John the OFM | 16 Aug 2014 7:39 p.m. PST |
Washers are a cheap medium on which to base skirmish game figures. However… There is the hole in the middle. To deal with that hole, I first put the washers on electric tape. This is the stretchable tape. washers are die punched. This means that you have a smooth face, and an edge that may have some sharp edges. First align your washers with the smooth edge DOWN. Press that face into the tape, making sure you stretch it taut. When you base the figure on the washer, use 5-minute epoxy glue. Fill the hole with the glue, and then dip the figure's base in the mixed glue. Put the figure on the washer, and if necessary, prop him up with other figures with fixed bayonets. If your base is absurdly skimpy, this will keep him upright until the epoxy polymerizes. Why the tape? This keeps the glue from puddling under the washer and having a lumpy uneven bottom. If you keep the smooth face down, you will have no problems with the die cut edge catching on fabric ground cloth. I do mine in strips of 10, and I leave the based figures on the tape while I spray prime them. To paint, just peel the tape off the bottom. One thing I do with absurdly small bases is to fill the hole with epoxy and then place a previously cut square of cardboard across the hole so the figure does not slip into the hole. Buy your washers in bulk at Home Depot or Loew's or other big distributor. You can buy boxes of 100 or more standard base sizes. One thing to watch is that washers are sold by the ID or Inner diameter. Hardware stores sell and measure washers to accommodate the bolts that go through them, and are less concerned about the OD or Outer Diameter that a wargame might be concerned about. Finally, fender washers have smaller holes, but are more expensive that plain bolt washers. Finally, I also recommend 5 minute epoxy over superglue because it is much cheaper and will not react with the electric tape. |
ernieR | 16 Aug 2014 7:43 p.m. PST |
i just use pennies , no holes and they're cheaper too ! |
nnascati | 16 Aug 2014 7:47 p.m. PST |
I just glue a bit of scrap paper over the hole with white glue, cheap and easy. |
Extra Crispy | 16 Aug 2014 7:53 p.m. PST |
I spread super glue around the hole and plop my figure on top. Never had one pop off. I have thousands of figures based this way… |
Sundance | 16 Aug 2014 8:29 p.m. PST |
For 15s, I cover the hole in a #8 or #10 washer with a 1/4" or 3/8" piece of cardstock from a hole-puncher. For 25s, I use 1" and the base of the fig always covers the hole so I don't worry about it. |
Balin Shortstuff | 16 Aug 2014 8:31 p.m. PST |
Other benefits to steel washers: lining the bottom of storage boxes with magnetic sheets so the figures wont slide around during transport. Bets are off if you drop it though. This I've tried. Glue cut sections of those sheets onto the top of unit bases. You can then put blank washers on the base and flock the rest, making the figures removable an relatively secure. I haven't tried this, so they fly in the ointment may be how good or bad the magnetic side holds glue or paint. |
nevinsrip | 16 Aug 2014 8:32 p.m. PST |
I use good old Goop and don't bother covering the holes. Never had a problem. |
Privateer4hire | 16 Aug 2014 10:54 p.m. PST |
Useful info. Thanks. Any tips to keep them painted (other than continually applying paint and dullcoating)? |
Ivan DBA | 16 Aug 2014 11:20 p.m. PST |
Good OP, with some helpful, practical advice. As you note, fender washers have a smaller hole, but are more expensive. I use them, because for me, the greater convenience is worth the extra expense. Why? Because most figures have a big enough integral base to cover the (smaller) hole. So just glue on the figure, and there is no hole, and no need for electrical tape, etc. Like John, I put the smooth side down, because I reckon it will hold to the magnetic sheet I line the carrying box with better. |
Ewan Hoosami | 16 Aug 2014 11:56 p.m. PST |
Fender washers are also thinner than bolt washers, providing a less chunky look to a textured finished base, Can't say I have ever had an issue where I have had to put tape over the centre hole, even on a bolt washer. Must be luck. I also use a board wrapped in cling wrap that I place my just glued or textured figures on to dry. This ensures that they don't glue themselves to to the workbench etc. |
Flashman14 | 17 Aug 2014 2:15 a.m. PST |
Usually the base of the mini covers the hole. On a multifigure washer, I cover the hole with masking tape then white glue it down for a hard surface, flip it over and put white glue and ballast to fill it level ad let that dry. I probably don't need the ballast bit but I don't want the center dipping later nor anything popping up through the bottom. |
Patrick R | 17 Aug 2014 5:12 a.m. PST |
I use Bison TIX contact gel, which is a universal glue. Holds pretty well and because the glue is slightly flexible unlike superglue or expoxy it will often survive a fall. |
Dave Crowell | 17 Aug 2014 5:23 a.m. PST |
I use 1" fender washers and Goop to base my 40mm and also 28mm for skirmish. Smooth face down and prime the washer and figure in one go. Works like a charm for me. For 15mm I use pennies, still haven't found a cheaper basing solution. |
ochoin | 17 Aug 2014 6:22 a.m. PST |
1c & 2c coins here are no longer legal tender & can be picked up on EBay for (as Ernie says) cheaper than washers, thicker & hence, easier to pick up without touching the figure. The other bonus is : no holes. |
Dynaman8789 | 17 Aug 2014 7:13 a.m. PST |
I use #6 washers for 6mm minis. I first put the mini on a chit from a standard hole punch (paint test color sheets are great for this!) then glue that to the washer. |
ming31 | 17 Aug 2014 7:20 a.m. PST |
I use masking tape but same general procedure |
legatushedlius | 17 Aug 2014 7:26 a.m. PST |
Seems like a lot or work. I find the base of a 28mm figure almost always covers the 8mm hole in the washers I use and any small gaps are filled by the plastic filer I use as basing material. I use superglue for just a few seconds drying time,and I have never had a figure come off a washer. For the very rare figures with small bases that would not have enough contact area because of the hole I stick a piece of aluminium tomato puree tube over the hole as the metal to metal sticks better than card and doesn't raise the overall height of the figure… |
Luisito | 17 Aug 2014 8:46 a.m. PST |
Hi I flip the washers , put them on a sheet of paper ,put a drop of white glue on each hole, let dry and voilą! you will have a flat surface to glue the figure. |
Luisito | 17 Aug 2014 8:49 a.m. PST |
…. Dont forget , the glue will shrink a bit. no need to fill the hole. |
Virtualscratchbuilder | 17 Aug 2014 10:01 a.m. PST |
I use circular garage sale stickers over the holes in my washers. Got that idea from RegimentGames. |
ubercommando | 17 Aug 2014 2:50 p.m. PST |
Nice tip. I have been using 1 and 2p coins but I hate to deface the Queen's coinage. |
BigNickR | 19 Aug 2014 9:12 a.m. PST |
fender washers and magnets inside the holes |
grommet37 | 19 Aug 2014 1:40 p.m. PST |
BigNickR wrote: fender washers and magnets inside the holes I like this idea. |
BigNickR | 19 Aug 2014 11:11 p.m. PST |
grommet37 wrote: <quote>I like this idea.</quote> ZD1 magnets link ($14 for a hundred) inside of 1" zinc fender washers link (like $3 USD for a hundred) under 20 cents per base and you can store them in cookie tins or on dollar store 9x13 trays link |