"Thinng integral bases" Topic

Looking for help on thinning bases, respond here or on my blog

tyler.provick.ca/?p=727

A belt sander would probably work best, but hand filing can be done too. A handheld dremel will also work, but even more care than for the belt sander will be needed.

Wear a face mask to avoid inhaling the dust, and goggles.
You may need gloves too, since they metal may become hot from the friction.

I use the less abrasive stone on a bench grinder. Just need to do it in stages so the figure does not get too hot (to hold).
Goggles, mask etc are recommended but ….

I'd use a good metal file – safer, but it may take a bit of time. I used a Dremel for some Victrix – but those are plastic, of course Good luck, in any case.

Hand tools. Always hand tools.

If you're going to hold a figure to a belt or wheel, you probably ought to be wearing a welder's mask, if not full pistol-proofed Milanese plate. You'll know why the first time it tears a figure out of your hands and turns it into a lethal projectile.

And when the emergency room surgeon asks, "Why, is that a kettledrummer from the War of Jenkin's Ear stuck in your thigh?"

Allen

Left handed?

Sandpaper. Rub the figure back and forth on it until done.

Well, one question is how you do your basing.

I'm a big fan of the "Armalion" 20mm square bases available from Ral Partha Europe. They have a round depression that can really save a lot of work.

Put the integral base in the slot, fill with putty or whatever you prefer as needed. This will work without modifying the integral base on many figs. If the integral base is too big, it's usually too wide/too large in diameter – which is usually a quick "brute force" fix with clipper/knife because rough edges will disappear at the putty stage.

Obviously, they're only useful if 20mm square for individual figs (and, uh… I think 20x50 for cavalry) and grouping these with regimental bases is an option for you.

BTW, for some poses (generally, "stepping" positions), brute force removing most of the integral base to fit the fig into a slot base works like a charm.

I use round washers for modern games.

Dear Forum,

In regard to a "thinning of existing metal bases", my question is removing painted miniature figures that are 15mms, from "Empire" wargame bases, in order to rebase for "Napoleon's Battles" wargame rules.

These are based on steel bases, heavily flocked, and sometimes with static grass; possibly glued with a CA glue, rather than Elmer's white-glue…..all are 15mm "Elite" foot figures(French Old Guard, Middle Guard, or Russian Guard foot figures)….need advice on removing them all without destroying the miniature figures.
Exacto knife blades #11, have been used already by me, without any success, with only loss of my blood, to show for my efforts!

Help!

Sincerely,
Wayne

If you suspect CA glue, try an eyedropper with a (scant) drop of acetone on one sacraficial figure. Acetone breaks a CA bond almost instantly. Try to simply flood a small amount onto the base joint sideways, since acetone also attacks most paint bonds too. (Definitely don't dip!)

To hold a base securely so you can slice and hack with Exacto blades without exsanguinating yourself through the fingertips, invest in a small c-clamp. Pad the jaws with a little foam so they don't rip at the base and it will give you a large enough object to hold that you won't immediately stab yourself if the knife wavers or skips.

Acetone should do the trick. If it's epoxy than try heating up the base with a hair-dryer, epoxy doesn't stand up to heat.

Or for that matter, if they are metal, put them in the oven at 200 for a half hour or so. Won't hurt the metal at all.