Wednesday 15 October 2014

Clear bases for figures ?

I've been looking for commercially produced clear bases for some time. Sally 4th now produce them in a range of sizes (Clear Terra-Bases).

I bought some to try out,  a quick comparison

left : figure on a base cut from clear plastic packaging (thinner)
centre: figure on Terra-Base, a bit thicker but Ok.
right: figure on terrained base - clashes with stone surface.

Similar comparison using 54mm figs from above (40mm bases), with a 28mm fig on penny size (20mm) clear base...
 One risk of clear bases is the 'reflection' effect, this depends on lighting and angle of viewing; more likely with larger bases, as shown here with a 54mm figure.
Overall I think these new bases are really useful, avoiding the base<->terrain clash effect.

I'm most likely to use them for my 54mm roman civilians. I'll stick to my scheme (bases cut from clear plastic packaging) for my 18C palace civilians.

6 comments:

Fitz-Badger said...

I think the clear bases, whether cut from plastic packaging or commercially produced, work well for the varied ground surfaces, floorings, etc., you place them on for vignettes. And as long as the figures don't have or are cleared of molded on bases. I like those 54mm Romans. They seem somewhat "Asterix-ish".
I have mixed bases on many of my figures - many are flocked, but some are molded to look like stone floors or sandy beaches or other surfaces. That'll have to do for general gaming figures for me.

joppy said...

Thet do look good, and very versatile. Just a quick query, how do you remove the metal bases without too much distress (to self and model)?

Big Andy said...

Many many years ago I experimented with clear plastikard bases for my plastic WW2 in the days of airfix. With plastic it was relativley easy and not too much blood spilled but I bottled it when thinking about doding the same for my plastic Afghans - there were quite a few . Not sure I'd want to do it for whole armies . - especially as they don't spend much time on stonework of roads

tidders said...

Your right those 54mm romans are from an Asterix set. Overall terrained bases for gaming is the best compromise.

tidders said...

If you start with figures designed for slotta bases then it is relatively simple - snip off the tab and file the underside of the feet flat.

Otherwise removing the bases from the model can be rather tricky; you have to snip carefully round the feet - then cut/snip the remaining base from the underside of the feet so it is level - then file the underside. Initially I practiced on some old spare figures, I seem to have the knack of doing it now - but occasionally I mess one up.

tidders said...

Rebasing with clear bases is definitely something you don't want to be doing for lots of figures/whole armies.