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So, I have a couple of questions for the more experienced mini-modelers, here. I'm working on a fancy display base design for something, and I have a few little wonders about the whole project:

Greenstuff- I've never felt skilled enough to use it, but this project will demand some, no matter what, so I have to ask, does it stick to the model, as it sets up? Do you shape it, let it dry, and then bump it off, so you can glue it back on, or will it hold glue-tight, on its own? Some of it is also going to be used to cover his Infantry base, so it blends into his bigger, display base. How can I do that, but NOT have it stick, if it does? Really newb questions, I know, but Greenstuff is totally new to me, in regards to actually using it.

Base Size- the piece in question is Infantry scale, using a Tempestor Prime, as the base, for your imagination. I'm going to make a display base that his "legal" base sort of fits into, so I have the room to embellish it, but he COULD be removed from it, to be legally played (his stats are cheese, but he could use those of an Inquisitor, and get most of them). Based on his scale, and the fact that he won't be sharing the display base with anyone else, should a Terminator's base be big enough, or should I go for what a Dreadnought comes with? He's mostly going to sit on a shelf, with the other stuff I've done, and try to showcase my level of skill, more than anything else, so quantity of covering greenstuff aside, I'm favoring the Dreadnought base.

Bling- for people who are in the know on 40k fluff, what might be some portable, hand-held "priceless treasures", for me to mix in with the stack of gold he'll probably be standing on/among? I need some ideas of what other valuables he might have, mixed in with his Scrooge McDuck vault look, but that won't be too big, or too distracting.

This one isn't for the base, but I already have people reading, so, what's a good way to cut pewter? I remember, back in the day, it could make customizing a pain, and the head I chose for this is from one of the pewter Pathfinder minis. I'm not even sure how I'll blend the hair in with the collar of the Prime's coat, but how will I cut pewter, and not have it come out looking a mess?

Okay, that'll about wrap it up, for now. Thanks again, and please have a great one. Really hoping to finally hammer this silly project out.

Greenstuff will stick like glue most of the time. The longer it cures, the less sticky it is. If you don't want it to stick to the base you have two options. 1) work the greenstuff on something other than the base, like wax paper and peel it off onc it's cured. Then you can glue it to what you want. 2) if you need to mold it while on the base but not stick to it, you will need some sort of lubricant-petroleum jelly will work.

I would use a dreadnought base as it will give you more room to work with

Rosettes, relic weapons, relic goblets, small chain painted gold would all work. Dr. H has a good blog here about painting miniature paintings on miniature canvases (you can find them in Walmart in the crafts section. Might also be a possibility.

Metal is a pain to convert. A hobby saw will cut it, but isn't really workable for other than straight cuts. You can use a sharp exacto knife if you take your time with it, but it will be tough. I would chop off the heat with a hobby saw and then use the knife to shave of in more detail. Ideally, a dremel would be what you want, but might not be worth it if this is just a one off.

Good luck!

Well, my trepidation was finally countered, at least some; I ordered a Star Wars mini (remember those), on eBay, and it arrived broken. Had to rebuild a little hand, after my carpet ate the piece I lost. This meant finally starting to use my Greenstuff, and since it was open, and I was feeling reckless , I started "scaling up" the coat for Qel-Drake. I'm not sure how well I really did, but as a first time attempt, I'm willing to run with it, for now. If later, I don't end up thinking it is good enough, that's why i bought three more sets of the bits for the Tempestor Prime's coat, and Greenstuff. Finally, I'm moving forward with this silly thing, at least a little.

So, this is where I come to another silly question. I know that, for the most part, the days of buying specific bits, as you specifically need them, is rather long dead, even if possibly as much, or more, of the people eho do 40k now do it for the modelling, and NOT the game, but is there a good way to buy individual bases, or in small batches, as you need them? The Scions came with their own, so Qel-Drake's play base is covered, but if i want to do the showy base to stand it in, probably a 60mm dreadnought base, or something, I don't happen to "just have a spare". I saw the Sector Imperialis sets, up for pre-order, and they would give the nice "floor of the ship" pattern, for where you can see it, that would look like a Rogue Trader's ship, where all the loot is stored, but it's a lot, for one base I would use. eBay has a decent amount of something called ForgeCraft, and they are more affordable; i might go that route.

This may be obvious, but there's like 20 stores on Ebay that sell bits of all type, including bases. I have found a lot of textured bases as well. Maybe I misread what your really asking, but I would just give it a try. I've had good luck. I have also used other materials, since I want show bases heavier. Flat washers, wood stock etc can really be built up nice.

edwardmyst wrote:
This may be obvious, but there's like 20 stores on Ebay that sell bits of all type, including bases. I have found a lot of textured bases as well. Maybe I misread what your really asking, but I would just give it a try. I've had good luck. I have also used other materials, since I want show bases heavier. Flat washers, wood stock etc can really be built up nice.

No, you weren't misreading; I was mostly commenting that GW doesn't make it easy, themselves, and then seeing if anyone had specific success stories they felt like maybe getting some extra business for people who did right by them. I've seen several on eBay, and I'm thinking that's what I'll do, too. Mostly, I judt didn't want to have to buy a set of 6+, or something, for one, as I'm primarily modelling, and not playing; not sure what I'd do with 3+ other 60mm bases, unless I decided to do a Dreadnought (and I suppose it would come with one.) Thanks very much.