So out of curiosity, do you usually use the bases provided in the kits or just make your own? This is more geared towards standard/ static type figures and not a more specialized type kit in which the base is actually part of the scene. I am trying to see if it is worth adding a base in future kits or if it is a waste of time, money and resources to add them.

Adding a poll.

Please feel free to also comment beside taking the poll.

This ought to be an interesting thread. I usually bin them if they're made from metal - it just makes the whole thing necessarily heavy. Occasionally a piece might need it though.
In short I decide on a kit-by-kit basis. Some need it, some don't. If the base has a specific thing in it that ties it to the figure, for example a discarded helmet, it'll definitely stay as it helps the narrative. If just generic mud etc... maybe not

Most of the figure kits I buy don't have scenic bases with them. I do like to use resin-cast bases by companies like Black Dog, as I really enjoy painting them.
I've made my own on occasion, but feel that my skills need more practice in this area & when I've completed a figure, I always want to move on to the next project so my favourite method is to buy a ready-made scenic base from a very talented & helpful eBay seller in Athens, Greece (Dioramania).

Dimitris' bases are fantastic pieces of artwork, & often they've given me inspiration for matching a figure or AFV in my collection to the base.
I'm not a promoter of his products, just a very satisfied customer.

Nope just pop them in the 'bag of bases' and give them away or throw them in the bin when there are to many. Looking at my collection I can't see any which have the original bases

Cheers
Paul

Contrary to general opinion (those expressed so far, that is), I regard supplied bases as integral
to the overall composition of the piece as intended by the sculptor. It probably helps of course
that the figures I choose to collect invariably come with a decent bit of groundwork, which needs
no distracting flowers, leaf litter, bushes, or any of the other folderol. Takes all sorts....eh?

Mike

Even after reviewing multiple miniatures over the past year or so I've only come across one base that has genuinely impressed me enough to feel like using it. Majority are either really plain and uniform in texture, flat and lifeless, or look like a mound in the middle of a plinth top.

Metal bases? A waste of resources, so ,no, don't use them. Resin, on the other hand , is very often incorporated into the general base mix I make up. This is what I shall be doing with a medieval scene involving the excellent Altores series. But then, depending on the overall figure, never say never.......

Alan

Good post. I never use metal or resin bases (unless the latter forms an integral part of the overall concept. Prefer to build my own. Have occasionally used after market bases such as the nice Kirin plaster ones that used to be available.
I used to chuck the metal ones in the melting pot to recast into musket balls, but they are a bit on the hard side for rifled guns - OK in smoothbores.

Phil

I'll be the echo here, but it depends for me too. Sometimes the base really fits the figure, so I keep it. Other times, the base seems like it was an afterthought in the sculptor's thought process, so I usually don't use those. I kind of hate doing bases though, so I would rather keep more of them than I do.

I usually model bases for figures I sculpt/convert for Victory and Gordon, but most of Gordon's figures come without bases. Sometimes the base is integral to the figure (https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/imperial-gallery-120mm-able-seaman-and-angry-seagull.217881/) and sometimes not.

Mike

I occasionally use them, especially for metal figures that have a moulded ‘lock’ into their base. I screw and glue the metal base to the wooden plinth and drill small holes extending well into the wood where the figure goes. The figure is pinned through the locks on its feet/hooves and then glued on the base. The combination of pinning and the lock into the metal base make for a strong and stable lock, that can take the heavy weight of the figure.

Resin bases I only use if it adds to the sculpture. For example, I am building John Rosengrant’s ‘Frozen Chosin’ set from S&T and the base places the 3 figures in exactly the positions the sculptor intended them....and this sculptor’s intentions I am eager to follow!

Adrian

Same technique here : will use metal bases most of the time but will discard the resin plain ones ..

Must admit for the most part I use supplied base with kit. Attach it to wooden base and build up groundwork up and over it using Miliput or modelling clay...

Billy

If the base is generally flat, I'll use them so I can clamp the figure whilst painting. Years ago, (the 80s) I borght 3 or 4 clamps with stands which have 1 or 2 clamping points. Once the figure is done, I fix to a wooden base and then secure with epoxy and a milliput base for Groundwork, so, yes, I use the bases. In the ancient days, I even used split Lentals for cobblestones. Ray