Getting Started in Historical Miniatures Wargaming

Preparing Miniatures

The next step is to sort your miniatures. Most minis are sold in bags which contain a number of different poses or figures carrying a variety of different weapons. You may want to separate your minis into groups which will be affixed together on stands -- this will prevent ending up with more than one figure in the same pose on the same stand. Also, you will want to include command figures (officer, standard bearer, drummer boy, radio operator, etc. depending on the era) for each unit.

While you are sorting your figures, check the base (bottom) of each figure for flash (extra metal sticking out). Removing this now with a file or sharp knife will make it easier to glue to a stand later. Straighten out rifles, swords, bayonets, etc. If you find figures with broken or missing limbs or weapons, set these aside for making casualty markers later.

Next, heat up your hot glue gun and get out your craft sticks. Usually all of the figures from a single stand can be glued together on one stick. Squirt a pea-sized amount of glue at two to four evenly-spaced places on a stick (depending on how many figures are on a stand) and quickly push figures into the glue. Orient the figures so they all face one way, preferably perpendicular to the length of the stick.

Once all of you figures are temporarily hot-glued to craft sticks, you will need to prime them. Priming does several things. It provides a clean, rough surface for paint to adhere to. It helps seal the metal from the effects of oxidation. If you use a dark gray or black, any places you miss with painting (either intentionally or not) will be less noticeable, or appear as if it is in shadow. Automotive primer (e.g. Krylon) works fine. Place the minis (glued to the sticks) on a sheet of scrap cardboard or in the bottom of a shallow cardboard box, move to a well-ventilated area (outside is best if it is not too windy), and prime. If if is particularly cold where you will be priming, you may want to gently warm the spray can of primer in warm water before use. Don't use too much primer, but try to get complete coverage. Let them dry at least and hour.