Transporting your Dark Eldar

Thanks for merging it Gob. Sorry, it was hard to search on my phone for the older threads. Definitely some good info in here but it looks like the common census is to get battlefoam :-/

I see I have replied the 6th month of 2011 on page 1. You guys want an update in the meantime? I'm asking this because I'm really proud of my transport case and want to show off a bit.

It's a display case from Tablewar... Tada!



For more info: http://www.tablewar.com/display-tower-full-size-case/

If people are interested I can provide pics of how my DE fit in the case.

p.s.: I see the original question now and you asked cheap. Well... It's not cheap. For cheap you should look at Feldherr, they have trays you can customize yourself at home to fit every odd shape you want.

tlronin wrote:

If people are interested I can provide pics of how my DE fit in the case.

I have seen this case elsewhere and would love to see how everything fits, when you get a chance.

Thank you.

Agreed... I bought a case for my models, and it would have worked fine for SM, but DE have such odd shapes that I wouldn't have been able to fit many models at all in it. It's fine because I had some reaper minis that worked just fine in it, but I would love to find a decent, easy to use case...

Gobsmakked wrote:

tlronin wrote:

If people are interested I can provide pics of how my DE fit in the case.

I have seen this case elsewhere and would love to see how everything fits, when you get a chance.

Thank you.

Yeah sure... I had some time, so I made a few quick snaps with my phone.

1) You'll see how you can still fit the drawer in + 60 mini's on the top tray, 6 venoms on the middle tray and 4 Raiders/Ravagers on the bottom tray (you leave 1 tray out). This configuration was for my 1500 pts battle with a friend of mine, but you can fit 1750 pts easily, which is the average tournament size.


Note: Sorry for the fuzzy look, I thought the photo was ok.

2) Close up of the Raiders/Ravagers:



3) Close up of the Venoms:


Note: In case you were wondering what those black strips are beneath the stands of the Raiders and Venoms, well... They are small pieces of ribbon I glued to the plates. I ordered 60mm round magnets of 1 mm thick to magnetize them to the steel plates, but the magnets are very strong. With the small piece of ribbon you can lift the vehicles off the plates without breaking the stands.

4) All 4 trays are in. For this you need to take the drawer out unfortunatly. So you'll need a small backpack for your codex, rulebook, measurementtape, dice, lunchpack, bottle of jack daniels, etc... Plus in order to have it fit like this I shortened the lances on the Venoms. They are quite long anyway. A small compromise on my part, everybody can solve it in their own way. On the 3rd tray you can see a batch of Hellions and Reavers:


Note: As you see, I've put 5 hellions on 1 plate and 6 Reavers on 1 plate. But 1 plate will fit 10 Hellions and 1 plate will actuallly hold 9 Reavers. Just haven't decided what I want to do yet, because perhaps I want to make it as pretty as this guy's Space Wolves: Link to Facebook gallery

So yeah, there you have it. I still have a few idea's to customize the aesthetics, but as you can see from my unfinished army, I just lack the time (and sometimes the will after a day working). If there are any questions left I'll be happy to answer them.

lol at the minute mine are being transported around in an empty ravager box lol
(though all my IG have trays and bags)
must sort it out sometime

Thanks for the pics tlronin.
I am thinking of making something like this myself. I have loads of cases with trays and a big collection of very strong magnets (but not too strong). I normally use foam inlaid carrying cases but DE vehicles are just too weirdly shaped and little spikes and such can get stuck and snap off if you are in a hurry.

So they transport upright, as expected, and you magnetize them to the metal plate? How many normal troop models can a plate hold (ie: how many do you have on your top rack?)? If I use a simple magnet strip to help weight my models will that be strong enough to hold it to the metal plate on the bottom? is there an optional way of securing the models in place (like does the company sell foam inlays with circular holes to stand your models in?)? Is the case reasonably waterproof (against rain and the such, not being submerged)? Does it offer any sort of protection if you actually drop the case, or can I expect to open it up to my models all over the place?

Thank you very much for the pics and the detailed info tlronin, that's great. Another option to think about instead of my giant IKEA plastic bin

@Lonewolf: Dude, no! I've seen your beautifully painted mini's. You should really give them the treatment they deserve.

