Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => General Discussion => Topic started by: Last Hussar on 11 January 2025, 05:23:22 PM

Title: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Last Hussar on 11 January 2025, 05:23:22 PM
In addition to the normal stuff- figures, terrain, dice etc, what do you have that you find useful in the hobby?

I have a laminator, which makes nice wipe off cards.

Anyone with anything else we should know?
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Elliesdad on 11 January 2025, 09:00:37 PM
A patient, understanding wife/partner?  ;)
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Ithoriel on 11 January 2025, 09:05:15 PM
1. Optivisor or similar.

2. Card Sleeves for collectable card games - ideal for creating your own cards. Take a sleeve, an old or cheap card as stiffener and a card face you've printed out - combine to make your own, identical looking cards. Easy to shuffle too being shiny plastic.

3. Paper guillotine - for chopping paper and card to size for scenery making or chopping up A4 paper card faces (see 2 above)



Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Raider4 on 11 January 2025, 09:29:39 PM
I used to have access to a comb binder, used for print yourself rules. This was really useful and I miss it terribly. 
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 11 January 2025, 10:06:23 PM
A decent printer!

Flat head screwdriver

Dremel and decent tin snips.

Multi bulb led light on flex stand

Internet
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Last Hussar on 12 January 2025, 12:24:52 AM
Quote from: Raider4 on 11 January 2025, 09:29:39 PMI used to have access to a comb binder, used for print yourself rules. This was really useful and I miss it terribly.
Yes, I wonder what happened to mine.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Orcs on 12 January 2025, 12:30:14 AM
Laminator
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: FierceKitty on 12 January 2025, 12:54:40 AM
A distinctive coffee cup that you don't inadvertently dip your brush into.
A dedicated storage cupboard.
A large and visually satisfying playing surface.
Oh, a printer attached to the computer can be very handy for multiple reasons.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Scorpio_Rocks on 12 January 2025, 11:17:59 AM
Prior to game:
   Internet,
   Printer,
   Laminator.

During game:
   Laser straight line
   Periscope for photos
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Orcs on 12 January 2025, 11:32:14 AM
Dremel mini drill or equivalent
Daylight lamps in painting area

Most important - A good spouse who lets you spend hours (or days in my case) painting and brings you refreshments
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 12 January 2025, 11:42:57 AM
Agree with the stuff so far, but a major one is missing - patience.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Steve J on 12 January 2025, 12:32:41 PM
Patience, humour and a good imagination.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: jimduncanuk on 12 January 2025, 12:42:43 PM
The most useful thing that a wargamer could find is a mate who can paint decently and also charge a mates rates for the inevitable cost. Most useful if you are a prat at painting.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Ithoriel on 12 January 2025, 12:52:36 PM
The most useful thing for a wargamer is patience, patience and a sense of humour. The two most useful things for a wargamer are patience, a sense of humour and imagination. The three most useful things for a wargamer are patience, a sense of humour, imagination and a supportive partn .... I'll go out and come back in again.

:) :) :)
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 12 January 2025, 01:15:30 PM
Quote from: Ithoriel on 12 January 2025, 12:52:36 PMThe most useful thing for a wargamer is patience, patience and a sense of humour. The two most useful things for a wargamer are patience, a sense of humour and imagination. The three most useful things for a wargamer are patience, a sense of humour, imagination and a supportive partn .... I'll go out and come back in again.

:) :) :)

Wondered how long it would take  :D  :D
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: fsn on 12 January 2025, 01:21:24 PM
Taking the question in the spirit in which I assume it is put, I would suggest a vortex paint shaker. I bought one last year and although I wouldn't put in the same life-changing league as discovering Pendraken, Centurion tanks, or the opposite sex, it has eased the chore of preparing paint.

 
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Orcs on 12 January 2025, 02:00:41 PM
Quote from: fsn on 12 January 2025, 01:21:24 PMTaking the question in the spirit in which I assume it is put, I would suggest a vortex paint shaker. I bought one last year and although I wouldn't put in the same life-changing league as discovering Pendraken, Centurion tanks, or the opposite sex, it has eased the chore of preparing paint.

 

Serious question. What does it do that I cannot do by putting an agitator ball in the pot and manually shaking it?
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 12 January 2025, 02:09:46 PM
Avoid covering the floor in paint  :d
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: fsn on 12 January 2025, 02:59:57 PM
Quote from: Orcs on 12 January 2025, 02:00:41 PMSerious question. What does it do that I cannot do by putting an agitator ball in the pot and manually shaking it?
Nothing.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Orcs on 12 January 2025, 04:02:38 PM
Quote from: fsn on 12 January 2025, 02:59:57 PMNothing.

And I thought you were going to extoll the virtues of the machine saying that it gives you perfectly mixed paint that is smooth as Anne Hathaway's bosom in a corset. Or some similar comparison.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: fsn on 12 January 2025, 05:00:32 PM
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DbEAAOSw3ephAY37/s-l1200.jpg)
Nothing is that smooth.

