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How to base DRM Arcadians?
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14895		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  just_chris [ Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
Yo home-dawgs!
I have recently started collecting an Imperial Guard army for Epic Armageddon, and the models have started trickling in through my mailbox (I have sourced from various places).

At the suggestion of some kind folks in the IG Epic forum here, I purchased a couple hundred DRM light infantry to represent a Cadian-styled GroPo force. My thanks go out to those people, as the models are really nice!
I do have one issue with them however, which I am struggling to resolve. I will be using the formations of DRM models alongside formations of GW IG also (I already bought 'em before I realized I didn't like the Valhallan greatcoats all that much - they will be my reserve troopers...), and I'm not sure how to go about basing the DRMs. They didn't come with any bases included, so I'll be making some myself. But also, the metal circle under the feet of each mini is significantly deeper than any of the GW ones (about 2mm compared with <1mm), but I don't want the models to look too tall, or as though they are each standing on a plinth. I like the countersunk approach of the GW infantry and bases (where the circular base of the model is flush with the unit base) and I want to emulate this to get a coherent appearance throughout my force.
I'm thinking of the following two approaches but both will require a fair bit of dicking around, and I wonder how other (more experienced 6mm modellers) have done it...

1) Use 3 layers of plasticard (high impact Polystyrene) glued to each other, with a very thin layer (like 0.5mm?) as the base, and 2x 1mm layers with holes drilled in for each model to sit in. This option seems like the simplest one, but also costly, as plasticard isn't cheap here.
See the diagram below for a precise and aesthetically pleasing representation of the desired effect:

Code Sample: 
ASCII MOMENT!!!
---   --- 1.0mm
---   --- 1.0mm
--------- 0.5mm


2) Start with a 1.0mm sheet of plasticard, and secure the models to it. Then use some putty like green stuff to build up the base to conceal the little circular bases (either covering the whole base, or just enough to make it look like each trooper is standing on a small rise). I'm hoping the effect would be OK once sanded and flocked, but I suspect this will be time-consuming to do for 50-odd bases...

So, how have other people done this? Is there a cheaper way? And/or an easier way?
Author:  KaJo [ Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
While I don't use them for Epic, I have lots of DRM/EW infantry. I base them on the small Flames of War bases (1" x 1.25" iirc), and use Vallejo coarse pumice to base them. I just cover the base about 2mm deep and stick the figures straight into it. The pumice cures in about 3-4 hours (less if you use a heat lamp), and, while it does thin out as it dries, the plinths that the infantry stand on are much less (or not at all) visible.

Not the best photo, but these guys normally come in strips of three:
Author:  Carrington [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:28 am ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
Litko will drill 6mm holes in its bases for you. I remember being impressed by dave's system, which was a thin wooden base with holes, and then a magnetic base attached underneath.

Others on the board have used Litko outside the U.S., so evidently their pricing is not too bad for shipping and etc.
Author:  Legion 4 [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:01 am ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
I use Epic bases ...
Author:  Carrington [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:05 am ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
By the way, I noticed there was a post on DRM's forums discussing the problem of the slightly thicker baaes.  Seems they are working on it.
Author:  Sergeant_Crunch [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:25 am ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
I've been drilling my own holes in Litko bases.
Author:  Erik M [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:54 am ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
Welcome to the bright side!

I started out with drilling holes straight through FoW's smallest bases.
And the basic Pax need that if you got them from the first batch and thus the too high "plinth".

Then I changed over to Renedra Limited's 30x20 bases. And started to clip the plinth half off!
Author:  stebloke [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 2:54 pm ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
I'm in a similar situation. Have just bought some DRM Andrayada that I'm hoping to incorporate into my own Epic rules, and need bases for them. Luckily I work in a school with some very helpful people and enquired with one of them as what might be the best way. She basically had exacty the same idea as your first example above: use 2 layers of 1mm plastic (she did tell me exactly what it was but can't remember), cut holes in one layer and glue it onto the other one. She showed me how to design the bases in a CAD program and will soon cut them out for me using a laser cutter (if for some reason she ever reads this - thankyou thankyou thankyou!). Yes I've gotta glue each base together afterwards, but as we're gonna be using scrap materials it's not gonna cost me diddley.

:)

If they're done quite soon I'll try and get some photos up so we can see how well the DRM model bases fit into a 1mm deep hole.
Author:  Dave [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
Quote: (Sergeant_Crunch @ 18 Feb. 2009, 23:25 )

I've been drilling my own holes in Litko bases.

It's pretty easy to do. I tape a stack of 10+ together, outline where I want the holes to be and use a 1/4" drill. The trick is light (pretty much just use the weight of the drill) but constant pressure. Too much pressure and the wood starts to get mangled.

The .8mm plywood from Litko is enough to countersink epic models. It should be good enough for most of the DRM stuff. However, a few of the earlier molds have very thick bases. You'll either have to file them down or use thicker plywood if you want to countersink them.
Author:  Carrington [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:21 pm ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
Quote: (Dave @ 19 Feb. 2009, 14:12 )

Quote: (Sergeant_Crunch @ 18 Feb. 2009, 23:25 )

I've been drilling my own holes in Litko bases.

It's pretty easy to do. I tape a stack of 10+ together, outline where I want the holes to be and use a 1/4" drill. The trick is light (pretty much just use the weight of the drill) but constant pressure. Too much pressure and the wood starts to get mangled.

The .8mm plywood from Litko is enough to countersink epic models. It should be good enough for most of the DRM stuff. However, a few of the earlier molds have very thick bases. You'll either have to file them down or use thicker plywood if you want to countersink them.

Thanks, Dave... I hadn't yet gotten that trick, and was off on the wrong direction with drill speed rather than pressure.
Author:  Legion 4 [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  How to base DRM Arcadians?
Some of the earlier DRM bases were a bit thick. I just filed them down using a heavy duty metal file from the Hardware store.  And I make my own Epic bases with Alumilite Resin.  But those need work on occassion. Sanding the bottoms flat(with that same heavy file) and filling in the occassional bubbles with putty ... :D
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