How to paint a large flying model without a base?

[stokerd]

Note, this is a question, not a step by step. I think I'm going to stay with the fantasy vein I'm currently in so I'm going to paint an awesome model for an old friend as the first D&D character we ever played with - Lady Gabrielle.

I'm going to use the Reaper Barros model with the female rider:

My questions is (and this is in my WIP thread as well, to hopefully have more people see it and answer) - how do I paint this guy off his base? I don't have a pin or setup strong enough to hold him, but I don't want to glue him onto his base yet (I've done one previously, and it broke off all the time). Any ideas or help would be appreciated. Also, ideas on how to hold his wings while I paint them (they aren't going to be fastened) would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

 

[PegaZus]

I've used popsicle sticks whittled down on one end that fits into the round slot, but I honestly wouldn't recommend that. A small metal rod might work better. Maybe even a piece of coat hanger. Reuse of some plastic sprue, again whittled down.

Then the next problem is holding that. Corks I've seen done. I've used woodworking clamps, the kind that lock and the ones that are spring loaded. I prefer the locking ones. They're the ones where you squeeze the handle and it tightens up.

Now, I've got a bunch of space ships that I'm currently working on sans bases. I'm just painting them one side at a time, and being very careful with the paint. Not a perfect solution but I was lazy. Got little pieces of foam for them to lay on while the top surface dries.

For the wings, it'll be nice if they have tabs that go into the body. Recently painted a Reaper Bones dragon that had tabs for the wings. Simply put them into the clamps that I mentioned before, and away I went. Of course, if you're one of those people who will want to gap fill, it might be better to attach the wings first anyway and just deal with them that way.

That's about all I can think of.

 

[MAXXxxx]

I'd simply pin it and use that in a holder. At later time you can remove the metal rod if you want to (most superglues are not that strong).

 

[Bloodhowl]

(most superglues are not that strong).

HA!! Not that strong he says. I don't know about you, but once my fingers are glued together or to the parts I am working with, that super glue bond is nigh impossible to break!

 

[Webmonkey]

How to paint a large flying model without a base?,...

Very carefully,... lol

Seriously though, you could also try sticking the back legs into a small ball of clay/sillyputty/fimo/play-dough,..etc. Paint the whole rest of the model, and then at the end, you'll just need to do a bit of touch up on the rear hooves and a bit of the legs.

 

[Demihuman]

I'd simply pin it and use that in a holder. At later time you can remove the metal rod if you want to (most superglues are not that strong).

This ^^ Try coat hanger wire or 2 penny nails. Plenty strong. Drill a hole in a piece of wood and glue it in there so you have something to hold while you paint.. Most people don't paint their mini's on the base anyways.

You might need to pick up some heavy duty wire cutters or use a hack saw blade to cut the coat hanger.

Super glue is easy to break, Hot glue from a glue gun works good too. if you can heat up your pin it will come right out.

 

[Dragonsreach]

I've picked up the ideas and built a number of "Gizmos"or "Dofers" for holding parts to be done separately by using small electrical crocodile clips attached to barbecue skewers. That allows a strong holding point and 360 access to the piece, and I've utilised a block of cork with holes drilled in a a working stand.
Currently got a Millennium Falcon and two busts in pieces on the go like that.