Paint Mixer - Redux

In Feb 2011 I posted an article about using an Aldi Ultrasonic Cleaner to mix paints.

Since then I've received a few questions about using the bath. So if you are considering buying one here's a compilation of faqs I've received:

• How many paint bottles (Vallejo) can you fit in at a time? 6-8 if held together with an elastic band.
• How do prevent the water from soaking the labels off of the bottles? You can't. Contact with water is required to transmit the ultrasound waves. Use an indelible marker beforehand.
• Will something like zip lock bags to keep them dry? No. Contact with water is required to transmit the ultrasound waves.
• How long a cycle do you need to achieve a successful outcome? Depends on how badly the paint has separated, how old it is and how much has been used. I have left paint in for 1-3, 8 minute sessions.
• Is it best to load the paints in the basket or stand them on the floor of the cleaner? Stand them on the floor
• Is it best to stand the paints upright? Yes. Doing a couple together also helps.
• How far up the side of the bottles do you fill the cleaner with water? There is an ideal level marked in the bath. It's between half and two thirds of the way up the bottle. I have used less if there isn't enough paint in the bottle to weigh it down.

In the two years since I bought mine they have periodically returned to Aldi but the same model is currently on sale at Maplins in the UK for £29.99 and is also available from Amazon UK for £29.99.

Bodley Scott's Comments on FOG R

Whilst reading a thread on the release of the latest set of Field of Glory Renaissance errata, I found this comment by FOG author Richard and I think it worth broadcasting to a wider audience:

"I am not a tinkerer. DBMM only exist[s] because I declined to take part in any further tinkering with DBM. However, there are a few niggling issues in FOG R which mar an otherwise surprisingly bulletproof system. There aren't many of these left, so don't expect many more amendments masquerading as errata. Certainly there is no intention to produce a 2nd edition - perhaps ever - the game is good enough not to need one. FOG AM had certain issues that were driving some players away, so really needed an overhaul. FOG R doesn't."

I think this is good news indeed.

Rules War :: Six Years On (*)

It's been over two years since I last commented on the state of play [sic] in the Northern League. This series of posts started in 2008 when DBM was in decline and Field of Glory was well ahead of DBMM in the "race" for DBM's crown as the most popular set of rules for the Ancient & Medieval periods. By the end of 2010 FOG was clearly the most popular rule set in the Northern League with an average share of 79% of the registered players.

The Re-Mystified On Tour :: Walkden 2013

2013 is going to be a year of transition. After reviewing last year's tour and thinking about what to do in 2013 I decided that I try the Renaissance version of Field of Glory. The choice was really between learning version 2 of the Ancient & Medieval rules or version 1 of the Renaissance rules and I decided on a change in period.

I won't be attending more than a couple of rounds of the Northern League this year but I thought the first round at Walkden would be a good place to start playing competitive FOG R so I created a TYW Danish army list and emailed my entry to the list checkers.

Now before I comment on the games I'd like to say little about the army I fielded. It was essentially a converted DBR army but as DBR armies tend to be smaller I had little choice in what I fielded. With some very minor tweaks I played with what I had painted. I'm just glad I managed to finish some dragoons.