Tutorial - Tech Bases

[Martok]

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First off we need to know what tools and materials are needed to make these bases. The list is as follows:

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1. Glue. Every hobbyist needs glue.

2. Hole punch. Mine is a 1mm punch perfect for rivets.

3. Compass cutting tool. Invaluable for getting a perfect circle.

4. Some plasticard of an appropriate thickness for rivets (I think mine was 1mm).

5. Pencil for marking lengths etc.

6. Metal ruler for measuring lengths.

7. Plasticard for detailing (again I think 1mm thick).

8. Deck plate style plasticard.

9. A knife.

10. Bases!

11. Clippers.

12. Cutting mat.

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I start off by setting the compass cutter to the right width for the base we are making. I score the circle into the deck plated plasticard a few times before applying any real pressure to ensure it is a perfect circle.

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Now we have a perfect circle cut from the deck plated plasticard. Sometimes you may need to go around the edge with a knife to tidy it up.

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Now we glue the circle we just cut out of the deck plating plasticard to the base. Now we are ready to go. If you were in a hurry or wanted to keep the base simple you could stop here.

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Next we measure our plasticard and then cut to size for the base. You can keep this simple like above or make it more complicated if you wish.

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Make sure that you have trimmed the plasticard to size for the base so we get a nice and flush finish.

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Now for the tedious bit... rivets. This is a dark art of modelling apparently. Personally I get a beer and watch TV while doing this as it is worth doing more than you need so you do not have to do any more

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They are plastic rivets officer I swear!

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Mark out regular intervals on the plasticard with your pencil and then commence the fiddly business of sticking the rivets on.

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Now we are getting somewhere! With carrying thicknesses of plasticard tubing you can detail out some piping and wiring on your base.

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Above is the finished base. As said throughout this tutorial you can keep this really simple or make it more complicated with crazy cabling or stepped bases.

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Now my bases are ready for casting. Next week keep an eye out for the casting tutorial in this series.

- Martok

[Voodoo_Prince]

Hi, just wondering where did you get the check plate plasticard from??

Cheers.

[Kierdale]

I've seen it in hobby stores that cater to train-set modellers.

You can get a lot of textured plasticard there, as well as other basing/terrain materials quite reasonably.

 

 

An excellent tutorial, by the way.

I'd add that you can get plastic mesh from gardening or sewing shops that can be painted up nicely as metal mesh/fencing.

[Voodoo_Prince]

Awesome thanks, I'll have to keep my eye out.

[Aridene]

Very nice,looking forward to the casing tutorials.

[notsoevil]

Your tech bases are really cool.

 

Just started doing this myself with Nurgle bases (so not tech like these) and casting too. Look forward to seeing that part of the tutorial.

[Martok]

Thanks everyone. I actually ordered my plasticard from Antenocitis Workshop for the record.

 

notsoevil I would love to see the bases you are working on? Your project log is looking awesome. That Black Mace guy is a BAMF!

 

I have been messing around with a few things to get a batch of stuff ready for molding/casting. This is mostly done so I should be casting this weekend so I promise a proper update next week.

 

- Martok

[Nearly_Unfinished]

You have no Idea how helpful this tutorial is to me. When I started my latest SM chapter project I was using GW's Imperialis basing kit for the majority of the basing but little did I know it was a limited run and I only bought 1 kit before it went out of production. So I was stuck with out alternatives.

 

Now you have given me exactly what I needed to continue my project. Thank you.

[Throne Bearer]

Nice job.  I have been making tech bases for my new army, in between scraping mold lines.

I use pins for rivets, I find the rounded head looks like the big rivets.  I buy a big box from a dollar store, and cut them to approx 4mm.  Drill a hole with a pin vice, and drop in in.

[m_r_parker]

Martok - thanks for this! I've been wanting to make my own 32mm Tech Deck bases for a while now, this is the perfect start, and linking to somewhere where I can get the plasticard - very much appreciated!