Showing off some custom, laser cut bases

[twopounder]

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EDIT: I'm getting some inquiries about buying these, but the official word on B&C is no selling/trading threads. If that becomes an option, I'll post a link to it in my signature as per the rules. However, for now I ask that you refrain from asking to purchase them or where to order, etc so we comply with the forum rules.

Thanks for all the positive comments though I look forward to showing off more stuff!

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My friend asked me to make some for his orks, so I figured I would try some on my DA. I think I'll base my entire army on these. Whatever type of terrain you're playing on shows through to eliminate the "grass on ash" problem, and it seems to put more focus on the mini (in my case, that may not be a good thing ):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130808_175913_204_zps82b9e8fb.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130808_175848_656_zps3cb5b99d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130808_175834_370_zps66999bb8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130808_175827_798_zps45a28306.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130808_175744_721_zps6282ad87.jpg

Battle Pictures, as requested:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130831_150700_035_zps5f6214b2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130831_150650_413_zps071e5eec.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130831_145925_565_zps63ec0030.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130831_145918_506_zpsd04aae05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20130831_145903_998_zpsb323f582.jpg

Here are some additional pictures (including robed marines):

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2015/001/4/c/in_action_by_s3dition-d8c7v0z.jpg

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2015/001/7/c/librarian_2_by_s3dition-d8c7uw7.jpg

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2015/001/8/6/librarians_by_s3dition-d8c7uho.jpg

[Tyrannicide]

Not my thing, personally, but those are very impressive!

[Brother dean]

Squad number in the middle maybe just so it's easier to keep the squads sorted?

 

Very Nice.

[twopounder]

Not my thing, personally, but those are very impressive!

 

Thanks. Yeah, basing is always a very personal matter (even more than the models it seems). I'm still debating on whether the DA symbol should face forwards or backwards.

 

Squad number in the middle maybe just so it's easier to keep the squads sorted?

 

Very Nice.

 

Yes, I thought of doing that instead of names. But I use my marines very interchangeably (I have tons of models and like trying new things) so they would probably just end up all mixed together anyway.

[daryl]

Those are the slickest, and most original bases I have seen in along time.  Props man.

[Adper]

Those Bases are awesome!  I like the facing of the DA symbol, but I suppose it could work either way.  Have you tried making any with a different facing to test it out?

[twopounder]

Those are the slickest, and most original bases I have seen in along time.  Props man.

 

Those Bases are awesome!  I like the facing of the DA symbol, but I suppose it could work either way.  Have you tried making any with a different facing to test it out?

 

Thanks. I haven't had time to test out other designs, unfortuantely. I also want to try larger symbols, including one that takes up most of the base (so he's standing over the symbol) and maybe some that have a cracked surface look. Just takes time to design and cut them.

[Isiah]

Those bases are absolutely fantastic. Laser cut acrylic you say? Are they expensive to produce?

 

[edit: to maybe help in your dilemma, I think the DA logo should face the other way so it looks correct when viewed from the front.]

 

Cheers

I

[Diavlo]

Always wanted something like that, but I can't afford laser cutter. 

Great work, IMO all models should have bases like that as I hate when space wolves bring their snow to volcanic planet, or other silly base vs table things.

[twopounder]

Those bases are absolutely fantastic. Laser cut acrylic you say? Are they expensive to produce?

 

Cheers

I

 

Yes, it's laser cut extruded acrylic. The plastic isn't very expensive, but it takes about 5ish minutes to engrave and cut 10, and the usual rate would be around $1 per minute for the cutting + plastic + custom work. The largest consumption of time is in adding a custom name and centering it and importing/converting the image for the DA symbol. For me it's a labor of love, but if you run to your local trophy store with a drawing, it may get very pricey. A lot of shops charge $5 + per laser minute.

 

Always wanted something like that, but I can't afford laser cutter. 

Great work, IMO all models should have bases like that as I hate when space wolves bring their snow to volcanic planet, or other silly base vs table things.

 

Yeah, that was kind of the original idea. I help run a business that makes challenge coin displays (those of you in the military etc know what I'm talking about) and some of them require cutting 1" holes for mounting. I had the idea to use those (they usually just get put in the recycling bin) to make bases when I ran out and was too lazy to drive to GW. Then my friend asked if I could engrave them for him:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/3d%20Prints/IMG_20130807_132449_500_zpsf7a57da2.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/3d%20Prints/IMG_20130807_132442_235_zpsa47307b9.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/3d%20Prints/IMG_20130807_132432_915_zpsd53b2602.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/3d%20Prints/IMG_20130807_132501_187_zps8537e77f.jpg

[FarFromSam]

That is gorgeous.  They look amazing, but what about robed marines?

[twopounder]

That is gorgeous.  They look amazing, but what about robed marines?

