aliexpress finds.

[fred]

Thanks chaps, 'invested' in a light box (found a slightly cheaper option even than the one linked), the brushes, and a set of 0.6mm to 1mm drill bits.  All for £10 in total.

[nic-e]

I have one of the pop up lightboxes. Runs of my laptop usb and does the job very nicely. I got mine from ebay but it turns out it was actually the same seller as one of the aliexpress ones

[Predatorpt]

Thanks chaps, 'invested' in a light box (found a slightly cheaper option even than the one linked), the brushes, and a set of 0.6mm to 1mm drill bits.  All for £10 in total.

Can you give the link to the drill bits seller? I really need to buy some 

[fred]

I’ll find the link later when back at computer - but I found searching on 0.8mm drill bit was useful. Searching on 1mm was less useful as it mainly brought back sets with larger drill bits.

[AWu]

I am waiting for exact same lightbox

[eilif]

Lightbox ordered. Thanks!
I've been looking for an easy way to effectively photograph miniatures and waiting for the sunlight to come through the window doesn't always work.

[fred]

These were the drill bits I went for

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/50pcs-0-6mm-0-8mm-1mm-1-5mm-2mm-Twist-Drill-Metric-Hss-Drills-Micro-Drill/32764438351.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.Db7c2n

[Predatorpt]

These were the drill bits I went for

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/50pcs-0-6mm-0-8mm-1mm-1-5mm-2mm-Twist-Drill-Metric-Hss-Drills-Micro-Drill/32764438351.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.Db7c2n

Thanks! Now for some shopping...

[eilif]

Here's some items I received that are quite useful and remarkably cheap.  Everything in this list is between 1 and 3 dollars including shipping.

This is about an HO or N scale model, but the bench pulls right off and the little people are separate already.  I clipped off the stairs and it's a great 28mm bus stop.  Having cover from above is a usefull thing in alot of skirmish games.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-Set-Bus-Stop-Sand-Table-Model-Bus-Stop-8-Pcs-People-1-Pcs-Tree-Hot/32755842634.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.hSusk6

A simple Bus Stop or garden decorative element for 28mm that is available in 3 scales.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-Pcs-Architectural-Model-Green-Landscape-Bridges-1-50-Sand-Table-Model-Hot-Selling/32758167646.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.NXVZkn

Intended as a guitar string action guage, this small metal ruler fits in your wallet and is perfect for checking measurements or scale. I use mine to check the size of resale shop toys that I consider for terrain.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pc-Guitar-String-Action-Gauge-Ruler-Measuring-Tool-Bass-Classical-Electric-Acoustic/32822046768.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.MzB8jc

10 hobby knife blades in your choice of sizes.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10-Pcs-One-Lot-Wood-Carving-Knife-Blade-Replacement-Surgical-Scalpel-Blade/32772383291.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.j1vE4s

Small scale fencing or cheap 28mm ladders.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/YL837-Fence-Micro-Landscape-DIY-Tool-Part-Fairy-Garden-Micro-Dollhouse-Plant-Pot-Decor-Bonsai-Simulation/32790196430.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.NXVZkn

I've got some dice, figures, buildings and other model bits on order that I'll review when they arrive.

[YPU]

Can somebody recommend any of the grass or flock? Most of them look incredibly artificial from the pictures, so much, in fact, I'm pretty sure they took one picture and colour shifted it to match other shades.

[beefcake]

Here's some items I received that are quite useful and remarkably cheap.  Everything in this list is between 1 and 3 dollars including shipping.

This is about an HO or N scale model, but the bench pulls right off and the little people are separate already.  I clipped off the stairs and it's a great 28mm bus stop.  Having cover from above is a usefull thing in alot of skirmish games.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-Set-Bus-Stop-Sand-Table-Model-Bus-Stop-8-Pcs-People-1-Pcs-Tree-Hot/32755842634.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.hSusk6

A simple Bus Stop or garden decorative element for 28mm that is available in 3 scales.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-Pcs-Architectural-Model-Green-Landscape-Bridges-1-50-Sand-Table-Model-Hot-Selling/32758167646.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.NXVZkn