@Firdeth: No problem. I had foam inlays too from Feldherr and was considering the precut foam trays by Battlefoam for the new DE mini's. But I wanted to get rid of the foam for exactly that reason and came across these gems. If you're willing to throw in the cash, time and effort you won't regret it.

@Ruke: I understand that you have lots of questions, I was in doubt for 6 months before buying and corresponded a lot with Tablewar before buying. I'll answer your questions 1 by 1 ok?

1) "So they transport upright, as expected, and you magnetize them to the metal plate?"

Yes. They have standard unit trays (20 x 25mm/12 x 25mm/6 x 40mm) with a supplied tin plate. They also sell plates you can customize with what they call washes. But what you do for your Dark Eldar flying units, you paste the supplied tin plate with epoxyglue on top of the plastic plate (see my Hellions and Reavers). The large diorama trays for the Raiders/Ravagers have the same trick only you have to buy the metal plate yourself or (as Tablewar actually recommends) stick neodymium magnets at the spots you want your Raiders/Ravagers to be. Then you either drill a small neodymium magnet in the base of the model, or (like me) you buy self adhesive (25mm/30mm/40mm/60mm) round magnets of 1 mm thick and stick those under the bases. I was too lazy to drill. Be prepared to pin the Wyches though...

2) How many normal troop models can a plate hold (ie: how many do you have on your top rack?)?

You have 20x 25mm standard tray (amongst others) and I bought 3 of those. So my top rack (Tablewar calls it 'display board') contains 60 normal troop models.

3) If I use a simple magnet strip to help weight my models will that be strong enough to hold it to the metal plate on the bottom?

Not sure what you mean. But I described in detail at question 1 how I've done it. Does that answer this question aswell? I use simple magnets right now, not neodymium, if that is what you mean.

4) is there an optional way of securing the models in place (like does the company sell foam inlays with circular holes to stand your models in?)?

Tablewar doesn't sell those and I'm not sure why you would want to do that. It's called a display case for a reason. When you buy this case you also kinda want to show off your miniatures in the same go. When the judges would be walking buy to judge the paintjobs on the army all you have to do is set your display case on the table. But you know, in the end, any optional way of securing the models that you can come up with and make is up to you. It leaves a lot of room for customisation IMHO.

5) Is the case reasonably waterproof (against rain and the such, not being submerged)?

Definatly. It's kinda like those sturdy briefcases or like those flightcases from DJ's.

6) Does it offer any sort of protection if you actually drop the case, or can I expect to open it up to my models all over the place?

Well I guess that would be the biggest disadvantage of this approach. You can't drop the case like you could with foam. I had that big toolbox from Feldherr in the past and I could roll that puppy from a flight of stairs and everything would be fine (except the small spikey bits from DE as we all know). It won't open up and spill models out though. The door is securely locked on the side with clamps and on the top you even have two briefcase clamps (the ones where you can even set a number combination lock on). But yeah, I believe this is a catch 23 really. It depends how strong the magnets are holding the models in place. But if you make that too strong you can't get the miniatures out. Let's just say from personal experience that I take the case along with me on bumpy roadtrips to friends and my models stay firmly in place, but I wouldn't throw it down a flight of stairs.

@Gob: Yeah no problem. I highly recommend it. You'll have to throw some money around and time + effort to work out what works best for you. But I'm glad I did it.

Awesome! I'll deff be looking into one of these, sound's like a good way to transport a lot of models. I'm not bad about dropping my case per se, but it will occasionally take the spill... I just really don't like the way that my models lay in foam trays, and because of the odd shape of DE models I just have to buy so many foam inlays/cases in order for it to work right... I know it was a barrage of questions, but thanks again for answering them all as completely as you did!

Ruke wrote:

Awesome! I'll deff be looking into one of these, sound's like a good way to transport a lot of models. I'm not bad about dropping my case per se, but it will occasionally take the spill... I just really don't like the way that my models lay in foam trays, and because of the odd shape of DE models I just have to buy so many foam inlays/cases in order for it to work right... I know it was a barrage of questions, but thanks again for answering them all as completely as you did!

