Bases

mikelosaurus

Mongoose
Two random questions to do with ship bases:

- Has anyone else noticed that the base piece that comes with the new large ball-and-socket flying bases doesn't actually stand properly flat on the table? Or did I just get a couple of freak bases with one of my orders?

- Has anyone got any spare little round metal bases (the ones that come with stuff like the WS fighters) that they might be happy to sell or trade? Are there any other sources online where I could obtain some?
 
No; all my flying bases, both small and large, seem to sit correctly on the table. Here's my Shadow fleet.

Have you glued the columns into the bases already? If not, have you tried removing the columns and checking that the bases by themselves don't sit flat? If it's the whole unit which isn't sitting flat, perhaps part of the column is sticking out of the underside of the base.
 
Unfortunately, I can't be much help either. I'm also saving the smaller small bases and getting rid of the newer ones. If anyone wants newer small bases however, give me a shout...
 
M1ndr1d3rs said:
I don't mind the new ones.. you could always NOT put the ball and socket on...

The stem's narrower, though. The ball-and-socket bases are rubbish. I've ordered a load of bases from GW, they're better all around and fairly cheap at £5 for 32 or something silly like that.
 
For my Shadow Scouts, I had no choice - the socket is too big to fit between the underside spines, so I had to leave it off. The stem fits well enough into the hole in the model, though.

The big ships were another matter. There's nothing to get in the way of the socket, but the lug on the socket is too big and won't fit into the model; I tried enlarging the hole, overdid it a bit, and ended up gluing the socket onto the model. More recently I got a pair of White Stars, also with ball-and-socket stands, and the sockets fitted them perfectly.

And after that, I seem to be the only one round here who actually likes the ball-and-socket stands! They're probably less appropriate for lumbering capital ships, but the White Stars and Shadow ships look good banking in various directions. It's just a shame the Scouts can't join in on the act for a proper display of a Red Arrows style formation break. :)
 
Lord David the Denied said:
M1ndr1d3rs said:
I don't mind the new ones.. you could always NOT put the ball and socket on...

The stem's narrower, though. The ball-and-socket bases are rubbish. I've ordered a load of bases from GW, they're better all around and fairly cheap at £5 for 32 or something silly like that.

I usually shorten the stems a bit... As for larger ships... well, metal stands are really the only sure way to go...
 
I'm building my own stands, still working on the connector details, but its going to be brass rods with either grub screws or barrel/torpedo clasps so I can unscrew the mini from the base :)
 
l33tpenguin said:
I'm building my own stands, still working on the connector details, but its going to be brass rods with either grub screws or barrel/torpedo clasps so I can unscrew the mini from the base :)

I like the sounds of that, secure and yet easy to transport aswel. If you don't mind me asking do you have any pics of the process?

Rich
 
I will, once I have all the materials to start building them. I'm limited to doing any shopping on line, and I want to get the smallest possible connecters I can. I'm having a real hard time finding screws in the size I want (1-2mm diameter). I *KNOW* they are out there, I've found sites that reference them or sell them in a 'bulk' mix with other sized screws :(
 
cadno ap annwn said:
l33tpenguin said:
I'm building my own stands, still working on the connector details, but its going to be brass rods with either grub screws or barrel/torpedo clasps so I can unscrew the mini from the base :)

I like the sounds of that, secure and yet easy to transport aswel. If you don't mind me asking do you have any pics of the process?
I use brass tubing and barrel clasps with a similar method.
http://www.star-ranger.com/BasingMinis.htm
 
Thats very similar to what I have in mind. Except I don't want the extra ring part in there. I want smooth, 1/8 inch brass rods with screw bits at the end. hopefully I can find some very small torpedo clasps or barrel clasps. Although I think I'm going to have more luck using grub screws or chopping off small screws and then using itty bitty nuts to connect.

I really do like the screw in bases, though. Secure, removable bases are teh win
 
Some cheap barrel clasps in the UK

http://www.beadsneeds.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1420

Barrel01.jpg


The hooks come off easily and the length is 15mm, width 3mm.
 
My woman just sent me a care package, which included some barrel clasps of difference sizes. I'm hoping the smallest will be able to fit inside the 1/8 inch tubing I have back in my room. I'll find out after work. Against a ruler they measured between 3 and 4mm wide, so I'm not sure if they will work. I might just have to break down and use the same method as shown by star ranger.

I plan on making the stems of my bases in different heights, dependant on PL. Patrol will be 1" tall, skirmish 1 1/2" tall, and up through Armageddon at 3 1/2" tall. This will accomplish a couple things. 1: it will give a layered look to my fleet, that I think will look impressive and 2: it will allow my ships to overlap better when they are closer together, without the models hitting one another.
 
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