RFCM

RFCM discussion => Workbench and Suggestions => Topic started by: Paul in NZ on February 05, 2025, 08:52:26 AM

Title: Metal Washers
Post by: Paul in NZ on February 05, 2025, 08:52:26 AM
What size have people used for singular based figures, would I get away with something as small as 12.5mm?
Title: Re: Metal Washers
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 05, 2025, 09:50:28 AM
I've found that generally washer's stated dimensions focus on the size of the whole, rather than the overall diameter of the thing. Which is most unhelpful for our purposes.

I've settled on M8 washers (8mm diameter hole) from Screwfix (probably not available in NZ - sorry) and usually plug the hole with some Milliput to give a better surface for figure / basing adhesion. Their outside diameter is probably not far off 12.5 mm.

Simon
Title: Re: Metal Washers
Post by: Stewart 46A on February 05, 2025, 09:52:33 AM
Warbases in the UK make MDF round bases
Very cheep

Stewart
Title: Re: Metal Washers
Post by: John Watson on February 05, 2025, 09:59:55 AM
I use UK 1p or 2p coins, depending on the size of the figure base.
John
Title: Re: Metal Washers
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 05, 2025, 11:18:40 AM
It's a tricky one. Washers and coins add weight and are usually magnetic. But they can chip figures.

MDF bases are softer but don't stick to magnetic sheeting. Unless they have a built-in magnet, which I see some now have.

Simon
Title: Re: Metal Washers
Post by: Moggy on February 05, 2025, 01:29:49 PM
I have found that coins work out a lot cheaper than washer.

Derek
Title: Re: Metal Washers
Post by: Bankinista on February 05, 2025, 02:52:53 PM
...... and most UK 1p and 2p coins now have a steel content and so stick to magnets."Coppers" in name only.

Derek of Cambridge
Title: Re: Metal Washers
Post by: Martin Smith on February 05, 2025, 04:25:55 PM
Quote from: Paul in NZ on February 05, 2025, 08:52:26 AMWhat size have people used for singular based figures, would I get away with something as small as 12.5mm?
I used 15mm mdf rounds, which tends to see the metal figures topple a fair bit as they're thus top-heavy. I'd go for steel washers or coins in retrospect.
Paul, try one out, and see how it behaves?
Title: Re: Metal Washers
Post by: Paul in NZ on February 05, 2025, 05:39:39 PM
Thanks all, Uk coins are about 19mm, but in NZ we have the same sized coin worth 10cents.

A metal washer costs about 2cents and as it's metal it doesn't move in my magnetic sheet lined boxes.

I have been using MDF but usually this is 2mm thick and with a receptive sheet this adds another 0.5mm, where a washer is low profile.

I'm wanting to have single bases for skirmish games and use sabots when in close order... so overall diameter needs to be quite small.
Title: Re: Metal Washers
Post by: Martin Smith on February 06, 2025, 08:45:04 AM
Quote from: Paul in NZ on February 05, 2025, 05:39:39 PMI'm wanting to have single bases for skirmish games and use sabots when in close order... so overall diameter needs to be quite small.
That was my thinking with the mdf, but I failed to trial it before basing 😯. My 15mm PP Germans and Russians are on 20mm round mdf, which works OK. It's my medieval 15mm which I stuck on to 15mm rounds, in order to get close order on the sabots/smaller unit footprint. These are the ones which are individually problematic, especially spearmen with 20+mm spears. Very 'topple-prone'.