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I bought a couple Carnifexes off BT and they came magnetized. The problem is the job wasn't that well done and I need to remove them. It appears superglue was used to glue the magnets in.

I was thinking about drilling them out but I don't want to drill through the magnet, mini, and create a hole which will ruin the mini. I've tried to dig them out but that isn't working out either.

Any suggestions of how to do this?

Try freezing the pieces then digging them out? It might make it easier to break the superglue.

I usually dig them out if I mess up.

Whatever you do, don't drill the magents out. They will shatter and sharp pieces might fly everywhere - like your eyes.

Weakening the superglue with chemicals or temperature is a good idea, but it won't get the magnet to just pop out. Even without glue and when pulled by a really big magnet, the friction in a well fitting hole will hold the magnet in place. You'll have to get physical.

What I recommend is to make a relief cut through the plastic stopping short of cutting into the magnet itself. The super thin kerf (cut width) Citadel hobby saw is good for this since it offers more control than using a hobby knife. Then use a small slot screwdriver to apply force to the magnet and pop it out.

If you cut cleanly, you can glue the plastic part back together and patch it up with some green stuff, which you can sand smooth (600 grid then 1200 grid is what I use).

If you need to have a differently placed or oriented hole in the plastic part, fill up the original hole with sprue bits or matching diameter ABS rods and plastic glue them in place to create a new solid, melted together plastic piece that can stand the drilling. I'd let that set over night at least before trying to redrill though.

I've only had to remove one magnet that was countersunk, but I really didn't want to mar the part. I drilled a 1/16" hole from the back, stopping as soon as I hit the magnet. Freeze/thaw cycles and a few careful, shallow pokes around the magnet's perimeter with a knife weakened the glue enough that I could poke through the back hole with some stiff wire and pop it out. Plugged the hole with 1/16" styrene rod, clipped it short, then filed it flush.

This method does require access to the back, though, so it tends to work better on vehicles and the like than on something like a wrist, where the magnet face is perpendicular to bulk of the part.

I had a similar problem too. (Also it was me who put the magnet in the wrong way ...) I used my hobby knive and carved a small section away next to the magnet and used a small screwdriver to get it free. I pressed it underneath the magnet to get it out. But this means that you have to carve away a section to get enough leverage. And don't use your hobby knife to pry as it might break and can harm you.

Now just fill the hole you made with GS. You can also use the GS as additional help for getting a new magnet in.

If the magnet is a little proud, you could try and shock the glue loose. Maybe try and freeze it for a day or so to get a bit of differential thermal expansion going then tap the magnet with a hammer. I've often found that sudden shocks will release magnets from super glue. Obviously don't hit it so hard that you'll knacker the model

I have had luck with placing my soldering iron on the center of the magnet for a minute or three and then once hot enough it will slide right out. Either use another magnet, some ferrous metal like a file cabinet or a file handle. Fareful though, that magnet is really hot. Provided you watch it closely, the heat just barely melts the plastic that is around the magnet and you wont have any significant damage to deal with.

Also, check your hobby store - they may have a product for super glue called "uncure" which chemically weakens it.

The heating or cooling helps weaken the bonds as well.

best of luck!

Depends on the magnet and where its at. Most of the time i can get it out by drilling a tiny hole along side it and just prying it out with a metal point (usually my round file i dont use for filing lol). However some places you cant do that as theres just no room, fortunately for me i never had to remove any like that.

Drilling the magnet will likely -not- work, and is unsafe to boot. Not that I have tried it (I did! It didn't work!)

Thanks for the ideas. Here is what I am working with.

I think maybe drilling a hole on side and trying to pop it out may be my only option.

Yup.

That's what I've had to do with a few models.
The guy I got them off thoughtfully glued the magnets in - but neglected to check polarity.

Drill hole down beside the magnet. Insert hooked probe, and yoink it out. Magnet sticks to probe (because it is steel).

Small holes can be patched with putty filler (of your choice).

That doesn't look so bad to work with! You can drill your access hole under or between the magnets, where the limbs that go there will then hide the evidence of your rescue operation from direct view. With a little bit of filing, sanding and putty it shouldn't be noticeable later.