"Dealing with 2nd hand figures" Topic

I pick up a collection of figures at a flea market. The figures are in various stages of painting, some just primed, a few colors or mostly complete. 95% are based on 3/4" square metal bases and have had sand applied. They also came with movement trays.

Usually I base my figures on 3/4" round fender washers and then use flock to finish them. I already have a few units for this period.

So the question is, should I leave them based as is, soak off the sand and flock them or remove them from the bases and mount them on washers and flock them?

I like mine to look similar, so I'd probably re-base. Personal preference really.

I usually do a full rework so the figures match my style and fit in with the collection.

When I buy a collection and find something I like I leave it.
If I don't like it I change it.

Do what works for you.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek

After the initial infatuation is over, wouldn't it be appropriate to store them untreated for a few years, then return them completely to factory condition by removing paint, basing, and all, and put them on the lead/plastic pile for a few decades?
Or neatly sorted into dozens of screw boxes, for that matter.
Now and then browse through them and daydream about their adventures once they are properly built, based, and painted.

At least that's what I do, and I've always been convinced that's by the book.

Could trim the 3/4" square metal bases with tin snips.
They will not be round, but close enough? Base them on 3/4" washers and flock to tie them in together.

If you want the bases off (re-based an entire army once) I used two needle nose pliers twisting in opposite directions to work the bases off.

Good luck!

I always refinish bases to match my own army basing. Whether that means reflocking, painting/flocking, or completely rebasing.

In the OP situation, I'd rebase to my own standards.

I've acquired a very few ready-to-play collections that I kept on the original basing, but I almost always come to regret it eventually. My basing schemes are not just about base size/shape, but also my aesthetic preferences, compatibility with my preferred gaming systems, thematic integration into my own terrain collection, and fitting into my storage and transport system(s) for the collection. My basing is rarely anything fancy, but I'm still more likely to be struck by lightning a third time than find pre-based miniatures that fit all of my parameters.

- Ix

I'd trim two diagonal corners, glue them to the fender washers as they stand, finish the unpainted ones, and then flock over the sand. That's the solution which gives you a finished uniform army in the fewest hobby hours, and none of us have infinite time.

Naturally, if rebasing is the part of the hobby you enjoy, this advice does not apply.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll more than likely just rebase on washers. I tried tin snips but all the figures came off the bases.