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What do you use to fill in around your figs bases? What material and/or tools? Any tips/tricks you've found to make the process easier/faster/cleaner?

I hate this aspect of modeling FoW infantry and anything I can get that will make it go by I will try.

You don't have to fill in around your bases if you use these or these. Or if you prefer to do your own bases, you can use some of the tips found here.

Agree on hating it, basing is a drag.



This is an example, not completed with static grass etc but shows the basing.

Its cheap ready mix filler from a supermarket, applied with a coffee stick - mixed with a bit of water, covers round the infantry bases nicely, done before priming so can be primed as well as the model.

Simple to do, but tedious doing a few at once, add the stuff, let it set overnight then paint it. Tip, leave guns off and add them once its painted.

Very cheap, easy to do. if you have models close together a cocktail stick dipped in water will push the mushy filler about between them

The good thing about filler is that it can be easily used to make little tussocks and the like. I use it for all my basing now, not just FoW stuff as its so versatile and it doesn't take that much effort or time to apply.

This may help.
http://forum.wwpd.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=12900

I use Testors Contour Putty in the grey tube. The bottle makes it easy to apply in between the individual miniature bases and you can form it with an old hobby knife, toothpicks, or any other small implement.

I use this stuff:



though I actually like doing bases. As for tools I'll use popsicle sticks and sculpting tools to fill in more troublesome gaps.

I tend to save all of my base work to do all at once in an assembly line. I usually play armies with LOTS of bases (e.g. Soviet/Romanian infantry companies) so by the time I'm finishing the first step of my last base, my first base should be dry and ready to do the second step.

As a maybe "speed it up" trick, you can try mixing your paint in with your basing material if you're using something like spackle. This will at least save you from the first undercoat as well preventing ugly white spots from poking through if some of it gets chipped off.

 econtutor wrote:
I use this stuff:

If you get the filler in tubes its a lot easier to apply, I also use own branded stuff as its a lot cheaper and just as good. For tools all I use is an old paintbrush.
I experimented with added paint but it never worked out right and I always needed to paint the bases so its not something that I bother with now.
One thing that you will need to do with is score the base with a blade before applying the filler as if you don't the whole thing can come off if you should drop your models (I found this one out the hard way).
Currently I am using this

 Hordini wrote:
I use Testors Contour Putty in the grey tube. The bottle makes it easy to apply in between the individual miniature bases and you can form it with an old hobby knife, toothpicks, or any other small implement.

I've used something similar - Humbrol Model Filler.
Squeeze some out onto a clean surface and stir it well, to mix the filler with the liquidy stuff. Then apply it with a narrow bladed non-porous tool - I use an old electrical screwdriver.

I used just used large amounts plastic glue and sand for the US in my open fire box and large amounts of Vallejo plastic putty and sand on my Germans. Both were less then ideal, but you can't tell where the gaps are. Was a pain.

Thinking about trying this Vallejo sandy paste stuff? Does anyone have an opinion on it?

I use molding gel. My local art supply store sells it. The advantage of the stuff is that you can mix paint with it before applying. This means that you don't need to paint the base after the gel is applied.

I use Vallejo Pumice. I put enough on a square of tile and drop paint into it until it is the color I want then spread it on. Works great for me.

Man, all you fancy guys with your filler and crack spackle! I just use wood glue and apply it with a crappy paint brush.