Bulky, Huge Bases - Why? (1 Viewer)

[Bessieres]

I love seeing the pics of various Dioramas posted on these forums.. however, what puts me off is the trend of large, bulky bases on the figures.

Almost always, they're totally incongruous with the diorama surfaces and due to being wide, high & bulky, they're hard to cover over.

Why can't makers make their bases flat, low & minimal? Like Stadden, Mignot, old Briton's ..

Is there any benefit to the big, bold bases as currently used?

 

[Alex]

there are two advantages to big bulky thick bases.
First of all, it will prevent tipping of the figure when you hit top part of it
secondly, remember that what holds the figure to its base is the joint between the soles of the feet and the groundwork and most of the time theres a pin inside the leg going through the base. These days, manufacturers use glue and not solder.. So the more contact you have there the better it is in terms of long term attachment.
Cheers
Alex

I love seeing the pics of various Dioramas posted on these forums.. however, what puts me off is the trend of large, bulky bases on the figures.

Almost always, they're totally incongruous with the diorama surfaces and due to being wide, high & bulky, they're hard to cover over.

Why can't makers make their bases flat, low & minimal? Like Stadden, Mignot, old Briton's ..

Is there any benefit to the big, bold bases as currently used?

 

[ivanmoe]

First of all, it will prevent tipping of the figure when you hit top part of it.

It's also worth noting that most collectors display the majority of their sets on cabinet shelves rather than dioramas. In such a configuration, the base provides a setting for the figure, snow, grass, desert and so on. Along with similarities in uniforming, common bases help tie sets together as part of a broader range, Afrika Korps for instance.

-Moe

 

[waynepoo]

Why can't the makers provide the option of bases coming unattached in the box when you buy? , that way the collector can attach the base if he/she desires or not. It would surely save the maker money and time as someone in the factory has to attach the base to each figure! It would be a win, win for all IMO, for those who like no bases visible in dios it is a no brainer, if you can't pick up a tube of glue and attach a base....well then you can't change a light blob either. :rolleyes2:
Wayne.

 

[THE SHOOTIST]

I kinda like the bulky bases, especially the TSSD that have rubble/leaves etc. molded in them. I was so used to the "Flat" bases from childhood, I thought that the new bases are a refreshing change. It's also somewhat of a challenge figuring out what's molded on the base, and figuring out how to paint it.

 

[ivanmoe]

Why can't the makers provide the option of bases coming unattached in the box when you buy? , that way the collector can attach the base if he/she desires or not. It would surely save the maker money and time as someone in the factory has to attach the base to each figure! It would be a win, win for all IMO, for those who like no bases visible in dios it is a no brainer, if you can't pick up a tube of glue and attach a base....well then you can't change a light blob either. :rolleyes2:
Wayne.

Hi Wayne,

Do you have any idea what the percentage might be of figures, two-legged or four, that are capable of remaining erect without support from some sort of base? While I have no way of knowing for sure, I'd suspect that it's under twenty-percent. Am I reading you correctly, or are you referring to figures that don't need a stand to pose properly, with a base, or without?

-Moe

 

[marco55]

When I have a kit painted I mostly ask my painter to leave the base unattached but put pins in the bottom of the feet.That way I can put them in a dio board or I can put them on their base as there are usually slots for the feet with holes in them.If I put them on their base I usually don't glue them right away until I make up my mind how I want to display them.
Mark

 

[waynepoo]

Hi Wayne,

Do you have any idea what the percentage might be of figures, two-legged or four, that are capable of remaining erect without support from some sort of base? While I have no way of knowing for sure, I'd suspect that it's under twenty-percent. Am I reading you correctly, or are you referring to figures that don't need a stand to pose properly, with a base, or without?

-Moe

Moe,
Doesn't matter if you get the base unattached in the box with the figure, you just glue the base on if you wish or not, those of us that like to use figures in dios have to go some trouble to cover the bases, with this option everyone is covered, a no brainer IMO.
Wayne.

 

[larso]

I see what you're saying Wayne but I'd worry I hadn't glued the thing properly. I kinda like opening the box to a finished product. In anycase I barely look at a base, it's the figure on it that dominates everything.

 

[Jack]

It is probably a numbers game - more people display the figures in cabinets than build dioramas. It would not increase sales to make a change; rather it would offer some convenience for a small percentage of collectors. I suppose the question of how long a diorama is on show is also an issue. Many of my figures are on a large collaborative diorama where the absence of bases would be quite convenient. They will come home soon and I will need the bases. They may return to a diorama but then again, they may not. I do feel however, that a prone figure could survive quite happily without a base. Some of them have a base which is strange.

