Posts made by Buran

Name: Buran
Location: Trenton, Ontario
Games: Any A&A mainly AAG40, WAS

I liked the idea of the abacus for counting hits during combat so I built one for my gaming table.
I got the beads from Michael’s a craft store here in Canada, and a brass rod from Home Depot.  I did have the drill out the beads a little as they were a bit too snug on the rod.  I had the rod first.  I have mounted it on a some 3/4 inch plywood that I cut down, and I made the attachment points on the computer and 3D printed them.  At first I just used some wood blocks until I got the idea to 3D print the attachment points.

I painted the beads grey, green, and red in the same style as the chips from the game.  1, 3, 5.  this makes counting that much easier from across the table.

All in all a very useful tool/customization.  I have 15 per side, and only have troubles when doing the massive battles in Russia.

I have attached the STL files that I made for the 3D prints.  They will work with a rod dia of 3/16 of an inch.

Hope this helps.
Buran

Abacus Plates.zip

I did build a G40 table and one thing that I added to it was a large dice tray with an abacus for counting causalities.  It is a very convenient and a great way to see how many units you have to take off from across the table.
I also use IWNGU games IPC poker chips.

Buran
Currently Trenton, Ontario

@Intrepid:

I’m pretty sure you’d want to use almost anything but Paint. I only use Photoshop, but that’s a steep investment and without serious experience as a digital artist probably overkill.

GIMP is free, and generally well-regarded. I know I’ve also used Pixlr in a pinch, but not sure how large of files it can handle.

Google is your friend, I’d search “best free Photoshop alternatives”

I’ve been using GIMP and having good results with it.  I have actually used it to modify Imperious Leaders maps.  It’s still a big work in progress.  But I have cleaned it up a fair bit.  GIMP can be used to zoom in quite a bit, and edit a single pixel if need be.

@DiveCrewCanada:

@wartorn:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/P7JFN6N8N/majorfactory-qty-12?optionId=10600458

Just sayin ;) Want your input DCC… is this a high price?

Definitely higher then what I had in mind :)  For the full set of minor(15) + major factories(12) I was thinking in the range of $20 …. $19.99 if you UP this post :P  But then again, I want to know what people think.

$25 for the Airfield/Naval Base set (43 miniatures)

$10 for the “classic” factory set (15 factories)

Now, what do you guys think? (and remember, you don’t have to buy from me lol, you can download the files on YG’s website (FREE) and pester a neighbour or family member that has a 3D printer)… If you are really ambitious and don’t mind a divorce, you can buy your own 3D printer and explain to your wife the WHY this is so critical to have one in every household (But I am confident I am cheaper then a divorce lawyer!) :D

DCC these units look great.  And thanks for making the models free for all the players out there.  This community is one of the best out there with everyone sharing there ideas and mod’s, makes all the new people that find it want to share as well.

I just downloaded and will print as soon as I get back from a work trip.  Don’t need to pester anyone, or even pay for a divorce lawyer.  All a 3d Printer cost me was a romantic trip to Florida back in January.  (without the Kids) :-D

Buran

Nice!!! 
Love the paint job.  I’ve printed some bunkers myself just haven’t had the time to paint them.

I have thought of the ASW options, but as I have some torpedo bomber types of aircraft, I have given them that option.  Although they are a tech development.  Still working out the bugs in the rules, long process, but its coming there.

I more just wanted the Light/Escort Carrier to be a smaller cheaper flat top, to get more flight deck space on the board.

I have started to add this unit to my games, although I have combined Light and Escort Carriers into one category of units, depending on the units available to the nation.  But all have the same stats; A0 D1 M2 C9  It would have the same abilities as a Fleet Carrier, although it only carries 1 aircraft, (Fighter, or Tactical Bomber) as well it only has one hit.

I have also been looking at adding a super Fleet Carrier like the Essex Class for the USA, same stats as the normal Fleet Carrier, except Cost of 20 IPC’s, still a 2 hit capital ship, and can carry 3 aircraft.

With all the units the HBG has it is making these additions easy.

Buran

This is a photo of my abacus and I painted the balls with the same counter as the chips on the board. ie grey for one, green for every three, and red for every five.

Thanks everyone.
I really just took lots of ideas from everyone here on the forum, and then mixed them together to get this table.  I did take a lot away from you YG your table was the main inspiration for mine.  I have added some of your old NO cards that you posted for easy tracking of NO’s and made some of my own for my house rules that I’m still working on, hoping to make a post/video about them in the future.  The next big thing for the table will be a new map, as the current one is made up of two maps both from IL and I did download them from the forum.  But I have been working on a full map with some of my house rules embedded on it.

I have included some photos of a couple of parts of the table.  The first is kinda a view of the whole table, with the IPC counter and Tech charts they, and the second is of the trays for Germany.  And as you can see every spot that has units is labeled so you know what each unit is, as I have a few extra units thanks to Historical Board Gaming.  In my next post the photo is of my abacus and I painted the balls with the same counter as the chips on the board. ie grey for one, green for every three, and red for every five.

There is just so many resources out there that you can use, and this forum has to be the best that I have seen.  Seeing what everyone has posted has changed my thinking on many an item for the better.

Buran

I have just finished the bulk of my new gaming table, and thought that I’d share with the forum.  Now I’m looking forward to the first game.

Buran

https://youtu.be/qo__qgNJW5U

I have just received my US units I have attached some photos.  I was just wondering if what the fifth air unit is?  It looks like an F6F Hellcat fighter.  But there is nothing on the website about it.

New year New units. :)
I just got an email, my US units have been shipped, hoping to see time in a week or two. :-D
If I get a chance I may post time pic’s too.

Buran

No I’m still waiting for mine.  Was really hoping to have them before Christmas.  Hopefully we’ll have them early in the new year.

Interesting approach.  I have been working on my own, somewhat similar but I have used HBG blue pieces that the USA can lean lease to Free France, and that they can construct units at allied production facilities.

I’m still working on the idea, and haven’t play tested it yet.  But I my look closer at your idea’s and re-evaluate mine.

I’ve been playing around with an idea that uses the same system that was in AA50, and 4 research tree’s one each for army, navy, air force, and national.  With all the different tech’s a single nation can get up to 4 per turn.  As well I started to use a Research Facility unit.  This facility gives research tokens every turn to help speed up the research process.

This is an interesting idea.  I’ll have to give it a try on one of my next games.  I think it would give a different game balance.  And who knows it my just keep France in the game for a bit longer.

YG’s table is great I’ve played on it a couple of times, and he has inspired me to build one.  Just have to find the time, to finish the design and build it.

I like this idea of a Liner ship for transporting Infantry.  I like the idea of the larger capacity, 3 infantry but no other unit types.  I think a happy compromise is WRT the 2 hits, and 3 movement; can be best sum in my mind to a movement of 2, and only one hit to sink, but have a fast flee ability, this ability is after the first round of combat any unit with this ability can withdraw from combat; weather or not it stays in the same sea zone or not.