Solved So magnets...how do they work?

[MunkenDronkey]

Hi folks,

I've seen that some of you have magnetized various bits and bobs of your models, and I was wondering how everyone handles this process and what materials (the magnets in particular) are preferred?

 

[n810]

Rare earth magnets are a must for their high power and small size.
they are sold by size and the amount of weight they can lift.

You can use other types, the typical ferrous refrigerator magnet,
(probably round or square) works ok, for large things.

the bottom end is those cheep bendy strip magnets,
that look like they are made of plastic.
they won't even stick to themselves,
but they will stick to steel ok.
use these for the bottom of bases, and use steel
sheets in your movement trays.

 

[MunkenDronkey]

Rare earth magnets are a must for their high power and small size.
they are sold by size and the amount of weight they can lift.

You can use other types, the typical ferrous refrigerator magnet,
(probably round or square) works ok, for large things.

the bottom end is those cheep bendy strip magnets,
that look like they are made of plastic.
they won't even stick to themselves,
but they will stick to steel ok.
use these for the bottom of bases, and use steel
sheets in your movement trays.

So rare-earth for smaller part-to-part attachments like weapons, arms, bodies, etc., strip magnets for base-to-tray attachments.

Thanks!

 

[n810]

Strip magnets

common ceramic magnets

Neodymium Rare Earth magnets

comparison

 

[MunkenDronkey]

Strip magnets

common ceramic magnets

Neodymium Rare Earth magnets

comparison

Thanks again, the visual was a nice added bonus

 

[NIGHTBRINGER]

are earth magnets are a must for their high power and small size.
they are sold by size and the amount of weight they can lift.

Rare Earth magnets get my vote. I absolutely love them and they have so many uses both in and out of the hobby. A bit more expensive than the other choices, but worth the money.

 

[Mr Phat]

So magnets...how do they work?

ICP reference intended?!

 

[MunkenDronkey]

ICP reference intended?!

Undoubtedly! (glad SOMEONE caught it )

 

[pendrake]

..
the bottom end is those cheep bendy strip magnets,
that look like they are made of plastic.
they won't even stick to themselves,
but they will stick to steel ok.
use these for the bottom of bases, and use steel
sheets in your movement trays.

Those flex magnets exist in different grades. The kind meant for the fridge and passed out for free by businesses are the weakest.

The mid-grade is the stuff sold at craft stores and office supply outlets for making DIY business cards.

The strongest type is the sheets that sign maker shops use for commercial vehicles—"Dietrich HVAC" and such like.

I have had really good luck lining the tray with the flex magnet and putting metal pieces under the bases of the figures. Usually washers. It is a bit like weighting chess pieces.

 

[MunkenDronkey]

Those flex magnets exist in different grades. The kind meant for the fridge and passed out for free by businesses are the weakest.

The mid-grade is the stuff sold at craft stores and office supply outlets for making DIY business cards.

The strongest type is the sheets that sign maker shops use for commercial vehicles—"Dietrich HVAC" and such like.

I have had really good luck lining the tray with the flex magnet and putting metal pieces under the bases of the figures. Usually washers. It is a bit like weighting chess pieces.

The fellow who has nudged me back into playing again has the same setup for his VC army. It certainly beats the foam trays, to my mind...

 

[Haemoglobin]

I've got a question about using magnets. Has anyone used them to magnetize fliers to their base? I've tried it before by putting a magnet inside of the model and one ontop of the flying stand. The problem with it was that the model would stick but it would be loose and spin around ontop of the flying stand. Should I insert two magnets instead of one?

 

[n810]

you could use one magnet and replace the plastic rod with a similar sized nail.

 

[Cristhian MLR]

I have a doubt, since I would love to switch parts, but magnetizing actually scares me. Is it risky/dangerous for my minis?

I mean, if magnets eventually falls from green stuff, they lose their poles, or even worst, it can damage your miniatures, and stuff like that.

I just want to know how dangerous can it be, because obviously switch weapons its far better looking that "counts as".

 

[Boboassa]

I have a doubt, since I would love to switch parts, but magnetizing actually scares me. Is it risky/dangerous for my minis?

I mean, if magnets eventually falls from green stuff, they lose their poles, or even worst, it can damage your miniatures, and stuff like that.

I just want to know how dangerous can it be, because obviously switch weapons its far better looking that "counts as".

the most dangerous thing imo is drilling the holes in the minis to place the magnets. if they fall off you can reattach them without much trouble. If you treat the extra parts well they won't be damaged.

 

[Aginor]

Eight days late to the party.... will answer anyway:
Drilling is the most dangerous part. Just drill slow and it will work. I am not particularly good with such stuff and I only drilled one hole too deep. It was easy to cover up.
Half of my army is pretty heavily magnetized using small neodymium magnets, and at the moment I am working on my Stegadon and I am going crazy with the magnets there. it will end up having at least a dozen magnets on it .