How do you handle them while painting?

[yblavier]

I just don't seem to figure out a good way of holding a figure while painting it. I've drilled holes in their feet and stuck it in some styrofoam, but that's just not tough enough to hold the figure up straight... Now they're just laying there on my workbench...

Can anyone tell me their secret, pls?

Many thanks in advance

 

[Kisifer]

Hello Yves and welcome to Planet Figure. I also drill my figure at their feet and them I usually place it to the permanent base. I glue it very well there and let it dry for a day.
The groundwork at that time is not ready at all. Just a shaped putty.
For the rest of the parts i drill them in placed that will get covered or hidden and place a toothpick at the hole. That's a good way to handle smaller parts.
For even smaller parts that can't get drilled i catch them with plastic tongs (the ones we use for hanging the cloths). I choose the side of the part that will be painted in a different color. For example a sword, i will grab the blade and paint the rest of it, then glue it on the figure and then paint the blade.
Hope this helps

Xenofon

 

[Major_Goose]

There is no secret. U just drill 2 good holes lightly wider than the diameter of the paper clip u insert and glue with 2 part epoxy. Then u mark 2 corresponding holes on a temprary base like a 4 x 4 cm wood blok and glue with CA so then u can detouch and thats ready .
I always pant like this and have no problems

 

[bross11]

I have found a little hand vise works well. You put the rods in the feet like outlined above and then just clamp down on the rods. It works well and the set that I got had pins that go into pre-drilled holes in the vise so if the figure came with the base already attached you can clamp onto the sides of the base. Take a look at Squadron's webpage that's were I got mine.

Bruce

 

[Sambaman]

The absolute best item I have found is corks!
I buy them in packs of 2 or 3 or 4, depending on size, at the craft/art supply store. They are very inexpensive, reusable over and over and hold the pegged figure tight enough to paint! Just peg your figure or figure piece and insert into the top of the cork. The ones I am able to get are larger on one end and allow the figure to satnd up off the dest as it dries. As mentioned they come in several sizes to use with any sized figure or piece of figure. I have about 20 I keep full of fig pieces all the time! HTH,

Jay H.
OKC

 

[Kandor8]

I too have that small hand vise but I use it for assembly and to prime my figures. To paint I also drill holes in the feet about mid-shin in depth glue brass pins w/epoxy glue then drill corresponding holes in a small 2 x 2 x 1 block of wood and lightly glue the feet (only the soles, not the holes) with epoxy glue as well and when I paint I hold the figure with my left middle finger on the figure's head (HORRORS!) and my left thumb under the base/plynthe, somehow I feel I have more control painting this way and since I've been doing it this way since 1977 I'm a little set in my ways.
Best!
Ric :lol:

 

[Blind Pew]

I bought some very cheap wooden dowels in a craft shop, which I've found to be superb for single 54mm figures. Other than than that I use all sorts of wooden off cuts, into which I can drill the appropriate hole for steel rods etc.

You'll probably find a large DIY/ hardware store near where you live. See if they sell spindles or similar for stair bannisters. They're as cheap as chips and you can saw them to whatever length you like...

 

[scooterdog]

I usually will hold the figure in my hand while painting the face. I feel I have more stability this way. Then I will peg the feet and attach it to the permanant base. I use blue masking tape on the base to prevent it from getting paint or such on the surface. When finished it peels right off without leaving a sticky residue.


Chris c.

 

[Einion]

Hi Yves, my method is for any part large enough to be drilled and pinned I add the pins before priming so I can hold the parts in a pin vice, ensuring a firm grip and good control for painting.

If you want something a little easier to hold than a skinny pin vice barrel, sometimes on a main body casting (especially for larger white metal figures which can feel really heavy when you hold them for a couple of hours!) I will drill out both heels and slip the wires into holes drilled in some scrap wooden pieces on the desk. Often you can find two that are spaced appropriately but you can drill custom holes if needed of course to ensure a tight fit so the body doesn't sway or shift when you're handling it.

For smaller parts that can't be pinned I sometimes hold them on a the end of cocktail stick or something like that with a small blob of Blu-Tack but often now I will just rest them in the palm of my opposite hand, wearing a rubber/vinyl glove to keep sweat off the part.

Einion

 

[yblavier]

Thanks everyone for the many replies. I will try some of your suggestions. I guess the styrofoam I'm using just isn't strong enough. Wood or cork might just do the trick (why didn't I think of that before???!!!)

The problem I have at this moment, is a pretty heavy 1/16 figure in running position, with one leg lifted, so I can just put a pin in one foot... Anyone got a solution for this? Would wood or cork keep it in position?

 

[Kandor8]

Hi Yves,
Running figures are always "fun" to deal with. The main thing you want to be sure of is to have a thick enough support pin drilled up into the planted leg of the figure and as far up the leg as possible, to the knee would be good. If this is a resin figure half the battle is over because resin is easily drilled and light. If, however, it is a metal figure the drilling will be slow and MUST be slow so you can clean the drill bit at many intervals as you proceed and to make sure the hole is on a straight track. Plan the angle of your drilling in advance and make a starter hole at the point you're going to start drilling with a hand auger or a sharp nail. Your work base should be as thick as your pin has been drilled into the leg to counter balance the forces of gravity that will be working against you. Don't throw out that styrofoam! Use it to brace up the figure under the knee of the other leg while you work on your figure especially while the glue sets after you've mounted it on its work base and remove it only when you're ready to start work on that leg.
Best!
Ric

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Kandor8@Sep 21 2005, 06:14 PM
Running figures are always "fun" to deal with. The main thing you want to be sure of is to have a thick enough support pin drilled up into the planted leg of the figure and as far up the leg as possible, to the knee would be good.

Yep, that's what I would do. Then either hold it in one of my pin vices or glue it into a wooden support (possibly the finished base if I tape it off to protect the surface).

Einion