Transporting Large Models

J

Jericho

Consummate Brushlicker
Skeeve just reminded me I could enter my Dragon in the Golden Demon contest this year. The only problem? Getting it across the country in one piece! I have no idea how to pack a model that big, I\'ve never done it before. Standard foam inserts are obviously out of the question.

So, people of Coolmini, how do you pack up big models like this for transporting to competitions? It can\'t be too big, since I need to take a week\'s worth of clothes and gaming supplies in addition to my contest entries.

Thanks for your help :D
 
Einion

Einion

New member
Most historical modellers transport larger models without packaging; they use the base alone to fix the model within a transport box. This avoids all the possible problems of tissue, foam etc. in contact with the painted surface - no ruboff, no possibility of snagging something as you take it out, no buffing.

If you\'ve assembled it robustly and fixed it to the base well enough I would highly recommend this method. The two commonest techniques to fix the model to a shelf within the box, or the box bottom itself, are large blobs of Blu-Tack or a screw into a pre-drilled hole in the wooden base.

I have on occasion drilled the wooden base after the model has been attached, but I wouldn\'t recommend it!

Einion
 
mattsterbenz

mattsterbenz

New member
I remember reading an article about what Einion described. Unfortunately it was a long time ago, and I don\'t remember where I found it.

A nut was glued to the bottom of the miniature\'s base, and then bolted tightly to the bottom of a wooden box. Basically you just want to restrict all movement of the miniature. I would want to pack foam around the miniature as well, just in case the base came unscrewed it would still be somewhat protected.

On the other hand, you could always seat the miniature in the car, on the seat next to you. Buckle it in the seat belt, maybe give it a soda or two for the road, and you\'re good to go! Plus he would be much happier than being stuck in a dark box. lol

If you are going in a plane, just remember that everything gets broken, no matter how well you pack it. Airport employees must like to jump on the cargo.

-Matt
 
Dragon Forge Design

Dragon Forge Design

New member
Originally posted by generulpoleaxe
seen Vincenti and Talonicus using the box method and i\'m a convert (just need to make one)
Click to expand...

I started making boxes like this last year after seeing Jeremie Bonamants travel box when he was here in the US last summer.

The dimensions are so it meets carry on regulations and either fits in overhead or under a seat.

This box has 2 pull out shelves, the newer version has three.

Jeremie used poster tac putty to adhere the miniatures to his shelves, you could also use screws from the bottom.

2.jpg


1.jpg


The boxes are constructed of 1/2 inch Baltic Birch Plywood with rabbited joints that are glued and nailed. I stood on one for a while..and I\'m..well heavy :p
 
Talonicus

Talonicus

New member
My carry box is a very similar arrangement to yours DFD
The front slides into place on my box. I have multiple holes drilled in both shelves and I secure the models with thumbscrews.
Its makes transporting models absolutely painless, with the added benefit of when in the Forgeworld queues it makes an awesome clunking noise as it hits peeps in the noggin.

lollollol
 
Dragonsreach

Dragonsreach

Super Moderator
Staff member
Originally posted by Dragon Forge Design
The boxes are constructed of 1/2 inch Baltic Birch Plywood with rabbited joints that are glued and nailed.
Click to expand...
Who\'s been watching Norm Abrahm :D.
Its Rebated Joints.....rabbited joints are, I suspect, something some people might smoke. :rolleyes::innocent:

Originally by Talonicus
Its makes transporting models absolutely painless, with the added benefit of when in the Forgeworld queues it makes an awesome clunking noise as it hits peeps in the noggin
Click to expand...
Cost of materials = £2.00
Labour = £2.00
Frustration Relief at Forgeworld queues = Priceless.
lol
 
Einion

Einion

New member
Originally posted by Dragonsreach
Originally posted by Dragon Forge Design
The boxes are constructed of 1/2 inch Baltic Birch Plywood with rabbited joints that are glued and nailed.
Click to expand...
Who\'s been watching Norm Abrahm :D.
Its Rebated Joints.....
Click to expand...
:D Good ol\' Norm, I\'ll never look at an old floorboard the same way.

