Basing materials

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**ratchet565**

hey,

is the games workshop modelling sand just regular sand? I can't find any decent pics of it. is it very fine sand like beach sand or are they larger 'rocks'?

can anyone identify the various grass / rock materials here and / or know where I can buy them?

thanks

**Capitansolstice**

GW static grass, sand, and pebbles, with woodland senics clump foliage

**ratchet565**

games workshop pebbles???

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/armySubUnitCats.jsp?catId=cat470007a&rootCatGameStyle=paints-tools

**sebigboss79**

Pendraken website offers 3 different sands, if you aint picky buy even birdsand.

Flock from Ziterdes. Haven´t tried AP yet. But why not buy scenic bases while you are at it?

**ratchet565**

what's AP?

also I think i'd prefer to make my own scenic bases. you can do cool things like this:

**jgemrich**

GW is a mix of 3 types of ballast sizes typically used in Model trains. I make my own w/ 2 parts Course, 3 parts medium and 5 parts fine ballast. Adjust to your taste. You can buy Woodland scenics ballast at www.hobbylinc.com . Mix it up in your own tupperware and store it.

**ratchet565**

jgemrich wrote:GW is a mix of 3 types of ballast sizes typically used in Model trains.

thanks, that's the games workshop modelling sand right? I never know what abbreviations you guys are using

**PraetorDave**

...or you could be a cheapo like me, and run over to the local golf course and scoop up some sand from the sand traps there.

**IK-Painter**

I think the sand is a mixture of Galeforce Nines Fine and Medium basing grit.

**Breotan**

You can also get dirt from pretty much anywhere on the ground, provided you're not on Coruscant.

**sebigboss79**

ratchet565 wrote:what's AP?

also I think i'd prefer to make my own scenic bases. you can do cool things like this:

AP = Armypainter

Especially if you want to design your own get the 3 sands from pendraken. They are a bargain.
Static grass from Ziterdes is what I use (seldom) but then my bases are very plain or totally nerdish.

**ratchet565**

hey guys,

my GW sand came today, and aside from losing most of it during shipping due to the tub top coming open, there doesn't seem to be any larger rocks in it at all, it's just regular sand, I thought you said it would have larger rocks in it? :(

**Todosi**

The old stuff did. The new stuff is just sand. You have to buy the rocks separately. Seriously, do NOT buy modelling supplies from GW. All of their stuff is available elsewhere at a tiny fraction of the cost. Check Michaels in the flower section for some great sand and tiny rocks. Also Model Railroad places will have giant containers for much less than GW charges for their yogurt size containers.

**ratchet565**

I see. lame =(

anyone got a UK based place with what I need?

**Kimzi Caky**

http://www.maelstromgames.co.uk/index.php
You can find just about anything you will ever need there.

**D.Smith**

If theres any sand near where you live or travel, grap a tupaware box of it... thats what i do, you get all sorts of sizes in it.

If its wet. put it on some foil on a baking tray (not a fan assisted oven!!) and dry it out.

If its too corse then seive it

simples! (and free)

Or if you just want to buy it in a tub model railway shops or google.

**Dave-c**

Go to a home goods store, here in US we have home depot, lowes, in uk i dont know. Buy a bag of playground sand for 2$(they have different grades, the midgrade stuff is both pebbles and super fine sand mixed). Then base your army, your neighbors army, your uncles army, your enemies army, your FLGS groups armies, and then start a garden with whats left.

**FearPeteySodes**

Really good stuff here, i got the Winter basing kit and am happy with the results:

http://www.skullcrafts.com/

**LadyCassandra**

Wilkinsons carries some decent birdsand and bird grit(gravel), about 80p for 1kg. Mix it up for a mix of grades and then grab some gravel from a drive or from a hardware store for rocks. Ta-da!

Slate is also a fun thing to get, in various grades, but I don't know how to get ahold of it without paying GW prices in anything less than a huge bag for covering gardens

.

The base below uses that method.

**ratchet565**

thanks for the help guys

**AustonT**

Dave-c wrote:Go to a home goods store, here in US we have home depot, lowes, in uk i dont know. Buy a bag of playground sand for 2$(they have different grades, the midgrade stuff is both pebbles and super fine sand mixed). Then base your army, your neighbors army, your uncles army, your enemies army, your FLGS groups armies, and then start a garden with whats left.

This. Also in my gallery are some pictures of basing materials if you like one I'll tell you what it is.

**ratchet565**

found what I needed here: http://www.firestormgames.co.uk/2324

**Capitansolstice**

Good!

**ratchet565**

rather than start a new topic, thinking of picking this up; http://www.miniaturicum.de/product_info.php?products_id=4500&language=en

what do you guys think?

**Capitansolstice**

That is a lot of paint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a good deal though

**AustonT**

I happen to think they are a great idea, never could justify paying someone for cheap shelves with holes in them.

**poda_t**

Not sure if its been mentioned here already;

USED COFFEE GRINDS FOR DIRT//BALLAST!!!!

So long as you drink a pot a week, you are guaranteed to stockpile on it very quikckly, and its decent quality as well. In a pinch, you could also re-use the grinds to make a cup of coffee, boil it down till you have about 10 ml, and use that as an ink.

**JB_Man**

I go outside, get a cup of dirt, and bake it. It's free, and incredibly realistic!

**ratchet565**

outside? what is that? o_o!

quick question, do you guys base your fliers or leave them transparent/clear?

**Capitansolstice**

base them