Mini Figs Tip; Number One.....

Just came up with a new tip for FT/DSII/whatever minis...  Actually,
this should be tip number two, since I mentioned the earring posts being used
for bases, but whatever...

For those of you who want simple to use figs, have too much time on your

hands, whatever, try building this composite base. The bottom is composed of
two circular bases, the bottom larger than the top. The top base is scribed
with the fore/side/rear arcs, while the bottom base is scribed with
"O'clock" positions. Now then, glue the top base to the spindle that holds the
fig, but allow the bottom base to spin freely. Why? Well, the next time you
play
FT/whatever, the firing arcs will be stationary to the fig, while the
whole setup will spin on the heading base. (Obviously, the heading base should

always be positioned relative to the table's "12 O'clock" position, or else
it'd be pointless.

Diagram A [ship mini]
(seen from              |
 side view)             |
                        |
		      =====    < firing arc base
                        |
    heading base > ===========

My spindle is fairly thick, so I don't have to worry about the bottom being
wobbly, but if you have that propblem, I would add a thin third base that
would be secured to the spindle, thus allowing the heading base to spin freely
between the firing base and the third base.

I used 1/8" thick balsa for the bases, and a section of spar cut from a
discarded model tree. (you know, that excess plastic that the model pieces are
connected to; whatever it's called....)

> On Thu, 24 Jul 1997, Peggy & Jeff Shoffner wrote:

> setup will spin on the heading base. (Obviously, the heading base

I beg to differ. There is no real reason why ships should follow absolute
courses relative to the table.

And quite frankly, unless you are using a gridded table, I can't see how

you manage to maintain it without at least a +-5 deg error margin.