MODELLING AND PAINTING IDEAS FOR YOUR ARMY
Two-wheelin' Adeptus Astartes are popular choices for Space Marine players of all Chapters. However, with the latest Ravenwing plastics, Dark Angel players are sure to have twice as many Bikers as the average player! In order to truly showcase your Space Marine Bikers, it may be worth your effort to build some "capsule bases." This style of bike base not only looks cool, but it allows you to model all manner of creative effects upon its large surface. Building one is a simple process when you break it down into manageable steps. Once you build a few, you'll slip into a rhythm. Before you know it, there'll be a pile of them just waiting for some artistic basing touches. Below, you'll find step-by-step instructions for building your own capsule bases. After that, there's a pair of pages chock full of basing ideas, complete with step-by-step instructions detailing how to achieve each effect.
STEP 1. Cut a 40-mm round base in half with a hand saw. A miter box will make this much easier and is more accurate. Once cut, carefully file down the cut edge until it is smooth.
STEP 2. Take a 40-mm square base and dry-fit the two halves
of the round bases on opposite sides of the square to make sure they fit together
neatly. You may need to file the edges of the square base to get everything
to fit right.
STEP 3. Take a piece of scrap paper and place it underneath your base sections. Push everything together and put a line of super glue along the gap. Be sure you’re performing this step with your bases on a flat, even surface. Let the glue dry thoroughly.
STEP 4. Remove the bases from the paper. Press modelling putty
into the gap to fill it and strengthen the bond between bases. Pay close attention
to the beveled edge of the bases. It's best to apply the putty in excess over
the join, allow it to dry, and then sand it down with a fine-grit sand paper
for a nice, smooth finish.
