17. ...movement trays, storage and transport

In the last post I listed all (for me known) options regarding the bases. It could end here, but that theme is closely connected to some others: movement trays, storage and transport solutions. Lets take a short look on them, and then I tell you which way was chosen by me.

If you are using single based minis for big battle games, you have to move a complete unit of more (5-10-20-40) miniatures at once, and that can be really frustrating… But movement trays can solve that! They are like a plate, where You place your figures, and then move the plate. There are 2 main types:

• Simple ones, where is a thin frame around, so the miniatures cant fall of. That can be purchased (for round and square bases also), but it’s not a big work to DIY them (for example strong cardboard and some sprue frames glued around the edge).
  
  
  
• Magnetic ones, for example a simple steel plate for magnetized bases, but there is the problem of cutting it to size, and then smoothing the sharp edges. Or magnet-rubber plates can be used to magnetized or steel bases, and its easy to cut with scissors. There is no need for a frame around, and it holds the miniatures mores stable (especially the heavier, taller ones).
  
  
  

Now quick, something about the transport and storage. You don’t want to use a simple plastic or cardboard box for your vulnerable, painted miniatures, because they are not cheap, soft toy soldiers. That’s a clear statement, no place for disagreement. Here are also 2 main types:

• Foam, where are cut-out places, where figures fit in. Seems cheap and easy, but it isn’t really. First of all, hard foam (like XPS) is not really good, and soft foam can be very difficult to cut at home, and the ready-to-use solutions can be pretty expensive (even if you only want the pre-cutted foam, without a box). The other disadvantages:
• The small, thin, fiddly parts can be hooked in the foam structure.
• You have to pack every miniature one by one.
• The foam has still contact with the figures, so it can rub off the paint (that why is hard XPS bad).
• Needs a lot of space, because foam has to be all around every mini.
  
  
  
• Magnetic, obviously either the base, or the transport/storage box (or both) has to be magnetized, but after that you have only advantages:
• Secure (if the magnets are strong enough).
• Contac only at the bottom, so no rubbing.
• Needs a lot less space, because the minis can stand directly next to each other and also upside down.
• Eventually with a fitting magnetic movement tray, You can take out a complete unit in one piece.
• Pretty easy to make at home, so it can be surprisingly cheap.
  
  
  
  

As You see, magnetizing has a lot of advantages. But how to do it? Basically there are 2 (3) ways:

1. Magnetizing the base: glue in small and strong neodym magnets in the base (which needs space - round lip, or chamfered types) or gluing magnetic rubber tape on the bottom of it (which needs an even surface - flat types). I had bad experiences with magnetic rubber (not strong enough, miniatures can slide one it), so I prefer using neodym magnets. Anyway, you need to use steel for the storage/transport/movement tray solutions.
2. Magnetizing the storage/tray: here is  by far the easiest way to use magnetic rubber (if its strong enough). Just glue it on an even surface of a box or tray (or just use it simple as the tray himself). But you have to use steel on the bases (like a washer).
3. (Magnetizing both sides, so base and the storage/tray)

That’s all folks! But what did I chose? At first the easy choices: single round bases in 25mm size (read the former post why). At second the not so obvious ones: As I have also some metal miniatures, I wanted slotted bases, and that leads directly to the next choice. Chamfered edge (GW style), because I don’t like the round lip, and flat ones doesn’t have slots (altough there are other methods of securing the heavier minis). There comes also the material, which is hard plastic (because resin is to expensive). For bigger miniatures I have big round bases (32-40-50-60mm) and for cavalry units 25x50mm square (round obviously doesn’t fit, and oval ones are way too big), but everything in the same, chamfered (GW) style.

Because there is a lot of place under the base, I could use small but strong, neodym magnets:

• Just placed a small ball of epoxy putty on the bottom.
• Put the magnet in. But attention! Watch for polarity! The easiest way is to make one base (without mini) and use it later as a sample.
• Then press it to a flat surface, to get an even bottom with no gap (gap weakens the magnetic bond a lot).
• I run some super glue around (its ok to do it before, while and after hardening), to really secure the magnet in place (epoxy putty is not a glue, and the magnets are really strong).

At the end I had bases with strong magnets in it, so I can use magnetic trays (simple cut out from magnetic rubber in the appropriate size) and magnetic storage (metal toolbox from the local hardware store, 10€ in the size for approx. 200 man sized minis, that's what I call cheap):

The only disadvantages of my systems are:

• The price, I have to buy bases, magnets separately. But that’s really not a big deal, because both can be found really cheap.
• The work with the magnets. But advantages of the magnetic system are far superior to that.
• Hiding the slots, because I couldn’t find cheap, available chamfered bases without slot… That’s the only thing, that really disturbs me, but I couldn't find a better solution yet.

One more, very important thing! Before you take your choice, take a look around the stores (local or online), if there is everything available in every size you need! And buy a lot of them, because what you think, wont be enough, trust me...