"Basing multiple 15mm figures to a base" Topic

I am about to finish painting my very first 15mm (and historical!) miniatures, and I have some 2mm MDF bases coming in the post.

These miniatures are metal and are standing on small blocks of metal from the casting. It does not look easy to remove, and is not a mere tab that extends between the two feet, it is like they're on a small pedestal, with their feet flat on it.

If I glue them to the base like this, I think these 'blocks' will be visible through my basing material. I have seen some minis like this in some photos, and I really don't like it.

To date, I've only painted 28(+)mm Citadel miniatures. The sprue between feet was always easy to cut off so I could glue the feet directly to the base, or with the old slotta-bases, glue and sand would either cover up the tiny gaps that remained, or I'd fill quickly with milliput before basing.

Cutting each miniature off this "foot block" would take time, be error prone, and also require filing afterwards. This would be the neatest finish.

Or I could glue the figures and their "foot blocks" to the base and milliput around them. Again, time consuming, but also possibly they would still stand out despite such efforts.

What do you do?

Glue the metal bases to the card/wooden base and build the basing material around it. I think that's what almost everyone does. I use something heavier than glue and sand, though – at the moment, some "Modelling Paste" that was being sold in big pots in Lidl a couple of years ago. Doesn't by itself obscure the metal bases entirely, but by the time the rocks and flock have gone on the top….

Here's a madaxeman video with his approach – link

I use modeling paste as well to build up groundwork around the figure bases. I sometimes will also file down the bases a bit if they are very prominent, though this is time consuming and I only do it if there is a visible improvement on the final look.

I have also used a slurry of sand and white glue to build up the base, pretty cheap but not as durable.

I think using Miliput would be overkill.

Damon.

I'm not that fussy about some bits of the figure's base showing, generally good base texturing reduces its visibility to a minimum. If it is a problem for you then file the base down thinner and smaller before you prime the figure.

Personally I would never base a figure just by sticking its feet down – far too much risk of it coming loose.

I had to read this twice and I'm still not sure you aren't just putting us all on. I see though, that all your previous experience was with Citadel figures. You would have to be barking mad to try and trim the bases off.
Just glue the integral metal bases to your MDF bases and follow some of the suggestions offered here. Another method is wood putty.

I glue the figs to the base and then put down flock/basing material over a thick coat of white glue – seems to work pretty well

I just glue them to the base as is, and flock over it. Doesn't bother me to have it stich up a bit.

I stick them on the base and use quick drying Polyfilla, that comes in a tube like toothpaste, to build up the base to the level of the cast bases. It doesn't take very long to do and I prefer the look when the cast base is hidden in this way.

It would take longer with green stuff and I don't think you need epoxy putty for this job. I did some of my figures 30+ years ago and the filler hasn't chipped off in that time. When you paint the bases I'd suggest you paint in the edges as well as I think it's a good finishing touch. YMMV on that.

Stick them to the base and then just slather a load of PVA and sand around the figure bases. Paint and flock as desired.

Ok. I will try without any kind of filler first, to see if copious basing material can hide the cast base. If not, I will try some filler too.

Thank you all for your helpful replies. Basing seems to be the biggest learning curve for someone new to historical miniatures, such as myself.

Thanks Rupert!

You can put filler all over the base and then putting the figues in it. Usually the filler will work as a glue and 15mm models are so light, that it will hold.