"Basing 6mm figures - thick or thin bases" Topic

I am in the process of rebasing a load of 6mm Renaissance figures I bought second hand. I am currently torn between thin plasticard bases or 2mm MDF.

I have lots of spare MDF bases and they would make the models easier to handle on the table but it does mean a very significant pedastal effect.

Plasticard bases would be much less intrusive visually but would make the models more at risk of damage from use.

My intent is to use 16-24 6mm infantry on a 40mm by 20mm base for FoG:R.

Does anyone else have experience of this type of basing.

I use thin bases for Age of Eagles with the 15mm base sizes – which are roughly 3/4 X 1 inch; I put 9 figures on them (i.e. they are pretty crowded)

At this scale a thick base would look a bit odd

For larger units the thicker bases seem to look pretty good

I use 2mm mdf for larger units (60x60mm) but prefer thin bases for smaller units – but I do have to be careful when handling the thinner bases to prevent figure damage.

I agree with Frederick that thick bases with small units at this scale are visually overpowering in my opinion.

Kevin

I use thick bases bases for my smaller figures (6mm), I find that it aids in picking the base up by the base itself as opposed to the figure. Also, thick bases allow one to write the regiment/unit name on the back side of the base with a small flag.

If you are going to group the bases into FOG battle groups then thicker bases have the edge [sic] because they will be much easier to keep lined up.

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Thin. I use the metal bases from Wargames Accessories (purchased from the friendly folks at Brookhurst). You do have to be more careful handling them, though.

Doug

My infantry units will be 6 bases in total so 12cm by 4cm, just made up of 6 bases. I suspect that 2mm bases are the best way to go.

Thin for me. If touching the figures is a concern then put something on the back for the handler to touch. Small grout tile spacers cut in the shape of a T work very well.

I'd go with thicker. It means that you can handle the bases without continually touching and potentially damaging the figures themselves.

As for the step effect, this disappears when you look at the figures on the table when playing a game. It is only really noticeable when the bases are viewed from front on, and unless you lie down at eye level to play your games then this shouldn't really be an issue…

I used thick bases to limit figure damage. Painting the edge to match the top of the base (or even a lighter shade to compensate for shadows) can help:

I use the same thickness of bases for 6mm as I use for 2mm, 15mm, 20mm and 54mm stuff. Artists mounting board with magnabase on the bottom. So roughly 2mm and on the thicker side.

Dunno how applicable this is to crowded stands, but figured I'd throw the idea out there anyway…

For my Crossfire stuff I use plasticard and -since I've got a bunch of them lying around from my aircombat-mounting project- insert a tiny (1/16" dia) magnet into a hole in the stand…

This allows me to use a pin (or nail or …?) to do the bulk of the moving/handling, reducing the damage/wear potential on the figs…

…and at the same time provides a convenient storage aid (on a metal-sheethed tray)…

I use 3mm thick bases. It protects the models from handling and it doesn't look bad to me.
Previously, I used 1.5mm bases and felt they were too thin.

Put me in with the thicker bases crowd.

Thick bases. It prevents or helps reduce figure damage.

These are based on 2mm MDF.

Steve

Interesting debate, I've been having the same question over a 6mm fantasy project. I have lots of 0.8mm bases for 2mm, but am worried about warping and figure handling, so have been leaning towards Litko's 1.8mm stuff.

I have been using 20thou plastic card bases for my 6mm figures, but have recently started using 40thou as it give me something to hold on to. However I do think gweirda method could be a good idea.

I am currently using 2mm MDF for my 6mm WWII desert stuff:

Use thick bases, then your opponents with 15mm figures won't notice your 6mm figures ;-) Kidding of course.

I would probably go somewhere in between thick and thin. Thick enough to not touch the figures when moving or picking them up. Thin enough so your army doesn't appear like they are relatives of Goliath!

2mm is fine. I use 3mm for mine

I find 2mm to be a good thickness for small scale stuff.

I use steel bases where I can, very strong and thin.

I pick the 'bases' up by the figures themselves, they are varnished and I am careful.
No damage in many years of playing.

I use 3mm (1/8") mdf or plywood. I obtain them from either Litko (plywood) or B Company Bases (mdf).

Well, I went for the 2mm (closer to 2.5 actually) MDF

I use thin plasticard for mine. Thinner the better otherwise they look awful.

Thinner looks better. The images of stand-alone thick-based stuff looks fine on the workbench, but on terrain you tend to see rectangles. Here's an example of thin-based 6mm DBA, using plastic card. The bases have a small undercut plastic rectangle on one corner, which was originally intended to facilitate picking up the bases with tweezers. (In actual use, however, we usually just pick them up by the figures themselves. This works because they are so light-weight, that almost no finger pressure is required.)

MH

I've gone down both roads recently with my 08 3mm figs, so any issues involving a pedestal effect are only compounded.

6 months ago, maybe more, I started off with 3mm thick Litko bases. After one attempt I changed my mind and spent a year trying out plastic card. Recently I went back to the Litko bases, and although I may go thinner next time I order, I wouldn't return to plastic card. The reason is that its very, very hard to make plastic card match up perfectly, so that you get some gaps inbetween your bases. That may not annoy you, but it annoys the heck out of me, as I'm trying to do 2:1 regiments with accurate field formations. Also, the bigger your bases are the less the pedestal effect will be noticeable, I think. Personally, I'm sticking with Litko from now on.

I use Litko 3mm (thick)bases; I feel it's the best compromise between being able to handle the bases and still very thin.

Regards,

J. P. Kelly