Playing with big round based ancient armies?

[Lowtardog]

I think trays are the way to go Alex. I am so very much with you on the charm of individually based figures. But for big battles, you do need a way of ranking them up...

Yep movement trays. Most of my historical armies were single based originally on 2p coins as I prefer this, however are a pain to move especially if you have large (horde-mob) units there are quite a few companies out there most of which who make trays, have been mentioned already.

[Prof.Witchheimer]

I like the War Bases move trays quite a lot. Just not sure if they will fit my WAB requirements (large regiments providing 20-30 figures)  so I maybe will go into the "self-made " direction. Allen's advise to use the scrapbook puncher is  top notch, that would solve most of the possible problems.

[Captain Blood]

I looked long and hard for movement trays which I liked, but they all seemed to come with that hideous big 'step'. Makes them easy to get hold of - but completely ruins the asthetic look on the tabletop as far as I'm concerned.
My homemade version - in case you've forgotten - gets rid of the obtrusive edge.

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=26058.0

Very easy and inexpensive to make too.

[Lowtardog]

Many moons ago I made triangular movement trays after seeing a Norse game in a magazine. What I did was a flat piece of card and created small lumps and bumps such as stones etc whihc kept each fiugre in place rather than the drop in slot. Not quite so pretty but worked and was quick to do

[Prof.Witchheimer]

I looked long and hard for movement trays which I liked, but they all seemed to come with that hideous big 'step'. Makes them easy to get hold of - but completely ruins the asthetic look on the tabletop as far as I'm concerned.
My homemade version - in case you've forgotten - gets rid of the obtrusive edge.

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=26058.0

Very easy and inexpensive to make too.

oh yes, forgot them completely, top notch job there, Richard!

[aecurtis]

Allen,
Always a pleasure I'm in Germany and mostly using 5 cent euro coins (21,25 mm diameter) For smaller stuff I'm taking the fender washers (these with the central hole) and they're 20mm. Though for some BTD Germans I had to use 30mm washers as they've got some action like poses and don't fit the 5 cents. Btw, the euro coins are containing some steel, that's the core element, otherwise they would be too soft and too expensive, too.
Btw, you've mentioned "rectangular galvanized steel bases", never heard of, are they something only available in the States?
I quite like the idea of self-making bases, I've did something like this about 13 years ago for my rectangular regiments, it was quite easy due to rectangular philosophy.. I took some sort of a very thin metal sheet and glued it on the move tray. Afterwards I've stuck the magnet sheet tiles (20x20mm) to the bottom of the bases.
I will check my DIY store and have a thinking about, thanks for the great guide!
Alex

Cheers, Alex.  The steel bases have been fairly common in the US, going back to WRG/DBx days.  The most prolific company is Wargame Accessories (carried by many brick and mortar as well as online retailers:  http://www.wargameaccessories.com/

Obviously, the weight of steel tends to make shipping to Europe prohibitive!  In the UK, there is Precision Wargames Supplies, which do some very nice-looking products; very useful for the larger discs, for example:  http://www.freewebs.com/pwsltd/steelbases.htm

I very much like Captain Blood's method, appearance-wise.  My only concern, again, would be the effects of pizza- and crisps/chips-lubricated fingers!

Allen

[H.M.Stanley]

Hi Alex,

I cut my war gaming teeth on WAB and didn't play anything else for years. Once WAB was no longer supported, and ancient gaming was thrown to the wolves, i then discovered Colonial gaming and all the other periods/games that were hidden thus far.

I've recently started gaming ancients again and would recommend Hail Caesar. In fact, i don't think i could go back to WAB now, all that fannying about taking single casualties off etc

Have fun,

James

[Mr. Peabody]

Martin at Warbases provide a superb custom cutting service, working with whatever your basing size may be and cutting the tray to the outside dimensions you require.

Worth getting a quote.

Warbases has provided me with movement trays cut to work with Canadian coins for two different projects. His prices are competitive and ultimately the investment is very reasonable.

[Sir Tobi]

Hi,

just to add my experiences: These are individually round based figures of mine on a self-made tray.


The tray is done with a saddlers tool that can be bought in every size for less than ten euros at amazon:


Everything is described in detail here:
http://tobispaintpot.blogspot.de/2012/10/back-to-bases.html

I have to say I'm very pleased with this technique, and it really works very well. If magnets are not required, the base of the tray dosn't have to be steel and everything will be even cheaper.

Best regards,
Tobi

[Mr. Peabody]

Can you shoot us a link to the tool?

[redzed]

In the UK, there is Precision Wargames Supplies, which do some very nice-looking products; very useful for the larger discs, for example:  http://www.freewebs.com/pwsltd/steelbases.htm

second Precision Bases, excellent products which come primed.
I used them for my ECW bases, the downside with thin bases is you will always need to pick the elements up by the figures. Which is why I switched to 3mm perspex from Fenris. And have a look at the free Basic Impetus, solid game in it's own right and a good introduction if you want to go 'advanced' later.

[Sir Tobi]

Can you shoot us a link to the tool?

Of course. For 20mm diameter:
http://www.amazon.de/Locheisen-Lochdurchmesser-20mm-Form-DIN7200/dp/B001MS9P46/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1376421101&sr=8-12&keywords=locheisen

For 25mm diameter:
http://www.amazon.de/Hoffmann-Henkellocheisen-25-mm/dp/B003B833IO/ref=sr_1_1?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1376421156&sr=1-1&keywords=locheisen+25mm

There is near every size available...

[redzed]

Of course. For 20mm diameter:
http://www.amazon.de/Locheisen-Lochdurchmesser-20mm-Form-DIN7200/dp/B001MS9P46/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1376421101&sr=8-12&keywords=locheisen

For 25mm diameter:
http://www.amazon.de/Hoffmann-Henkellocheisen-25-mm/dp/B003B833IO/ref=sr_1_1?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1376421156&sr=1-1&keywords=locheisen+25mm

There is near every size available...

damn that's tempting.........


 I went the magnet route for mine.

[frogimus]

Not sure if someone is doing the same in europe, but http://shogunminiatures.com uses galvanized sheet metal (the kind used for heating & cooling ducts). Precision sheared and bent, he also deburrs the edges.

[OSHIROmodels]

If you're after thin materials Alex, I can go down to 0.5mm, any size (other thicknesses are available  ).

cheers

James