Intended as a guitar string action guage, this small metal ruler fits in your wallet and is perfect for checking measurements or scale. I use mine to check the size of resale shop toys that I consider for terrain.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pc-Guitar-String-Action-Gauge-Ruler-Measuring-Tool-Bass-Classical-Electric-Acoustic/32822046768.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.MzB8jc

10 hobby knife blades in your choice of sizes.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10-Pcs-One-Lot-Wood-Carving-Knife-Blade-Replacement-Surgical-Scalpel-Blade/32772383291.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.j1vE4s

Small scale fencing or cheap 28mm ladders.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/YL837-Fence-Micro-Landscape-DIY-Tool-Part-Fairy-Garden-Micro-Dollhouse-Plant-Pot-Decor-Bonsai-Simulation/32790196430.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.NXVZkn

I've got some dice, figures, buildings and other model bits on order that I'll review when they arrive.

, the first 2 come from the store called "Fashion Sexy Beauty Store". What you looking up Eilif? Nice finds though. I like those bus stops.

[pauld]

What a useful thread - joined AliExpress after reading this and have just ordered 100 x 4 mm ceramic beads to try as paint agitators for Vallejo paint bottles

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Ceramic-white-stone-beads-Natural-Stone-Top-quality-Round-Loose-beads-ball-4-6-8-10/32670719657.html?spm=2114.search0204.0.0.7T4TGl

All for the princley sum of £ 1.23 including postage

Post click thinking leads to doubts whether 4 mm may be heavy enough to work effectively but with 100 I can throw in 2 or 3 per pot - or just order the next size up if they don't work

I might try those brushes next.

Thanks for the ideas (not that the magpie in me needs any more encouragement)

[AWu]

, the first 2 come from the store called "Fashion Sexy Beauty Store". What you looking up Eilif? Nice finds though. I like those bus stops.

Have you seen HO miniatures made for train maquettes marketed as Cute and arranged into heart shape ?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Cute-100pcs-Scale-1-87-Mixed-Painted-Model-Trains-People-Passengers-Figurines-Miniatures-for-Micro-Garden/32826222738.html?spm=2114.search0204.3.90.dJSWfe&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10065_10151_10068_10344_10345_10342_10343_10340_10341_10540_5640018_10304_10307_10060_10155_10154_5590018_10056_10055_10054_10539_10538_10537_10059_10536_10534_10533_100031_10099_10103_10102_10052_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_5370018_10325_10171_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10312_10313_10314_10078_10079_10073,searchweb201603_25,ppcSwitch_5_ppcChannel&btsid=b675066b-27be-4861-bc4d-7c00b8dc9481&algo_expid=0006bc12-4a9f-493f-b56e-213173d2dec0-12&algo_pvid=0006bc12-4a9f-493f-b56e-213173d2dec0

[nic-e]

Throw out some links if you would plz.

Grimm

here's a store that will do you custom 6x4 mouse pad style mats.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/4-feet-X-6-feet-Supersize_60687761913.html?spm=a2700.7724857.main07.140.6358200VAmoph

and a few others , ranging between 3 and 20 dollars per item.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Large-role-playing-game-battle-mat_60392482129.html?spm=a2700.details.maylikever.10.60ee7756fj8zmb

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/space-game-mat-starfield-game-mat_60392483735.html?spm=a2700.details.maylikever.10.76783125es02cy

this one has a whole bunch of designs already avaliable.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Tablewar-gaming-mat-natural-rubber-game_60240865330.html?spm=a2700.7724838.2017115.40.8e79a82M7MVJz


As i say, buying 100 mats might be overkill for most of us, but if you run a club or host regular games and don't mind selling off your excess, you can always ask for an order of say... 20 , to test them out. Get a few designs, then sell the rest.

[eilif]

, the first 2 come from the store called "Fashion Sexy Beauty Store". What you looking up Eilif? Nice finds though. I like those bus stops.

Thanks,
Glad you found them usefull.
    
As for the store title, I will say only that my wife and I have found alot to like about AliExpress... 

Have you seen HO miniatures made for train maquettes marketed as Cute and arranged into heart shape ?

I've seen a ton of HO figure deals. I think you can find the same figs for even less.  There are also a fair amount of O scale figs that might work for 30mm'ish.  Since scale on Ali can be a bit squirly, it's worthwhile to look through many dealers selling the same thing since you can usually find exact measurements or even the figs next to a ruler.