"Converting and sculpting plastic figures with soldering iron" Topic

The fastest and most robust way I know of plastic miniatures conversion is to use a soldering iron. Well, it is not very precise, but is very useful to create not-uniformed hordes. I use a cheap stationary electric electronic soldering iron (pen-like). Glue sometimes fall apart, even pinned, weld never.

More at my blog:

link

I haven't tried mine yet, but looking at what you did makes me want to! Nice work.
Bob

I have a bunch of old school green army men and wanted to convert a squad to standing, kneeling or sitting and laying down but lost interest in my failed conversations.

I wonder how well this will work with Reaper Bones?

I would think this would work with hard as well as soft plastic as long as you get the temperatures correct. Excellent idea.

As long as you don't mind breathing some of the most dangerous toxins out there – or at least wear a top quality respirator. Melt plastic, create toxins. Simple formula.

Used to do the same thing, back in the 70's with a small screwdriver heated with a candle! And yes make sure you ventilate those fumes are evil.

Fatman

Thank You for all comments. Glad it may help a bit someone…

Early morning writer: thats why I wrote:

Secondly, safety again: the heated figures emit noxious fumes. Use the extract or work in the open air – I recommend a balcony, plot, garden, front of the garage.

I doubt if any mask could help. Aqualung probably. :)

Other tools that might help in some of this type work are heated Xacto Knives (or discount version there of)

link

link

Wood burning sets with changeable tips:
link

And for finer work Surgical Cautery Pens:
link

link

Try E6000 Glue: no heat, only fumes you will get, are from the solvent-based glue, as it hardens.

I recently purchased some cheap, Halloween plastic spiders at Michael's Craft Store, for use with fantasy games. I cut off two Elven female mage figures, from a Caesar's Fantasy Elves set of miniatures, to glue their upper torso's onto the spiders, to make Driders. I used E6000 glue to attach the two plastic pieces to each other (not the same types of plastic, as far as I can tell). The E6000 worked superbly. Now I am working on painting them for an upcoming game. Cheers!

You're right – surgical cautery pens would be best.

Second part of tutorial, this time regular units: HaT Indian Colonials:

link