Back in the 60's & 70's there was a gamer that brought his 'welcome mat' armies to conventions. They were ancient armies, infantry blocks were cut out of black welcome mats, given minimal paint and the shields were sequins. Elephants were small pig models modified with glue and/or green stuff, I don't remember how the cavalry was made.
There was something similar in one of the war games magazines back when I was a kid ((1989s?). They used cheap spiked hair rollers. I made some. Infantry were similar to these but it was easier to make cavalry.
You inspired me to start with these mesh armies. I'm thinking generic blue, green, red and white for imagination projects and Napoleonic. Like to see more of these. Do you have any ideas for elephants? Cotton buds?
Elephants are an interesting one... I'd think about cutting out the shape as a 'skeleton' of the elephant first and then maybe glue some paper cut to the shape of an elephant to make it look better and fill in the holes.
Excellent idea! One thing I’d just thought off is to cut the arms shorter, then diagonally add a straight piece of the mesh or whatever that would represent a rifle.
Brilliant video. An update, I recently have used this technique and a quite happily surprised. Using this vid is great. Keep it up. How about your ideas on cavalry, artillery, chariots, elephants, helmet crests etc. I've been using a #10 mesh and the massed army look is great.
That's great! I have been making two armies for the American War of Independence so I could show how I do artillery and cavalry with a video about those.
Nice and effective armies I was, however, surprised that at no point did you think of showing the mesh before you did anything to it so we would know what to look for
Great video. I have always liked the do it yourself side of wargaming, it can be so satisfying and of course cheap. The cost of buying miniatures and terrain is extortionate. Good work thanks, subscribed and liked regards Lexi.
I've got a video showing my ACW units in more detail, for rifles I've used copper wire in the past but it's very tedious so I don't bother now, from a distance you can't tell anyway
@@blaansarge for the armies in the video I use all the same size, for other games it depends, I use a whole range of sizes. warbases.co.uk/ is where I get my MDF bases from, but just I've also bought different sizes on eBay too, there's lots of companies that make them
Very helpful. Did you add a crosspiece to the tall signifier flags on your Samurai army? What rule set are you using for your Samurai armies? How would you approach ancient pike units (techniques, materials etc)? Nice vid.
Thank you for the comment! As they're so small I don't add cross pieces to the flags, the folded over paper is strong enough after it's been glued. I use my own set of simple samurai rules which you can find here: www.wargamevault.com/product/399851/Battle-Blocks-Sengoku?filters=0_0_0_44510 I'm not sure how I would approach pike units, using lengths of copper wire might work but it would be extremely tedious to do. Toothpicks and the like would be too thick I think. It's one to think about...
@@gordonyork6638 Gordon ove used for both 15mm and 28mm plastic broom bristles they come in so many thicknesses and the thinner ones are ideal for pikes and spears. I can even give them a squeeze and cut a point with scissors for 28 and 15mm. I got the idea from another chap here on TH-cam too.
@@zargonfuture4046 thanks for the info. The bristle have worked so well I now use them on my Warp War fleet among other uses. They straight, bendy, protects bothe fingers and miniature.
Some people were wondering about pikes and spears in this scale here is a vidio of a chap who uses plastic broom bristles and I've been doing this since for 15mm and 28mm. In 6mm you can actually sharpen them to make a point even and it would be a decent substitute for the copper wire perhaps.. Hope it helps towards everyones ideas and projects. th-cam.com/video/KWYAGyj01vE/w-d-xo.html
I've not made a tutorial on them but you can see some cavalry in this video, as well as artillery th-cam.com/video/BCBjZd08gTw/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
This idea has really piqued my interest, it's not even a budget issue I just enjoy making things so I may make a unit of these to see how they compare to some baccus minis from a few feet away
Back in the 60's & 70's there was a gamer that brought his 'welcome mat' armies to conventions. They were ancient armies, infantry blocks were cut out of black welcome mats, given minimal paint and the shields were sequins. Elephants were small pig models modified with glue and/or green stuff, I don't remember how the cavalry was made.
What do you mean by black welcome mats were they the fuzzy mats and each string was a soldier I’m just curious
@@MikeIsWeird Cheap black rubber welcome mats. Not fuzzy, just little nubbies. I don't even know if they make them anymore
@@costeawood thanks I think I found what your talking about
This is truly a Wargamer's wargame video. Thanks.
Really love this! Very curious to know how you would make cavalry with this style. Or even cannon teams. Excellent video!
What an excellent video! Really appreciate a good tutorial. It would be good to see your terrain building techniques.
This video is great, im using this to play for the frist time!! Thank you for this
Followed your link from Super Cheap Wargaming.
Great idea to be able to quickly make large armies.
Awesome video, great instructions, amazing idea. Keep up the good work,!
Really creative! Great work
There was something similar in one of the war games magazines back when I was a kid ((1989s?). They used cheap spiked hair rollers. I made some. Infantry were similar to these but it was easier to make cavalry.
You inspired me to start with these mesh armies. I'm thinking generic blue, green, red and white for imagination projects and Napoleonic. Like to see more of these. Do you have any ideas for elephants? Cotton buds?
