"6mm Skirmish Boards" Topic
20 Posts
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MrAverage | 06 Jul 2014 7:23 p.m. PST |
So, I've been working on GHQ hex tiles for 3mm scale, and I'm very enamored of the techniques involved in making the terrain – it's teaching me a lot about handling foam, flocking, sealer materials, etc. I've also been considering forays into Angel Barracks-style skirmish games, mainly because (first and foremost) AB makes it look so damn good, but also because I already have several 6mm forces on hand that could do double duty, in small numbers. A single pack of 6mm infantry (either C in C, Microworld Games, Angel Barracks, or Khurasan, if they ever go back online) would make a lovely set of skirmish squads, and I already have the tanks covered. So I'm wondering about skirmish boards for this. I'd been looking at foam, like the GHQ hexes I'm already using, as well as things like rubberized foam floor tiles, but something more weighty seems in order for some reason, probably because there's more active movement going on at the board level. AB, if you're reading, I'm curious about your boards, and how you made them. I'm considering 2'-square half-inch poplar plywood, which can be had in pre-cut panels, to wit. I'm also considering unconventional ideas like round panels. At inch-to-centimeter, one-to-one scaling of a game like Gruntz or Stargrunt (or, yes, KR-16, which I haven't read yet, but just downloaded), 2' by 2' gives the equivalent of a 5' x 5' area. Some contouring with foam for hills and dales, and some AB and Brigade buildings, it seems just the thing. Plus, with an $7 USD overhead (plus shipping, naturally), it doesn't require getting too far in to make a board or two, if it ends up going wrong. So has anyone else thought of this, or tried it, or anything? Would you use 1/2" or 3/4"? Any thoughts on contouring, topping, etc.? Any advice from the TMP groupmind would be both welcome and valuable. |
Angel Barracks | 06 Jul 2014 11:23 p.m. PST |
I have 2 boards at the moment. A 2' x 2' and a 3' x 3'. I will find my old WIPs and post after I have taken my daughter to school and what not. I hope you have a go. It is great fun. Michael. |
Logain | 06 Jul 2014 11:35 p.m. PST |
I've made a couple sets of 2 x 2 skirmish boards using 12 inch industrial vinyl tiles. They are an 1/8 inch thick and about 60 cents each. They stack nicely, can be rotated for more variety etc. I am also a big fan of using 12 inch cork tiles for contouring. Good luck! |
Angel Barracks | 07 Jul 2014 1:51 a.m. PST |
You will have to get through the settlement WIP to get to the start of the actual board. It is 3/4" chipboard. TMP link
I appear to have stopped at the flocking stage, but that is no real mystery I guess. This was my first board. I did a second for several reasons. Firstly the big chipboard one is heavy. Secondly it is not 100% practical. Whilst the undulating textured surface is pretty it does mean that some of my based terrain does not sit flat on it. Not the end of the world at all but it is not quite how I like it. My smaller one is a TSS tile re-flocked. Much flatter lighter and smoother, but not as pretty. It is that balance between pretty and practical. Annoyingly I have come to the conclusion that 2.5` x 2.5` or 2.5` x 3` would be best for me! If (when) you start the board and games I would be honoured if you would join my forum and share your work/fun/joy.
