Bases for individual soldiers and vehicles

[Schwerepunkt]

I am sure this has come up before but I was wondering where the round and square mounts for individual troops and m.g./mortar units were obtained? If they are hand made, what materials are used.
Any help in this matter would be appreciated.

[Sgt Rock]

Bingo chips!!!

I got this idea from Ritter several years ago and it works great for gaming and display.

[Mk 1]

I am sure this has come up before but I was wondering where the round and square mounts for individual troops and m.g./mortar units were obtained? If they are hand made, what materials are used.
Any help in this matter would be appreciated.

I get my bases from local retailers. Sometimes I steal them from my wife or children. They are made by the US Mint.


I use pennies. They are very robust, inexpensive, and readily available around the house.


I have used a variety of materials for bases in the past. Cut styrene sheet, balsa, or most often just cut card stock.

I like pennies best. Started using them about 10 years ago, and don't use anything else anymore. They have some real weight to them, so your figs don't go flipping around if a breeze makes it into your gaming room or someone bumps the table. The base winds up protecting the figures to a large degree when they are in the box. And did I mention they are cheap? I get almost 100 for a dollar! Cheap is good. Leaves me more money to spend on my tanks.

I don't base most of my vehicles.

Others take other approaches. It depends in part on the rules you use, and how much information you need to have with your models. Your mileage may vary.

[1ComOpsCtr]

This link: http://commandoperationscenter.com/products111.htm will take you to a web page with some information on metal bases for infantry and you can see vehicle bases in other parts of the web site.

Will

[hauptgrate]

I don't base most vehicles, and for personnel I use sheet styrene. Evergreen Plastics has .040" sheets pre-scored in 1/2" and 3/8" squares. It is called "sidewalk" -- obviously for larger scale modelling. Anyway, these easily pop apart into perfect squares. I base two or three figures on the 1/2" counters (platoons) and one on the 3/8" (commanders). One of my friends uses the penny approach and it works well also. The difference is that we use folded cardstock buildings with removable roofs and the plastics squares fit inside easier than the pennies on some of the smaller ones. Once I figure out how to use this new digital camera I bought, I will post some pictures...

[Schwerepunkt]

Thank you one and all for your help. I like the pictures sent in and I hope I can duplicate them for the dioramas I hope to do. I use computer coloring to make gunfire and smoke effects and the pictures can be most impressive.
Thank you all again.

[Extra Crispy]

I use pre-cut steel available from numerous retailers. That way I use magnet-lined boxes for storage and transport. I use round washers for markers (hidden movement markers, routed, etc.)

[bejart7092]

I use old Squad Leader markers. They curl up slightly, making the base easy to pick up, unlike metal bases. Saves wear and tear on the paint job. Also, if I decide to re-base, they come apart easily so I don't damage the painted figures.


I don't base my vehicles. I prefer to let the terrain been seen.


Bill
http://www.freewebs.com/gupiao/

[razor]

I use washers for my infantry and guns. I fill in the hole with spackle, then prime, paint, and flock.

[Cav Dog]

These are some SS Panzer Grenadiers mounted on styrene squares. The squares are cut from 1 1/4" strips of .020 styrene that comes in 2' lengths. I cut them into 5/8' x 1 1/4" rectangles, then cut them in half again using a styrene cutter called the chopper. Basically it is a razor blade on a handle that scores the plastic. It has a couple of adjustable guides that keep everything square for the most part.

I attach the figures to the base using CA glue and when dry I paint the bases with dirt color. I add splotches of a homemade gravel mix using various colors of modeling sand and talus from our friends at Woodland scenics. Then I add another homemade mix of flock and static grass to finish it off. I use Elmer's white glue thinned with water and a drop of detergent to attach the flock and talus.

[bejart7092]

One more thing ---
Square bases are much easier to pack for storage.
Bill