 

well, the one caveat is that they need a certain level of completion before being glued on. All my robed marines are just primed (I have primed robed marines from 3rd ed. Talk about lazy!) I'll see about getting some of them far enough along that I can glue them on. Paint isn't too hard to get off, but anything like ink is a pain to get off, and you don't want to ruin the surface obviously. So they're a bit more complex to work with. But I think the tradeoff is very well worth it.

 

Also, I found I had to use a gel based super glue to make certain there was no runnage at all. Even then, slightly moving the model caused a visible smear. 

 

But in the future, I'll be fully painting the model before basing. Especially since I'm simply not a fan of 6th edition, but I still love the DA miniatures.

[Prot]

That's pretty awesome. At first I thought the negative was that you can't really do a custom pose, or custom base in that situation. However, a cool plus is that no matter what game board you're playing on your dudes will blend right in...whether it be snow, grass, dirt, or a cityscape table, your guys' bases won't conflict that. Pretty cool.

[twopounder]

That's pretty awesome. At first I thought the negative was that you can't really do a custom pose, or custom base in that situation. However, a cool plus is that no matter what game board you're playing on your dudes will blend right in...whether it be snow, grass, dirt, or a cityscape table, your guys' bases won't conflict that. Pretty cool.

 

Well, I could cut out another crescent piece so he can prop his leg up in a more heroic pose and glue it on using clear acrylic glue. But as far as skulls and stuff, I don't think you could mix and match with skulls and stuff. It would pretty much have to be all acrylic or painted.

[Biggabertha]

As said, all VERY cool!

Especially the custom name and icon! Would be very nice to see how everything else holds up too (fliers, skimmers and possibly tanks)

 

I wonder if there'd be a market for these... *sigh*

What we do/pay for with our hobbies...

[Aradiel]

love those bases

and now im jealous, and want them for my armies

[elphilo]

These are really cool!

[Isiah]

Looks like you've got yourself a new day job twopouner :)

 

Cheers

I

[Artemid]

Neat idea! Though I learned I hated lasering and working with plexi, icky fumes and a :cuss to glue. I'd love to see pictures of them on a table if you have any!

[marvmoogy]

these look awesome!  Wish I had these skills (and tools of course!!!)

[Cod]

Yep, put me down for some too

They do look really really good.

[twopounder]

As said, all VERY cool!

Especially the custom name and icon! Would be very nice to see how everything else holds up too (fliers, skimmers and possibly tanks)

I wonder if there'd be a market for these... *sigh*

What we do/pay for with our hobbies...

Vehicles hold up just fine. I've been using acrylic bases and styrene tubes for my landspeeders for years. I just hadn't given it much thought until my friend mentioned it. Apparently his gaming group where he's stationed has a lot of custom flyers, and the normal GW flying bases don't work. He made a custom Dark Talon, so I made a flying base with a giant DA symbol on it and sent it to him. Still waiting to get pictures back to see how it looks.

love those bases

and now im jealous, and want them for my armies

Heheh, thanks.

These are really cool!

Looks like you've got yourself a new day job twopouner

Cheers

I

Yeah, I didn't expect this kind of reaction. It's not as prolific as I thought it would be. But hey, where there is demand, maybe I'll make supply

Neat idea! Though I learned I hated lasering and working with plexi, icky fumes and a to glue. I'd love to see pictures of them on a table if you have any!

Acrylic should not have any fumes, especially if you have the proper exhaust system. If you were working for a company, and fumes were coming out:

A) They were not using acrylic and were using something like vinyl, PVC, or ABS that turns to chlorine gas when ignited by a CO2 laser. ABS turns to cyanide when cut! Essentially, the company was poisoning you

B) Exhaust systems are mandatory on all laser cutting equipment, and all fumes must be vented outside of the working area. This is especially true for anything that cuts unsafe or toxic material. These require special exhaust systems that capture all of the toxic gasses and expels them in a safe manner (generally requiring a filter to draw the toxic molecules out of the air before releasing it back into the environment).

If you're getting sick or dizzy while working, leave the area immediately. If the sensation goes away as soon as you get air, call your local OSHA or equivalent and report it. If it gets worse fast, call poison control and then OSHA. Unsafe working conditions can be fatal when dealing with laser cutters, so don't take any chances!

Here is a list of things you should NEVER cut: http://atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials

these look awesome! Wish I had these skills (and tools of course!!!)

Yep, put me down for some too

They do look really really good.

Apparently I need to make a list or something

Okay, they're popular! Let me see what the B&C thinks about me letting you guys get some before I go hawking stuff on the forums. We can't let this turn into a flea market.

[JeffJedi]

You should make objective markers next.

[twopounder]

You should make objective markers next.

 

It wouldn't be too hard for me to make all kinds of markers, especially out of different colors of acrylic. But sheets tend to be a bit spendy when purchased for just a few items.

[Cactus]

I forsee difficulties with distributing custom bases bearing things like the Dark Angels chapter badge, but the conept is excellent. I'm not sure I'd want to rebase my entire collection but painting names on my 4th company (like I did for Necromunda gangs) is an interesting idea...