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So I need to get ahold of like 20 60mm bases to do my no-flight-stick challenge. Anyone got a good lead on either A) super cheap plastic bases, or B) a good way to make them on the cheap? All the homemade ones I've ever seen have been irregular and raggedy.

Here you go! http://www.proxiemodels.com/store2/index.php?route=product/product&path=20_26&product_id=55
I've had nothing but good experience with Proxie Model's products.

If you're as cheap as I am and a bit flexible regarding size, metal frozen juice concentrate tops are 66mm. I use them for my light and medium-light mecha in my 28mm mech game. They Mech on the right is on a juice lid.

Unfortunately, I need exactly 60mm to be legal. I also have to be able to pin the models. Anyone got any cheap options for so many bases?

Litko sells 60mm wooden bases that match perfectly to the large flight bases.

Huh. Any idea how strong their magnetic base bottoms are?

I do mine on a 3d printer. Really cheap (about $0.25 for a 60mm base), and can't be distinguished from "real" base after it is painted and some basing material added. Of course I have access to the 3d printer at my office. The base of the man in the foreground is a 3d print.

 Jimsolo wrote:
Unfortunately, I need exactly 60mm to be legal. I also have to be able to pin the models. Anyone got any cheap options for so many bases?

The Proxie bases are 60mm and are made of polystyrene and entirely pin-able. Also, at about $0.56 each (8 for 4.50) they're probably the cheapest you're going to find unless you can get Loborocket to sell you some.

My 3D printer said it was going to run him roughly .90 in materials per base, so I may check the others out.

Laser cut wood or acrylic

Carefully cut them out with a circle cutter and some plasticard

resin cast a bunch

Cut them out of cardstock if you dont need it to be that strong?

Look for 60mm washers?

Casting is not a bad idea. If you have casting material on hand and need 20 of them it could be a relatively inexpensive proposition. Something simple like a base, might even be doable with a cheap-and-simple silicone caulk mold. If you made them 4mm thick you might even be able to use a cheaper casting material like dental stone.

Here's some shell disks that are really cheap, but they're probably rather brittle and might not be suitable for pinning.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-PCS-NATURAL-ROUND-CAPIZ-SEA-SHELL-BLANK-DISKS-60mm-7882-/161659467814?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25a3a7b826

Here's an example of some flat washers, but it looks like you're looking at around 90 cents each and again it's going to be tough to pin.
http://www.grainger.com/category/flat-washers/washers/fasteners/ecatalog/N-8ogZ1z0jakk#nav=%2Fcategory%2Fflat-washers%2Fwashers%2Ffasteners%2Fecatalog%2FN-8ogZ1z12lmwZ1z12lwlZ1z0jakk

I don't mean to harp on, but unless you make them yourself, I really don't think you're going to find anything cheaper than proxie models.

Hurlbat has some cheap ones in ABS plastic (not sure what that is).
Renedra has some in the regular plastic I'm familiar with, little cheaper than Proxie (after shipping).
Litko has some plywood ones for dirt cheap.

Now, here's the question: will 3mm plywood bases be suitable for pinning and/or magnetization? I just picked up the perfect troop transports, but I'm going to have to magnetize all my minis to the metal sheet bases, and five of the miniatures I'm needing to base are going to be 3rd edition metal Wraithlords.

http://www.litko.net/products/Circular-Miniature-Bases%3A-60-mm.html#.VUBc-og8KrU
http://www.hurlbat.co.uk/product-p/bas_r60.htm
http://www.architectsofwar.com/60mmdiameterroundbases.aspx

Pinning should be fine.
magnetization might be interesting but doable.

Since its wood and woods been drilled since the dawn of man.

Lol, true. I wasn't so much worried about drilling as it being thick enough/the magnets tearing out.

Wood, MDF (if painted on both sides and sealed) or plastic in 2 or 3mm will be fine for pinning or magnetizing. If you're worried about magnets or pins pulling out I'd recommend using epoxy rather than superglue which is probably a good idea either way.

Can you use plastic glue on ABS, or is superglue my go-to here?

ABS will work with some plastic glues. The glue itself should tell you, but I know for sure it will work with MEK based glues such as Plastruct Plastic Weld (orange label) which will bond ABS, Polystyrene and some others (though not polyethylene or PVC).