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That's pretty interesting Paradigm, In The Emperor's Name, huh? I may give it a look, but I've lost touch with the couple of people I used to play warhammer with, and Deadzone is so close I can taste it, so we'll see

Thanks for the kind words, I'll be filling this space with my work on Skalk's Junk Pile contest, and Deadzone just as soon as it shows up! I would like to do some narrative DZ bat-reps, once I've got some stuff properly painted up, but those would go in the battle reports section if they were done up properly.

Hopefully I get some work done today and can report back later on!


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Alright, I heard back from Skalk on my little queries. I think I'm on the right track, just trying to make sure that my junk pile doesn't venture into the mini-diorama (which is not the nature of the contest) territory. It might, but I think the idea is too cool not to try

So will try to work on that today!


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Got some work put in on my junk pile. Have some doubts, here are some pictures so you can play along at home:





Alright so, I do like the twisted bits (beams or the like) and the broken pipes and wires and such.

I really wanted to use the bit that's crammed in almost center, but it may be sticking out too far, may need to replace it with some smaller gubbins?

The is more of a blob obstacle than a piece of linear terrain, but it can provide cover for 2-3 models and totally obscure at least one normal 28mm mini, so I think it works as a bit of scatter terrain considering skirmish.

I kind of like that it appears to have sucked up some of the floor, even ripped some cabling out, although that makes it a tad more diorama-y and not just a pile of junk.

I think it needs some other stuff pulled up close but not sucked into the center, as it was shut down or whatever.

What in the *world* am I going to do with the back? Its a funky shape and would be really hard to put a bit of plasticard there to just make it a smooth end. Maybe some kind of hot glue+rubble+sand/ballast mess kind of pouring out the back like the gubbins in the front were getting extruded in a nasty way? Hrmmm. Gotta do something, can't let it stand like that.

I think this would be a nightmare to paint well, but it may be fun too

Somewhat debating putting this one aside and switching to a more linear barricade style junk pile, to better play to the nature of the contest. Not sure.

What do you guys think? I need to finish it so I can get to work painting it (which will probably take awhile).

Firstly, sorry for missing this until now.

Looks great, the "back" is screaming stargate style shiny portal to me, like it's some kind of warp device. Sorry not helping. Looking forward to seeing this one, it's got something about it.

Haha, welcome to the blog, its cold here, and the bagels are stale... but we get by

I kind of figured the device was either a gravitic weapon, or like you say, some kind of portal. Since this is a junk pile, I want it to be long since shut down, possibly with some rust and further detritus accumulating. I'm torn between trying to make some kind of slag that's been extruded from the end, or managing a really flat surface. If I were awesome, I'd just perfectly cleanly sever the backs off of everything I stuck in there, just like a closing stargate... but yeah, no.

Thanks for popping by, looking forward to moving on with this myself!

Oooh, if I'm correctly interpreting your piece 'zog off my junk' as your entry, very nice

Maybe it's gravity fed scrap machine. Nice big set of rollers with spikes on or a set of like mining teeth/wheely thingies, jammed up with the ends from the other side!

And yes that's my entry, but I am not shouting about it. Thank you though.

Hehe, that "portal" look seriously cool. It looks like something went seriously wrong and the depressurization is sucking everything: like what happens when someone makes a whole in a spaceship / space station. My poor Isaac died sometimes like that in Dead Space 2

It would be cool to see a human grabbing a rail and doing his best to hold it to stop himself from being sucked in

Keep up the great work GD!

Since I Want to convey s sense of decay, maybe part of a skeleton holding a rail. Good call

for what it's worth, here's my two cents:
if ithe machine was supposed to be shut down long ago, why would the things in the mouth still be there? wouldn't they have fallen to the ground when the machine went off? are they jammed in, blocking it (thereby potentially causing the shutdown)? if so, i would suggest moving some of the bits sticking out to more severe angles to really push home the idea that they are wedged in there.

as for the back: "stargate" seems to be a popular idea, and it can be easy to do. there are some things that come packaged with textured clear plastic over the front--i saved a piece years ago that would work pretty well, although it would look more like flowing water than a ripple. another idea would be to use more junk to make it look as if there is machinery back there...especially a big bundle of power cords.

all that said, this piece is totally awesome...and i am glad we are not in the same category.