Elephants are an interesting one... I'd think about cutting out the shape as a 'skeleton' of the elephant first and then maybe glue some paper cut to the shape of an elephant to make it look better and fill in the holes.
Epoxy putty?
Really impressive! Love DIY wargaming. Looking forward to seeing more like this!
Great video its got me making my own your terrain ideas must be awsome
such a great idea! You've inspired me!
Cool idea, way better than using a wood dowel or block
Excellent idea! One thing I’d just thought off is to cut the arms shorter, then diagonally add a straight piece of the mesh or whatever that would represent a rifle.
Very impressed, I have to do this.
doing this for Warmaster rn
it's such a joy!! having a big army in no time :D
Some very excellent ideas! Thank you. 👍✌
Wonderful work. What do use for the bases of your units?
Holy crap !!!...next you'll say i can have a box that will give me an army out of thin air !
Fantastic!
Brilliant video. An update, I recently have used this technique and a quite happily surprised. Using this vid is great. Keep it up.
How about your ideas on cavalry, artillery, chariots, elephants, helmet crests etc.
I've been using a #10 mesh and the massed army look is great.
That's great! I have been making two armies for the American War of Independence so I could show how I do artillery and cavalry with a video about those.
Cracking idea!
Making me nervous how close you cut to your finger tips. But I get it they're super tiny. :) TY 4 the Vid.
great idea
Nice and effective armies
I was, however, surprised that at no point did you think of showing the mesh before you did anything to it so we would know what to look for
Great video. I have always liked the do it yourself side of wargaming, it can be so satisfying and of course cheap. The cost of buying miniatures and terrain is extortionate. Good work thanks, subscribed and liked regards Lexi.
Its quickly becoming a niche in current economy.
I'd measure out lines on the Base first, then glue them down for a more uniformed lines of the ranks.
Dude...
Whoa.
Interesting idea!
Bloody Brilliant
What kind of bases do you use? Are they just wood? Also saw an old instruction sheet on making wargame units out of hair roller pieces
Brilliant.
What do you use for rifles for the ACW units? What about cannons? Cavalry?
I've got a video showing my ACW units in more detail, for rifles I've used copper wire in the past but it's very tedious so I don't bother now, from a distance you can't tell anyway
What are you using for the bases
The bases are 30mm by 15mm mdf
is that for all or do you use different sizes depending on the unit. also where can i get MDF pre cut in the sizes
@@TheTabletopGamer
@@blaansarge for the armies in the video I use all the same size, for other games it depends, I use a whole range of sizes.
warbases.co.uk/ is where I get my MDF bases from, but just I've also bought different sizes on eBay too, there's lots of companies that make them
Very helpful. Did you add a crosspiece to the tall signifier flags on your Samurai army? What rule set are you using for your Samurai armies? How would you approach ancient pike units (techniques, materials etc)? Nice vid.
Thank you for the comment! As they're so small I don't add cross pieces to the flags, the folded over paper is strong enough after it's been glued. I use my own set of simple samurai rules which you can find here: www.wargamevault.com/product/399851/Battle-Blocks-Sengoku?filters=0_0_0_44510
I'm not sure how I would approach pike units, using lengths of copper wire might work but it would be extremely tedious to do. Toothpicks and the like would be too thick I think. It's one to think about...
@@TheTabletopGamer I was thinking of using the bristles of a nylon paint brush. I just thought of it. Or piano wire but that gets a little "pokey".
@@gordonyork6638 Gordon ove used for both 15mm and 28mm plastic broom bristles they come in so many thicknesses and the thinner ones are ideal for pikes and spears. I can even give them a squeeze and cut a point with scissors for 28 and 15mm. I got the idea from another chap here on TH-cam too.
@@zargonfuture4046 thanks for the info. The bristle have worked so well I now use them on my Warp War fleet among other uses. They straight, bendy, protects bothe fingers and miniature.
what do you use for your bases
also can you make a video about how to make the rest of your terrain like the hills and the trees
The bases I use are 20mm MDF bases I buy online, the hills are ones I've bought at wargame shows!
Some people were wondering about pikes and spears in this scale here is a vidio of a chap who uses plastic broom bristles and I've been doing this since for 15mm and 28mm. In 6mm you can actually sharpen them to make a point even and it would be a decent substitute for the copper wire perhaps.. Hope it helps towards everyones ideas and projects.
th-cam.com/video/KWYAGyj01vE/w-d-xo.html
What about cavalry?
I've not made a tutorial on them but you can see some cavalry in this video, as well as artillery th-cam.com/video/BCBjZd08gTw/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
This idea has really piqued my interest, it's not even a budget issue I just enjoy making things so I may make a unit of these to see how they compare to some baccus minis from a few feet away
can you make fantasy type units like trolls and dragons
I've not made them myself but I know it's possible, check out what this guy made: leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=106513.0
@@TheTabletopGamer I see what you mean also could you make a video showing how to make your terrain like the fences and trees and hills
This is super neat! Subscribed!
Thanks for the sub, much appreciated!