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Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:25 pm
by elmarcello
Hello,

A small question, how to prevent miniatures from toppling?

I am painting an Orc 3rd edition team, and the black orcs are quite large. I have the problem that they topple easily. I spend more than 8h on each miniature, so I don't want them all chipped because of falling over all the time. Does anyone have the same problem?
Any ideas to prevent this?
I was thinking of jamming some lead under the base, to increase the weight, but I'm not sure it will work. Anyone tried this before?

Cheers,
Elmarcello

Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:43 pm
by Shteve0
You could superglue a coin or thin washer beneath the base. Often small coin denominations - such as 1p or 1c - are perfect for this, but special base weights with shots for magnets are also commercially available.

Another alternative is to use a broader base for larger models. Impact do some great 30mm bases that work well for larger players and offer more stability than standard 25mm.

Unfortunately though, Bloodbowl is a game that means you will often be lying models down in games; it's therefore a good idea to seal or varnish your teams, particularly the metal players, once you're satisfied they are finished.

Good luck! :)

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 11:00 pm
by elmarcello
Off course, a miniature never leaves my desk unvarnished. But this is the first time I encounter a miniature so cumbersome on such a small base (I am talking about the black orc here). In my defence, every miniature seems big after painting a night goblin army.
Shteve0 wrote:Unfortunately though, Bloodbowl is a game that means you will often be lying models down in games
We're talking orcs here. Usually, it's them opposite uns who do da laying down!! :lol:

Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 11:08 pm
by Shteve0
Lol, yes, of course :)

Hopefully base weighting and/or larger bases will help to solve your issue, then. If you're varnishing and playing a high ST team, I can see you're already doing your utmost to keep them secure!

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:22 am
by Norse
as 3rd ed Orcs are on slotta bases - Impact base weights ought to prevent toppling..

for plastic kitbash teams, I tend to use small coins as Shteve0 suggests.. in fact, I can trace when I painted some minis by the choice of coin.. 1p, 1 euro cent or one US cent.. :lol:

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:57 am
by Darkson
Norse wrote:as 3rd ed Orcs are on slotta bases - Impact base weights ought to prevent toppling..
That's what I used on my plastic Beastmen that were top heavy (especially the standard bearer that I use as a reroll token).

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 5:08 am
by Magictobe
Norse wrote:as 3rd ed Orcs are on slotta bases - Impact base weights ought to prevent toppling..

for plastic kitbash teams, I tend to use small coins as Shteve0 suggests.. in fact, I can trace when I painted some minis by the choice of coin.. 1p, 1 euro cent or one US cent.. :lol:

Must check those chaos dwarves then. 8)

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 9:29 am
by spubbbba
Norse wrote:as 3rd ed Orcs are on slotta bases - Impact base weights ought to prevent toppling..

for plastic kitbash teams, I tend to use small coins as Shteve0 suggests.. in fact, I can trace when I painted some minis by the choice of coin.. 1p, 1 euro cent or one US cent.. :lol:
If you are feeling cheap them you can take a hacksaw or clippers to a 1p and chop them up to fit into slotta bases too. But it can be hard work as those coins are surprisingly tough. I’ve seen some people glue he base straight onto a 2p coin but that makes them even taller.

For blank bases if you are feeling rich then a 20p is a great fit with a small amount of sanding of the corners. It is a lot heavier than a 1p and really helps add a bit of weight, some really dislike the lightness of plastic minis.

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 10:28 am
by outcast
I bought some packs of fishing weights (like very small ball bearings) - I can't remember the size but can find out for you if interested?

I squirt a load of PVA into the underside, fill the recesses with the tiny weights and when the glue is dry I stick on a felt adhesive disk. It gives a lovely finish and adds a nice weight to the model.

I've seen custom base weights online but this was a much cheaper option... although not as cheap as a 1p coin :-)

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 2:23 pm
by Aino
Nothing to add to the above...
Just don't forget to show us some of your work "Elmarcello" ;)

groetjes

W

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:09 pm
by Lychanthrope
I use Impact base weights on all my minis. They work great and I've never had a problem with my minis tipping over, except Varag, he just leans to far forward. My Impact base weights are the only thing keeping him up right at all.

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:30 am
by elmarcello
Lychanthrope wrote:I use Impact base weights on all my minis. They work great and I've never had a problem with my minis tipping over.
It's decided then, impact base weights it will be. Do you stick the felt as well under the base?
Aino wrote:Just don't forget to show us some of your work "Elmarcello"
Hello Aino, great to see you again. I would love to add some photos to this post, but I fear my camera is not up to it. I don't have a reflex-camera. I tried to take some pictures yesterday, but it's no use.
Feel free however to stop by anytime.

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:48 pm
by TheDoc
I use coins. Just my 2 penny-eth :wink:

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 8:11 pm
by Lychanthrope
I don't use the felt because I have several small, one team Impact cases with the metal plate in the bottom. I put the magnets in the base weights and it sticks to the plate better, holding them in place; unless I really bang the case. It also holds the ball to the base during play. (Yes, I put a chunk of a largish nail in the bottom of my plastic BB balls.) If I didn't use those cases I would have added the felt.

Re: Prevent miniatures from toppling?

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:21 pm
by the solitaire
I use €0,01 coins, cut in two not exactly equal halves to fit in recessed area in the base.
Impact 30mm bases are also great. I put all my Ogres and Trolls (2nd edition miniatures) on those and they really are big enough to prevent the miniatures from toppling over.