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Ok, so I've been looking into using magnets to swap out parts, seems like a neat idea, only here's the problem I have, why does nearly everyone recomend you to use dual magnets?

If you do the dual magnet setup, and if you make a mistake in polarity, you have a problem and the parts won't stick, but if it's 'magnet->metal' polarity dosn't matter, and I've seen some magnetic bases using magnet->metal.

Is it just not strong enough with one magnet? What's the logic of using dual mags?

starbomber109 wrote:Ok, so I've been looking into using magnets to swap out parts, seems like a neat idea, only here's the problem I have, why does nearly everyone recomend you to use dual magnets?

If you do the dual magnet setup, and if you make a mistake in polarity, you have a problem and the parts won't stick, but if it's 'magnet->metal' polarity dosn't matter, and I've seen some magnetic bases using magnet->metal.

Is it just not strong enough with one magnet? What's the logic of using dual mags?

GW metal mini's arnt made of a magnetic material how can a magnet stick?

Solution: Don't mess up polarity! What I do is set two magnets side by side (space in between, of course, they're magnetic!) and then take one and just put it in. Then when it dries I stick the other magnet to it to determine polarity, then lay it attractive-side up. Then I pick up said magnet by the attractive side and stick the non-attractive side into whatever I am magnetizing.

Rico.

corpsesarefun wrote:
GW metal mini's arnt made of a magnetic material how can a magnet stick?

Quite obviously I'll have to stick a little metalic plate on there, or maybe saw the head off of a nail and use that.

Edit: And my question was not "How do I not mess up polarity" my question was "Why is it neccicary to use TWO MAGNETS?"

starbomber109 wrote:
Edit: And my question was not "How do I not mess up polarity" my question was "Why is it neccicary to use TWO MAGNETS?"

Because of the weight of metal parts, a magnet and a bit of a metal will not have enough power to stick.

It is indeed strength that is the issue. Two magnets have a much stronger hold than a magnet on an achored bit of iron or steel wire.

This comes from personal experience magnetizing several different things from arms to tank weapons.

I must say though that rare earth magnets hold very well with just magnet on metal so that may work for you.

corpsesarefun wrote:

starbomber109 wrote:
Edit: And my question was not "How do I not mess up polarity" my question was "Why is it neccicary to use TWO MAGNETS?"

Because of the weight of metal parts, a magnet and a bit of a metal will not have enough power to stick.

Alright, thanks

And I will keep that in mind for the rare earth magnets. I saw a neat tutorial on youtube where a guy made some good flying bases for his SaimHann army out of a comon magnetic toy and some small screws.

It's a stronger bond if you go magnet to magnet. Well worth the effort in matching polarity.

I've used magnets on metal for turrets on a scratch build of a leviathan. It works out pretty good if you use 1/4 inch rare earth magnets and a 1/4 inch flat head screw. The screws I used are mounted in the turret base so I could adjust their height and insure good contact with out lifting the turrets.

First, what are you going to model with magnets? are we talking imperial guard? marines? nids? tau? vehicles?

I've magnetized a majority of my nids, with the carnifex, or larger models who have larger weapons, I've used magnet on magnet. I've magnetized my gaunts, so i can switch weapons, or make them hormagaunts. I did this by drilling a hole through their sockets and adding magnets to the weapon arms.

Smaller arms just need metal on magnet, large arms and weapons, magnet on magnet works better because their bond is stronger.

I have also tried magnet+metal, but the results were meh. I definately recommend the dual magnet approach.