Basing Mass Figures.

Okay so I have a lot of figures that need their bases finished, in a earlier post I showed you how I like to use Milliputty for some of my figures and that process takes time.

So how do you do it fast and get more figures done, I use wood glue around the base.

 The only tool you will need would be a handful of toothpicks.

Now this is going to take a couple of applications but I think the look is great.

Like I have explained in an earlier post on my thoughts on basing figures, that I don't  like flocking or clumps of grass all around my figures feet for most part in my game play is mostly around urban build up areas or cave and dungeons, but hay  to each  their  own .

I like mounting my figures on 1/4 inch washers the size to me looks right for the figures, sure it cost more but again it just looks right to me.

So now here is the figure after the first application of good old Elmers wood glue after it had dried.

And here is the second application after it had dried as well.

Okay so here is a side by side comparison of each stage. You cans see it builds up nicely to like a Pitcher's mound. You can also see that I had a gap problem with the trailing foot on all three of these figures  and the glue filled in the gap.

Here is a comparison shot of the wood glue base along with the Milliputty base. You can see a much cleaner looking base using the wood glue.

I am able to apply a single application to about 70 figures in an hour. Which is far better use of one's time the wood glue method is far faster and cost far less as well then the Milliputty and I think it make the figures look great. I let each application set over night before adding the next and let the next application set as well over night, now they are ready for painting.

Well I hope this helps one to choose the right look for their figure and that basing large amount of figures don't seem such a large task

Basing Part #2

Mounting the figures is just a basic mounting in an earlier post, Super Glue and washers, as to why I like the looks, now to add more to the base to build it up as to cover the molded figure's base and to give it a more level looking platform.

Where to go from here?

I'm using Milliput this is some really great stuff, it's a two part epoxy putty that air drys and no heating it to harden needed.

Tools needed Hobby knife and spatula tool.

So mix up two equal parts together until it has a uniform color and now your ready to work.

I take a little of it and roll it in to a little rope/worm.

Then wrap it around the base and cut away the extra.

I then press it all in and around the base with my fingers, don't worry about finger prints we will make them go away.

Next using a flat edge tool I cut the extra away from the base.

Then with very little water I use my spatula tool to smooth everything out.

As you smooth the base out you may have to cut some extra putty so just use you hobby knife and have it handy as you go.

Now I'm a little out of practice but with time and practice they will become much smoother.

Now set it aside and let the putty harden.

Once dried you can sand the base a little smoother 

Now they are ready for a base coat of paint and painting.

I like the looks of a just plain old base without anything like ground cover or clumps of grass, Being that I don't like the looks of clumps of grass on the base when gaming in an urban areas or any build up area in general for most part and what little gaming I do in the open fields or woods is somewhat limited and still has a nice look to them.

This is not saying that if you like the look of ground cover and clumps of grass on your bases then I say go for it, the idea here is to help those who wish to make better looking bases for just that.

When finished the bases will be painted with a medium gray color, which works very well for me and I really like the looks and it allows your finished painted figure to stand out a little more.

The extra putty not used at this time is not going to go to waste, plan ahead you can make sandbags and other things with the extra putty.

I know this may seem very basic or that is something that every body already knows but, not everyone dose know and there is not many tutorials out there showing the next generation of gamers as to how.

Basing Figures

I have seen a lot of folks out there basing their figures on coins, pennies here in the U.S. and the equivalent to such in many other countries, I myself had thought of doing such until I had seen someone basing their figures on washers, seeing the size of the washer and the size of the penny side by side with a figure mounted on each I knew then I needed to use washers.

The washer being smaller then the penny had a better look to them the base was much smaller and look better proportional to the figure. basically it just looked right to me. I know pennies are cheaper and washers cost more for a box of 100 they cost about $4 dollars for 1/4 inch size that's the hole diameter.

A bonus is that you can line the bottom of your storage box with magnetic strips to keep your figures in place while move such boxes around with very little to no harm to your figures.

Be sure to wash your figures first to remove all the mold release agents before you do any work with your figures.

Size wise the washer looks like the right size.

I like to use wax paper when mounting the figures to the base, I lay the wax paper down layout my washers the add Super Glue Gel to the washer then place my figure in place. the wax paper works well to prevent the washer and glue from sticking to any surface that you really don't want it to be glued too.

figures are from different suppliers but all look good mounted on washers

Now I can build up the base for it to look right. I like a smoother look to my bases just seems right to have a nice looking smooth base other then rocks and plants on the base when you have your figures running around an spaceship or building and the have plants all around their feet. where as when they are on open ground is not as noticeable.

My Small Terrain Objects Bases

For my gaming table I like a lot of little terrain pieces for duck and cover, and lets face it, most anywhere you go there is lots of stuff around to duck and cover and I can add lots of little bits in a hurry I mount them on Plexiglas that I get at my hardware place, 8 by 10 inch piece and less the 2mm thick for around 3 dollars and as a small sheet much easier to store and  handle then I can cut down to size as needed, you can cut it down to 1x1 inch, 2x2 inch fairly much any size dimension you want or need.

In addition I like to use this product because I don't need a saw of any kind, and no saw dust, I do end up with shavings that are easy to clean up.

All you need is a straight edge metal guide, rule, a marking pen and a Plexiglas cutter.

You can get a cutter like this one at almost any hardware store. As you can see this one is a little on the old side but still works for me.

Mark out the size you want, lay your straight edge guide on your marks, press down firmly and the drag the cutter towards you carefully following along the straight edge.

 


You need to make a few passes going both directions to insure you get to the edges at both ends of your cut  before you attempt to snap it off.

Once done clean the edges with an emery board, I like to use the ones you would use for finger nails and now your ready to move on to the next step, mounting your objects to the new bases.

I like to sit down and cut most of my general sizes I use all at once, that way I have stacks of bases ready to use.

 

Eight bases 20mm x 30mm.

Other things about Plexiglas it will not warp takes glues and paint well, plus any left over sizes or odd sizes you can use for your buildings' exteriors or other objects.

This is how I base my small terrain objects and I hope you find this useful have fun gaming.