Tuesday 30 April 2013

Bolting models to bases

When recycling old miniatures, for some of them I had my doubts about how solidly they would adhere to their bases. In particular regarding metal chaos terminators or different types of running models which connect to the base only with one foot or only part of it.

A brand new plastic model will usually bond very well with it's plastic base, provided that the contact area is nice, clean and flat. With recycled models and their leftover and scraped off paint and glue this is something else.A small pin between base and model will probably do the job.

However - I like overkill!

I got myself some M2 size machine screws in sufficient length to go through the base and bite into the miniature. For the soft material we are dealing with here for the plastic, resin or white metal miniatures, just drilling a slightly undersized hole (1.5 mm for M2) does the job. Instead of using a thread-cutting bit next like you would in steel or anything else hard, one can just leave cutting the threads to the machine screw itself. It bites into the material nicely.

Combined with some superglue or plastic glue respectively, this bolts the miniature to the base and holds it resolutely in place while the glue sets. Also, as a bonus to this being threaded with a handy recess for a screwdriver, one can back it back out as needed.


The screws have also come in handy for cavallry models with hooves in the air and similar situations. It may be a bit weird, but it's very solid.

Sunday 28 April 2013

Warpsmith paintjob

This miniature is simply an awesome model right out of the mold. It is also for me personally the first model on which I was really happy with the paint job I had managed. Not that the many marines and zerkers look like they were dipped in candy paint, but I dare say I gained some skill points while dealing with them.

I attached the mecha-tentacles and the axe with magnets, since I figured it would be great to be able to reposition them and avoid them breaking off when nudged. That worked out beautifully.