Parametric Miniature RPG and Warhammer Compatible Base Storage

Overview

If you give a mouse developer a cookie set of WH bases...

Having picked up a few official GW bases to test my HexiVault  Warhammer adapters with (I never trust a print I've not been able to hold in my own hands) the problem of keeping them organized and not spilling out all over came up. A few (too many) hours later I have this storage system worked out. It keeps the bases organized in stacks, close at hand, and easy to get when needed yet locked in place when not.

It's been made configurable and compatible with the GOEWS wall system, though that is not required.

These base stackers can be used individually or combined together to make units that hold a few same or different sized mini bases.

Instead of springs or pull-from-the-bottom gravity feed these leverage a rotating screw base that lifts the stacks up to the top of the stacker where they can be slid out when the lid is rotated to the open position but will be held in place when it is closed.

Parametric

The FreeCAD source files included are configured to be parametric and allow individual holder instances to be configured as needed. Options include size, a "half square" base to use when making a combined holder, backplate and supports. A sample assembly is in BaseStackerGOEWS.FCStd) and is a single base stacker that incorporates a GOEWS hanging plate for easy wall mounting. One example FreeCAD file (SimpleStackerAssm.FCStd) is provided that has been set up to combine five different holders into a single desktop or wall friendly holder. Another (SimpleStackerAssmG.FCStd) combines five base stackers with a wide GOEWS backplate as a single unit.

Both of "Assm" examples come configured to handle the round bases from Citadel's base pack 1 and base pack 2. However they were intended to help people who are not familiar with FreeCAD still be able to get customized holders as needed.

Note that these were the simple most useful configuration I could start with. If more are needed, please leave comments and let me know.

Printing

Sources

If you download the FreeCAD source files and examine things, the "Stacker" object has "Params" for "Count" and "Size" as the main ones to change. Additionally for combining into table or wall hanging there are "Base Back Wall", "Base Rib", and "Base Type" (currently only "None" and "Half Square" are implemented).

Additional sizes can be added to the end of the table definition in the spreadsheet in BaseStacker.FCStd if needed.

Orientation

All .step and .stl parts have been exported in their expected printing orientations.

Layer Height

These have been designed for printing at 0.28mm layer heights, but others should work. Since they are mainly functional, I usually print them with extra draft settings.

Supports

Supports are needed for the "lid" pieces. Supports can be enabled overall, and only the "lift" screw piece might trigger a few minor brims at the bottom.

Post-Print

Each stacker will need to have a proper-sized "lift" piece inserted and screwed down to the bottom. Insert the "lift" print-bed side down as they include a slot for a standard 1/4" screwdriver that is tapered. These might end up a little tight, especially at the bottom. Using a screwdriver while turning at first can help break them in and smooth off rough edges. The larger sized lifts also include two oval holes that can be used to turn the piece using a pair of needle-nosed pliers. Both the slots and the holes are also useful if the lift gets stuck in place, as they will allow the piece to be rotated back a little and freed.

After cleaning up and inserting and breaking in a lift, snap a proper sized lid onto each stacker. Make sure that it can rotate fully.

Usage

Loading

To load a stacker, rotate the lid to the open position that has the horizontal slot pointing forwards and aligned with the open section of the stacker itself. You might want to rotate the lift up to close to the top and back it down slowly as you load each base.

• For ease of extraction, it is recommended that the bases be stacked in upside down.

Once all bases for a given stacker have been loaded, gently rotate the lift to raise it until the top most base is up against the lid. Do not over tighten, as this can pop the lid off.

Unloading

To take a base out, simple rotate the lid into the open position and use your finger to push the topmost base out the slot at the front. Rotate the lift slightly after each to keep the bases easy to push out.

Once you are done taking bases out, rotate the lid back to the closed position and check that the lift has been rotated to keep the stack of remaining bases from rattling.