This afternoon when the rain was hammering down in true Spring style wifey asked what all the drilling, grinding and swearing was about.

When I explained she said I was mad.

Slightly worried by the opinion of the woman I've been married to for nearly 20 years and who's normally quite understanding of my toy soldiers and other foilbles I thought I'd consult the Esteemed Forum.

I recently bought some nice Arab cavalry from Pendraken but although very nice the figures have integral spears, something which I'm not too keen on so I was simply cutting the spears off, drilling the figures, creating new spears from pins and gluing them in place before priming for painting.

I do this with almost all ancient figure with cast on spears because adding spears made from pins/wire

1) Are of a better scale and look better.

2) Don't bend so look better.

3) Are stronger, so don't bend and look better.

4) Cause physical injury to players who dis my figures - they might not respect my playing ability or painting prowess but by God they respect the pikes! 

So my question to this august body, is this simply a natural desire to play with the best figures I can create or an unhealthy attention to unnecessary detail?

Here is the process in detail



Take ordinary figure, remove cast on spear and drill figure, create new spear from pin (remove head, hammer and grind), fix new spear, add flags/pennon..... Simples

Gods twenty years! I remember one of your stag do's!

I also remember Ian sitting on your 25mm Landschineckts!!!

Not mad at all, I just don't have a patience!!!

QuoteGods twenty years! I remember one of your stag do's!

I also remember Ian sitting on your 25mm Landschineckts!!!

I've only had one stag do.... I think

The 25mm Landsneckts with 6" needle sharp steel pikes were the start of it, but they were supplied by the manufacturer!

Seems perfectly sensible to me. I've re-armed 6mm ECW pikemen in my time.

Alas these days I am too aware that I am racing The Reaper to get all of my collection painted and played with, so quick 'n' easy is order of the day now.

Not that it stops me adding to the pile you understand 

Nice idea if you have the time, inclination and a host of potential stabees(?). As someone has said before, as far as I am concerned, life is too short. I'll stick with the moulded variety.

Yep, if you've got the time and the patience - go for it. There's no denying they look better.

An interesting choice of forum to ask about sanity 

What are you trying to say, Paul ?
Cheers - Phil

If you have the time, why not IMHO.

Quote from: Techno on 06 April 2014, 08:03:17 PM
What are you trying to say, Paul ?
Cheers - Phil

Have a look at Hertsblue's tag line 

What's the difference between the second and third points?

It's where the head of the pin has been removed.

It allows Dan to dance on it...

No your not mad. I just don't have the time.


Remember  Ithoriel , the Grim Reaper is only allowed to take you when you have no more unpainted figures.

Makes sense and looks good. If I was in your position I would do the same including occasional swearing. My wife can sing the tales of how many minis were sent flying through the flat in my rage and impatience so all good in my eyes....

Thanks for the ringing endorsement chaps , I'll post pics once this group is finished.

Incidentally it's amazing how far a figure can be flung when you accidentally drill into your finger end, about 14' and it was only the fact it hit a wall which interupted the figures graceful flight.