Rebasing: A Guide for Bases and Stickers

[Lamaclown]

I can't take any of the credit for this. It is all mac122's doing. He put a lot of time (and money) into this and I think he made a very worthwhile contribution.

This post is a compilation of several of his posts with comparison photos and comparison prices for bases and stickers.

If you find this compilation helpful, please don't +rep me for it, please +rep mac122 for it!


SMALL SINGLE BASES

Originally Posted by mac122

Here's a comparison of several base options for customs. Starting at the top and proceeding clockwise:
1. Official Classic base
2. Cavalier's base sticker on a painted Impact Miniatures base
3. New Impact base sticker on a painted Impact Miniatures base
4. Yodajunkie base

While none of the custom options are a "perfect" match for the Classic Heroscape base, each provides a reasonable facsimile and will help your customs fit in aesthetically with your official figures. The stickers from Impact and Cavalier are very similar in color, pattern, and thickness. Here are some pics of an Imperial Stormtrooper on each of the custom bases:
Yodajunkie

Yodajunkie casts his own bases in a brown resin then attaches the base sticker before sending them out. (He also offers Marvel style and a variety of custom colors).
Pros: Base is ready to use. Drill holes for pegs or use a hobby knife to remove the sticker where the figure will attach. Superglue works great to attach the figures. The pattern on the sticker is probably the closest (but not exact) match overall to Classic. Yodajunkie offers all sizes of Heroscape style bases except the small DnD bases that were introduced in Wave 12. Yodajunkie is the only supplier I'm aware of at this time that offers the peanut style bases. You can mix and match colors within lots.
Cons: The base sticker is thick and often difficult to remove just the right amount for glueing. The stickers are not die cut and are sometimes unevenly cut and adhered. I've had several bases arrive with knicks or scratches in the sticker. Also, due to casting method, the thickness and finish of the bases can vary.

Cavalier's sticker

Cavalier, a long-time member of Heroscapers, sells base stickers to help any base look more like Classic Heroscape (Marvel style, too).
Pros: Stickers are a good facsimile for the official sticker and are die-cut, ready to peel-and-stick. These are much easier to cut out spots to attach the figure to the base. Use these on bases from any supplier.
Cons: You'll have to buy and, if you want brown, paint your own bases. And, you'll have to place the stickers yourself. Stickers are only available for the small single size base.

Impact Miniatures' sticker

Impact Miniatures just started offering the base stickers sized to fit their 30mm and 40mm bases. Like the other suppliers, they offer Classic and Marvel style. Impact is exploring the possibility of offering double bases - stay tuned.
Pros: Much like Cavalier's stickers, they are also a great facsimile for the official base sticker. The print quality is a bit sharper than Cavalier's. They are die-cut and ready to peel-and-stick. They are currently available in small and large single sizes. Also, Impact sells bases in the small and large sizes (One-stop-shopping). It's very easy to remove spots for glueing. If you already have a ready supply of bases, Impact offers the stickers separately in 15 or 63 count lots.
Cons: While you can get the bases from Impact when you order stickers, you will have to paint them if you want brown. And, like Cavalier's, you will have to stick them on yourself. Currently not available in the peanut style bases (but they are exploring options).

To give you an idea on cost, here are some comparisons for small, single bases

Hope this helps (and I haven't confused anyone).



Edit: In case you were wondering, here's what Cavalier's (left) and Impact's (right) stickers look like on unpainted black bases.

LARGE SINGLE BASES

Originally Posted by mac122

Yodajunkie and Impact Miniatures offer options for your larger single-space figures as well. But why just tell you when I can show you.
You'll notice that they are not the same size. Yodajunkie's is a copy of the original Deathwalker base used in the earlier Classic waves. The Impact Miniatures base is 40mm which is pretty much an exact match for the large single bases introduced in the last DnD waves.

For further comparison, here are some examples using large single bases in the Classic Scape colors:

And some closer shots
Yodajunkie/Deathwalker size

That's an AT-43 Therian Assault Goliath on the Yodajunkie base.
Usually Yodajunkie's stickers are a bit closer in color and style to Classic. The batch of large singles I ordered has had much more green.

