Hi Guys
Im going to be painting some HO scale figures this week and have a question that I hope somebody can answer? The question is how can I cut the figures away from there plastic bases? thats without cutting off there feet?
Thanks, I hope somebody has had some luck with this [:)]
Jeremy[:)]
If the bases are separate pieces that are glued on, then I would use a razor blade and try to separate them with that. If they are cast as a single piece, then I’d carefully cut around the feet with a Dremel, and then work my way in.
Most of the figures I’ve seen lately don’t come with bases. I have a bunch of old ones that do have bases, though. I try to hide them inside buildings or behind boxes if they are too awkward to cut off. In looking at these archeological relics of my teenage modelling years, I’ve also found that I sometimes glued the bases to the layout and then used scenic materials to mask the bases.
I cut away the base as close to the feet as I can get, then use a file or sandpaper to get right up to the outline of the feet and to remove the base left under the shoes.
Use a sprue nipper and gently nibble the base towards the feet, especially between the legs, to big a chunk and you can sever the poor souls leg off, then cut close to feet till your at their shoes,then carefully cut base off bottoms of feet. Take small file and dress bottom of figure so it’ll stand pretty much straight, use hobby knife to clean fine flash on rest of figure and smooth out ejection pin dimple if one is visible,your now ready to paint.
[#ditto]
Took the words right out of my mouth, more or less exactly what I do.[8D]
If you haven’t yet, check out the following link. Really neat technique for painting figures! [:D]
you might also consider once the figures are painted, to dip them in a wash of dilute india ink…the ink will get in the creases of the figures and help bring out the features of the body parts of the figures…chuck
Generally figures with bases aren’t that good of quality. In HO, Preiser are the best figures by far and don’t use bases, they are free-standing. If you buy them undecorated it works out to about 5 cents per figure, pretty good considering the painted ones are around $1 each.
I like the Preisers. Good quality but they are expensive.
I’ve been looking at the Woodland Scenics figures. They’re decent and a cut above the cheap & cheesy stuff.
The Woodland Scenics figures are better than a lot of the stuff out there, especially for the price. But would should be aware they aren’t Preisers and some of the paint jobs leave a lot to be desired.
For removing a base, BXCARMIKE’s suggestion is probably best.
Since every time I have needed to paint figures I have needed a lot of them, I use a bulk process. It’s outlined here:
http://www.promotex.ca/articles/cawthon/2002/02-01-2002_article.html
Having painted probably close to a thousand HO and N scale figures, I have found this process works for me.
Bill C.
Thanks Bill,
That’s a pretty helpful website as I have had a bunch of unpainted figures for over 20 years. Looks like a good way to bring them “some color”.
I tried a lot of things for years and finally tried this several years ago. I like this the best also. I suggest you paint them first to have something to hold. When it dries, then remove the “manhole covers.”