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Just to confirm, I dont mean bases as in the adding of cork, grass, gravel etc. I mean the actual black base. I have about 20 models that dont have bases, additionally, I was considering making a base for my Triarch Stalker (I dont like how he's free standing) - Any thoughts on adding a base to him? Any concerns from anyone with experience?

Ultimately wondering though what material people recommend to make my own bases. And perhaps the steps. I searched for tutorials but its always actual basing (adding cork, gravel, etc) that comes up.

Appreciate your guys expertise/experience!

With the time money and effort it would take to manufacture your own plastic bases, it would be far far cheaper and easier to just buy them.

sirknighter wrote:
Just to confirm, I dont mean bases as in the adding of cork, grass, gravel etc. I mean the actual black base. I have about 20 models that dont have bases, additionally, I was considering making a base for my Triarch Stalker (I dont like how he's free standing) - Any thoughts on adding a base to him? Any concerns from anyone with experience?

Ultimately wondering though what material people recommend to make my own bases. And perhaps the steps. I searched for tutorials but its always actual basing (adding cork, gravel, etc) that comes up.

Appreciate your guys expertise/experience!

I made resin bases at home and it isn't as tough as you think, but you'll need some 'originals/masters' to make the molds out of. I documented all of my mistakes so that others can benefit haha. My friend has already cast his own using my Blog article and had no issues.

The only thing I'd change from that article is - skip crappy Smooth-On products, and just go with MicroMark if you are able. MicroMark resins and mold materials are FAR superior and I didn't learn this until the later rounds of casting. Anyway, maybe this can help you: http://atticwars40k.blogspot.com/2015/01/how-to-create-your-own-32mm-resin-bases.html

If you're really determined to make your own bases, either go with MDF or resin. Plaster could work, but you need to get the really good plaster (dental plaster, etc. not plaster of paris). For a large model like the Triarch Stalker you could potentially go to Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc. and look for a large wooden circle or oval to use for a base. Look in the section where they have wood bits like dowels, barrels, boxes, letters, etc.

On the other hand, you can often pick up 25mm plastic bases on eBay, 10 x for $0.99. You can also buy large oval bases for under $10.

At least here, resin casting only becomes "cost effective" AFTER the first 20 bases.
You need:
to make your master (and seal it).
The moulding material (silicone rubber 2 part)
The casting material (usually resin, but filler and tints come in here as well).

For bases, it's not that hard to do the moulds. 1 part, pour and forget. It's that bases don't need a lot of resin and mixing small amounts is tricky - so it's usually better to have multiples in your mould. My base mould has 10 bases in it. 8 25mm and 2 40mm. When I have leftover resin from another job I fill the base moulds.

Second Chef of Cadia. Can't you buy bases? These days GW sells about any size and shape you'd want, and Reaper Miniatures just finished a kickstarter that'll add more variety to their own extensive range.

Something that ive done before is laser cut the correct sizes out of plastic and then build up the base using cork etc to hide the fact that it isnt tapered like GW or whoevers bases.