Impact/D2 size

That's a Mechwarrior Scourge Mech next to the Frost Giant.
Impact's stickers don't match exactly, but are of a similar style.

I'll post a price comparison for these tomorrow. It's getting late and I'm nearly dozing off at the computer.

Originally Posted by mac122

Here's the cost comparison I promised on the large bases. The only suppliers I know of that provide large single bases and Heroscape style stickers are Yodajunkie and Impact Miniatures. Note: When you navigate to the Impact site, the prices will be in British Pounds. You will need to register with Impact Miniatures and specify US currency.

Pricewise, if you only need a handful of large bases, Yodajunkie has a slight price advantage. But, once you start bulking up your orders, Impact quickly becomes the best deal.

I've used both of these bases and both have pros and cons depending on what you are looking for in a custom base. If you are a stickler for original official style, then Yodajunkie's copies of the DW9K base may be for you. The drawback is the inconsistent appearance and uneven cut of the sticker. Impact's won't match the original, but are a very close match for the D2/D3 bases introduced in the last waves. You'll have to paint them to get a Classic Scape brown, but unpainted they blend in with the Marvel bases quite well.
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At this time, Yodajunkie is the only supplier I'm aware of that offers the large and small peanut shaped double base. They suffer from the same inconsistencies as the other sizes, but short of cannibalizing double space official figures, they are the only way to go for official looking customs. I've used a dozen or more of these and have been quite happy with them.

I've had contact with Tom at Impact. They are exploring options for a peanut style base. Not sure when they'll be able to offer them. Stay tuned.

PEANUT BASES

Originally Posted by mac122

Sorry! I received the bases several weeks ago from Yodajunkie. While it took entirely too long to get them, Yodajunkie explained that there were some pretty heavy real-life issues he was dealing with. If you decide to order, I would suggest checking with him beforehand to see what the delivery time will be.

I've got 3 pictures: 2 of the base next to Sir Dupuis and 1 of Sir Dupuis next to a Templar Cavalry proxy figure I have mounted onto a new base.



As you can see, the color of the base itself is a bit darker than the official base and the sticker is a bit more green. While they aren't exact matches, IMO they are close enough.
Probably the most difficult part of rebasing was removing enough of the sticker to provide a place to glue the figures. Fortunately for my Templar proxies, I was able to remove them from their original bases leaving the attachment pegs intact. I was able to drill holes to mount them.

PAINTING BASES

Originally Posted by mac122

Thought I'd add to this thread with some new info. I've always used Yodajunkie's peanut bases and have been very happy with them. If you are planning to order the small single bases, and you will be using them on figures that may climb ladders, let him know when you place your order. His molding process allows for variations in the thickness of the base. On large or peanut bases, that's no problem, but can be an issue for ladders. If you let him know ahead of time, he said he will check them to make sure they fit OK.

Earlier in this discussion, someone suggested painting the Impact Miniatures bases. After the issue with the Yodajunkie bases, I decided to give it a try. I purchased a can of Fusion Satin Finish Brown spray paint from Lowes (or Home Depot, I don't remember) for $4.27. It works great! One coat does a great job. The satin finish isn't sticky and Cavalier's base stickers adhere very nicely to the top. So, for what it's worth, in the future, I'll continue to use Yodajunkie's peanut bases, but I'll stick with painting the Impact Miniatures bases and using Cavalier's stickers.

Edit: I believe it was Home Depot that carried the Fusion Spray paint. Currently, my local Home Depot no longer stocks Fusion. Wal-Mart has Fusion, but not this color. I've checked the Krylon Fusion website and they list several other stores that carry Fusion. When I find another outlet, I will post it.

Full name of the paint: 2441 Satin Brown Boots




UNA Forces


Single Figure


Base Comparison


Base Comparison without figures

Originally Posted by chief

I would like to link this website for the purpose of adding to the main page. Order these and do the same thing. Then you have a base that is similar to these new small bases if you want any of those.