Alternatives to 40mm Sector Mechanicus Bases?

[ruralguardhipcat]

I use the GW Sector Mechanicus bases for my Primaris marines.  It makes good looking bases, that are consistent for the whole army, straightforward.

 

But I want to add some variety: the Indomitus box has 11 different marines that need 40mm bases, and avoid buying another box that comes with loads of 32mm bases.  Anyone have any recommendations for 3rd party resin / plastic / 3D printed bases that are similar in style?

 

There are a number of options that look good, like the below, but wondered if any brothers here had personal recommendations / experience?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40mm-Round-Hive-City-Resin-Bases-Warhammer-40K-Necromunda-Industrial/251402001247?hash=item3a88ba1b5f:g:lZoAAOxyOlhSqZZM

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-40mm-Cityscape-Scenic-Bases-Elites-40k/124267501576?hash=item1ceeeb9808:g:Qu8AAOSwTj9fFho~

 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/827772230/lot-of-25mm-to-55mm-industrial-texture?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=40mm+round+bases&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1

 

Thanks!

[Toxichobbit]

GW's Sector Imperialis bases mix in well with the Sector Mechanicus. Although not an exact match, it's a similar theme. They also have twice as many 40mm bases in the pack as the Sector Mechanicus pack.

 

Green Stuff World's Factory Ground Rolling Pin would make some similar bases too. Then there's also the Mesh and Double Diamond rolling pins.

[Lovecraft0110]

I second the GSW bases idea. I have made over 70 in the last year, it's fun and you can get really good results. I have a video tutorial on how to weather them if you're interrested.

[Arkhanist]

For the GSW rollers, I've found the rubber rings you can also buy helps get a more even/flat result on bases (as it keeps the roller level) but they do give a nice result, if a touch repetitive.

 

In a similar vein, I can highly recommend the basius pads, which I use for most of my basing. They're negative press molds, so you put a thin layer of greenstuff on top of a base and press it down into the appropriate area of the pad - I've found the GW painting handle handy to hold the base and do even pressure without hurting your fingers. Spraying the pad with water or a little vaseline helps get a clean impression, and you can get a lot of unique bases with minimal effort.

 

They do the 'max' ~15cmx15cm double-sided pads @ £30, or cheaper 5cmx5cm small ones @ £7 if you don't need the variety. For sector mechanicus, either the 'deep space' or 'battlezones' pad, or a couple of the small ones based on them would likely work best.

 

 

 

 

I don't have any pics of these handy, but here's an example where I used the 'imperial' broken paving basius pad - the only added bit is a couple of small stones, the texture is all from the pad.

 

Edited August 20, 2020 by Arkhanist

[ruralguardhipcat]

Thanks for the recommendations. Had no idea these 'rollers' existed. Looking into them!

[MithrilForge]

The zone mortalis Bases set has 40mm Necromunda bases in it and they tie in well with sector mechanicus as well !

 

Cheers, Mithril

[Closet Skeleton]

Molding greenstuff looks interesting but if you just want simple diamond plate you can get stamped plasticard. Also good for paving and tiles but not for mesh (where you would need actual mesh). Might have some advantage over greenstuff if you use it for damaged walkways like with my flesh hounds here.

https://slatersplastikard.com/plastikard/embossed.php

Edited August 20, 2020 by Closet Skeleton

[Xenith]

Ive been using a mix of stuff to emulate sector imperialis bases for my tyranids - GW moulded bases are too expensive for gaunts etc.

 

 

The link to my hive fleet plog in my sig shows a mix of plasticard, GS roller, press moulds of SI bases, and GW texture paints. 

 

Otherwise the GSW rolling pins are excellent, and I'm glad to see basius available again - last time I looked they had stopped making them and were hard to get hold of - I might get that battlezone one.

Edited August 20, 2020 by Xenith

[Arkhanist]

Ive been using a mix of stuff to emulate sector imperialis bases for my tyranids - GW moulded bases are too expensive for gaunts etc.

 

 

The link to my hive fleet plog in my sig shows a mix of plasticard, GS roller, press moulds of SI bases, and GW texture paints. 

 

Otherwise the GSW rolling pins are excellent, and I'm glad to see basius available again - last time I looked they had stopped making them and were hard to get hold of - I might get that battlezone one.

 

I picked up most of my Basius max pads from the original release, but I have picked up one since from the new direct order website and it's identical in quality to the originals. I haven't tried the new single-sided mini pads, but they should work the same.

 

Their example bases aren't the best alas, as their recommended use is to put one big lump in the middle of the base and squidge it down by pushing the base hard into the pad. This has the side effect that the surface tends to be a bit rounded off at the edge, which isn't ideal for the flatter designs such as the clean battlezones.

 

My preferred method is a thinnish mostly even layer on top of the base, put it in a GW painting handle for even pressure, and 'stamp' it into the pad, having pre-wetted it with a little spray bottle. For crisper detail, it can help to let the greenstuff cure for a few minutes first before stamping - greenstuff is very sticky and soft when freshly mixed. I've found magic sculpt is a nice putty to use that you can use straight after mixing for this and retains sharp edges.

 

When using the areas with particularly large holes i.e. that become large raised detail such as the cables, you may need to use the 'lump of greenstuff' approach on the base to get a fully filled space.

 

In either case, as when using the GSW rollers, you can trim any overflow of the greenstuff when soft or dry; when soft is easier, but you run the risk of getting a distorted edge if the GS stretches. When you're using the designs with debris/rubble, this is easy to 'patch' afterwards with some texture paint such as stirland battlemire, then prime and paint as per normal. If clean edges are important, then trimming it when dry with a sharp knife and smoothing down with a fine-grade file gives the best results in my experience, though is more work.

Edited August 20, 2020 by Arkhanist