Fox Bases Review
Fox Bases is a newcomer on the wargame scene specializing in pre-cut magnetic bases in various sizes and thickness.
The first thing you’ll notice when you deal with Fox Bases is their total focus on customer service. When they opened their doors they immediately started offering people an easy online ordering system for samples. While it is evident that this is an excellent way to introduce a new product, it also allows customers to see how well executed Fox Bases’ ordering system is.
I’m currently in the market for 40mm by 20mm bases for Warmaster Ancients, so I immediately ordered some free samples. The process of ordering the bases was simple. More then that, I received updates on each part of the process. One e-mail for order received, payment received and order delivered kept me up-to-date on my sample’s progress*. A little over-kill for free samples, but truly a nice touch when there’s an actual order.
To complement the ordering process is a very functional website. Fox Bases makes use of the account system – required for the ordering process – to add features for his customers. For example, if any new products have been added since the last time I visit, I can click on a link and see them. I can also signup for product notifications and view what orders I’ve made. Fox Bases has definitely put effort into their website and it really shows.
On to the actual products. The first batch I received were two 3mm-thickness bases, 1″ by 1″ and 40mm by 20mm. They looked good, multi-layered for thickness with nice edges. The edges were straight and look true, though I haven’t bothered measure angles. The only problem was that if you really flexed the base the layers would shift. In all honesty, the amount of flexing I was doing was definitely more of a stress test then something the base would even encounter during use. They looked good, but I am very picky about my base edges, more so then most. I didn’t try painting the bases, but to me the layers were very visible. This may be less obvious after painting, and definitely won’t be visible on a table. Like I said, I’m extra picky, and in hindsight, I don’t think they are all that bad.
I thought I’d thank Fox Bases for their sample by letting them know what I thought about them, and why I probably wouldn’t be buying any. I expected, at most, a polite, professional “Thank you for your feedback.” What I got instead was an enthusiastic reply from Rob Prince thanking me for my feedback and wanting to know if he could send me some 1.5mm bases for comment. I was surprised and somewhat sheepishly accepted his offer.
The bases arrived today. I was not expecting much. I specifically remember** Rob saying that they were testing these and he had concerns about the thin bases not being able to support multi-based 28mm figures. So, I pulled the bases out of the envelope and took a good close look. First off, this bases, at 1.5mm, are a single layer magnet, so no visible layers to irk me. Second, they were much stiffer then I expected. A friend used cut magnetic sheet for bases and the edges curled; something I personally could not stand. I was worried that Fox Bases would do the same. Due to the stiffness, I doubt this will be an issue.
I also tested how much weight the bases could hold, if they were required to hold multiple metal figures. The heaviest miniature I had, an old Rafm Heavy Gear miniature on a cast metal base, weighing in at roughly 80 grams, barely bent the 40mm long base. 10mm was supported; the rest was overhang and holding all of the weight.
It looks like the biggest base that Fox makes right now is 10cm long. This I can see potentially bending when one figure out of a bunch is picked up. On the other hand, not many people would be picking up a base of heavy pewter miniatures by a single miniature all that often. I don’t think it’ll be a problem, but that’s conjecture.
The final aspect is the strength of the magnet. This is something that I honest haven’t really considered. I want magnetic bases so I can line my storage with ferrous metal and not worry about my miniatures sliding around. I don’t think you’ll be able to support a 28mm figure, but I think it’ll be worth a test.
The test results are in. My scale only measures in 5g increments, so this isn’t the most accurate test. However, I managed to suspend roughly 30g from a 1″ by 1″ base. This was a metal 30mm Copplestone Casting British Lewis Gunner and 5 Plastic LOTR Elves. I think that most miniatures will have no problem sticking to a slanted movement tray.
*Rob also added a personal note in each one, thanking me for giving them a chance. I liked this, but it’s a catch 22. If he is very successful, he won’t have time to give that kind of personal attention.
**I can’t find the e-mail