Base Weight Alternatives

Ted Striker · Base Weight Alternatives

I know this question/thread might get deleted and I'm fine with that. Not looking to break rules.

As much as I really like the new base weights, I just can't use them. I've already epoxy'd in magnets in my bases and just don't want to dig them out on all my teams. However I really want to use the base felts for the bottom of my mini's.

So my question. What alternative to base weights do you guys use on your "already finished teams". I am basically looking for a putty or some other cheap solution to fill in the bottom of my bases so I will have a nice flush surface to apply the base felts to. I know about green stuff and the like, but I have 3 teams of about 18-20 mini's to fill in, so that much green stuff really doesn't fall in to the "cheap" category. Also what ever I use, has to be able to be applied without covering the magnet I already have glued in there. And if a bit of weight would be added to the base as a result, hey bonus.

I'm in the US, so I need materials that are available over here in either hobby shops or hardware store.

Thanks in advance for any of the suggestions.

GalakStarscraper

What about a tube of tile caulk with a narrow applicator.

That might work since you are going to felt base it after.

Galak

Ted Striker

I like the caulk idea (have some of that at home). Have you tried this? Do you think there would be any issues with caulk because many of them (the bathroom type etc) remain elastic when they cure? Could this make the felt "squishy"... or I wonder if that would even be an issue with such a relatively small area.... interesting idea...

I was thinking along the lines of drywall joint compound or possibly wood filler of some sort (both of which I have at home). My concern about those 2 would be shrinkage as they dry. I would test them, but as I'm new to the game, I don't have any extra plastic bases to test them on. That's why I was kind of looking for opionions from people who have tried this.

I was also considering some hydraulic cement (Dry-loc crack repair). That might give me some extra weight when it dries. Anyone ever try a material like this?

I'm fairly new to the hobby/modeling part of the minature world and I appretiate the help/ideas.

GalakStarscraper

I suggest tile caulk because it should not shrink ... as for being too springy ... best way to find out. Take a base fill a side with caulk and see what you think after it dries.

Galak

Chairface

I've heard that buckshot and glue works.

GalakStarscraper

Darkson

Buckshot? Isn't that out of shotgun cartridges?

GalakStarscraper

Ted Striker

I'm not a hunter... what is buckshot made out of. I mean since my magnets are already in place, any concoction I make with a metal material would be incredibly difficult to apply (the stupid balls would be all get sucked to the magnet as the glue dries).

and yes I was looking for a flat surface first. Weight is a secondary bonus.

I am in the process of building a custom, portable, pitch out of wood and sheet metal. The pitch surface will be sheet metal. I plan to print out a nice field graphic and laminate it and attach it to the sheet metal. Now with the combination of my magnets in the base, my players will stick to the board. Now when my kids bump in to the board when jumping on my lap, the game won't go everywhere. I'll also be able to leave a game in progress and put it away and not worry about the pieces moving. So I want to use the base felts to allow a nice smooth slide between the laminated pitch and the figs. So there's the method to my madness on this question. I wasn't going to talk about my pitch until it was done because I haven't seen it done before like this.... thought I might have something original. But now you know what I'm going for and the effects I'm trying to achieve.

I asked as well over at TBB and gotten some good responses. If you are at all interested:

http://www.talkbloodbowl.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20917

antipixi

Blue tack with a layer of superglue can dry to a pretty solid surface. Not as reliable as greenstuff for modelling, but as the underside of a base to be covered it might work.

I've used it for base details before but not anything else so try it out on an unused base first if you want to give it a go.

Ted Striker

just a quick follow up.

I had a chance to do some tests...

I tried plain old bathroom calk. It took a while to cure and it was a little too squishy. That and when I got some on my magnet, it was difficult to get off. In short, just wasn't happy with the results. I ended up digging out the silicone. Back to the drawing board.

So back down to the basement.

I tried some wood putty I had. I kind of knew this one wasn't going to work, but for some reason I had to convince myself. It shrank a little curing. It pulled from the edge of the base and was just plain poor.

I then went to dry wall mud. I mixed up a small batch and it did fairly well, but it was difficult to clean up. I got a touch on my painted base and it left a mark where I wiped it up. Basically this got me results but was really messy.

Another trip to the shop.

Tried some tile grout. I mixed it up a little on the thick side so it wasn't as runny as the plaster. This worked like a champ. It was fairly easy to work with and to clean up any extra on the base or on my magnet, I just used a wet paper towel. It took all night for the grout to dry... but the next morning I was really pleased with the result. It didn't add as much weight to the base as I hoped, negligible really. But it cleaned up easy, was relatively clean (atleast to everything else I tried) and best of all it was free! (well sort of, I bought it for the bathroom 4 years ago... but you get the picture).

I still really can't recommend this stuff on mini's that aren't already done and already have magnets mounted. Go with baseweights, it is worth the cost in less hassle. But if anyone is in a pinch like me and already had magnets mounted... Grout worked well enough.

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions

Coneman

I have used thick cardboard 2mm to fill in bases berfore, you could cut/drill a hole where the magnet is.

Recently I have taken to using a two part epoxy putty from the hardware store.
It is made by Selly's and called Knead It , it is in a stick around 8" long and 1" diameter, with one of the parts through the centre.

It comes in a few different types, metal, ordinary and aqua.
The aqua type is best as it has a longer working time compared to the others, around 25 minutes. It mixes up white and is sandable, drillable and carvable once set.

I also use it texture bases.

Darkson

Plaster of Paris, or does that shrink?