What is the best way to base the old metal models?

[TheFacelessMan]

I've never played, but I've been a huge fluff nerd for years now, and I recently came into a treasure trove of Grey Knights. They're all painted to at least table top quality, or as close as I can tell from the few games I've watched.

 

However, none of them are on bases, but I got a little baggie filled with enough for everybody.

 

So here's my question, how do I get these painted metal GK's onto these untouched bases?

[Jacinda]

Short answer, superglue.

 

I think the metal grey knights have little peg under one foot that is used for mounting on a stand. What you need is a drill bit and a pin vise to put a hole in the base. Then, with a dot of glue, slide the peg n the hole and wait a few seconds.

 

Depending on the bases you have, there may be some starter holes on the bottom side of the base. If you drill up from one of these you have a stronger bond for the peg.

 

If you want to dress up the bases, there are several tutorials for different styles in the forum a little below this one. Look in "Tutorials and How To" then the sub-forum there "Bases and Terrain." (or just click this :D)

[Seleucus]

Are we talking terminaters, PA, or both?

 

In the case of Termies, Jacinda is correct. Most 40mm bases come with a choice of positions for location holes underneath. just pick the one that you prefer/ believe the model will look best using, and open the hole just wide enough for the peg on the termie's foot to fit tightly. Then put super glue on the peg and underside of the feet and fit to the base.

 

If PA figures, are the long tabs joining the feet still attached? If so, you need to get 25mm slotta-bases for them if you don't already have them. Just put superglue on both sides of the tab and bottom of the feet and fit the tab into the slot in the base.

 

If the tabs or pegs have been removed, then you will need to pin the PA figs to normal 25mm bases and the termies to the 40mm bases. Drill a small hole in the bottom of the feet, about 3-4 mm deep, and insert/superglue a pin made from wire/metal rod or paperclip, so that it has 3-4 mm protruding. Best to insert the end of the rod/clip (with a small blob of glue on it) and then snip it to leave the 3-4mm protrusion.

Now hold the model up to the base and roughly position him where you want him to be, and push down hard to leave a couple of indentations from the pins. Drill holes here, put superglue on the pins and bottom of the feet and insert into the holes in the base. hold for a minute or so until the glue sets.

I would then put a small blob of glue around the pin where it comes through the underneath of the base.

When you are sure the glue is dry, snip off any excess pin if it is too long. Only do this if the pin is stopping the base from sitting correctly on the table/surface.

 

You state that they are already painted, so I have assumed that you intend to use them as they are.

 

However, if you intend to strip and repaint, then you will need to do the stripping, and removal of any flash/mouldlines left by the previous owner, before glueing them to bases. Some people prefer to pain them before basing also, but I find that the base gives you something solid to hold onto, and ensure you don't accidentally knock/wipe wet paint off!

[darth_giles]

If these are the original Grey Knights, you'll need a bit of cutting and slicing because they were designed for 25mm bases instead of 40mm ones. Termies were much smaller in those days. You'll either need to cut a slot in the base, or cut the tab off the bottom of the termie's feet then drill and pin it.

[TheFacelessMan]

Thanks Brother Seleucus! Yeah, I've got bases for them all, and the Justicars don't have the little tab anymore, so I'm going to have to read up on pinning.

 

I'll probably strip some just because I want to get some practice painting minis, and some aren't exactly the best.