Magnetic armies on the cheap

[robertdd]

A few people have showed interest in magnetizing their WarHammer miniatures. It is easy to do, and quite cheap. The trick is to get the right magnets. Too strong, and you will end up pulling your figures apart. But even more important is size. Even the smallest gap will diminish magnetivity, so you want magnets that fit underneath a base in such a way that they are flush with the bottom of your base.

In your movement tray you want a material that is NOT magnetic, but can be manetized. The magnetic material used for fridge magnets actually has bands of poles next to one another. Since magnets repulse as well as attract, there's a good chance that you won't be able to line up your troops if you tried this.

This is what you need:
* Superglue (the GF9 glue Triple Play sells works great) ($6 or so)
* Rare earth magnets. 1/8" diameter and 3/32" thickness. ($2.95 for 50 off of ebay, $2 shipping)
* Games Workshop movement trays (8 for $10, these are the non-modular)
* Flexible Steel Movement Tray Inserts (http://www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/PROD/GTI/GTI002) ($7.99 + shipping)

There are many variatons on this theme. If you want to go with modular trays you will have to buy a sheet of flexible steel instead and cut that to size. If you want to magnetize metal figs you probably should get 1/4" diameter magnets. etc.

You want to stay consistent and glue every magnet in the same way, same magnetic pole down. I created a single base with a magnet glued in it and let it dry. I just put a stack of magnets on this (which means their polarity is all in the same way) and then take a magnet from the top as I go. nce my magnet is in the glue, I hold the new base over the stack of magnets. If the magnet somehow got down upside down it will flip back over in thewet glue, and I can move it exactly to where I want using the magnetic force without having to worry about getting superglue all over my hands or tools. If I work fast I can easily do about 5 bases at the same time in this way, but do one at a time until you get a rythm down!

To dry you have to properly space the bases, or see your carefully placed magnets all moving on their own, lol. You also consistantly want to glue magnets in the same place, which will ensure that your models will line up right and magnets wont influence eachother.


I am getting ready to put in a few orders, one for magnets and one for flexible steel (both full sheets and cut to size). I know Jeff will want to hop on these orders and share (Jeff, post here what you want excactly!) but if any others want to hop on and get in on the ordering action then post here and let me know. I will be ordering in the next 3 or 4 days (wed or thur this week, I think) so let me know. Sean will have regular GW movement trays back in stock shortly.

[stormbringer]

I'll go in for 200 magnets and one set of the tray inserts for starters. I think I'll need to do custom trays in the future as I'm thinking of trying to use blocks of 50 Slaves w/slings (10 x 5) and 40 Clanrats. Units of 20 just don't seem to have any staying power.

BTW, does anyone know how I can get poison attacks on those slings? I was thinking of "Bless with Filth", but that appears to only be close combat attacks. Is there any other way to enhance their shooting? All 50 would shoot when in 10 wide horde formation, correct?

I need more dice....

Jeff

[hardihar]

if you have them in a 5x10 horde formation, you will still only get the first 2 ranks shooting. bows get a special rule that allows half of each additional rank to shoot, dont think that slings get that same rule. horde does not give you additional shooting attacks.

[ben1028]

However, slings are multiple shots if I am not mistaken, so you are still getting 40 shots with a horde, which is not too shabby...

[robertdd]

Alright, back on topic there, ratboys.

I have just purchased a large quantity of rare Earth magnets in the right size to perfectly fit underneath Warhammer bases (did I mention yet that these will also perfectly fit underneath slotted cavalry bases, even though there's very little room underneath those). They should be here next week.

They will be $3.50 for 50 (so you owe me $14 for 200 Jeff) I ordered somewhat more than I need myself right now, so anyone interested let me know.

I have held off on ordering the rubber metal sheets as I think Sean can get those through his supplier, so we might be able to get those straight from Triple Play, as well as the standard trays themselves.

Until we have those movement trays all taken care off, here's a little tip: "tie plates" from Home Depot. The flat ones they sell are almost perfectly sized for movement trays, and work great on the table (even if they are somewhat ugly). They also work great to hold figs as you spraypaint them with dullcote. Best of all: they require absolutely 0 work, and the most expensive one I have was $0.84.

EDIT: Jeff, Triple Play has been out of standard movement trays (the non-modular type) for a while. I want to pick up a pack for myself if I see one, and I will prob have a chance to stop at the Game Castle in Londonderry this weekend. Do you need a pack as well and do you want me to get it if I happen to see two? They should ring up $10 or less. (These are the 8 trays that the inserts are made for that you want)

[stormbringer]

Are standard trays that hard to come by? Seems strange.

Does Triple Play stock the modular ones (feel free to jump in here Tony)? Can I make the same number/size trays as the standard one out of the modular? That may explain the low stock of the standard trays and may be the better way to me go if I'm fielding bigger units. I know I'm going to need a bunch of trays either way though.

I don't think there is soccer this Wednesday so I'll settle up then for the magnets.

Jeff

[stormbringer]

Anyone know if Home Repo has plastic sheets that would be as rigid as the GW trays (3mm?)? Couldn't we cut our own, stick on flexible steel, glue sand to the edge, and spray paint? Would a hobby knife be strong enough to slice a clean edge?

Just a thought. I was looking at the GF9 plywood trays, but would rather have plastic for some reason.

Here's a site that did something similar:
thescreamingalpha.com/2009/07/17/do-it-yourself-magnetic-movement-trays/

Jeff

[stormbringer]

I wonder if this...

Krylon Magnetic Paint
www.krylon.com/products/magnetic_paint/

... would be enough to hold models? I like that it's a spray.

I also wonder if Kmart or Walmart carry it.

Jeff

[doctorclockwork]

Last I checked Triple Play still has modular movement trays in stock. They're very nice, I bought them for my army. They're double sided so you have small bases on one side and larger infantry bases on the other. You can cut them very easily in any shape you want, then you just add the border on.

[stormbringer]

Robert,
I picked up some styrene and magnetic paint from Home Repo and made six movement trays over the weekend. I cut the plastic to the size I wanted, primed it black, painted on the magnetic paint, glued some ballast (modeling sand) around the edge, sprayed the trays "Boots Brown" (which is what I base painted the Skaven with), and did a final clear spray to seal it.

I'll bring them with me this Wednesday to show you. Can you bring some of your magnetized High Elves to see how well they stick?

Jeff

[robertdd]

Jeff, as you might've noticed I didn't get a chance to come in tonight. I will be there next Wednessday, and might even try to swing in Thursday eve. If I do and Tony's there I will ask him to hold on to a stack of magnets for you so you can get started.

I did get a chance to stop into the Game Castle (Londonderry) last Sat and they had a package of GF9 rubber steel, which I bought, so I might just pick up some modular trays and do some testing with it.

While cheaper and more magnetic, I have personally decided against using sheet metal for trays, due to the sharp edges and the (perceived, by me) difficultiness of cutting it to size, square and flat.