I’m beginning to work on the station area of my indoor layout and I have a couple of the little Aristo Stations, a freight and a passenger (see pix below). They are cute little buildings, but they come with this butt ugly base that looks somewhat like a cross between ballast and grey sand. Has anybody tried to remove that without damaging the building itself. I need to build more appropriate bases for them.
Warren
Warren,
Get out the HD Dremel cutting discs and have at it. 
How about some paint and weathering instead. The dremel could be used to add more character to the material too.
Andre’
That’s what I was afraid the answer would be. I was hoping somebody may have discovered an easy way to get rid of those bases. 
Andre’, when I ever get those butt ugly bases off, I will build all new bases and platforms/loading dock. They will then be repainted to matching colors. That has not been decided yet. The StJ has not made up it’s mind just what the company colors for buildings will be. Currently in my mind I want white buildings with forest green trim. That white may give away to yellow. Weathering will be very light as the StJ keeps their buildings and equipment in top shape.
Warren
Warren Mumpower said:
That's what I was afraid the answer would be. I was hoping somebody may have discovered an easy way to get rid of those bases. :(Andre’, when I ever get those butt ugly bases off, I will build all new bases and platforms/loading dock. They will then be repainted to matching colors. That has not been decided yet. The StJ has not made up it’s mind just what the company colors for buildings will be. Currently in my mind I want white buildings with forest green trim. That white may give away to yellow. Weathering will be very light as the StJ keeps their buildings and equipment in top shape.
Warren
There is another way that you could try, but it will (may) affect the bottom of the building (kiss the paint job goodbye).
Hold the building at a 45º angle and run MEK into the corner to soften the bond. May or may not work, depends what adhesive Aristo uses. I’ve used that with some ready-built structures.
I’ve thought about hanging on tight to the building and giving the top side of the base a smack with a hammer and see what flys…
Warren
We have to assume that the base was at one time separate from the building , in which case , the idea that Hans put forward has much merit .
I would modify the approach advocated , slightly , by inserting a chisel into a corner of the junction between the building and base , apply MEK locally around the chisel , and gently—gently now— prise apart . Given a bit of luck and a following wind , you may see a crack appear. ATTACK,
immediately with a drop or two more MEK . Prise gently . Look , I said gently , you broke it now . Let the MEK set and bung gravel around the base.
Or persevere with the MEK treatment—outdoors unless you are a MEK junkie , it really does work . I have dismantled plastic kits in this manner to salvage them . I also am addicted to MEK . Excuse me while I sniff . AAAHHHH BYEEeeee…
With apologies to Hans , it really does work .
Warren,
When you get them off send them to me! I can always use butt ugly stuff! It seems to go well with the rest of the RR!!!
hehehe
Andre’
Mike, in this neck of the woods you don’t do anything out doors this time of year except either freeze your butt off or get soaking wet.
So,
Back to plan one…since I don’t have any MEK…though this afternoon is our one beautiful day this month… 42F and the wind is only blowing at 12mph. We have been having gale force winds and worse… Grabbed the first thing I could find to whack it with…a lead weight from an Aristo dismal…and smack!..Hmmmmm the base moved. Ah, yes the putty knife…pry…smack…pry…yank…smack…pry…IT CAME OFF!!! So the freight house is now minus the base… I’ll try the station later. As there is a lip on the bottom that notches into the base I will most likely still have to take it off with the dremel but that would be a piece of cake.
Warren Mumpower said:
Mike, in this neck of the woods you don't do anything out doors this time of year except either freeze your butt off or get soaking wet.So,
Back to plan one…since I don’t have any MEK…though this afternoon is our one beautiful day this month… 42F and the wind is only blowing at 12mph. We have been having gale force winds and worse…
Yep, if it doesn’t move you need a bigger hammer.
Yup. Often I prefer the neanderthal approach to things. In the Air Force we called it Brogan maintenance…
My motto has always been if you don’t succeed, get a bigger hammer. 
:lol:
Warren
Warren,
I’ve not removed the bases, however I have cut themn with dremmil and table saw. Cut just like butter. I have successfully taken a roof off of a “Crossing Shanty”. I t was done by back and forth pressure like a beer can pop top. The glue is somewhat brittle and eventually gives from wiggling pressure.
I’ve also cut an Aristo Victorian Staion in half (or almost) with a band saw and the vibration caused a number of glue joints to let go.
As I said earlier, I did manage to get the base off the freight station. My whacking did also loosen a couple other joints but I found that the glue used on the base was still somewhat soft. I had lots of stringy things as I pulled and pried them apart.
Maybe today it will be the station…
Warren
Well , I have to say that I would not attack the station that way . I was just trying to be helpful to they who have no rotary tools .
My preferred method of separation in this case would have been to have at it with an engraving tool tipped with a chisel head . Wonderful things , engraving tools , not very commonly seen . I am referring to the reciprocating type , rather like a vibrator , I am told , though I have absolutely no idea what one of them is . It must be something funny that I have missed out on , because the description always produces guffaws and leering looks .
Anyway , should you be in the habit of professional vandalism , I can thoroughly recommend engraving tools , their uses are manifold .
For example , I know of no better method of driving out droplets of water from the inner corners of a model after washing and prior to spraying .
The introduction of an engraver to the body of the model (with a suitable non cutting head ) quickly dislodges those annoying beads of water .
Oh , and also very quickly lets you know which bits are not glued on properly .