Jam more stuff in you say? Power cabling to obscure the back you say? Brilliant!

can't hardly tell if that was sarcasm or not, Grim.

had another thought--you may want to upgrade your base to something more heavy duty, with that transformer being as heavy as it is.

but what do i know.

Oh no no, I liked both ideas s lot . Sorry if the internet made it seem otherwise. Extra junk on the sides sounds good and power cables on the back may be the perfect way to cover up those bits I don't want showing

I do have some reservations about the base, and that's why I included some hot glue along the bottom edges in addition to the initial super glue. The weight pushes straight down and it isn't overly top heavy, so I think its good at this point. But it was a good suggestion, I had to try a couple of times to get it solid.

Thanks for all the comments guys! Will try to finish the build and get some paint on this thing over the weekend.

My clear bases should also be coming in this weekend so perhaps we'll have us a hobby extravaganza!


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Clear bases in! Initial images and comments/concerns to follow:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-70053-37676_Clear%20Acrylic%20Bases.html
Here's the gallery, may add images here that don't get dumped into the blog immediately!


Supply drop, and a few bases out.



First build using two units of Rangers for contrast, got one with flash and one without.



Here are some shots on different terrain which should show off some of the usefulness of the bases, and let you see them with different lighting.




sorry this one is blurry, will take more shots in the future!




Ok I've gotta go look at a house, but I'll drop some very very initial/limited views when I get back!


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Ok that other thing is done. So the craftics #33 seems to work. I'll do a stress test later to see, it says 24 hrs so I'll do the test tomorrow instead of tonight. It reminds me of the old testors plastic cement that I used around 2000 on some of my first models. It stinks, its goopy, there's no way you can possibly put it on your models with the base tube, I was making little pools and using a toothpick to apply it. And the stuff dries really fast. Or well, it cures to the point that it clings to itself and is no longer in a state that I would consider *viable*, in like a minute or so. I can do 1-2 models per blob IFF I have them both prepared and ready.

Another thing, I think these are going to scratch. Super easy. How easy? Really, really easy. Now, I think there's a magic trick for repairing them, but I can't recall off the top of my head what it is. I think it was mentioned on the battle systems kickstarter, maybe in the comments. I'll find it out and report back when I know.

First impressions: I don't have the terrain at this moment to justify these. They look ok on my old green static grass boards, but those are all I've got. My old city bases look way cooler. HOWEVER, once my DZ gets here and I have the DZ mats, the earlier statement will be retracted so hard it has whiplash! This is very much an investment in the future. I think fantasy will still benefit from fancy display bases, but my scifi stuff will *probably* be going onto the clear acrylics. I may do a few more models like some zombie marines and forge fathers to get a broader test case.

Another quick note, you can probably see in the pictures, there's a dark side and a light side to each base due to reflected light, and in just the right circumstance they can flash entirely white (first picture on the grass). Since these are Scifi models, and since you can still see the terrain under the bases at least 75% of the time, I think I can get over this for sure. There may be a better material or thickness or whatever for someone else who can't, however, so I though I'd point it out

So that may sound a bit negative, but I'm just not able to get properly excited about these until I have nice terrain to put them on I'm sure once my deadzone stuff comes in, that these will be the obvious choice.

Be back later potentially.

Hm... they do look good, but my first thought when I saw them on your terrain was "those will get scratched up" - followed by reading you post that they will scratch up easily.

I'm not sure of options. Maybe some cheap "screen protector" plastic like they sell for iPads and other tablets for the bottoms? Though I can see that option getting tedious fast.

I recomment mabe to cover the bases in alot of gloss varnish. I could see it protecting them from the scratches.

finally, something i REALLY know something about!

i used to work for a company that installed acrylic enclosures. the biggest problems with acrylic are scratching and hazing.