Americans actually do use a different word for rebates to us English speakers DR. Rabbet/rebate = same thing. Unlike \'soddering\' which is just them pronouncing soldering incorr... ah, with an accent.

Einion
 
Dragon Forge Design

Dragon Forge Design

New member
Originally posted by Einion
Originally posted by Dragonsreach
Originally posted by Dragon Forge Design
The boxes are constructed of 1/2 inch Baltic Birch Plywood with rabbited joints that are glued and nailed.
Click to expand...
Who\'s been watching Norm Abrahm :D.
Its Rebated Joints.....
Click to expand...
:D Good ol\' Norm, I\'ll never look at an old floorboard the same way.

Americans actually do use a different word for rebates to us English speakers DR. Rabbet/rebate = same thing. Unlike \'soddering\' which is just them pronouncing soldering incorr... ah, with an accent.

Einion
Click to expand...

Well what ever it is..It makes a nice strong joint.

I\'ve made about 10 of the buggers so far, actually going to make about 8 more here soon and add them to my site. The sad part is the shipping costs over seas..makes them horribly expensive.
 
J

Jericho

Consummate Brushlicker
I think Jakob Neilsen posted an article about screws/nuts and a small wooden box. I wasn\'t sure if this would work with something as large as a dragon.

Anyway the model in question is this one:

dragoncmon.jpg


It\'s about 5\" to the top of the wings. I might be able to make an 8\" box to carry him in. I have access to power tools that can do the job. Who knows maybe I\'ll be posting pics of my own indestructable little case pretty soon here :D
 
J

jahminis

New member
did someone mention joints???
i don\'t know about rabbited joints, but i have been known to squirrel a joint or two away in my dreadlocks!!!

@jerico: that dragon is gonna be a bitch to get to so cal...i hope ya figure out a way to carry it on with ya...as has been said, the airline always finds a way to break minis that get checked...
i\'ll see ya at g.d.l.a., hopefully ya won\'t be the guy repairin\' a dragon!!!

@dfd: that\'s a wicked case man...i have a workshop up here in alaska, but the most use i put it to is makin\' pipes out of moose and caribou antlers...


cheers
jah
 
A

arogers907

New member
I think I would hit the Tupperware isle of your local kitchen shop. Blue tac the base to the inside of the lid. Then you can screw/snap the top over the model. Tac it down real well and make sure the Tupperware is big enough that it doesn\'t brush the sides if it wiggles.

That works really well with smaller models in pill bottles. Should work with the dragon as long as you can keep it mostly flat.

/shrug

Just a thought...

-Andy
 
Dragonsreach

Dragonsreach

Super Moderator
Staff member
Originally posted by jahminis
did someone mention joints???
i don\'t know about rabbited joints, but i have been known to squirrel a joint or two away in my dreadlocks!!!
Technically I cannot condone the illegal practise of drug abuse. (Family reasons) But that did make me laugh a bit.

@dfd: that\'s a wicked case man...i have a workshop up here in alaska, but the most use i put it to is makin\' pipes out of moose and caribou antlers...
Click to expand...
Antlers can be turned on a lathe to make nice bases...Hint Hint.;););):D
 
J

Jericho

Consummate Brushlicker
This discussion has taken some very interesting turns so far lol

BTW there\'s been a lot of confusion every time I post about going to Games Day, it\'s Games Day Canada on June 21st. Anyone headed to Toronto I\'ll be happy to meet, but I\'m afraid I\'m gonna miss the fun in Baltimore, LA, and the others this season.

With a bit of luck I might be able to make a more extravagent trip next year, once I get my degree and work a few months at a real job :D
 
Dragonsreach

Dragonsreach

Super Moderator
Staff member
Originally posted by Jericho
With a bit of luck I might be able to make a more extravagent trip next year, once I get my degree and work a few months at a real job :D
Click to expand...
You not got any student loans to pay off?
 
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