Tuesday 27 November 2012

DIY Painting Tool for 6mm

Following on from my post yesterday showing the first of (hopefully) many 6mm models I thought I'd share this simple painting stand I threw together. At this scale painting really is a production line and anything that helps speed the process along and minimises the handling of the models while painting is a good thing.  


This was built using a simple off-cut of wood about 3cm wide by 15cm long, chosen because it fits nicely in the hand. I then picked three long coffee sticks and glued them together with PVA glue and clamped them while it dried. Any thin strip of wood would do but these were the materials I had to hand.





The beauty of this set-up is that I can fit five or six vehicles on it (I just uses Blue-tack to stick them but you could use a glue gun) for painting while still keeping it easy to handle. Then in between each stage I can put the whole thing down on the table to dry without the risk of them being knocked over. Another important advantage of this painting stand over the traditional 'lolypop stick' method is that the model is raised slightly and it is possible to paint from below for those really difficult to reach spots.

I may adapt this idea and make another version with individual dowels for holding vehicles but this Mk.1 version worked just fine and will be ideal for painting 6mm infantry. 

10 comments:

  1. That's a good idea Lee. I've used lolly sticks and a dab of PVA for years but not thought about that for tanks. Might try that for my 6mm Americans and British.

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  2. Great technique Lee. I used double-sided sticky tape to hold my 10mm stuff onto identical coffee stirrers when I painted them. It worked fine. I found the blue-tac was great as well, although the odd vehicle or base sometimes drops off. Good luck with the painting!

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  3. Nice one Lee! Cheers for adding the Battleaxe Link!

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  4. I stick 4 lolly sticks together so it's comfortable in the hand. Great for infantry strips but I see yours as much better for tanks etc.


    Ian

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  5. Good one, Lee! Have to remember that when I get back into micro-scale.

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  6. I may adapt this idea and make another version with individual dowels for holding vehicles but this Mk.1 version worked just fine and will be ideal for painting 6mm infantry.

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