The vortex paint shaker is a convenience, nothing more.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: d_Guy on 12 January 2025, 05:24:23 PM
The vortex shaker seems to speed up the mixing process but not dramatically.
I like it because it makes a charming sound and numbs my hand.

I would add a wet palette, which has noticeably improved my painting from poor to OK.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Last Hussar on 12 January 2025, 06:10:21 PM
Tell me more off this "Anne hathaway". Can you get one from Pendraken?
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: fsn on 12 January 2025, 07:49:13 PM
Quote from: d_Guy on 12 January 2025, 05:24:23 PMThe vortex shaker seems to speed up the mixing process but not dramatically.
I like it because it makes a charming sound and numbs my hand.
I feel like I'm being modern and technological.

Quote from: d_Guy on 12 January 2025, 05:24:23 PMI would add a wet palette, which has noticeably improved my painting from poor to OK.
Ah! Indeed. I got one for Christmas and am still trying to get to grips with the change in paint texture. (I think I put too much water on the pad first time around.)

Quote from: Last Hussar on 12 January 2025, 06:10:21 PMTell me more off this "Anne hathaway". Can you get one from Pendraken?
Not any more. Limited edition.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Last Hussar on 13 January 2025, 12:27:24 AM
I'm still concerned that Orcs 'went there', and FSN had the picture.

Not sure which is more concerning!
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: sunjester on 13 January 2025, 06:46:48 AM
Lucky dice! ;D
Not essential, but useful

Gloves
For when Last Hussar hasn't brought his own dice and needs to use mine, I believe that skin contact enables his dice curse to transfer.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Orcs on 13 January 2025, 10:02:23 AM
An opponent, not essential but it improves the experience.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Last Hussar on 13 January 2025, 12:59:58 PM
I don't think it's the dice, per se, I think it's the person casting them...
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Last Hussar on 28 January 2025, 12:17:18 PM
Quote from: Orcs on 13 January 2025, 10:02:23 AMAn opponent, not essential but it improves the experience.

I can't really enjoy solo wargaming - I need someone to talk and laugh with.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: d_Guy on 28 January 2025, 03:23:52 PM
Quote from: Last Hussar on 28 January 2025, 12:17:18 PMI can't really enjoy solo wargaming - I need someone to talk and laugh with.
I play with an imaginary friend who is not only witty in conversation but manages to penetrate my most complex stratagems with his piercing intellect.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: fsn on 28 January 2025, 06:15:11 PM
Quote from: d_Guy on 28 January 2025, 03:23:52 PMI play with an imaginary friend who is not only witty in conversation but manages to penetrate my most complex stratagems with his piercing intellect.
;D  ;D

I too have such a friend. 
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Last Hussar on 29 January 2025, 12:29:01 AM
Witty?
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Ithoriel on 29 January 2025, 01:51:20 AM
I can testify to both fsn's and d_Guy's wit and wisdom! I'm sure their opponents are of no lesser mettle.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 29 January 2025, 09:02:09 AM
Something I may have mentioned elsewhere.
A scaled ruler.

This allows we in normal size homes to play games written by authors who inhabit places like the palace of Versailles.
The author's cavalry may move 36 inches, my table is 42 inches wide; etc etc.

Such a product is available, generally in specialised architect supplies.
The scales are also unhelpful for wargaming: 1/20, 1/50. 1/100.

In these days of MDF and laser burninators, more wargame friendly scales (2/3, 1/2) ought to be possible.

Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Last Hussar on 29 January 2025, 10:55:42 AM
I read cm for inches in games like Black Powder.
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: d_Guy on 29 January 2025, 02:57:09 PM
QuoteI can testify to both fsn's and d_Guy's wit and wisdom! I'm sure their opponents are of no lesser mettle.
Possibly you are our imaginary friend?  :D
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Last Hussar on 29 January 2025, 04:21:16 PM
Hold on - does inclusion here now mean fsn's and d_Guy are useful things for wargamers?  :-\
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: Ithoriel on 30 January 2025, 02:09:15 AM
Quote from: Last Hussar on 29 January 2025, 04:21:16 PMHold on - does inclusion here now mean fsn's and d_Guy are useful things for wargamers?  :-\

Of course it does, :)
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: pierre the shy on 30 January 2025, 04:03:27 AM
Especially in connection with Centurions, the Napoleonic period and the Scots and Irish theatres of operation during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms  :)
Title: Re: Useful things for wargamers?
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 30 January 2025, 12:44:27 PM
A handy stacker for your painting setup.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-4-tier-plastic-shelving-610mm-x-305mm-x-1300mm/54805 (https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-4-tier-plastic-shelving-610mm-x-305mm-x-1300mm/54805)