"Alternative to CDs as bases? " Topic

I love the low profile of CDs for scatter terrain bases but don't love the perfect circle shape. Can anyone recommend alternative bases (commercially made) or your DIY solution?

Cheers,
Dave

Dollar store floor tile, in 1'x1' squares but easy to cut. Usually 33 cents/sheet.

I have some slightly thicker Home Depot floor tile that is ok and I've done some tree bases with it, but it's more prone to warping.

Lots of MDF companies will do terrain bases for you.

Warbases in the UK certainly do.

link

There's quite a few vendors out there who make and sell pre-cut MDF bases. I think these are well worth the money, especially if you're like me and don't have any kind of power saws or power tools for cutting MDF.

I HAVE cut MDF shapes by hand with a hand saw from a larger sheet of MDF. But it's a freaking nightmare and took me a whole day to do a dozen pieces.

Here's a pretty good set for a decent price:

link

Also on Ebay there's a bunch of vendors that sell sets of pre-cut MDF bases:

auction

Buy a cheap Jigsaw and a Sander. Buy 2 foot by 6 ft sheet of hard board and cut random shapes. Cut out with jigsaw and the bevel the edges with sander and your all set.

Bill D

Wackmole9 has left out a step or two:

-Buy an outdoor work table, so that you don't have MDF shavings inside your apartment

-If necessary (e.g., you live in an apartment in Queens and don't have any outdoor space where you can use power tools), rent a commercial space to do the work

Neither of the tools recommended are very large or difficult to use.

For scatter terrain bases, I have used thin mouse pads that I got from a Japanese dollar store (either Ichiban Kan or Daiso). They came in green, tan, and blue, took spray paint very well, and were easy to cut with scissors.

I have also used an old, dark brown, cotton, broadcloth shirt, and that has worked pretty well.

Boy Wundyr X,

Dollar Store has floor tiles now? Wow. I've been away too long.

Dan

Super cheap/thin ones – I wouldn't actually tile a floor with them, except maybe the dog's house. Look around the doormat shelves.

These buildings are based on them:

(the dark gray/black mat is also from the Dollar Store)

I have seen floor tiles at Dollar Tree for years.

What's a few MDF shavings in the wargame room? Sweep them up and toss them. The jigsaw and sander are cheap and easy to use. I am not handy and even I have a belt sander and jigsaw. I like to buy tools at Harbor Freight Tools. They are usually very cheap and almost disposable. Since my skills are low, it makes little sense to buy quality tools. OSH is my next choice, sometimes they are as inexpensive as Harbor Freight Tools.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
bunkermeister.blogspot.com

You can also score and snap the edges off of the cds to make straight edges. Then they can sit next to each other on the table and give a better look.

Plasticard. Several thicknesses available. Just make sure it is still thin enough to cut with scissors. I then use a caulk spread over it. Cover with fine ballast and some small stones. Dry. Then dark basecoat followed by some lighter drybrushing. Then add whatever you want. I do this for building bases and terrain pcs.

If you want square/rectangular bases, a miter saw/chop saw is your best bet. A table saw will hurl small pieces being cut, at very fast speeds, usuaĺly into your person… Got the marks to prove it.

A 10" miter/chop saw will handle aĺl hobby sizes, usuaĺly. Since the blade rotates such that it pushes the material against the guard, away from you, stuff won't fly at and hit you! Great for cuttiing small pieces like 1"-squares. A 10" saw can be purchased for <$100, on sale. Cheers!

Spread out irregular patterns of silicon caulk over plastic wrap with putty knife. Can use brown silicon and then no need to paint you can just flock it. for water type pieces use clear and paint underside blue-green to brown for ponds/lakes.
They will lay over any terrain you put them on. You can inset with objects too before it dries like rocks, tree, standing foliage.

Go to the larger hobby/craft stores. A lot of them have a pile of wooden shapes that work very well for basing things.

Thanks for all the great suggestions!