle (2)
• Epic Scale Titan (5)
• Non board appropriate miniature* (1)
• Terrain - (1, for every 30g / 1 oz of terrain)
• Optional - Loose bitz (1, for every 3g / 0.15 oz of bits)

 

Once you’ve done this, multiply the number of individual miniatures in each category by the number in brackets for that category, and add up the categories for a final Leadweight value for the collection.

For example:

Hobby Dave has 42 unpainted Space Marine Intercessors, these are 28mm infantry so come to a Leadweight value of 42*1 = 42

Dave also has 3 unpainted Aeldari Jetbikes, which are 28mm bike/cavalry models. These come to a Leadweight value of 3*3 = 9

 

 

Therefore, the total Leadweight value of Dave’s collection is 42+9 = 51

 

 

 

* A note on ‘Non board appropriate miniatures’. The Bolter and Chainsword has strict rules on the discussion and posting of photos of miniatures unrelated to the 41st millennium.

It’s recognised you may want to reduce your collection of these as part of this challenge, so you can share your Leadweight value of these miniatures but shouldn’t say what they are, or post pictures of them in this forum. A Leadweight value of 1 is assigned to each non board appropriate miniature regardless of size or complexity, to emphasise they shouldn’t be the focus of the thread.

 

Tips for counting:

For boxed sets or complete sprues, just add up the maximum number of figures that can be built from that set, no need to count the parts on the sprue.

If you want to reduce the number of bitz in your bitz collection and they don’t easily add up to whole miniatures, try weighing them in bulk.

Use a conversion of 3 grams / 0.15 ounces = 1 Leadweight value

 

 

2) Set a Target "Leadweight" for next month

 

Spoiler

Choose how much you want to reduce your collection by. Your goal could be to paint a particular army, free up a certain percentage of space on your shelves, or raise a certain amount of money for charity. You can also select an arbitrary figure that feels right.

 

For example

Hobby Dave decides to reduce his Leadweight from 51 to 25 by next month, a reduction of approximately 50%

 

 

3) Post your Pledge for the next month

Spoiler

When you post your pledge, it’s recommended that you share only your TOTAL Leadweight value with the group. Do not share the individual miniatures or totals in each category that make up the final value. Do not share your working!

This is so the thread does not inadvertently become a space to advertise minis for sale, and to avoid participants feeling self-conscious about the implied cost of their collection in relation to others.

The following format is suggested, but optional:

“The adepts of the Administratum have completed their cogitations and I, [USERNAME], bear a Leadweight of [VALUE] on my mortal soul. I pledge to make every effort to reduce this to [LOWER VALUE] by the dawn of next month, through the toil of painting and the catharsis of philanthropy and rogue trading.

 

 

4) Paint, Donate, or Sell unwanted minis

Spoiler

 Get painting, or failing that, give away or sell models to reach your target Leadweight.

• Painting: feel free to post the models you are painting in other hobby challenges or private logs. You aren’t directly assessed on what you paint here, only by the reduction in Leadweight. It’s ok to share what you successfully painted in step 5) as long as it meets forum rules.
   
• Donating: You can give models to friends, family and strangers. Selling the models and donating the proceeds to an individual in need, trust or charitable organisation also counts as donating. Though not a charitable organisation, you can also donate proceeds to the upkeep of the Bolter and Chainsword and become a supporter.

 

• Sell: You can sell unwanted miniatures on online auction sites, social media groups, classified adverts or other spaces for trading in goods. Stay safe when selling. You can also preform trades or swaps if the exchange will reduce your Leadweight value.

 Sales and trades are not allowed on The Bolter and Chainsword so don’t post items for sale here.

 

Keep in mind your Leadweight goals and don’t be tempted to spend all the proceeds from sales on shiny new miniatures! If you want to support your FLGS or GW store, buy paints, glue or tools to help you finish your remaining models.

