Attaching figures to bases, help required!

[TheKatanaDan]

How do you guys approach this? I'm considering using 1 figure to a penny, but superglue just doen't seem to provide a grip that can withstand any kind of natural duress. Would No Nails work? EG put a layer on the penny and squish the figure into it?
I'm open to suggestion really, what adherants and base materials do you find provide, most importantly a near-as-possible unbreakable bond?

[mollinary]

I have based an awful lot of Pendraken figures onto metal bases of various sizes and types.   I try and do the following, and have had very few problems:

i)  wash the base in soapy water and then dry thoroughly.  Metal bases, particularly coins, can get very greasy;

ii) use a small file to make sure the figure base is smooth and so has the maximum contact area with the base/coin;

iii)  apply the super glue to the figure, not the coin/base. I have tried the latter, but it often creates a small lake and the figure sort of glides over the top;

iv) press the figure down onto the base firmly until you can feel it has taken;

v) leave it for a couple of hours while you do something else, and then return to do whatever you do to prettify your bases!

This is not infallible, but for me it has a very high success rate.

Good luck,

Mollinary

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

PVA

[Steve J]

Araldite (epoxy glue). Fills gaps, sticks well, doesn't smell any where near as bad as superglue and also allows you time to adjust the position of your minis as required.

[Luddite]

I use:

Superglue - gel, not too much.  with superglue i've found less is more.  Leave to dry for an hour or two.

Undiluted PVA the whole base, put basing material on (gravel etc.)  Leave to dry.

Diluted PVA washed over the grit to seal it in.  Leave to dry, paint and flock.

I find this really seals the figure to the base.

[Albie Bach]

One thing to check is this. If you want the finished figures to be held with magnabase, I have found not all 1p coins are attracted by magnabase.
Someone told me you can tell by the date on the coin because the metal was changed, but I can't remember the details.
Cheers, Colin

[Hertsblue]

PVA or quick setting Araldite. Then build up the base with Tetrion or Polyfilla. If that doesn't hold them nothing will.    

[Orcs]

I use the pva Wood gluethat claims it "Dries harder the wood it bonds"  to stick 25mm figures to washers.  For cavalry I use two washers one behind the other.  I then basetex/tetrion the base, and this has proved to be very robust.

For slotta base figues I file the bit that goes in the slot down to about 2mm. then I use "no nails" with a small piece of card either side of the  metal base piece. Again I have had no issues.

[Gran76]

I tend to paint the coin first in a simple black i think it helps. I use a super glue for false nails with a brush applicator (not my false nails ) When it comes to basing material the PVA glue tends to adhere much better to the paint on the coin than bare metal and strengthens the figure to the coin. A word of warning though dont drop the completed figure onto a solid surface as ive notice it flys off the coin in a random direction, ok for parachute drops!

[Techno]

Araldite (epoxy glue). Fills gaps, sticks well, doesn't smell any where near as bad as superglue and also allows you time to adjust the position of your minis as required.

Oooer !
I've always thought Araldite smells much worse than superglue. (Certainly the 5 minute type.....Poo ! )
Maybe it's the type/brand of superglue I use.....(Ultra thin Zap....never noticed a smell from that at all.)
Mind you....being ultra thin, it's of very limited use, but excellent for actually helping  making the green masters, as it really works by capillary action.
Cheers - Phil

[barbarian]

PVA

[nikharwood]

Having faffed about over the years, I settled [over a decade ago] on the cheap-as-you-can-get thin superglue: the one that the supermarkets / pound shops sell at something like 8-12 tubes for £1.

Never, ever, had any figures come off their bases.

[TheKatanaDan]

Wow thanks for all the advice guys!
I've decided on Renedra's plastic bases, having multiple figures to a base. I'll try a few of the techniques mentioned, I have a pretty decent stockpile of Poundland superglue so probably start there!


Ooo oo oo just realised Pendraken stocks MDF bases! I love it when I can get just about everything I need for my hobby in one place!

[sebigboss79]

Seconding nik here. I use MDF bases for my pendraken figs. Go to a model shop and buy the "housemake" superglue. Industrial strength is recomended. Thick one as well. Blop some on the fig and put it on the base, leave to dry. Then base and start painting.

Hope this helps.