NEVER use ammonia on acrylic. that's a good way to ruin acrylic...

ALWAYS use a microfiber cloth. air (from a can or compressor) can be extremely handy if available, as well. cleaning with a tissue, while soft, can still score any small particles (even flock) into the acrylic.

we sold a product called novus--which, as of 7:29 CST, is available on ebay here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOVUS-1-2-3-Plastic-Polish-Kit-8oz-Scratch-Remover-Cleaner-BEST-VALUE-/151016051415?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23294212d7

(my apologies if it's wrong to post a link like this)

it's an excellent investment, as it's useful for a variety of things you probably have (computer case acrylic, LCD/LED monitors and TVs, etc.) Novus 2 (red label) is probably the only one you would need to remove scratches on your bases; 1 is a polish/protectant, and 3 is probably too heavy duty for any damage that is likely to occur to your bases.

if you don't want to spend that kind of money, there are a few alternatives, at least one of which you should have around the house.

brasso (silver polish) and pledge (wood polish spray) can work, but may (and probably will) discolor acrylic over time.

automobile rubbing compound (or a car wax that has rubbing compound in it) can also work, although it may end up being too harsh and cause hazing.

if you thin it with enough water, and have enough time, powder cleaners like Ajax, Comet, or Old Dutch can work, but the will almost certainly haze the acrylic after multiple uses (most of them have a bleaching agent).

but the thing you should have in your house? toothpaste. it depends on what toothpaste you use, and it may take some experimentation to get the ratio of 'how much toothpaste (do i need to thin it with water) and how much pressure', but i have used this method to fix scratched CDs and DVDs, and it worked almost flawlessly (i think i have had one fail in dozens of attempts).

if you try any of these methods, remember to test first before going crazy and doing all the acrylic you have.

Wow GS, that's quite helpful, now I don't even need to search around Thanks

I'm afraid gloss varnish may make them not so see-through, but I may give it a try on a couple of bases to check, I got 200 of them so there are plenty for experimenting

Thanks for commenting guys, always excited to see people around the blog

You know, I think I may have some of that Novus 1 around somewhere. It came with a 1:1 Stormtrooper Helmet kit I bought off a 501st Legion guy.

So which one is the best for televisions, etc?

Got a little more work done but I better get to bed, little one likes to get up early =/


Bases before, I think they look cool and all, of course.


Bases after, they won't look as good on display, but they should look pretty good anywhere.

I'll do some stress testing tomorrow night (or later) after the stuff has had it's 24 hours to a full cure. As it stands, the first batch seemed pretty sturdy, didn't go all out... but I think the force I applied would have broken the weaker of the super glue bonds (I barely had to touch the hammer dwarf and he fell off his base, for instance). The #33 is nasty goopy stuff. It's still oozing out of the tube to where I have to fast draw the cap and immediately put it back on after a bit has fallen out. I managed to do two models at once out of the 4, but it took 3 globs of the stuff. Its pretty tacky too, feels kind of like working with hot glue, likes to leave trailing strands that may add a mini clean up step later on. It's a lot easier to use than superglue beyond that though, its nice and thick so you can pop the model down and pretty much instantly let go of it unless its really inclined to lean. I'm also thinking the bond will be stronger in the long run, but we'll see about that later on.

I also got a little work done on my junk pile project. Something of a fusion of GS's suggestions and my own take:


I wasn't feeling terribly crafty on the junk end, so I only added one piece, though I feel like doing more. I'll wait till i'm in the right creative mood though!


And here's a much better back! The blue plastic will just be painted over to be the same material as the metal shell of the device. An active stargate would have been awesome, but it wouldn't look properly junky, so I'm going with this. The rest of the additions are to suggest some power cabling that's been blown out, possibly what stopped the device in it's tracks.

