Something that often puts people off try new rules is rebasing their armies.
Here are a few tips that should help. I have rebased 6 or 7 armies and now
regularly buy second hand figures rebase them and they are as good as new. Click
on the thumbnail below for exploded picture. Use left and right arrows to view
complete series. The bases I use are now available to order from this website.
See the menu on the left, or
click here.
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Step 1 Work area
A clean working area, well away from little fingers and partners. If you do not have much room I use a banana box as a tray. This allows work inprogress to be moved easily. |
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Step 2 Old base removal
Soak the figures up to their ankles in water. I use plastic fruit trays that supermarkets use for fresh fruit. |
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Step 2 More Soaking
Overnight usually works for most cardboard bases, but some take a little longer. |
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Step 3 Drying
Paper towels are best. They also dry quickly so you can reuse. |
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Step 4 Basing
I prefer to use pre-cut MDF bases. If you have well painted figures its a shame to compromise on the quality of the base. Various Renaissance units shown here. |
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Step 4 Basing
These pre-cut bases are of uniform thickness and very hard wearing. Next a base coat of paint over the MDF base. WW I British shown here. |
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Step 5 Base painting
I paint the bases in green or brown before covering a ground cover. I experimented and gernally find that a uniform covering works best on smaller bases. That way divisions and corps can be composed of any unit elements, saves tiem when making units up on the table. |
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Step 6 Scenic grass
Cover the base in flock or scenic grass. This is available from model railway shops. Use it generously to cover the metal base of the figures. |
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Step 6 Scenic grass
Ready for a coat of glue on the base and some flock, or scenic grass. |
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Step 7 Numbering
With large numbers of units I recommend using numbered tabs atthe back of one element in each unit, the other 2 elements un-numbered. This way a unit can comprise of any elements of same type. This speeds up play. If you do have regimental colours, still number the units, not everyone is familar with unit colours. |
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Step 8 Magnetic strip
Cut strip to lengths to secure your figures in a lined box file, or metal tool box. After all this work you want to protect those figures. Put numbers on before add magnetic strip. For more detail see Protecting your figures on the left hand menu. The magnetic basing material can be ordered through the website shop. |
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Buying Figures 1
Good example from a bring and buy
My next period is... WW 1 Middle East,or Late Boer war or....Ok i'm not a purist, I just like to play |
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Buying Figures 2
eBay Bargain
Well painted, but poorly based perfect for the busy wargamer. In this case ECW figures bought through eBay. |
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A bargain from a Bring and Buy
Becareful on ebay I've had a 50:50 result, ended up with some real rubbish. |
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just need rebasing...
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WW I Infantry
Needing bases removing |
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