"Cutting Your Wooden Bases: By Blade" Topic

12% say you cut your wooden bases out with an X-Acto knife/hobby knife

7% say you use an X-Acto micro-saw

6% say you use a razor saw

6% say you use sax (saw?) and miter box

39% say you buy pre-cut wooden bases
15% don't use wooden bases

TMP link

So 54% don't cut bases?

Four missing options:

1) Table Saw (dangerous, but possible)
2) Band Saw
3) Chop/Miter Saw
4) Laser Cutter

Cheers!

I use a jig saw for the long cuts and a miter to cut those down. Save a ton of $$$ on bases and if you pay attention and use a square as a guide it as close as one would ever really need.

Four missing options:

Most of those are in the poll, actually, I just didn't report on the options that didn't get many votes.

I cut 5/16 thick bases from Baltic birch ply used for floor underlayment which can be found at Home improvement stores. These sheets have lots of green +s on one side. Rip it on table saw and stack strips five high. Then wrap the pile in masking tape to prevent tear out. This "stick" is then cut into pieces on a miter saw. I also use a joiner to smooth the edges of the strips after the table saw and I smooth the edges from the miter cuts on sandpaper before removing the tape. I like these thick bases because they are easy to grab instead of the figures and there is room to affix labels to the backs.

Doing 1/8 veneer grade salvaged from an old tv cabinet back.

Just use a square and a thin bladed back saw. Hobby file to clean up the edges.

Looking at moving to a door veneer panel when I use up the cabinet sheet.

Had gotten some metal bases off ebay (second hand Wargames Accessories) and about a third were rejects – trapezoidal rather than rectangles. I can make better and not have to pay for them…

Missed that poll. Which doesn't specify whether the bases meant are for figures, vehicles/monsters, movement trays, or terrain.

I use depending on quantity and size:
- The Chopper hobby cutter.
- razor saw with miter box.
- x-acto knife with metal ruler.
- bandsaw.

The bandsaw is a relatively recent acquisition but nowadays I use it far more than anything else.

For terrain I have also used a jigsaw.

Stanley knife and steel ruler for 2/3mm MDF.

Very strong scissors for 2mm MDF.

I really want to get a Laser Cutter (likely the best tool for cutting figure/vehicle/terrain bases), but I need more than figure bases to justify its cost. It would be perfect for cutting bases out of thin materials (plywood, MDF, acrylic sheets, etc.). I know there are sites hosting files for model building cut-out's, but after I make as many as I need, then what do I use the Laser Cutter for?…

Working with my nephew, a professional carpenter, on the idea of sharing a Laser Cutter. Problem is, he would most likely want a professional grade, costing several thousand Dollars, and I just need a $300 USD model. >;-)

My nephew has cut me MDF bases, for very cheap, using his existing saws: Table Saw, Chop Saw. Having a difficult time justifying the need for a Laser Cutter other than I really want to play with one. Cheers!

I use a scroll saw and it works fine. Still have all my fingers and thumbs