Magnets

I'm wanting to magnetize my movement trays, and since I don't want to rip my guys off of their slotted bases, I'm trying to figure out what size magnets will fit inside the base. I want something strong. They don't have to be Rare Earth strong, but strong enough. Also, anyone know a good sheet magnet? I bough one from Wal-Mart or some place and it is horrible. I need something easily accessible in the US.

 

I think there are some refrigirator magnets out there about the right size that aren't those
cheep plastic magnets, but some sort of ceramic magnets that would be about the right size,
I believe they are typicaly round...

Take a measurement of the underside of the base to the rim to see how tall a magnet it can take,
also check out how wide a magnet can be without hiting the centeral slot.


Ps. this site might have what you are looking for....
http://www.magnetsource.com/Consumer Pages/Ceramic_Mags.html

pps. F. Part No. 07073 - Ceramic Discs 3/8” dia. x 1/8” thk. (15 pcs.), MSRP $1.29
----->this one might be the right size....?

 

I actually just went through a round of magnetizing my painted guys.

There's multiple ways you can go about magnetizing. My first try I used washers and magnetic strips. It worked but theres a few drawbacks.

The second way I did it was paint magnetic paint onto my movement trays & then cut magnetic strips to fit into the bases. Its takes a couple layers of paint, but it works. I used a craft magnet that comes in a long strip. Its easily cuttable with a blade. For the BfSP goblins, nearly all stay when I turn them upside down. For the Dark Elves a few fall if turned upside down. So I assume were I to use this method on the Sauras it would work even less. The thing is though, they dont need to be suspended in the air, just be able to stay stable on an incline or in transit.

Then there's the rare earth magnet route. This one is the most serious & works the best. Its also the most expensive. You can score some on the internet or even at hobby stores. For metal sheets I've been pointed to this: http://www.litkoaero.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LAI&Product_Code=GSM001fs

I can't personally say anything about them, nor do I know another source. Hope this helps.

 

i don't find the rare earth magnets to be too expensive. i ordered about 250 small magnets for 15 bucks. with that i was able to magnetize all of my models and still have magnets left over. to magnetize the movement tray i just cut out the right size plate from a sheet of steel i got from home depot for 3 bucks. Its not that expensive and it works the best instead of cutting out all of the cheap fridge sheet magnets

 

here's the site
http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/c-9-disc-magnets.aspx

 

was the steel sheet you got easy to cut? i've looked for something like that before there & couldnt find anything.

 

it was a little difficult but that was because i had to use scissors instead of the proper cutting tools :/ it still turned out really well tho even though i ruined the scissors

 

what is a good size and strength for arms on models with rare earth magnets. If you know a lot please help

 

The smallest cylinders will work for arms easily, I have done my TG shield arms with magnets so they paint easier. I think they are either 1/8th or 1/16th inches. Drill a hole in each side, and put one magnet in each (make sure they are the right way to attract not repel) and make sure they are flush with the hole before gluing.