Get up, stand up! Figure help

Jark K. Remol posted:

Hello!

I'm looking for suggestions on how to get figures that have no bases to stand up on my layout without attaching them permanently. I have a plastic station platform, and don't want to super-glue them.

I've tried rubber cement, with limited success so far.

What do you folks use?

I have had the same issue with not wanting to "glue" standing people to certain portions of the station platform. I finally found that by CAREFULLY filing their feet PERFECTLY FLAT, they well then tend to stand on their own.  The only down side has been, with the windows open (our layout is up-stairs) a strong gust might knock them over.

I super glue them to translucent clear plastic, specifically the widow material that Lionel uses in their buildings. When placed on the layout the bases are nearly invisible. The bases pictured below extend at least 1/4" from the figure all around.

Pete

Thanks guys! That gives me some great ideas.

Mini-Hold wax. It was originally made for the miniatures hobby.

I use two approaches. 

My first approach is to use "Scenic Accent Glue" which is made by Woodland Scenics and is described on their website as: "Scenic Accents Glue is specially formulated for instant placement of figures with no holding required and allows for easy repositioning. The no-drip, no-mess adhesive dries clear with no puddles or residue. Water soluble, high-tack and compatible with plastic, wood and metal."

If the figure is cast metal and too heavy or lopsided to stand on it's own with the aid of the Scenic Accent Glue, I drill a hole in one of the figure's legs with a #72 drill and insert a pin which I super glue in place.  Then I drill a #72 hole in the layout and insert the figure.  If I want to move the figure in the future, I remove it, and  fill the hole in the layout with Matte medium. 

LittleTommy

Jark K. Remol posted:

Hello!

I'm looking for suggestions on how to get figures that have no bases to stand up on my layout without attaching them permanently. I have a plastic station platform, and don't want to super-glue them.

I use ZOTS for that exact purpose.  Work great and are removable.

Pete

Excellent ideas. Thanks!

Zots on order.

http://www.micromark.com/detai...tor-bottle,9712.html

I like this, works well for me.

I use the clear plastic base described above. Works well. One addition I use is to spray the base with dullcote to hide the plastic shine.

For O scale figures my method would be difficult.  In my garden railway, I drill small holes in the feet of my figures.  Then I insert small molybdenum magnets in the holes.  I use thin metal shims, about an inch and a half square, which I simply set loose anywhere I'd like a figure.  The figures stand up very nicely and I can move them at will.  Of course my granddaughter is the hand of god most of the time and she decides where my citizens are going to be that day.  

Molybdenum magnets are all over Evilbay and are available in an array of sizes and shapes.  Maybe magnets about 1/8" in diameter can be glued between the feet of O scale folks.  

yes. the clear plastic base is the way to go. rubber  cement is not for plastic.

Bob C.

I use small dabs of clear silicone caulking on the bottom of the figures' feet.  Easy to re-position figures and/or remove caulking, if necessary.