Posted on your blog, but I'll re-post here…
Sand off all of the paint, and Wood Glue/White PVA Glue will bond much stronger (very much stronger…). Use 200 grit sandpaper. It won't take much sanding to strip off the paint.
School supplies go on sale in two months. No. 2 Pencils will be dirt cheap! Stock up then.
For smaller scale figures, use Bamboo Skewers, available at the supermarket. I believe they come in packs of 100, for <$2. They are around 12" long, so cut them in half, and double your yield! Depending upon the figure scale, you could even cut them in 1/3's, or 1/4's, tripling, and quadrupling your yield…
I would also suggest painting them with Minwax Polyshades Urethane Stain -- Royal Walnut. It will give them a dirty, worn look, for minimal effort. It will accumulate in the indentations made by the pliers.
Great idea, Paul. Thanks for sharing. Cheer!
