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I have always loved the look that cork gives when used on a base. I would like to use some on my bases but i want to get some opinions. I didn't see a simalar thread through searching so here are some questions i have as someone who hasn't used cork:

How well do models hold on it? I would think it would require a pin through the base, is that necessary?

I bought a few sheets of cork that are about 1/4 inch thick, is this the preferred thickness? I suppose im trying to achieve a desert/dead world style base with an ancient temple ruin sort of look. The cork i think would be used in conjunction with scale bricks i found that look pretty sharp IMO.

Any insight to my questions or just general cork know how would be greatly appreciated!

I would assume that models would come off of a cork base pretty easily (doesn't take that much to tear it), so pinning is at least a good idea.

I guess you could try soaking the cork in something to harden it, like PVC glue or polymer, so that the bond between miniature and base relies on the strength of the superglue and not the cork. I could see that being a lot easier to do than pinning the feet of your models to the base (especially if you're doing, say, Necrons), but I don't really know if it will change how the cork actually looks.

I couldn't really tell you that there's a 'preferred thickness' for what cork you would use for basing. I would think that varying thicknesses would look better than anything. However, if you're using it for actual sections of ruins, I don't think I could suggest that. Cork looks best as large raised sections of rock, and I don't think it would look right as a floor for a ruin.

I did my deathwing army all on cork bases and haven't had any problems with them coming off the cork. I assembled, primed and painted the bases seperately and then glued the models to the bases. They are all plastic termies, so they don't weigh a whole lot. The only metal model is a chaplain, but I haven't had any problems with him. I am not real gentle w/ my models either.

The only real drawback is the cork has a tendency to "chip". My bases are gray and I keep seeing little pieces that are bare cork. Also, the cork tends to suck up a lot of paint.



I broke up the cork, did 2 layers, added sand, clip sprues and stuck paperclips in the sides and clipped them off, primed, painted and assembled.

Picture is a little hard to see clearly, but you get the idea.

rick

Thanks lvyoda! Did you seal the cork in PVA glue at all?

I've done cork bases for a lot of my metal figs, mainly from WM and Confrontation.

I always pin the bases to the feet to help keeping the figs in one piece and using suitably small drill bit it isn't too hard to do.

I glue the cork first to the base using white glue, then attach a long pin to the figs foot using super glue and then drill a hole for the pin through the base and cork. The fig is painted next separate from the base and when ready glued to the base using super glue. The base is then painted in normal way starting with black base coat.

I haven't had any problems with chipping bases or paint. I use mostly cork from wine bottles though.

An example can be seen in my Dakka gallery here.

I use cork bases all the time....check my gallery as well.

I dont pin, and dont normally have problems.

After models are sealed cork is decently resistant to damage.

I don't bother pinning my plastic models to my cork bases. I may have to start, though.