Fitting figures to horses

[Calimero]

What is the best way to attach riders to horses? It's quite simple when they fit well together (like Front Rank miniatures and others) but not so much when the figures "float" on the saddles (like Boot Hill miniatures and others) or just won't fit between saddles blanket rolls and the likes.

What would be the best approach? Trim the figures or trim the horse saddles and other furniture? Or maybe someone have completely different option?

Thanks for the tips and help.

Cheers!

[snitcythedog]

what would be the best approach? Trim the figures or trim the horse saddles and other furniture? Or maybe someone have completely different option?

I usually either file the riders bum or putty the gap and build it up as part of the saddle.  It really depends on how bad the float is.  Hope that helps.
Snitchy sends.

[Calimero]

I usually either file the riders bum or putty the gap and build it up as part of the saddle.  It really depends on how bad the float is.  Hope that helps.
Snitchy sends.

The figures I'm working on ATM are 40mm Sash and Saber ECW Command... the "gap" between the riders bum and the saddle are about 2mm high... that may not sound like a lot but it's very inconvenient since I only have access to very liquid super glue to hold those pieces together

[pacarat]

I have in the past used heavy tin/aluminum foil to fill gaps. Fold as needed to build up depth. Super glue layers to horse, then rider as normal.

[OSHIROmodels]

For metal figures I tend to bend the legs outwards, sit the figure on the horse and then bend the legs back again.

If there is still a gap then a black or very dark brown undercoat usually disguises the fact.

Never tried it with 40mm figures though but the tin foil sounds a good idea although you will have to pin the figure in place as the tin foil will be a very weak joint.

cheers

James

[Remgain]

Just now I had the same problem with Westwind (now Old Glory) mounted cowboys.
After some filing and trimming to adjust the contact, I put a drop of superglue on the back of the horse, then a blob of Milliput, and finally another drop of superglue.
Then I fit the rider on the mount... voilà!

Marco

[Connectamabob]

There's also the old superglue-and-talc trick. Basically just mix some of your superglue with a powdered filler to form a paste you can use to putty stuff with. Some people recommend baking soda, but all the stuff I did with baking soda back in the day turned yellow and fizzy/crumbly with time, so I strongly advise against it. Talc baby powder worked great though. Smoother consistency and better working time than with baking soda, as well as longevity. Stuff cures up rock-hard, so it's best to trim/sand in the same session as applying it.

To be honest though, unless you're living in a cabin in the middle of nowhere or something, you can probably at least get a tube/roll of repair epoxy putty from a local hardware or big box store.

[Gary Peach]

Ive started using Green Stuff.  Before painting, see how close a fit you can get with a file, bending the legs etc.  Then mix up Green Stuff, fit to the saddle, wet the figure and push fit and trim.  Wetting the figure means it wont stick.

Paint and then glue.

Other than that its mixing the super glue with talc or powder fillers.

[Calimero]

Thanks all for the tips and ideas... I think I'll try the putty/green stuff method... The only down side is I'll need to wait till I'm back home (where all my hobby stuff is) from the Holidays... 

[Connectamabob]

No hardware stores where you are? Hardware store epoxy putty isn't quite as nice to sculpt with as hobby epoxy putty, but it'll do just as well in the end if you've got confident hands. Usually they'll have a couple with different cure times, mostly 5 minute, but sometimes 20 minute, for around 5 bucks. Auto places are a good bet too.

[Cubs]

I roll a little thin sausage of greenstuff (or Milliput, or whatever's to hand) and super-glue it to the rider's crotch and inside thigh. Then I put superglue on the inner curve of this and squish it down onto the saddle. Any bits of putty that squeeze out I either scrape away or poke back into the gap with a toothpick.

[Mason]

I roll a little thin sausage of greenstuff (or Milliput, or whatever's to hand) and super-glue it to the rider's crotch and inside thigh. Then I put superglue on the inner curve of this and squish it down onto the saddle. Any bits of putty that squeeze out I either scrape away of poke back into the gap with a toothpick.

This is my 'go-to' technique for sticking metal to anything wherever possible.
It gives a good solid join and hides any gaps.

I do get through a lot of green stuff, though....

[FramFramson]

You go through a lot of greenstuff anyway, Mason! 

[Stepman3]

I like to use "Blu Tac" or "poster tac need to have a ". It's kinda gummy but you can remove the rider from the horse if you r need to dismount...a BB size glob holds perfect and wont peel your paint...