Some Terrain for the Table

My terrain building has really slowed down recently and I am getting back into it.  First up I decided to assemble and paint the "Ruined Hamlet" by Warlord Games.  This came in the Band of Brothers starter box set for Bolt Action Version 2.

I based it on some spare plasticard and decided to go with a Winter Theme for my Winter WW2 engagements and for Frostgrave.  Winter terrain looks really unique and gives a great theme to any table.

Based on a couple of old bits of plasticard

Ruined Hamlet by Warlord Games

Its interesting that this kit from Warlord Games is actually a re-branded 1/72 kit from Italeri.  My formula for snow and winter effects is as follows:

• Woodland Scenics Flex Paste
• Wilder Snow Effects
• GW Valhallen Blizzard
• Woodland Scenics Soft Snow Flake
• Various Winter tufts

This gives a very frosted wintery feel and looks lovely on the table :)

Pimping the Ebay Trees

Next up we have a base for my Ebay pimped trees.  The trees look a little bland on the table and now they have a cool base for them.  I used some Plasticard and cut it in an interesting shape then I designed some "rings" to hold them in using Tinkercad.  They are 61mm for 60mm bases but after painting and weathering I need to make the next lot 62mm.

I am such a talented designer

I glued the rings onto plasticard then filled with some caulk.  I then flocked it up and the results are rather splendid.  I can even place a team weapon where the trees sit.

Plasticard cut out with a scribing tool

Looking the business

Looks great with the Ebay Trees added

Sub out a tree for a German PAK 36

Designing and 3D Printing 15mm Fantasy Bases and Movement Trays

I have been loving Tinkercad and I needed a solution for my 15mm Fantasy basing woes.  I have designed a prototype that I think I am going to stick with.  I haven't glued the figures to their bases yet but will most likely go ahead with this prototype and it will be the standard for my 15mm basing.

I predominantly want to do 15mm Fantasy for dungeon crawling however I do like the idea of using them in other systems and they look awesome in Rank and File.

The prototype in its full glory! Pretty stocked with this!

First off I designed a base in Tinkercad that would accommodate a Ral Partha figure and a 1mm magnet.  The Ral Partha troops are around 10mm in diameter with their included base.  The figure will "sink" into the base with room for a 1mm magnet underneath it. The dimensions of the base are 12mm x 12mm x 2mm.  The 10mm hole for the figure is 1mm deep and the hole for the 2mm x 1mm magnet is 1mm deep.

Prototype base for Ral Partha 15mm Fantasy figures

I then printed it off and everything came out nicely.  My printer does need a little fine tuning.

I used a zombie to test it, worked out very nicely

I then needed to design a movement tray.  I am completely unfamiliar with massed battles and movement tray sizes for 15mm. I wanted to start off with a 4 x 2 tray and came up with the following.

The prototype movement tray

The dimensions for the tray are: 51.5mm x 25.9mm x 3mm.  This will allow the figure on its base to fit nice and flush and allow a 2mm x 1mm magnet to drop int.  The walls dividing the figures are 0.3mm in width!

I did a test print which came out well except I need to tune my printer slightly.  

Needed a little clean up but design checks out!

I made the holes for the magnets slightly bigger than 2mm to allow a little extra room however I found I don't need it as I tweaked with my slicer settings.

The magnets were slightly loose but this will be an easy fix in Tinkercad.  They were glued in.

I was pretty impressed how this turned out.  I decided to put my skeletons into the bases and everything checked out!

They fit nicely and provide great stability for my 3D printed dungeon

Rank and file looks awesome

12mm x 12mm base size feels just about right

What's next?

Once I get some feedback from the internet I will adjust the design and go from there.  I am already thinking the 12mm base is almost perfect in size, as it provides great stability and isn't too big.  Any smaller probably wouldn't work.  I need to tighten up the holes for the magnets as my slicer and 3D printer are super accurate!  I am not limited to 4 x 2, any combination is possible.  I just need to improve my skills in Tinkercad to churn out the movement trays.

Once I am happy with everything these will be released on thingiverse.

3D Printing Napoleonic Movement Trays and Bases Part 2

So I have been late to the party and discovered Tinkercad.  Loving it so far.  I have some big plans and will end up sharing my designs.  Just still getting my head around a few things.

So I posted an article here on how I made my bases for my Napoleonics.  Well now I have designed a custom base I can proudly call my own that is 20mm x 20mm x 2mm.  It has a hole in the exact centre to allow a 5mm x 2mm rare earth magnet to perfectly fit.  I made the hole for it 5.3mm in diameter for a tight fit.

This saves the drill and a lot of mess... oh an unnecessary plastic wastage!

This is only the beginning.

Proud of my first design using Tinkercad. 20x20x2 base with a 5.3mm hole

Duplicated it in the slicer as I needed to bases

A perfect snug fit, I only add Glue when placing the Soldiers on

Boom!