Gallocelt | 12 Nov 2021 12:18 p.m. PST |
I know movement trays aren't necessary. On the other hand, I can see that if a unit is doing a lot of marching before they are in actual combat, it would be convenient not to move all the figure bases in a unit individually. It also appeals to me that magnetic strip can be added to a base and a movement tray can have a sheet of thin steel. The result is the figures stay put. So then the question comes to my mind, are rails (or lips) on movement trays necessary or even desirable? If the trays are meant to work with magnetic bases, doesn't that make the rails redundant? What has been your experience? I should mention that I am working in 15mm scale. Cheers!
Gallo |
Bobgnar | 12 Nov 2021 12:34 p.m. PST |
I have solved the problem by using magnets on the bottom of figures and metal can tops as moving tray. I cut the tops with side opener so no sharp edges. I am doing 28mm so only fit a few figures. This should work well for 15mm. The moving trays are free if you already have the food:) I use magnets from Linko. |
Gallocelt | 12 Nov 2021 1:14 p.m. PST |
Hi Bobgnar, I'm also using Litko magnets. I put them in the bottom of my figure bases. Generally, I glue 3 infantry figures on a base 30mm wide by 15mm deep. My cavalry are 2 on a base 30mm square. Litko has magnets, both sizes readily available. I have built movement trays out of 3mm Baltic birch plywood and glued thin metal sheet to the tops. The metal sheets are cut smaller than the wood bases so there are no sharp steel edges protruding. I made a bunch of infantry movement trays in this way and glued wooden rails on 3 sides. Then it occurred to me, "Do I really need wooden rails on these bases if the figure bases are magnetized to the tray?" I guess I put them there because I thought they would look more typical. Cheers!
Gallo |
ColCampbell | 12 Nov 2021 2:53 p.m. PST |
As long as your movement tray is a little wider and longer than the bases upon which your troops are mounted, you should not need rails. If they are the same size, then you will if for nothing more than to have something to grip. And you can use wood or matte board for the movement trays. I've used both. Jim |
Gallocelt | 12 Nov 2021 6:17 p.m. PST |
Hello ColCampbell, Perhaps I'm getting increasingly lazy as time goes by but I do look for ways to save myself time and effort. I was thinking that I might make some trays for a future project that would involve "Beneath The Lily Banners" (BTLB). It occurred to me that if I made movement trays that were about 95mm wide (interior dimension). I could use them for both 15mm infantry and cavalry for the wars of Louis XIV. That is 30mm wide bases times three, plus an extra 5mm wiggle room. Cavalry bases are the same but are 30mm square. The interior tray depth would then be about 35mm. Of course I would add about 4mm on all sides and I would still have the option of adding 3mm rails later. When I read what you wrote, "something to grip", that makes me think that perhaps the rails would be a good idea. Something for me to ponder. Thanks and Cheers!
Gallo |
Extra Crispy | 12 Nov 2021 6:54 p.m. PST |
Cut trays from thick sheet magnet and spray paint green. No rail needed. |
Martin Rapier | 13 Nov 2021 12:50 a.m. PST |
I have mag sheet on all my figure bases and I've made up a number of movement trays out of card and steel paper. No, you don't need rails, but you do need to allow a couple of mm clearance around the base or you end up pulling bases off the tray as you move it. I usually allow 5mm on each edge. |
Gallocelt | 13 Nov 2021 8:20 a.m. PST |
Thanks for your ideas Extra Crispy and Martin Rapier. I will probably put the rails on to make the trays easier to grab without disturbing the bases. I have some extra time today so I will forge ahead. Cheers! Gallo |
CeruLucifus | 13 Nov 2021 11:19 a.m. PST |
For many years I have used magnetic strip on the bottom of figures and galvanized steel for movement trays. This started for RPGs as a convenience for moving figures around (and before that for transport but I gave up on this). When I started a battle game (Warhammer Fantasy Battle 5th edition), I initially used painted steel sheet material directly as movement trays. I eventually determined this was insufficient. The thin steel edges were hard to grab on some game surfaces, and got caught on others. People couldn't usefully borrow my movement trays. There was no attractive flocking on my trays. Magnetic figures could become misaligned, or slide off. I couldn't mix in pre-painted figures that didn't have magnets yet, or loaned figures. Everyone else measured from the edge of their movement trays, whereas I measured from a different point. So I have switched to regular lipped movement trays, with painted steel sheet glued inside. This way my trays are consistent with what all the other players use, but still magnetic. |
Gallocelt | 13 Nov 2021 3:31 p.m. PST |
Hi CeruLucifus, "So I have switched to regular lipped movement trays, with painted steel sheet glued inside." Yep, that sounds like what I'm making; 3mm thick plywood bases cut to allow for the metal sheet to not be at the edge of the wood and also to accommodate the front and side rails (no back rail). The ones I've already made I spray painted an earth tone so the base and attached metal sheet are all the same color. My biggest design problem was figuring out what size would be the most universal for 15mm movement trays. Thanks for the input! Cheers! Gallo |
Martin Rapier | 14 Nov 2021 2:16 a.m. PST |
I found doing mix of spray colours (brown, green, sand) disguised the smooth nature of the steel sheet. I also left a bare bit around the edge and flocked it. I feel your pain about the sizes. The first batch I made were exactly 60x30, supposedly to take six 30x10 bases, but it turned out the tolerances were so low that half the time the bases were hanging over the edge and when gripped by fat wargamers fingers the bases flew spectacularly across the table. Not good. So now I leave 5mm clearance around each side. |
Gallocelt | 14 Nov 2021 8:41 a.m. PST |
Hi Martin Rapier, I appreciate your reply and insights. I'm leaving about 5mm extra for my 90+ mm wide cavalry trays. They should be good for 15mm Napoleonic Cavalry, 15mm British Colonial Cavalry, perhaps 15mm AWI cavalry and "Beneath The Lily Banners" infantry and cavalry. I previously made a bunch of 120mm(+5mm)wide infantry trays. Mow I'm thinking I should make some trays for 15mm infantry in column. I haven't arrived at any Napoleonic rules as yet but I am planning 24 figures per battalion so in column they would be six figures wide by four figures deep(?). I plan to base all 15mm infantry in single ranks so if they end up in trenches, they will fit down in there (more or less). Cheers!
Gallo |