45thdiv | 01 Feb 2022 2:11 p.m. PST |
I had a sword break off of an officer during the last game. I am not going to replace the figure, but I wondered if anyone does replace broken figures on a stand for things like bayonets, swords, plastic spears, etc. I could see possibly an infantry figure, but, for me at least, my spare command figure pile is practically zero. Anyone swap out the broken figure on the stand? |
35thOVI | 01 Feb 2022 2:26 p.m. PST |
What is something that sticks quickly and holds? I too have a figure with a broken sword. |
Wackmole9 | 01 Feb 2022 3:00 p.m. PST |
ultra violet light glue gun |
Sgt Slag | 01 Feb 2022 3:04 p.m. PST |
I try to replace broken bits and bobs, when possible. Normally, I do not replace a figure on a stand. I have quite a few stands where a figure is broken, but in a line of 10+ figures, on the table, at arm's length, it is easily overlooked. You could try replacing missing swords and/or spears with a broom bristle, plastic or natural material. Up to you, if it bothers you. Cheers! |
SpuriousMilius | 01 Feb 2022 3:11 p.m. PST |
I run a Three Musketeers convention game with 35mm figures & the thin metal sword blades were often getting bent & eventually broken. I found some proper size thin styrene plastic strips at Hobby Lobby. I cut off the blades flush with the guard, drilled a small hole with a pin vice in that spot & superglued pointed plastic blades in place. These are flexible & thus don't prick my fingers & if one breaks off it's easy & cheap to replace. |
Doug MSC | 01 Feb 2022 4:11 p.m. PST |
I take a pin and flatten it with a hammer. cut it to the size I want the sword to be. Take the figure and drill a home in the hilt of the sword. Place the flattened pin it there and glue it in with super glue gel. Looks good but don't jab your hand down on the sword when playing with it. You'll get a pin prick, and the figure will laugh at you. |
Frederick | 01 Feb 2022 4:15 p.m. PST |
Replace when you can – I have found that an unused plastic sword for example from the WSS Infantry multi-part kits works well |
SHaT1984 | 01 Feb 2022 8:13 p.m. PST |
Should be: Replace a broken figure___ Yes lots, or at least several. Swords and sabres, I usually just trim the parts down to the hand/ glove and repaint. Doesnt matter for a valid 'motion' figure. And horses- yes some of the 30+ yo horses are getting brittle so tails if bent out, and legs, often a pair, require stripping from the base and new secure material like a pin drilled though base; Milliput© strengthening then relandscaping and painting the horses legs. I've recorded several repairs on my flickr etc. This one, the downed horse, I didn't repair but made into a vignette of sorts:-
IMG_5326_sm General de brigade Morand by DaveW, on Flickr. Oh and I forgot- some particularly prone infantry types are levelled muskets and bayonets too fragile, like the French sappers. Have fixed and 'restored' several of these with careful drilling, setting and oversize new parts. And lots of CA. cheers dave |
Martin Rapier | 02 Feb 2022 12:42 a.m. PST |
On the odd occasions bits break off figures, I try to replace them with something "close enough". A bit of wire painted silver looks close enough to a sword at wargaming vision distances. I have occasionally replaced damaged figures, just prise them off the and stick a new one on. That is quite a rare occurrence – usually figures with weak ankles. |
45thdiv | 02 Feb 2022 3:20 a.m. PST |
Thanks SHaT1984. You are correct, My title was not on the mark. I appreciate all the other comments, but I wanted to know how many people replace a broken figure or let it go. I have fixed them before they get mounted onto the base, but I don't recall every fixing broken figures once they are glued down and flocked. I probably should count units with broken sword, spears and/or bayonets as Veteran troops, because they would not be broken if they had not seen the game table.🤔🤔🤔 |
Jcfrog | 02 Feb 2022 5:15 a.m. PST |
Sword or flag: if posdible file a bit the ex connection, do a hole ( little file 1mm) deep enough to take a bit of the new sword or lance, stick with cement. Swords out of softish metal flattened and filed to a point. Same for new spear point. Broken figure at the feet: if not silly, put a big enough stone od whetever to hold the fig with 2-3 points of cement. Then this support is camouflaged into a bush. |
35thOVI | 02 Feb 2022 6:06 a.m. PST |
Thanks all. I like that last idea. What about a flag staff that breaks in half? |
Garryowen | 02 Feb 2022 8:37 a.m. PST |
35th OVI. I replace with piano wire, also called music wire. In fact, I now do that with all cast flag poles before I even paint the figures. You can get it at hobby shops in various diameters. If I can, I drill the hand out. I don't use a pin vice for figure work, I use an electric variable speed drill. The chucks, even on the cheap ones, will hold extremely small drill bits. I make as deep a dent as I can with a nail before drilling to help guide the drill bit. Usually some part of the figure can be used to support the pole. I glue it in place first with Godzilla super glue, often using a kicker. Once that has dried, I then strengthen that bond with 5 minute epoxy in some out of the way spot. For a cavalry standard bearer you can put a small glob at the bottom of the pole like a boot on the stirrup. Another drop can be put in between his leg and the pole, just above his knee. Tom |
35thOVI | 02 Feb 2022 10:05 a.m. PST |
Thanks Tom. I was hoping for some way not to have to discard my flags in this case as the two were hand painted paper ones. |
SHaT1984 | 02 Feb 2022 2:21 p.m. PST |
>>Thanks all. I like that last idea. What about a flag staff that breaks in half? The old lead ones can get bent/ crack in use. To retain flags I've drilled out the lead within the flag wrapping itself and then using steel wire as noted, CA'd the thing to death. By the time a repaint is done the mess isnt at all obvious on the table. By habit now I replace ALL lead poles with wire, as I also use third party 'heads' and features (Eagles) on them. d |
35thOVI | 02 Feb 2022 2:44 p.m. PST |
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Jcfrog | 03 Feb 2022 3:48 a.m. PST |
The flagstaff: Either hole the hand and replace by a stiff wire. Or stick, and get a new support point from the flag sticking somewhere on the head / hat of the bearer or his neighbour. |
COL Scott ret | 03 Feb 2022 11:51 p.m. PST |
JC I like the support idea. There is little as sad as seeing a pair of ankles stuck in the middle of a base. |
Jcfrog | 04 Feb 2022 7:15 a.m. PST |
Or you can kerp the akles, add blood, if post cannon period 😉 |