"Separating figures supplied in strips" Topic

Prompted by a post here on TMP about basing 6mm figs, by SteveM

TMP link

I posted something on my blog

link

… about separating figures supplied as strips. I've done this with both 6mm (mainly Adler), and 10mm (Old Glory).

I do it before painting, as it allows me to paint more easily, and to base with complete freedom (although I've yet to base any of the several 1000 figs I have!).

Does anyone else do this, and if so, when, and why?

Funny – I use the exact same snipper for cutting my Adlers.

The lean is no problem, as you can base them any angle you want with the formerly mentioned white glue + superglue method. My adlers stand straight as an arrow :-)

I have quite a lot of Kallistra, which I think are great figures, some of them (e.g. Eastern European medieval infantry) are cast in strips with figures behind each other. They are a real pain to separate-easy enough to divide two by two using a pair if wire cutters, but the pairs are often linked by a weapon, such as a spear, as well as the base. Consequently, all my figures are double ranked. Not a major problem, although it means I use twice as many figures per base as some of my opponents, who use figures which are cast singly or in strips with figures side by side.
I usually separate the figures pre painting, otherwise there is potential for real damage. The Adler figures I have (ACW) are also treated in the same way. Not had any of the " leaning issue" with these.
Not all of the Kallistra ranges are like this, for example the Romano-British infantry are cast side by side, making a perfect Warmaster size frontage. I noticed recently that they are also starting to do some individually cast infantry.

I have a bunch of the old Minifigs "Stick figures" from the '70's, as I recall I used electrician's cutters to seperate them. The one's you used didn't work so good on the thicker lead.

This is one of the reasons most of my formed infantry in 6mm is Baccus. Their strips are side by side on a 20mm frontage. So I just paint the strips and base them whole!

I separate cavalry and artillery before painting. I find it easier as well.

Seems odd way to it to me. Just take the strip gently bend it to a curve which spreads the figures, a sticky fixer on a dowel length or old paint pot and you have plenty of room around the figs to paint them. Then just straighten out the strip back to its 22mm length and base by the strip. Easy.
L