Still wondering about the skeleton, totally forgot to even check about adding one. Hopefully some more work this weekend

@Azazelx--#1 for protection (think of it like a moisturizer for skin or conditioning liquid like armor-all for leather (or anything in a car interior really) or general cleaning....because you ARE NOT using windex on your LCD/LED monitor or TV, are you? #2 is for very fine scratches (like what Grim is eventually going to have on the bottom of his acrylic bases, unless he never plays with or moves them).

@Grim: the clear bases look neat. not my cuppa, but neat nonetheless, and it would guarantee your bases would match the tabletop. i could see using them for the transparent tau stealth suit models...if i had those. or played tau.

the back looks pretty awesome...i had an idea of a bunch of wires bundled together (THICK power cord bundle) cut with either an axe or chainsword still stuck in either the ground of the back of the portal...maybe too overboard, though.

as for the skeleton hand: how about on the end of one of the bits sticking out of the portal? as if its owner got sucked in and all that remained was a hand and part of a forearm (could always explain it as the metal cut into the bone, but not through, hence it sticking lo these many years)...

Hmm may have to get some of that stuff for sure. Maybe the no. 1 would reduce the need for the no.2. Either way, I'll have to see bow fast these wear and figure out how urgently I need some (probably sooner than later, not that I play much)

I was thinking massive power cables at first. What I ended HP with is where dry fitting and mild inspiration got me. Still wanna add more to the front, and will try next hobby chance I get.

FWIW a friend of mine has those bases for about a year (maybe more) and while he doesn't get to play much, they don't show any scratches at all so far. He's using them for a large 30k force.

Ahh cool to know, thanks for that

I think playing in my deadzone mats and eventually battle systems should lessen the chance of scratches, but I'm sure my man handling will cause some eventually

Tested the bonds this morning, seem at least as strong as the stronger of the super glue bonds I snapped to trade out bases.

You know... I've just had an idea. I haven't got a storage container for these guys yet! Gonna move soon so I better get on it. Anyone interested on a how-i-do-it? Not so presumptuous to call it a tutorial lol.

yeah,
Don't worry too much about the bases getting scratched up.
Unless you love rubbing your minis on everything they will be fine.
Both ArbitorIans tau and my dark eldar have been based on clear bases for over a year now and they still look great.
The real trouble is being tempted to save time and base every new project with clear bases!!

Panic...

Yeah those look great

It takes a little getting used to looking at the bases and seeing past them, its a little easier IRL without a single fixed position accentuating the glare on certain bases.

Cool, cheers guys Making me happy about my purchase

had another thought RE: the acrylic bases:

i don't know if you did it or not, but if you have a pin vise (or a really small drill bit and a pair of vise grips), you should be able to put little dimples in the bottom of the model's feet (and perhaps on the base?), which should help the bonding process. also, scuffing the acrylic with a mini file, fine sandpaper rolled in a sharp-pointed cone, or a small emory board should help with the bonding.

Yeah, I'll probably have to pin any metal models, as well as using epoxy instead of acrylic cement. I think this stuff is going to bond well enough without any extra tricks, but I'll definitely keep those in mind for when I'm doing tricky joins of smaller parts

I think the clear bases look great, just a shame to see all the work and time that went into your urban bases go down the tubes- because those were some really nice bases!

I'm kind of in the same place I have absolutely *no* idea what I'm going to do with those bases. I could touch them up and donate them to my space marines, but if I even go forward with that project I'd probably just as well give them the CADs (clear acrylic disks, tired of typing it out ) too.

Like I said, once the Deadzone stuff comes in and I've got them on the mat and buildings, I don't think there will be any contest whatsoever. It's just kind of hard to do it now

Now... the little one is asleep so I'm gonna stop typing and head down to the hobby cave to try to get... something... done. I'll either be transferring more models to CADs, working on my junk pile, or possibly even packing up my out-of-use hobby stuff. We're going to move soon, sometime next month we'll be switching to a slightly larger rental house on a slightly quieter street with more than slightly larger yard for Madame Babyington to play in I'll be losing my sweet basement but gaining a small spare bedroom (potentially) and a fairly large amount of garage space, so once the dust clears I should be looking at the same more more hobby area, and a better place to set up a table.

