Miniatures

I am all about cranking models out quickly and inexpensively. As this is focused on minis for a RPG game, I don’t want to spend forever on some minis that might only see a single encounter, and I certainly don’t want to spend a ton of money on single-use minis. Therefore, I look for less expensive solutions for minis and for painting them. Most of these solutions will have your minis looking “table ready”, but they aren’t going to win any awards. Additionally, many of them aren't exactly the same scale, but they're close enough.

Supplied is a ton of links for where you can get your hands on the same tools and minis that I use.

Miniature Resource Links

I always prefer plastic over metal, due to expense and ease of customization. 

More miniatures options to come as I test them out!

Pinning Models

I have found that I utilize an unusual method for pinning models together. What I do is I hold a sewing needle over a candle until it is red hot, then insert it into the plastic part that is intended to be pinned. The plastic melts around the needle, thus giving it a secure hold. 

Then I cut off the sewing needle with a pair of wire cutters so that it sticks out approximately 0.5-1mm. Note that you never want to use the flush cutter that you use to separate your minis from their sprue on cutting the needles, it’s a quick way to have a tool which no longer makes clean cuts.

And finally, on the other part intended to be pinned, I use a small pin vise hand drill and make a small hole. 

When pinning a model to a base, I often drill the hole first, glue the model over the hole, and then slide the red hot needle through both base and mini, and then cut it flush underneath. Please wear safety goggles when doing so, as I have had the needles fly off when cut.

Here’s a large assortment of needles: https://amzn.to/3D8w8cH

Here’s a wire cutter that I use: https://amzn.to/2We5DkQ

A good smelling candle: https://amzn.to/3z98jif

Needle nose pliers: https://amzn.to/3kbOBfM

Pin vise hand drill: https://amzn.to/3sCQHJf 

Assembly 

First you need to remove minis from their sprues. One of the best methods I have found  is with a wire flush cutter. Some mini companies sell rebranded versions for extreme prices, but here’s the ones I use: https://amzn.to/3y61cpH

Always dry-fit your minis before gluing them together. I’ve found that it saves so much time and frustration if you check first, make any adjustments or cleaning, and then glue.

I generally use superglue to assemble minis. Here’s the brand I use: https://amzn.to/3sAsuDr

I rarely glue minis to their final bases for painting. Instead I use a single dot of wood glue, so that I can easily remove it when I have the mini and base ready for assembly. Here’s the brand I use: https://amzn.to/3z6hwrS

Priming

First you’re going to want to attach the miniatures to something so that you can spray them in a big batch, and make sure they are decently secured so that they don’t fly off when the spray hits them. I generally use a piece of wood or paint stick, and glue them on using wood glue. I just smear the glue on the wood, and stick the base into the glue. It takes a few minutes to dry, it holds well while painting, the minis pop off with some slight pressure when I’m done, and I can peel the remaining glue off the bases without an issue. Here’s the brand I use: https://amzn.to/3z6hwrS

Unlike many other painters, I begin my paint jobs by applying a black vinyl dye. I find that it comes out in a more fine mist and makes a more even coat than most actual primers, and it seems to “saturate” the model. Additionally, it’s much cheaper than miniature specific primers. Here’s the brand I use: https://amzn.to/3D6Hwpm

Paints

As for paint, you can go with one of two options.

The cheaper option is to use simple acrylic craft paint. You can often find it at places like Walmart or almost any craft store. I prefer Apple Barrel. Make sure you get matte colors unless you are going for something specific like shiny black leather or metallics. Here’s a great starter set: https://amzn.to/3Dh0wSe

If you want to go with something a bit more expensive, but has better flow and stronger pigments, I recommend Vallejo. Here’s a wide assortment of colors: https://amzn.to/3onWqB9

However, the great thing about Vallejo is that they have much cheaper sets of paints that often have all the colors you need. For example, this British Armour & Infantry set contains most of the colors you will find yourself using: https://amzn.to/3AYYcgC 

I enjoy making everything look worn and grimy. Some of the quickest methods I have found is to use light ink washes. Transparent Raw Sienna by Liquitex gives a nice “dirt” coloration which I use on the boots of many figures, and sometimes a light pass elsewhere: https://amzn.to/3D0zeiR

Additionally, a quick wash with Nuln Oil helps add to the gritty appearance: https://amzn.to/3D6CzwU 

Lastly, everyone should protect their work with some matte clear sealant. https://amzn.to/3mpi0FK

Bases

For bases, I prefer to use 25mm diameter x 3.5mm high bases with the underside lip.

25mm diameter allows for miniatures to occupy a single inch of grid space without spilling over.

3.5mm with a lip allows for 3mm magnets to be glued underneath, which helps with storage options, and terrain that is magnetized to hold minis on at odd angles. 

Here’s the bases in a batch of 100: https://amzn.to/3AVwRM8

Here are the magnets I use: https://amzn.to/3kaFpZ6 

I also use plastic sheeting to add slight raised sections to give the appearance of platforms or different areas to break up the blandness of a single texture/elevation covering the entirety of the base. Here’s enough sheeting to cover a ton of bases: https://amzn.to/2WdkBYQ

Sandable primer, while being a terrible idea for minis, is a great idea for bases, as it provides a gritty texture that makes it look like concrete or cement. A quick wash with some diluted black paint, and the base is all but done! Here’s the primer of my choice: https://amzn.to/2XLy4rj