Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

How do you all attach metal to a base. Glue is generally an unreliable way. Is their magic adhesive?

Depends is it like a foot, if its a model i usually run a pin through the base and model? or like washers to the underside of a base?

Superglue is what most of us use. Otherwise there is always two-part epoxy but that's really messy to work with.

Seems fair on both accounts. Just for clarification, the models in question have a strip that the feet rest on, like alot of metal GW infantry models.

If you score the surface of both the metal and the plastic it should stick better. However, when I'm just gluing dudes with tabs into slotta bases I use super glue and I've not once had a problem in close to a decade of this hobby.

 rapterz wrote:
Seems fair on both accounts. Just for clarification, the models in question have a strip that the feet rest on, like alot of metal GW infantry models.

Cut the metal tab off, file the feet smooth, and then pin the model to the base.

I personally cannot stand those tabs on metal or plastic models so they always get cut off.

Twist the tab slightly so when you push it into the base, making a stiffer fit. Then use super glue.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Once dry you can improve the strength of the bond by stuffing the gaps with green stuff.

I tweak the tab, like bubber. Slip a pair of long-nose pliers over the middle of the tab and gently twist, giving it a shallow S-curve. With 3 points of contact, you can get a tight enough friction fit that all wobble is erased. The glue, then, just needs to keep the figure from sliding out of the slot, meaning superglue is quite sufficient. Basing on top of the tab adds another layer of security, but you can add shims of putty if you're still concerned (although I wouldn't be).

I usually superglue the tab into the slot.

However, when sticking metal chaos terminators on 40mm bases, that wasn't an option. Having no experience at the time, I didn't use a paperclip pin but used M2 machine screws instead. That worked out suprisingly well. White metal and plastic is soft enough that drilling a corretly undersized hole (1.5mm for an M2 screw) is sufficient and cutting threads is redundant. The screw pulls the miniature to the base really nicely. Adding a dab of superglue arrests any unwanted rotation.

Bolting the mini to the base is very simple, strong and can be undone easier than pinning. Quite suited to heavy, running or leaping models - as long as the foot it big enough ;-]

I cut the tab off and superglue it to the base. As with any join that isn't being done with plastic glue, I pin the everlovin' crap out of it.