 

 

5) Re-Audit your Collection and post the results

 

 

Spoiler

• Re-Audit: At the end of the month, it’s time to see how you did. The second audit shouldn’t take as long as you can simply calculate the value of what you Painted, Donated and Sold in the last month and take it off your previous Leadweight value.
•  

If you’ve bought new models and haven’t painted them, you’ll need to add the Leadweight of these to your total.

If you’ve bought new models and subsequently painted them or disposed of them during the course of the month, this has no impact on your Leadweight value.

Hopefully your Leadweight is in line with your target, but if not, don’t fret. Try setting a more achievable target for the next month, or have a think about if you’re buying too many models on impulse.

• Post results: Post how you did in this thread! The [organiser] will post a reminder here when it’s time to start adding your monthly results.

 

 

You can use the following optional format: “The adepts of the Administratum have completed their cogitations and I, [USERNAME], bear a Leadweight of [VALUE] on my mortal soul, meeting / missing my pledge of [VALUE].

 

 

If you’ve painted models and want to share them with the thread, do go ahead!

It’s not necessary to provide evidence of painting, donations or sales.

 

If you like you can mention what % reduction was through each option of Painting, Donating, or Sales, but don’t go into details for the last two.

 

You can then start again at step 2) if you want to continue with the challenge.

 

 

 

FAQ

Q: Are there leaderboards, awards and forum badges for taking part in the thread?
A: Not presently, participation is its own reward, but we’ll see if there’s demand.

Q: I have some unwanted models that I can’t seem to sell or give away, can I throw them away?
A: This thread does not condone throwing away models as it’s not environmentally friendly. If it’s bothering you, discount these models from the Leadweight value of your collection while you find a suitable home or use for them.

 

Q: Can I give you or sell you my unwanted models?
A: No thank you. It’s against the forum rules and I’m trying to watch my Leadweight value too!
 

Q: I’m really happy with my miniature collection and don’t want to reduce it. Can I participate?
A: If you want to set a goal to keep your collection at its current Leadweight value you can participate.

 

Q: Can I set a goal to increase the Leadweight value of my collection?
A: No!

 

Q: How did you calculate the Leadweight of each category of miniature? The values seem pretty arbitrary.
A: They are! Though the value of bits is related to the equivalent weight of the Space Marines in my own collection.

Q: What is your Leadweight value Beaky?
A: I'll be posting on December 1st like everyone else!

 

Q: My collection is too large / I don't have time to properly audit it. Can I take part?
A: A formal audit of every mini is encouraged, but if this will prevent you from taking part you may guestimate your starting Leadweight.

Alternatively you might choose an arbitrary portion of the collection to audit and work on downsizing. E.g. models from one army.
Any new models you purchase must be added to your total at the next audit even if they are for a different army or project.



 

 

Edited December 1, 2022 by Beaky Brigade

[Grotsmasha]

I've a few boxed games that are languishing in grey that need attention, Lost Patrol, and Deathwatch: Overkill for starters...

[Trokair]

Just counting unbuilt models in my head based on what I remember I have in the cupboard I am well past the 900 mark, and I a haven’t counted built but unpainted stuff yet, so 1500 mark is essentially certain and 2k is most likely in reach as well.

 

So while reducing the hoard is an admirable goal, I think for my own sanity I won’t participate, so as to not face the potential 3 or 4 k mark (I am sure I am forgetting entire armies this late at night).

 

Good luck to all the rest of you.

[Beaky Brigade]

6 hours ago, Trokair said:

Just counting unbuilt models in my head based on what I remember I have in the cupboard I am well past the 900 mark, and I a haven’t counted built but unpainted stuff yet, so 1500 mark is essentially certain and 2k is most likely in reach as well.

 

So while reducing the hoard is an admirable goal, I think for my own sanity I won’t participate, so as to not face the potential 3 or 4 k mark (I am sure I am forgetting entire armies this late at night).

 

Good luck to all the rest of you.

That's OK, you could set your own modest goal but I appreciate it might be daunting to audit a large collection. It's only a number! 

[Anticontrarian]

Emperor Protect Me!