Exactly. That's exactly why I went for these cases. Finally an alternative for that stupid foam. You're welcome, np.

p.s.: Todd from Tablewar e-mailed me last night (I send him a link to this topic) to tell me they got their own HowTo video's up in about 2 weeks to explain specifically how to get DE (with all their fliers) in their cases.

Which is best case to us because we need lot off vehicles? Feldherr is too small, Battlefoam is too expensive to my wallet, KRCase too.

Feldherr is too small? what do you mean? I had Feldherr with their biggest cases (which is basically a plastic toolbox) and the custom pluck trays (you can take out any shape you want). Easiert on your wallet, but you'll have to magnetize the flightstands, sails, all spikes/bits and whatnot. It's still foam, so bits will get caught and break.

So I'm happier with my Tablewar display case. Everything gets transported upright and nothing ever breaks. It's not cheap though and it takes some work getting it ready.

TableWar finally got their HowTo video up on how to get models with flight bases (like Hellions) on the trays:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8Xj9lrd0Vg&feature=plcp

I use a Feldherr Messenger-bagfor my Dark Eldar (2x 25mm Infantry (total 72 slots) + 1x 100mm Vehicle-custom pluck-tray).

I am able to transport 2 old Ravager, 2 new Raider w/o Sails and 4 Vipers in that vehicle-tray. Plus I am able to fit in all the flightstands, 6 old jetbikes, 6 old warpbeasts, 2 razorwingflocks + 4 beastmasters into the same tray by putting some foam between the vehicles and the jetbikes/beasts.

And codex, dice, templates, small rulebook fit into the bag as well.

Thats 2000 points in one bag. Bought the bag incl. foam for about 60€ in my local game store. The Messenger-Bag is also usable as a backpack as the space in the bag is adaptable via ziplock.

I think I buy Felddherr's hard case for tanks and mini plus for infantry.

Well i took a huge tool box that had a little section in the middle, removed it and cut some sheet metal to fit into it, most of my minis have very tiny magnets with either glue or green stuff on the bottom to there bases and they stick to the metal in the tool box! Ben working out very nicely except i do carry my vehicles in a box my friend gave me from his tau battleforce...

Battlefoam is my method of choice.

Custom (Home) Made Cases:

Go to your favorite hobby store (like Michaels or Hobby Lobby).

Go to where ever they have plastic storage containers.
Look for a storage container that looks something that like this:
Plastic Storage Container 1
Plastic Storage Container 2
Plastic Storage Container 3
- Sometimes by the scrap-booking area (storage for all the little scrap-booking accessories)
- Sometimes in the back of the store in its own little area with all the random plastic storage type of cases/boxes
- Sometimes in the back of the yarn section (totally random place IMHO)

The container needs to be about 2-4 inches in depth (depending on whether you want to make a vertical or horizontal style carrier). Heighth and Width are up to you depending on how many items you want one case to fit.

I like the ArtBin brand (like Plastic Storage Container 1, linked above). Its very thick molded plastic and very durable. And the cases come in various sizes: 10 inch, 12 inch, and 18 inch. Depth varies, but the depth of the 12 inch is about 3 inches deep.

Next, in the hobby store, go to the area where they have sheets of foam.
- Sometimes in the yarn section
- Sometimes in the fabric/sewing section
- Anywhere where they might have items for crafting with cushions, seats, stuffed animals, quilts, etc.

Look for rolls of foam or squares of foam (usually white-ish or yellow-ish in color). Rolls are usually 12-24" wide and 2-6 feet long. Squares are mostly 12x12" or 18x18". And these rolls or squares come in varying thickness. I like to work with 1/2 or 1 inch thickness.

If you get a 3" deep case, get yourself enough foam to have (3 x 1" sheets/squares, or 6 x 1/2" sheets/squares) that match your case's dimensions. Use a pair of scissors to cut each sheet/square to your case's dimensions.

Put the item to be stored (ie Raider, Venom, Tank, Trooper, etc.) on one of the foam inserts you cut for your case and use a marker/sharpie to trace a tight fitting outline. Use an xacto-knife (or similar razor bladed knife) to cut the trace line all the way through the foam for the one insert that you've traced. Don't use the blade to cut like a saw. Use the blade to make small, short slices on the trace line. Repeat small, short slices until you make it through the thickness of the foam. If the item is thicker than the one insert (1/2" or 1") then repeat the process for a second insert (be sure to stack the two inserts so they'll sit on top of each other inside the case).

