"Movement Trays - Best Options - Are you using them?" Topic

For those that use movement trays, who is making the best these days. I know some people like the do it yourself method, but there has to be some really good manufactures out there.

I have been collecting old school GW miniatures. Namely Chaos Dwarf, Hobgoblins, Orcs and Goblins.

I have some older GW plastic movement trays, that are the 105mm by 55mm and 105mm by 80

The Orcs I have are 25mm, so I can only get 4 figures wide.

How are you playing it? 5 or 6 figures wide and 3 or 4 rows.

Which mass combat system are you using?

I like the Shogun metal trays, with flanged edges on three sides. I am basing all my fantasy individually (for Lion/Dragon Rampant and other skirmish/RPG), then using 40mmX40mm or 50mmX50mm trays to base the figures. I can put 4 trays together for playing Piquet, or 4-6 together for WHFB or similar systems. I hate units that have more ranks than files, so my ideal unit is 6x4 figures for infantry.

I make my own movement trays.
I get thin plywood plaques from craft stores and cut them to the right size. I also do the same with Masonite.
I then glue balsa or basswood lips around three edges, leaving the rear open.
Spray with khaki camo paint and flock to taste.
Most of mine are wide enough to accommodate a unit of TSATF "true 25mm" regular infantry in two ranks, with plenty of room in the rear to go into open order.

The nice thing about this is that the bases are cheap and you are not limited by formation.

When I was playing Warhammer, I made my own. First I just used cardboard, then using cut up street signs (1mm plastic sheet) and GW sprue.

I did 6 across and 4 rows of lizardmen
I did 6 across of skinks and then 2 Kroxigors with a column of skinks on each side and one row behind.

I also make my own for Warhammer and related games. I use Evergreen sheet plastic, cut to the exact dimensions (I usually go over by 1mm though, since paint can take up enough space to alter fit), and use L-shaped strip plastic to form the edge. Neat and cheap.

Damon.

I think the OP wants them pre-cut,right? Except for 6mm,I like the steel bases from Wargames Accessories in Florida;I line my boxes and drawers with magnetic sheet,which keeps them secure.Here:

wargameaccessories.com

And they can cut to specifications,if they don't carry your size.

Several shops and retailers also carry them--I've always bought them at cons.

I make my own for TSATF. Each native unit has three bases in three sizes. The first holds 10 figures, the second holds 6 figures and the third holds 4 figures. When moving I measure from the front tray and move the rear. As losses are taken the short trays are removed first.

Warbases:

link

I make my own, using vinyl peel-n-stick floor tiles, for use with my 2nd Ed. BattleSystem games (mass fantasy battles rules, based on 2nd Ed. AD&D RPG). Mine are covered with green craft foam, adhered to the glue side of the tile, then painted a darker green. Since they are custom cut to size, I have exactly what I need.

Cost is minimal: $0.39 USD/square-foot tile + $0.69 USD(?) for a sheet of craft foam = $1.08 USD for roughly 4-9 trays, depending upon sizes? For me, this is the best option. YMMV. Cheers!

I use Litko bases and trays.

link

I use Sarissa Precision. 2x3 and 2x2 bases. For mounted that is 2x3 or 2x1. I have a few larger bases but have come to prefer making large formations out of smaller elements.

Sarissa and Litko are both top notch. I get faster service from Sarissa though and I am in US.

I bought Warbases movement trays for 25mm rounds. Sadly, I don't like them. There is just too much room between bases and in a game of millimeters I need those boys tight!

Anybody make movement trays for 25mm round bases that are tight?

@ skipper John
For my Dark Age figures, which I use for skirmish requiring individual figures as well other rules, such as Dux Bellorum, using units, I bought some steel bases 100mm X 50 cm, (other sizes are available) from Products for WarGamers, sprayed them green and then mounted my magnetically based individual figures on them. That way they are tight up against each other, both in ranks and files and can be moved around easily.

another vote for shogun trays…very nice solution!

I always used to make my own, but for the last few years I've bought a lot of bases and trays from Shogun Miniatures. shogunminiatures.com Great, friendly service, and he makes an effort to keep the postage costs down. Never had a mistake in an order and he will even do custom sizes, though that may be because I'm a regular.

I'm a big fan of Litko….they do my bases and movement trays.

CD Jewel case lids will work.

Anyone order from Shogun lately? The number listed on the website doesn't appear to work and I haven't heard back yet via email.

I love Shogun. I have ordered recently. they do take a few days or so to get back to you.

Another vote for Shogun. Takes a few days but worth it.

Styrene is so easy to work with I wouldn't recommend any other material. Rigid, score/snap to cut, assembles with model cement (styrene solvent cement that fuses the pieces together). Can carve, sand, file to shape. Can use any kind of filler (epoxy putty, wood filler, acrylic filler.)

The Citadel modular movement tray set is excellent for making any size movement tray. Styrene you cut along marks to size. GW may have discontinued as I don't see on their website any more but perhaps your local hobby shops still have some.

Before I used those I used styrene sheet and strip stock to make my own. (You could use sprue for the rails as many people allude to.) When I had old school Warhammer movement trays, I would save time by trimming one and attach to another to make custom sizes, with added pieces of styrene if needed.

For mass combat I've played Warhammer Fantasy Battle for years, am now flirting with Kings of War. Local hobby store group is trying out 9th Age.