"Cutters for custom size bases?" Topic

I'm starting a new project with 1/600 ACW Ironclads and ships and am looking for a good basing system.

Because the ships vary pretty significantly in size, I suspect that the easiest option would be to cut my own, but getting the sizes even, etc… is probably pretty difficult.

My first thought is to use something along the lines of a Cricut Machine on thin plastic card which I can stick to rubber steel sheeting and store in boxes with sheet magnet bottoms.

Has anyone done something like that?

Can the Cricut Machines cut Plastic Card the way I am imagining?

Or is there some better process or option?

3/32" basswood. Cut with X-acto knife.

All my stuff is based on artists mount board, cut with a decent set of scissors. You can cut plasticard with scissors as well, which I often do when I'm making parts for conversions etc.

I use a steel ruler to mark out the required sizes.

I simply got some custom made MDF bases added to those they had as stock sizes. I got mine from Pendraken in the UK but, if you are stateside, then I'd expect there are suppliers over the pond that are happy to do the same.

The extra expense is small compared to the saved effort and better quality.

I base my ironclads on 5/16" underlayment plywood available in home improvement stores. Has to be cut with a table saw. Edges sand very nicely. Thick bases have the virtue of being easy to pick up by the edges when moving. No need to handle the actual models. I store in Plano cases. Sure it requires a woodworking shop, but doesn't everyone in this hobby have one?

Sheet styrene, and glue steel underneath. This requires straightedge, sharp knife and superglue.

If you heavily score some sheet plastic, you can snap it. Then sand smooth.

I just bought clear acrylic custom bases from Litko. My sheet styrene were often not square or slightly off on dimensions.

I have also ordered custom sized metal bases from Wargame Accessories.

Tom