unfinished wood plinths/bases

[Bexley]

Where do people find them in the US? All the Google results for various permutations of those words result in UK suppliers. MichToy has a few, and Colorado Miniatures have a few, but they're either already finished or not quite the size/shape I'm looking for. (Or ridiculously expensive.)

I'd make my own, but I'd like round plinth styles, which requires a lathe I don't have room for. Also, I want it for IP, and I'll have enough trouble just getting the entry painted.

[goblyn13]

Have you tried taking a look at Michael's or at Hobby Lobby, I've found a few there.

[TheBugKing]

Oh just go buy a clock makers lathe!

They are small! (Sorry couldn't resist the poke.)

Beyond making them yourself I don't have much to add. I think you could probably get a round stock from either Home Depot or Lowes. Then getting the square base dato done shouldn't be too hard. Sure you would have a round plinth on a square base but the Greeks and Romans liked that well enough.

[Bexley]

Michael's is where I usually get my bases. But I'm looking for a hardwood to stain and varnish, not pine with the grain filled and painted black, which is my usual preference. I'm trying to go for a "historical" miniature look, so I want something nicer. Home Depot doesn't quite have what I need, either- they don't carry dowels 2.5" in diameter. Or square stock large enough to turn down, even if I had a lathe.) Also, I'd like something with some heigh to it- at least as high as it is wide, if not a bit taller. And the only thing they have that's close is in oak, which I don't much care for.

Plenty of companies sell what I need, they just all seem to be in the UK.

I want something like this: http://www.michtoy.com/MTSCnewSite/scenic_diorama_folder/Diorama_Materials/DMIT70.html

But about 2-2.5" in diameter. And not imported pricey olive. Maple or aspen woul be preferable, or cherry if the price is decent. I'm sure there are US companies that sell what I want, I just need a little help finding them, and I' m sure somebody else here knows where one is.

[Coneman]

I dont know about the US but here in Australia a place called Bunnings, a large hardware chain, has a selection of stumpy legs, for want of better words, the kind you would put on the bottom of a TV cabinet, they are in unfinished wood and come in various shapes and sizes.

You will probably find them in a good US hardware too, just look in the timber section where they have turned table legs.

[Bexley]

I dont know about the US but here in Australia a place called Bunnings, a large hardware chain, has a selection of stumpy legs, for want of better words, the kind you would put on the bottom of a TV cabinet, they are in unfinished wood and come in various shapes and sizes.

You will probably find them in a good US hardware too, just look in the timber section where they have turned table legs.

I tried that. Being in the US, all the stores have is oak, and I want something with a finer grain. I may have a line at least in the short term, though. A guy in my machine shop classes has a wood turning lathe at home, and if I get him the stock, he can turn me a piece. There is a "woodworker's" lumberyard in NE Mpls. that sells rough cut hardwoods, so I'm going to see if I can get some decent sized scraps to get what I need.

Longer term, though, I'd still like to find a source for turned mini bases. I think my painting ability has reached a level trhat the plain black base looks shabby in comparison now.

[Wren]

I think Dragonforge sells some, you could check his shop. I've heard of people getting them, or contacts to get them, at the historical shows. I've got a local woodturner friend who is looking into whether it'd be a financially feasible sideline for him, but this is a guy whose items are considered art, so I'm not sure the costs are going to work out on that.

[Bexley]

I had already checked at DF. The wooden ones are square blocks only, and the ones in the style I'd like are only in resin.

It's just odd that there are so many suppliers of these in the UK (maybe they all get them from one source?) and none in the US.

Heh. I was just thinking that maybe this is a sign to get a woodturning lathe and go into business. I think I'd be able to at least pay for the lathe easily enough. I wouldn't go the "art" route, though. It'd be standardized sizes in locally available hardwoods. Anything fancier would be a special order.

Hmmm.

Edited April 21, 2009 by Bexley

[GreyHorde]

I am picking up a lathe next weekend from a friend. Don't know a lot about it, never used one, but I already have a couple of blanks to practice on. Off the top of my head, if I turn out any worth selling, I would guess the price point would be higher than DF's wooden cubes for comparable sizes. That's probably why almost no one makes them in wood - buyers tend to forget or discount the added costs of cylinders vs. cubes in terms of skill, labor, power, knives, equipment, maintenance and finishing the product. Just guessing. I'll know more a few weeks.

[goblyn13]

Off topic, but hey Greyhorde, I don't think i've ever seen anyone who quoted Red Green before.

Awesome.

[GreyHorde]

heh heh I had the Possum Lodge motto in my sig for about a year. I don't post a lot, so it was easy to miss. Not many recognize Red Green quotes or appreciate the humor, either. Glad you like it, goblyn13.

Edited April 24, 2009 by GreyHorde

[bpillars]

Those stumpy legs are called bun feet

http://www.osbornewood.com/round-bun-feet.cfm

Looks like a good source for unfinished bun feet.

I like saying that. Bun feet.

[Bexley]

Well, I understand the price would be higher. But I can make cubes myself on my tablesaw, which is why they're not worth the price- for me. (This is what I ended up doing.) If you don't own a tablesaw, they're fair.

And I'm not even that concerned with the price on turned ones. It was more about getting one in a week. Though, I would suspect that those UK companies that carry them in stock sizes are turning them on CNC lathes and using domestic hardwoods, which would make them comparable in price to square plinths.

Edited April 26, 2009 by Bexley

[GreyHorde]

I got the lathe, but need to build a stand/table for it and get some tools. Apparently, those were randomly packed for the move before I got there. I can't afford to replace much right now, so I hope the originals turn up and get shipped.