Quick answer

Assemble your plastic skirmish movement trays dry first, then glue only after confirming every 25mm round base sits flush without overhang. This sequence prevents misaligned slots and wasted trays.

Why dry-fitting matters more than glue choice

Plastic movement trays for skirmish games often have tight tolerances. A dry run with your actual based miniatures reveals whether the tray accepts your bases cleanly or needs light sanding. Skipping this step can lock in a tray that rocks on the table or grips bases too tightly.

When to model before or after basing

If you texture the tray before gluing bases, you risk filling the slots. If you model after, you can blend the tray edges into your basing scheme. The right order depends on whether you plan to remove miniatures from the tray during play.

Step-by-step tray assembly

  1. Test-fit every base before gluing: Push each 25mm round base into a tray slot. If a base sticks, lightly sand the slot rim rather than forcing it. Common mistake: assuming all 25mm bases are identical—resin or painted bases can vary slightly. A base that drops in and lifts out without wobble is ready for the next step.
  2. Clean mould lines and dry-assemble the tray: Scrape any flash from the tray edges and slot interiors with a hobby knife. Dry-assemble the tray if it comes in parts, checking that all joints meet flush. Common mistake: gluing before cleaning, which traps debris and weakens the bond. Run a fingernail along each joint; any catch means more cleanup.
  3. Glue the tray structure, not the bases: Use polystyrene cement on the tray joints only. Let the tray cure fully before inserting miniatures. Common mistake: gluing bases into the tray too early, which prevents you from removing casualties or swapping models. Keep bases removable unless your rules require fixed stands.
  4. Model the tray edges to match your army: Add texture paint, sand, or static grass around the tray rim after the structure is solid. Avoid getting texture into the slots. Common mistake: heavy texture that raises the tray floor and tilts bases. Mask slot interiors with tape or blue-tack before texturing.
  5. Seal and check base fit one last time: Once the tray is fully dry, test each base again. If any base now binds, gently clear the slot with a file. Common mistake: skipping the final check after painting, when paint thickness can tighten tolerances. Every base should sit flat with no rocking before you store the tray.

Product facts