aliexpress finds.

[YPU]

I have a hard time believing those people are anywhere near 1:300 They are also marked as HO scale, which I think is a lot closer to the truth.

[eilif]

I have a hard time believing those people are anywhere near 1:300 They are also marked as HO scale, which I think is a lot closer to the truth.

Yeah, I'd contact the seller and ask.  The listed size is 7mm tall, so that's be right on for 6mm (sole to eye) scale, but the HO thing is weird.  Maybe the picture is wrong?

[YPU]

Yeah, I'd contact the seller and ask.  The listed size is 7mm tall, so that's be right on for 6mm (sole to eye) scale, but the HO thing is weird.  Maybe the picture is wrong?

Yeah, that is the problem with Ali. or the challenge in any case. Many articles use less than accurate promotional materials. I received some stands for gundams last month which on closer inspection are knock-offs of Tamashi stands, but they came with poorly copied instructions for Bandai stands, which were in no way what so ever helpful or even relevant. 

[fred]

Yeah search terms are hard.

Here's somethign that might be close to 6mm, and really cheap.  No scale is listed, but measurements are.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-Pcs-White-Building-Model-Building-Sand-Table-Model-Variety-Of-Options-Hot-Selling/32755978468.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000013.3.50085c0aYjZPPO&traffic_analysisId=recommend_2088_2_90158_iswistore&scm=1007.13339.90158.0&pvid=2b4ef728-5a04-4112-8861-1219f08438d2&tpp=1

Those ones look good. But I think are too small, having just done some measuring with a bit of card, and standing it against some Epic figures.

Which is a shame as it would have been a very cheap way of doing some city blocks

[eilif]

This arrived today.  6mm'ers take note of this dollar deal!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-Toy-boats-on-the-latest-combat-model-sand-table-model-ornaments-toys-kids-good-gift/32806165330.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.xS5jsF

It might technically be smaller than 6mm but the rear deck should easily accommodate a 6mm helicopter.  The measurements in the description are correct. It is of course soft plastic, but at less than a buck shipped that's expected. 

I'm going to paint it up anyway, put a gun or missile rack on the back and see how it looks alongside my 10mm stuff.

[WimVdB]

It's incredible what's there to find for very little money.
Rare earth magnets for example.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/200-Pieces-pack-3mm-x-1mm-Round-Ndfeb-Neodymium-Disc-Magnets-Dia-N50-Strong-Rare-Earth/32800857629.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.0i4JtL

[beefcake]

Well those are mislabelled aren't they. 3mm they say, looks more like 2.99mm to me.

[YPU]

Well those are mislabelled aren't they. 3mm they say, looks more like 2.99mm to me.

True, but assuming they actually turn out to be 2.99mm when they arrive they are by far the most accurately sized thing on aliexpress I've seen.

I'm not a magnet man, how "bad" can they go? Most of us use them to magnetize plastic models anyway, most stuff should be strong enough for that right, or can we expect some disappointing pseudo magnets in there?

[MachinaMandala]

I think he's taking the mickey out of people criticising the scale differences.

[beefcake]

I just ordered 3x 1/87 scale buildings. Hopefully they will work together and fit 15mm figs. If not I'll just have some robot fighting fun with them.

[eilif]

I just ordered 3x 1/87 scale buildings. Hopefully they will work together and fit 15mm figs. If not I'll just have some robot fighting fun with them.

Cool!
If you can post some pics of them when they arrive that would be great.  I'm starting an HO railroad with my son and we may pick up a few of them as well.

[beefcake]

Sure will. I expect it will take some time to arrive those. I'm hoping they will also fit with their 1/100. That would provide a great city for some robot fighting and superhero escapades.

[fred]

My light box and drill bits arrived today (so just under two weeks China to the UK). The paint brushes arrived last week - so very quick delivery.

Already put the lightbox together. Its a great size of minis, the LED lights are very bright. The magnets holding the sides together don't seem to quite work (or I haven't quite figured it out yet, they hold 2 of the 3 pieces will, but the 3rd seems to float around a bit). First photos look good.

I will need to sort something for the LED power, as there isn't a switch, and pulling the micro usb from the light box feels that it will break stuff fairly quickly, and the way my iMac is positioned, pulling the usb cable out the back isn't too easy. A USB extension cable should make this easier. Top tip, don't cut through the carrying bag when un-wrapping. I hadn't expected a bag, and just thought this was a layer of packaging.

[YPU]

I've ordered 2 packs of 200 magnets, 2x1mm and 3x1mm, I will report their state and strength once they arrive.

[eilif]

These arrived last week. One buck small plastic houses!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3D-White-Model-Villa-Sand-Table-Model-House-Hot-Selling/32756151458.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.Kn40lS

Haven't taken all the measurements, but they doorway is 22mm to the inside edge of the top of the doorframe.

It's basically a 20mm shed, outbuilding or very compressed cottage.  However, I trimmed out the lowest crossbeam and it looks fine for a double-door for 10mm (possibly 15mm) figures.

The drawbacks are that it is soft (probabl polypropylene) plastic and though there are windows on the sides the back is bare.  I'm trimming the rear edge of the roof, gluing two of them (with epoxy) back to back and will be turning the whole rear doorway into a garage door to make a 10mm warehouse.   I'll do a proper blog post when it's done.