Basing Materials

Batman of The Shire · **Posted:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:10 pm

Okay guys, in my quest to make a [word deleted] of terrain, i am once again in dire need of your assistance.

I'm looking for the best way to base my terrain bits. I've looked through the bgime, white dwarf and sourcebooks and they all have different answers. Hardboard, mdf, cardboard, thin card, foamboard, its all very confusing. Can anyone help me and provide examples.

Many thanks,

Batman of The Shire

hofzinser · **Joined:** Tue Feb 26, 2013 7:58 pm **Posts:** 7

I've found MDF to be the most resilient. Be sure to prime the bottom before you build/glue and paint the top. It helps prevent warping.

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:12 pm

I agree MDF does seem to be ok for basing terrain items.

Could you less the language please Batman - this is a family forum.

Batman of The Shire · **Posted:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:44 pm

what do you use to prime mdf? Also what thickness do you use. Also, sorry DMS and to all, I totally forgot. Apologies for my language.

BOTS

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:49 pm

You can get away with most types of paints but my advice would be to get hold of the cheapest paint you can. MDF is like a sponge and just soaks paint up. Cheap spray paint will do the trick, might take a while to dry 100% but once dry should prevent warping.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:10 pm

If spray mdf don't use a paint containing toluene or xylene as it melts the resins on in the mdf and takes days to dry.

SMORG · **Posted:** Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:48 am

If you seal it with a good coat of PVA, which you should probably do to help get any sand or such to stick well, then you should be fine.

My technique is Glue, sand, wait till dry, glue, dry, prime. It seals it all up so you can paint it with whatever stuff you have on hand with no worry and makes it more resilient to damage.

Nevinsrip · **Posted:** Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:52 am

Use MDF. Sand down the edges.
Most DIY stores have a section where they sell gallons of mixed paint that customers ordered and never picked up. Cost is usualy around 5 bucks for the whole gallon. Buy a color that you can use for your terrain and you are in business. It will last you forever.
Make sure that you paint BOTH sides of the MDF or it will warp on you.

yggdrasil · **Joined:** Tue Nov 12, 2013 11:40 pm **Posts:** 18

How thick should the MDF be when you're using it for smaller terrain pieces?

Oldman Willow · **Posted:** Wed Feb 12, 2014 3:45 pm

yggdrasil wrote:

How thick should the MDF be when you're using it for smaller terrain pieces?

1/8",1/4" and 1/2" MDFB

I like the 1/2" for tree bases because I can drill a hole for the trunk.

I sand the edges down with a belt sander. Hand tools will take a little more effort.

The ground texture is saw dust.

I use the 1/4 and 1/8" with Hirst Arts floor tiles, Any larger than 4'X 4" they need to be clamped to prevent warping

The field and forest markers are hard board the hedges bases are chip board. I made this set for Tree Fort Games. The Owner picked the colors.

If you are basing Styrofoam hills glue them and clamp them to the MDF before you finish the edge.

For bases and movement trays I prefer hard board or plywood.

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Wed Feb 12, 2014 11:45 pm

I use 3mm (1/8") MDF as my basing material for all terrain pieces. I chamfer the edges with sand paper and then build the terrain piece on top of it. Where I need some extra thickness for fixing trees, I'll glue a smaller piece of 3mm MDF on top and drill through both. I'd fill up and smooth out the contours with sand or polyfilla.

Erunion · **Posted:** Thu Feb 13, 2014 1:57 am

I also use MDF, although I use a handheld jigsaw with the blade canted to 45 degrees to do the edges. Occasionally you have to smooth out one of the edges with some sandpaper.

ANGMAR of old · **Posted:** Sat Mar 22, 2014 3:07 pm

I use 3 or 5mm MDF depending on what im building i draw a line 20mm in from edge around base board when its cut out then with a wood file i chamfer to this line from edge

Basing Materials

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