"Removing Pre-molded flags" Topic

Hi,

Has anyone removed pre-molded flags so you can add paper flags? I have a horrible time painting flags and I'm looking for (hopefully) an easy way to remove them. If it helps I'm currently working on 10mm figures.

Thanks

Depends on the figures and how the flags are molded. Essex tends to mold the flags around the colour bearer which looks dramatic, is a to paint, and absolutely defies removal.

The flags I need to remove are above the flag holder but bottom edge is attached to the figures hat.

No easy way for most that I have come across- probably quicker to improve your painting skills!

I largely used pre-made flags on a pole, so I clip as much of the pole off of the figure (15/18) and glue the new one over it. At that scale the old one largely disappears.

VicCina
For the figure you describe I have occasionally remove the flag and the head and then replaced the head. A couple times I have cut away the arm, shoulder and head and then replaced. This is difficult work and has usually resulted in destroying multiple figures (which in 10mm is not that costly)

In the end I generally go the way of historygamer!

Good question however – maybe someone will have the silver bullet.

agreed with the Essex figures … I can't work out the complex folds of the flag … and how they match an actual flag ..

What are you using to "Clip off" the pole from your figures?

I did think about doing the head/arm swap but haven't tried it yet.

"What are you using to "Clip off" the pole from your figures?"

I have used wire cutters to remove just the flag. Snipped the flag off filed the rough edges and folded a paper flag over the pole, covering the remains of the original flag. You could even snip the flag and file down the remains to have a furled/cased flag.

On "clip off" I generally use x-acto knives (chisel blades). Same for working on figures. The tricky part is getting figure and blade exactly positioned to make the cut(s)(again this is in 10mm). Modeling clay is sometimes useful to hold everything in position. Sort of like cutting diamonds – you get only one shot at it. And yes – blood has been an occasional result so be careful! So far no lost fingers though
:-)

Yes, I score both sides along the shafts with a exacto knife
then keep scoring until it breaks off, a fine file to clean it. I work with 15mm

Yes. I generally remove the whole staff if possible. Replace it with piano wire or a decent steel pin. attach flag to wire / pin and job done.

I took the cowards way out and just bought some standard bearers from Pendraken! Works fine for me.

I use a hobby tool clipper (good for cutting models from sprues, etc). I sometimes will file down remnants or shape with an exacto blade.

"I took the cowards way out and just bought some standard bearers from Pendraken! Works fine for me."

The figures I'm working with are from Pendraken. :-)

I am in the "replace the complete pole" camp.

The cast poles (espcially for 15/18mm) often look like the man is carrying a telephone pole. The cast poles are often fragile and bend/break.

So last night I took the plunge and grabbed a spare figure and clipped off the flag and then using a dremel drilled out the flag pole. So far everything went well. Only a dozen to go.

Removing the whole pole seems to be the preferred method among our other customers. We stopped doing cast-on flags a few years back now as most folks prefer the bare pole.

Which range is it you're working on?

The Renaissance Range. I bought the current figures off of Ebay.

That must be the Samurai or the Landsknechts then I'd think? Not a lot of options for alternatives there unfortunately… :(

They are the Landsknechts.