Temp gluing figures to sticks for paint

Currenlty working on 2 1/35 figs from the Italeri Zundapp kit.  I have them all CA glued to cheap poker chips.  A great, light weight, stable base so the figs dont fall over.  I can also pick up the bases and rotate without worrying about touching the figure.

wing_nut wrote:

Drill a tiny hole in the guy's heel and CA glue a toothpick.

That's what I've always done - works for me.  I don't do 1/35, but it works on the pilots figures for a/c.  I usually do more of a lumbar puncture if the guy's gonna be sitting in the plane.  If they're going to be outside, they get it in the bottom of the flight boot.

Usually the toothpicks will just pull out when you're done - if not, they break off very easily and the stub can be trimmed with a scapel blade.

Buy a box of paperclips. 

Unfold the outer end and use this as your rod to stick into the hole on the bottom of the foot. You can use the rest of the paperclip to hold the figure or you can fold the remaining clip to make a miniature "stand" for each figure.  If you are using a "third hand" you can stick the rest of the paperclip into the clip on the "third hand" in order to secure it. 

Oscar Zulu wrote:

All great suggestions, thanks mucho.  Where would you pick up rods?  I'll let you know which technique I end up going with ... thanks!

I couldn't find any rods and went with the Goop, which worked well.  Thanks for all the great suggestions.  I'll probably try them all at some point. 

LHS doesn't have small enough diameter brass rods or the Goo.  I found this on a model RR forum and want to know if anyone has tried it.  Will it hold for this application and come off easily as well?  Also, what kind a store would I find such small diameter rods if the lhs doesn't have any?

I use Household Goop (purple tube with orange stripe (3.7 fluid ounces) . Made by Eclectic products inc of Pineville LA and sold in Walmart hardware epartment. It drys clear and has the same waterproof, paintable, flexible qualities as Walthers Goo. In fact it is better. It is definitely less expensive
 

ajlafleche wrote:

wing_nut wrote: Drill a tiny hole in the guy's heel and CA glue a toothpick. Take this a step further. Use a length of brass rod. When you're done painting, the rod wil be used to affix the figure to the base.

wing_nut wrote:

Drill a tiny hole in the guy's heel and CA glue a toothpick.

Take this a step further. Use a length of brass rod. When you're done painting, the rod wil be used to affix the figure to the base.

Check the model RR section of your LHS for a tube of Walthers Goo.  It's a very thick, rubbery, contact like glue (for lack of a better discreption) - simply put a small amount on each foot (or the base if it has one) and stick the figure on your wooden block - it's strong enough that you can do about any type of seam filling and sanding on the figure without releasing from the block but weak enough that the figure will pop off of the block when you want it too.  You then can peal any excess left on the figure with your fingers.

If your LHS doesn't have any in stock, they can order it from Walthers (most LHSs that stock for model RRs seem to have it or will order it for you) 

Rubber cement maybe? I've heard it doesn't melt styrene and join stuff, so it's good for temorary bonds and comes off, or perhaps white glue. I'd suggest, if you feel like making a small investment, getting a "third hand" stand. It's basically a stand with arms that swivel and rotate, and travel up and down and have alligator clips on the ends to hold your pieces. Very handy...$15 for an Excel Hobby Tools one, $23 for a Gunze Sangyo stand with LOTS of clips.