I put this here particullarly because it's the Imperial base to either the ITP or EF. Not sure how, guess it got squished or something, but the cracks on this base are unbelievable. I, however, decided to keep it, which was a good idea. Sure, it was really cracked, but I was still able to build upon it. I made attempts of repairing the base, buuuut, the glue never dried quick enough and the cracks just started to open. I'm doing a MOC on this for future reasons. I thought that I'd share you what could happen to a squished base. I circled the cracks so it's easier to see where the cracks are.

As you can see the glue, not a good idea, paint started to swell, but only a bit. That's the only one on the outside, besides a little one on the edge of the ramp (not shown)

The inside got the worst.

This is a big one!

If this is in the wrong area, please feel free to move this thread!

Given that its the Eldorado Fortress and Imperial Trading Post base it seems this is the most appropriate place to put this thread.

It looks like there is something build onto this baseplate - what was that? Do you have any pictures of the entire baseplate?

Yes! I am bulding a fort upon this base, that you are seeing is the wall. Though, I wish not to reveal quite so soon, it still is in need of fixing. I don't have any pics of the whole plate, especially since I don't want to take out alot of the fort and dock with it out, and then back in, for fear of damaging this great base any more. I was building this as a set for an upcoming project, which will come out in a while, next year hopefully.

I actually meant the whole plate including what you've got built on top of it, but since you don't want to reveal it yet then don't worry!

However, I'm wondering where you want to take this thread - you've shown us some pictures of the cracked baseplate, so what kind of responses are you looking for?

Why dont you turn the base upside down and fill it with plaster of paris? It'll make it heavy but it'll give it structural support and you can still build on it. Other options could be to fibreglass the inside, or try using an epoxy resin type glue instead, and really coat the cracks from the inside.

Just how stable is this base plate? The pictures don't really give a clear indication of what its like to build upon.

Does the baseplate seem very fragile like it could easily fall apart?

Thanks Landlubber, I'll take that into consideration.

--

The base is quite fragile, every time I pick it up the cracks opens, (mainly the outside one. I don't think it would fall apart as the cracks aren't that big, so now I'll have to be extra carefull with the base to damgage it anymore.

--

Tips on fixing this would help alot. Like I said, I used glue, more specifically, modeling glue that some what melts the plastic, so I have to be careful applying it, which I haven't.

Where did you get this baseplate from? Where you aware that it was damaged before you purchased it? (Assuming you didn't get it for free or find it in some garbage dump)

Actually, it was free. When I moved to my new city, there was a house that had the base, the people there said it was alright to take. Lucky me. (It was the base only) Anyway, the damage was done at my house, it was fine condition when I got it. I guess, I'm not really sure, that some how it just got squished. Maybe under some boxes. I haven't a clue.

There was a house that had the base? Ummm... Where did you find this house? Did you go door knocking or something?

"House hunting" I like to refer to it. We were in the market, searching for houses. The agent to us there, and as we went around I notice some legos in one room on the floor, and so on.

What an interesting way to go LEGO hunting! Just go round all the "open houses" for sale and see what toys are on offer, and if any LEGO simply ask for it. That's ingenius!

Not purposefully. We were really looking for a new house. Of course I realise that you may be joking :-D .

Yes, I realise you didn't do it intentionally but it would be an interesting way to find Pirate LEGO without the competition you may face obtaining it by other means.

Anyway... As for this fort, do you have any idea when you might have some pictures to show us?

The for is a set, like a movie set. It's going slowly with things I have to do. I suspect finishing it next year, not if this year, and then post the fort.

Will do you anything to reinforce the baseplate in the mean time?

uhm, glue? Not doming much besides handling it carefully, and not press down to hard when adding a piece.

Maybe you could get some wide electrical tape (or something similiar) and apply it to the inside. Maybe if you put some glue beneath that you'd be able to hold it together long enough for the glue to bond.

Good idea, thanks, i'll try that!

I have this baseplate with two small cracks. The black lines in the green circles are where the cracks are. That one corner is almost ready to come off X-D but the other one is really nothing. Someday I'll try to glue the cracks...

I've been thinking about using tacky glue; any opinions on tacky glue?

What's tacky glue? I cant see any glue other than a 2 part epoxy being able to hold it together without cracking again.

I have a bottle that looks just like this one

http://www.createforless.com/products/prod...ProductID=57753

I used TAMIYA EXTRA THIN CEMENT

(It's actually like that color on the bottle X-D )

But it's pretty much liquid cement, that you apply with a brush that's attached to the cap, (this stuff last a LONG time)

uhm edit: HURK! I..uhm advise not smelling this directly, it really is strong. Looking at the bottle, i opened it and uhm, spilled it. Bleh, stinky smell.

My sugesstion would be this IS take some tape prefereably a fibre tape or more commonly known as duct tape and tape along the cracks form the underside of the plate there by keeping the cracks together and you wouldnt see the tape due to the fact it i on the inside underside of the base plate and then if you wanted to really want to fix it further you would need some patience a steady hand and low voltage soldering iron and i would work from the inside melting the plastic back together from the inside underside again and when i did it i would melt across the break as opposed to with it.