 

I'm not sure how much I have, but it's going to be a LOT. I'm almost dreading the Audit itself for this one, let alone the painting.

 

I take it terrain will fit in the "Loose Bits" selection? I have four Kill Team boxes-worth (and counting)

 

At least my "non appropriate" selection is pretty small at about 6000pts of AoS Death-think I'll try a 1:1 40k/other balance.

 

 

 

 

 

[Beaky Brigade]

5 hours ago, Anticontrarian said:

 

 

I take it terrain will fit in the "Loose Bits" selection? I have four Kill Team boxes-worth (and counting)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terrain may have been a bit of a blindspot when conceiving the challenge. I did think about it but I clearly don't have more than I want right now! 

 

I think I felt it is always useful to have terrain and its sometimes easier to finish than painting models, but I can see how it could be a similar burden if you've invested a lot in terrain sets over the years and have more than you want to use. 

 

I would say weight is the best way to audit terrain for now. It is usually pretty heavy so will give a representative number of points but I'm open to more feedback as we go.

 

Will update this evening! 

Edited November 23, 2022 by Beaky Brigade

[Focslain]

12 hours ago, Trokair said:

Just counting unbuilt models in my head based on what I remember I have in the cupboard I am well past the 900 mark, and I a haven’t counted built but unpainted stuff yet, so 1500 mark is essentially certain and 2k is most likely in reach as well.

 

So while reducing the hoard is an admirable goal, I think for my own sanity I won’t participate, so as to not face the potential 3 or 4 k mark (I am sure I am forgetting entire armies this late at night).

 

Good luck to all the rest of you.

Kind of in the same boat, and with the holidays arriving that number is only going to grow. Plus I'm subscribed to Imperium as well, so monthly deliveries.

 

I'm going to do a rough calc over the weekend, if anything I'd like to make small gains. The main issue I'm running into is storage, as in I don't have the trays to put the completed models in. Seems that the brand I use has had supply problems since COVID.

[Beaky Brigade]

Just a reminder that we're starting tomorrow! I've just calculated my Leadweight and I'm going to go somewhere quiet to cry for a little bit.

A ruling on the Leadweight value of terrain. Auditing my own collection I've found it's pretty heavy and a few pieces had the same value as nearly 200 28mm minis so we're going to use a different conversation value for weighing terrain.

Terrain - (1, for every 30g / 1 oz of terrain)

I've updated the rules to include this. See you tomorrow!

[Beaky Brigade]

The challenge thread is now up

 

[Elzender]

May I suggest, for those with massive collections who do not wish to audit hundreds of minis, but still willing to participate, to choose a single project/army based leadweight calculation? 

 

As an example using myself (not that I will necessarily do this): I have several projects for 40K armies, but it is not realistic for me to try to tackle them all. However, I could choose to focus on my long neglected sororitas army. I will then calculate the leadweight only of sororitas minis, with the catch that any new miniature obtained, regardless of faction, will increase the leadweight. 

[Beaky Brigade]

48 minutes ago, Elzender said:

May I suggest, for those with massive collections who do not wish to audit hundreds of minis, but still willing to participate, to choose a single project/army based leadweight calculation? 

 

As an example using myself (not that I will necessarily do this): I have several projects for 40K armies, but it is not realistic for me to try to tackle them all. However, I could choose to focus on my long neglected sororitas army. I will then calculate the leadweight only of sororitas minis, with the catch that any new miniature obtained, regardless of faction, will increase the leadweight. 

 

Hey that sounds reasonable if it encourages you to take part.

 

I'll update the FAQ again.

 

Q: My collection is too large / I don't have time to properly audit it. Can I take part?
A: A formal audit of every mini is encouraged, but if this will prevent you from taking part you may guestimate your starting Leadweight.

Alternatively you might choose an arbitrary portion of the collection to audit and work on downsizing. E.g. models from one army.
Any new models you purchase must be added to your total at the next audit even if they are for a different army or project.
 

Edited December 1, 2022 by Beaky Brigade