Foam core also makes a good insert as a base for multiple trays of inserts. Cut the foam core to the same dimensions of the foam insert and use white glue to glue the foam to the foam core board. Now you can lift the entire foam insert as a tray and stack them on top of each other in the case.

If you have a case big enough and use it for multiple items of drastically different dimensions, like a Raider and a unit of Troops, then you split the foam inserts any way you see fit. For example, in a 12"x10" case that is 3" deep, you can have one foam insert that is 6"x10" for the full 3" thickness, and the other half of the case would be 3 6"x10" for 1" thickness trays that stack on top of each other.

Additionally, for smaller items like troops, you don't have to custom cut a hole for each and every individual trooper. You can cut small rectangles or squares for 2 or 3 or 4 troopers. With foam on all sides, a little wiggle room won't hurt anything. (I have a lot of my troops magnetized for wargear options, so I have a rectangle cut for the entire unit, and a smaller rectangle to the side of the unit for all the optional wargear pieces.)

The possibilities are limitless. And these products are relatively inexpensive and very easy to custom cut.

What does the UK Dark Kin use for transporting their army, I like KR cases but they still seem awkward for transporting raiders though I haven't tried the custom raider cases.
Also seen the tyrant case on giftsforgeeks anyone have any experience of these??

Thanls

i'll be quite honest I personally use the cardboard boxes from around the house and beanbag beads and i just put it in the back of my truck, once i get a box cover i'll be able to put it all in the box of my truck and i'll have nothing to worry about! as of yet I have not had any issues

Been looking alot around what to do... So I'm either going for battlefoam or just buy some foam and costumize it myself.

Atm I'm using boxes and stuff, not good at all

moon1n1te wrote:

What does the UK Dark Kin use for transporting their army, I like KR cases but they still seem awkward for transporting raiders though I haven't tried the custom raider cases.
Also seen the tyrant case on giftsforgeeks anyone have any experience of these??

Thanls

So far I've been using the limited edition warhammer 40,000 case GW does every Christmas. It's the same as their army figure case but with one half filled with foam that is easy to cut and pluck to get the shapes you want. Into this side go my Razorwing, Raiders and sometimes Venoms. The first layer on the other side is left as standard for most of my infantry. The lower 2 layers have been cut to fit in any remaining Raiders, Ravagers, Venoms and infantry. Aside from the occasional aethersail coming off every now and then, I haven't had many problems and this has been able to transport enough for games of around 1000-1500pts. I also have a regular army figure case and 2 of the standard Citadel figure cases which, all together, is just about enough to hold all my Eldar, Deldar and LotR.

I have been thinking recently about getting some more transport capacity for when I play bigger games, end up travelling to a tournament or add the inevitable next wave of models to my collection. I'd rather stick with foam than mess around with magnets and although Battlefoam does look good, it's a bit too expensive for my liking. The KR stuff seems to strike a decent balance between cost and effective transport. I am tempted by the Raider/Ravager and Razorwing custom cut foam and they look like they would fit quite nicely into a GW case. If anyone has any experience with the KR foam, I would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts.

I've recently changed cases and transport systems.

I used to have a Battlefoam PACK Air (which is for sale cheap, pm me!) which is really nice but I have learned something. Your vehicles need to travel upwards, if they moved around they break, side to side they break. If you transport them with their bases in then the socket will wear over time. Boo!

I now have a KR Kaiser 4. It is better than the BF one as it is black and not plastered with logos and thus more discreet, has a shoulder strap and the models travel the right way up. It holds 4 of their tray boxes (16 inches of foam) and was only £50 empty.

I use the battlefoam trays still which I will be cutting up a bit to make my own trays. I find their foam is too hard for the brittle DE. I'll be placing something really soft in the bottom of where my Raiders
sit and add some polystyrene bits in there so everything is cushty.

As far as website go, Battlefoams is the nuts, slick, professional, great! Customer service has been excellent, UK wise but Ive spoken to Romeo and he is cool. KR's website is one of the most poorly designed sites I know of on the web!

So that's my thoughts on it, if a BF case suited me I'd go with that but KR is very good too.