Seeking small bases for displaying work...

Hello. Once again I turn to you for guidance. I usually purchase small unfinished craft wood pieces for vignettes and single figure displays at stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby. However, in regards to little circles, squares, ovals, and rectangles, the smallest they carry are either 3x5 or 4 inch pieces. Usually these are fine, but I'd like to find some even smaller. Many times I work with 1/72 vehicles and/or figures, and don't require much display area. Can any of you recommend a specific online site that might sell something like this? Also, if anyone should read this from Houston Texas, and knows a local store that would have what I'm looking for, please let me know. As always, thanks for any assistance you can offer, and happy modeling.

Randy IPMS Houston

We're living in a world that's been pulled over our eyes to blind us from the truth. Where are you, white rabbit?

Reply to
Randy Pavatte
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Randy - ight want to try going to a store that makes trophies, or look for older trophies being thrown out or sold via garage sales. They have wood in many sizes and shapes. I've used them for smaller vignettes of Japanese model dinosaurs made by Kaiyodo that are about three inches long.

Reply to
The Old Man

Try

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go to the products for sale pages there are 5 different 1/72nd scale armore bases there. cheers John Geigle

Randy Pavatte wrote:

Reply to
masterpiecemodels

Check out the frame/plaque section of your local Salvation Army or Goodwill stores. You might find what you need.

-- Chuck Ryan Springfield OH

Reply to
Chuck Ryan

I keep an eye out for bases everywhere I go.

Found a tatami mat (woven straw in a gloss black wood frame) just the right size for a Japanese fighter. They come in many sizes and shapes and are sometimes found in import stores.

Trophy shops and used trophies at yard sales were mentioned. Aside from wood many have marble bases.

Coasters may also work. I picked up a set of twelve at a garage sale (including a base to hold all of them) for a buck. As it turned out they are sterling silver, so I got quite a bargain. Each one is round with a rubber pad. The pad's surface duplicates perfectly a brick roadway in 1/72, just paint appropriately.

Cross-kitting is another way to do good bases. I have almost every

1/76-1/72 Matchbox vehicle kit. They all have diorama bases that can be used for just about any vehicle base.

Good hunting,

Tom

Reply to
maiesm72

I keep an eye out for bases everywhere I go.

Found a tatami mat (woven straw in a gloss black wood frame) just the right size for a Japanese fighter. They come in many sizes and shapes and are sometimes found in import stores.

Trophy shops and used trophies at yard sales were mentioned. Aside from wood many have marble bases.

Coasters may also work. I picked up a set of twelve at a garage sale (including a base to hold all of them) for a buck. As it turned out they are sterling silver, so I got quite a bargain. Each one is round with a rubber pad. The pad's surface duplicates perfectly a brick roadway in 1/72, just paint appropriately.

Cross-kitting is another way to do good bases. I have almost every

1/76-1/72 Matchbox vehicle kit. They all have diorama bases that can be used for just about any vehicle base.

Good hunting,

Tom

Reply to
maiesm72

What I find works well for me are nice but inexpensive picture frames. They come in a large variety of sizes, materials, and colors. I find one that is appropriately sized for the model and of a color and material that will complement the setting I will put in it. Then I discard the glass. I used to cut a piece of plywood or a craft store wooden plaque to fit but the bases were unnecessarily heavy.

Lately I've taken to using a base of foam board (about 1/4" of white foam sandwiched between two layers of heavy paper) instead. Cut the foam board to fit inside the edges of the frame, just like a picture would (if the model is particularly large or heavy, a double layer of foam board might be called for and you can laminate the two pieces together with white glue). I then add whatever groundwork is appropriate for the model.

When dry, I mount the foam board in the frame and affix it with a couple heavy coats of white glue (be careful the glue doesn't seep around to the front of the board (the scenery side). When it's all good and dry, I mount the model.

Reply to
Bill Woodier

If you have them in TX, check out your local AC Moore or Michael's craft stores. I've seen a variety of wood bases in both stores,

Reply to
Pauli G

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