Hi All,
I have been thinking a lot about how I handle and transport my minis. I need a reasonably chunky base so I don't get my fingers all over my minis and also a way to easily transport them.
Ages ago I got a lovely wooden carry case from Jeff at Dragon Forge that came with 2 slots to slide shelves into as well as 4 shelves to work with.
I figured screwing through the shelves was the most secure so I drilled into the bases of some of my minis and glued a nut in place. I had some M4 wing-bolts that are great and these screwed into the glued nut. Not ideal though, they feel OK but not really secure.
So... I fired the ol' brain up and shopped... I picked up some lovely resin bases from http://www.modeldisplayproducts.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=35_43 along with some satin black spray paint from http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_208883_langId_-1_categoryId_165495 and some awesome gnurled M4 wood inserts from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270922543815
The process is a breeze... Spray the base and wait to dry Drill a 5.2mm hole about 10mm deep and then drill the top 1-2mm of resin with an 8mm bit to make a lip. Dab some superglue on the inside of the hole for added security and push the insert in (this should take a lot of force) and wait for the glue to dry.
Take the shelf and either drill lots of 5mm holes (or get 'em laser cut if you have that available!) and find some wing-bolts or thumb screws or anything you like that's M4 threaded and you can turn.
Considering the time and investment that goes into the painting and the mini, spending a few extra pounds to properly secure them makes a lot of sense.
Here's what it looks like... please excuse the poor pics with dodgy colour balance.
Underside of base with insert set in place.
Top of the base... there is no reason to not drill all the way through if it's a thin base.
A few awesome minis glued in place... The Crow by Bragon and an old Christmas Marine by Mike.
Bolted through the shelf.
This absolutely the most secure way I have seen to transport minis without anything touching the painted mini (such as foam). I hope it's useful to someone.
Cheers,
Joe
I have been thinking a lot about how I handle and transport my minis. I need a reasonably chunky base so I don't get my fingers all over my minis and also a way to easily transport them.
Ages ago I got a lovely wooden carry case from Jeff at Dragon Forge that came with 2 slots to slide shelves into as well as 4 shelves to work with.
I figured screwing through the shelves was the most secure so I drilled into the bases of some of my minis and glued a nut in place. I had some M4 wing-bolts that are great and these screwed into the glued nut. Not ideal though, they feel OK but not really secure.
So... I fired the ol' brain up and shopped... I picked up some lovely resin bases from http://www.modeldisplayproducts.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=35_43 along with some satin black spray paint from http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_208883_langId_-1_categoryId_165495 and some awesome gnurled M4 wood inserts from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270922543815
The process is a breeze... Spray the base and wait to dry Drill a 5.2mm hole about 10mm deep and then drill the top 1-2mm of resin with an 8mm bit to make a lip. Dab some superglue on the inside of the hole for added security and push the insert in (this should take a lot of force) and wait for the glue to dry.
Take the shelf and either drill lots of 5mm holes (or get 'em laser cut if you have that available!) and find some wing-bolts or thumb screws or anything you like that's M4 threaded and you can turn.
Considering the time and investment that goes into the painting and the mini, spending a few extra pounds to properly secure them makes a lot of sense.
Here's what it looks like... please excuse the poor pics with dodgy colour balance.
Underside of base with insert set in place.
Top of the base... there is no reason to not drill all the way through if it's a thin base.
A few awesome minis glued in place... The Crow by Bragon and an old Christmas Marine by Mike.
Bolted through the shelf.
This absolutely the most secure way I have seen to transport minis without anything touching the painted mini (such as foam). I hope it's useful to someone.
Cheers,
Joe