 

[wayne556517]

Lying,kneeling,sitting no bases i reckon we have seen it done and it opens them up to so many possibilities.
Standing marching etc you have no choice you need a stand but agree it doesn't have to be huge,even gluing figures to a box don't get it.
A few examples so it can be done,not worrying about lowing cost just flexibility.

These are great figures but the bases ruin them,when you look at them the first thing you see is this ugly base.

Even this could be smaller but i know it was done for strenght.

Excuse the pics just to show what im on about.

 

[waynepoo]

Again, can't see why there is any issue at all...it's so easy as to be crazy! just provide the base separate in the box with the figure! if you can't glue a base on when the figure has guiding pins etc.....well really! taking the money out of your wallet to pay for the figure is harder!........:rolleyes2:
Wayne.

 

[ivanmoe]

I do feel however, that a prone figure could survive quite happily without a base. Some of them have a base which is strange.

IMO, prone figures and ones sitting on deck would benefit the most from having a separate base (or no base at all). Even then, there's a price to be paid for taking them off of the stand.

See Wayne's pic below:

Something like the above would require a bunch of unattached bits to be included, spent shell cases for instance. That's not a reason to completely eschew the concept. Apart from JJD, however, I don't know of a TS-maker which includes bells and whistles like that with its sets. In fairness, I have to note that most sets are far more simple than that above. A prone rifleman, for instance, likely wouldn't lose a thing without a base. In fact, many would probably look a lot better.

-Moe

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Except for a few exceptions Toy Soldiers need bases. Exceptions in my opinion would be casualties and kneeling figures. If the figure has three points of contact with the ground or is laying down they don't need bases. Standing figures need them. Otherwise their shelf divers. I do have issue when a manufacturer provides figures with a base that stand on a vehicle and the base doesn't match the paint color of vehicle. Why would a figure be standing in a pile of dirt on a tank ?

 

[marco55]

The answer is easy,detachable bases.^&grin
Mark

 

[Bessieres]

It's also worth noting that most collectors display the majority of their sets on cabinet shelves rather than dioramas. In such a configuration, the base provides a setting for the figure, snow, grass, desert and so on. Along with similarities in uniforming, common bases help tie sets together as part of a broader range, Afrika Korps for instance.

-Moe

Totally agree that for "Non-Diorama" shelf display, there's advantage to decorative bases that create a bit of environment.

But even then, minimalist bases are so much more flexible.

For me, bases like Stadden, Early Britain's, early K&C and early Front Line were ideal.

 

[mikemiller1955]

The answer is easy,detachable bases.^&grin
Mark

Mark...

you have been a proponent of this idea for a long time...and I like it in theory...but I don't know how it could be done...

for a foam board diorama...to just plug the foot pegs into a sheet of foam sounds great...it means I don't have to flock groundwork around it to disguise the base now...

and for a wooden/glass shelf diorama...to just put the figure with his base attached...on the shelf sounds great...he's standing firm and won't fall over...

but...I have always wondered what I'm left with...if a peg...or the pegs...on the bottom of the feet of these detachable figures breaks off...

if it breaks off...what do I do now?

we all know that once the integrity of a metal piece is compromised by excessive bending...it will eventually break off...you bend a bayonet or a sword too many times...and you know it's been weakened and soon break...

if the pegs were steel...it might work...but even so...if the holes and the pegs didn't align 100% perfect...the figure would probably lean to one side...

I like your idea...but I just don't think it would work...

 

[marco55]

It works Mike.If your going to change back and forth over and over then yes it will eventually break.Many times things break on figures and people repair them all the time.If a peg broke on the bottom of a foot I don't think it would be too hard to drill it out and insert a new peg/pin.What I'm saying it that the base should be detached when you buy it and when you get the figure you decide if you want it attached or not.If you do just a couple of drops of glue will take care of it.
Mark

 

[marco55]

I do want to add that for someone like Mike who changes his figures around in different dios regularly the bases are probably better for him.
Mark

 

[mikemiller1955]

I do want to add that for someone like Mike who changes his figures around in different dios regularly the bases are probably better for him.
Mark

hahaha...Mark...actually...I hate covering them up...I don't use a photo shop software to doctor my pics...so brushing little grains of sand around their tiny feet with a small paintbrush to cover a base is a pain in the butt...perhaps the dealer could just issue 2 version...finished and unfinished...

I will give you one good example...

WB's #17614 18th-20th Century Corn Rows...

this is a beautiful piece when it's set up...extremely well detailed and realistic...but when you plug them in...some are snug...some are loose...some lean a tad...it takes a little manipulation to get them straight...

I do want my figures standing straight...and I really don't think a customer having to glue on a base is going to be well received...

a little too much glue and you got a shiny spot that needs repainting...

I know repainting bases will not be well received...