*Ahem, said I'd stop typing. BBL hopefully with something to show for it. Perhaps I'll take a few shots of my custom storage cases, saw a tutorial for them (or something very similar) here on dakka months ago.


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The forge fathers courageously volunteered to pioneer the new basing technology (had nothing to do with 'staying ahead of the stinkin humans')

Here's what I make my army transport cases out of, the Plano 4 pistol/xl accessory case:




You can get a short bit of copper tube and sharpen the edges with a dremmel/drill and the right sanding/polishing/grinding bit and cut circles into the egg-carton-like foam. You can fit quite a few dudes:


something like 45ish 25mm bases on the left and then 10 40mm bases on the right. Probably something in the 60s if you did all 25mm.


Here I combined the flat bottom piece (sometimes these are pluck foam, sometimes they are solid, its a toss up) and the second eggshell foam to make a storage solution for some of my vehicles.


Here's a different configuration, I've got some extra large stuff in the bottom that pokes through so I've only got about 30 25mm slots up top.


Bottom fits 3 drop pods and 3 rhinos, plus 30 some models up top, doesn't seem like a bad amount of storage for $12-15 (if you get it from walmart, sporting goods place wants $25 ).

You've just gotta add some of that dense craft foam stuff (think they call it funny foam at hobby lobby) and some kind of glue, I used elmers spray glue although some lightly touched spots do seem to tend to come apart.

Perhaps more later? I did spray paint my junk pile.

Ahem, still here. Been doing holiday stuff and watching the mantic thread(s) go kind of crazy what with the Deadzone shipping starting early.

I also got sucked in by the Miniature Market black friday sales and ordered the awesome corporation Major General, a 5 pack of enforcers to hold me over till my stuff arrives, and some metal forge fathers to get some flamers and heavy weapons into my forge father units (as much as I sort of like the hush gun, the actual flamer dwarf models are pretty slick, and just over $2 a pop for metal was not a bad price).

I managed to get some paint onto my junk pile and Sir Forscale. Just undercoats for now. I started to try the vallejo model air gun metal on the knight... nah. Forget that, I'll brush it on. Took a while to get that nasty sparkly junk out of my airbrush too =/



Then I've gotten a few more models on clear arcylics and did some more posing trying to show off the whole "blending into their terrain" or "look like they belong there" thing.


I think these guys are my favorites and the best of the bunch of white/black/red corporation troops.


Too much flash, but they show a little differently in this lighting so I kept it.


Sometimes the bases are more obvious than at others, but they're still a lot less obvious than big scenic bases.




Found this in the clearance section of a Walmart, its almost the right scale, the skull would fit into one of their helmets. Gonna repaint it someday, the starfish and such can be alien plants


Yar, this here rock'll be a great place to execute me 'flyin dwarf move!


I think the Thane up top is one of the better examples of the base disappearing so far.

Alright that's it from me for now. That MM stuff was 1 day shipping (cause that was the cheapest option some how) and the place is actually within what I consider driving distance so there's a very slim possibility it will go out tomorrow and come in saturday. Otherwise I reckon the beginning/middle of the week (gotta allow for delays, black friday in session and all). Once that stuff comes in I'll be sure to 'unbox' it and get to work afore deadzone arrives.

Happy hobbying!

Actually really liking these bases.

Junk looking good too.

Great blog cant wait to see what you do with deadzone.

Thanks for popping by guys

I was a bit hesitant at first, but the more models I put in them, the more I'm liking the clear acrylics too.

I've gotta do some thinking on the pile, need to paint some things that are metal as if they are... painted metal. So there's not too much silver and copper. Hopefully this weekend.

I'm super excited for Deadzone. I'm gonna get it late enough that an unboxing is probably pointless... but I'm definitely going to do a thorough one anyway. Gonna have to get a new bits container just for this... a big one too

Hopefully back later with more progress!