link |
Extra Crispy | 07 Jul 2014 6:43 a.m. PST |
Here's my take/tutorial: link |
MrAverage | 07 Jul 2014 10:18 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the advice everyone! AB, as I suspected, you're hitting closest to the mark of what I have in mind. By chipboard I assume you mean particle board? Like big pieces of pressed wood flakes? That sounds like it'd be lighter, but I guess the stuff is pretty heavy, especially 3/4" material. I'm feeling 1/2" ply, myself. Finish grade poplar will be a nice medium density, good weight. It'll be heavy, but I look on that a something of a minor advantage, since skirmish games lend themselves to a higher than average degree of granularity in placing the figures, so a good hefty board would reduce knocks, snags and pulls that so often plague my game mats around the club. Barring some major turnover in sentiment there, these will be personal projects, anyway. The planet I'm modeling is going to be 94 Burgess-III, a cold, barren planet with a narrow boreal belt, barren tropics and large icecaps. The main settlements are water stations and frontier settlements, being raided by the Foundationists for parts, chemicals, weapons, and, more ominously, recruits. The defenders are the union militias of the Burgess Water Syndicate, and their hired mercenaries, primarily the Third Federated Rifles (and later, the Earthlight Division). There's also the potential for alien governments to become involved as well – the system lies at the crux of two Batollic States (Relian-Kru and Blix – I have my eye on Onslaught OTC figures for them). Not to mention the native Burgessians, who call themselves the Chk (Onslaught Avians) and are not happy to have their planet settled by offworlders. But enough of that. Practical matters, here! So here's the thought – would one typically advise against or in favor of permanent contours? I know that to some extent it's a matter of preference, but still – I've no experience with this so far and have only my instincts to go on. My inclination is permanent – making a given board a bit more like a diorama. I'd like natural slopes, so far as possible, with no actual stepping of terrain. On the other hand, permanently attaching terrain limits the flexibility of any one board. And as you say, it makes terrain harder to mount, trees and such, I suppose. Maybe I just commit to making individual boards for key battlefields and just go all the way with the "diorama" approach? Hmh. By the way, AB, I'm happy to post over on your forum. Hopefully you won't mind if I'm using other rules sets as well, though! |
Angel Barracks | 07 Jul 2014 10:30 a.m. PST |
Oh yes please post, there is a section for 'other rules' when it comes to game reports. But any 6mm skirmish goes in the gallery, not bothered about what rules you use. I would go permanent but leave some flat areas for BUA type structures. High edges of the table may work? Tricky isn't it. I am going to have a rural board (either my 2' x 2' or my bigger 3` x 3`) and an 'urban' board which will be smaller and jammed full of buildings for CQB. The rural is what you see now. The urban will be mostly flat mud which will give a nice smooth surface to place lots of dwellings near the centre of the board. I want to do a river board at some point too! Background sounds very cool.
Oh and yes, that sounds like chipboard, possibly a bad move in the long run!
Anyway, do what feels right and please share the 6mm sci-fi skirmish love. |
sharkbait | 07 Jul 2014 3:16 p.m. PST |
Like Logain, I use the industrial vinyl tiles: 9 "desert-ish" and 9 "grassy." I like Extra Crispy's idea. BTW EC, what store did you find that box in? Michaels/JoAnn Fabrics? |
MrAverage | 07 Jul 2014 8:38 p.m. PST |
Took the plunge and ordered two boards. Now to do some designing while I wait for them to ship. |
MrAverage | 12 Jul 2014 6:15 p.m. PST |
I've started the build. I'm chronicling the effort over on Angel Barracks' forum. link |
Angel Barracks | 13 Jul 2014 2:51 a.m. PST |
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MrAverage | 13 Jul 2014 7:34 a.m. PST |
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MrAverage | 19 Jul 2014 10:09 a.m. PST |
Still making progress on this board.
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MrAverage | 20 Jul 2014 10:59 a.m. PST |
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Weasel | 21 Jul 2014 3:41 p.m. PST |
Do keep posting updates. Very cool :) |
MrAverage | 21 Jul 2014 7:21 p.m. PST |
Thanks! It's actually turned out to be much easier than I thought! A little color, a little texture, and, until some outpost buildings arrive from the UK, I'm basically done.
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Thomas Nissvik | 22 Jul 2014 2:37 a.m. PST |
Very nice! I've had an off-and-on project of about ten years now for playing ACW in 6mm on a book shelf. I think I just got another burst of inspiration. Thanks! |
Weasel | 22 Jul 2014 11:48 a.m. PST |
I know you posted dimensions but would you mind plopping a few 6mm tanks and infantry stands on there just to get a visual feel for the size? |
Angel Barracks | 22 Jul 2014 11:51 a.m. PST |
He has, on the 6mm forum: link ;)
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Weasel | 22 Jul 2014 2:57 p.m. PST |
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