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Hello brave model makers,

I am getting into War of the Rings now which uses the true 25mm scale. For those that have seen the game (and the new WOTR movement trays) you know that what you're supposed to do is place 8 models on 1 movement tray - the WOTR movement tray is nicely made to accept the round bases. However, these models are pretty small and light. They fall right over at the least provocation. I'd really like to magnetize the bases so that they stay put when I place them into the WOTR movement trays.

So the round bases are the standard GW size (25mm I think, can someone confirm that?). I kind of want to use some sort of weak magnet - circular - which would be just the right size to glue under the base without lapping out over the edge. The thinner the better. I'd also like to place a similar magnet into the movement tray - it should fit perfectly into the hole on the movement tray, so it should be circular and the same size as the first magnet.

So the easiest possible scenario for me would be to purchase these little circles ready-made. If they don't exist, maybe I could get my hands on a magnetized sheet or something - again, something thin (maybe 1mm thick) which I would cut to the proper size. Ideas on how to do THAT are appreciated - I guess I could use scissors, but that would probably be sloppy. Not sure what the best way to do this would be.

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OK, now assuming I have that all done, the next question is this: can I prime the magnets? Can I paint the magnets? I think I'd likely want to paint my movement tray, for example, but if I paint the magnets will it weaken the magnetism? (will it still attract its mate through primer and paint?) I figure those of you who have worked with magnets may be able to answer that. If not, I will have to experiment.

Thanks all for your attention and help.

Solorg

Hello folks, sorry for the bump - I have a new question for you re: magnets.

I've been working on my WOTR bases. I've put a magnet into the bottom of each slot. When I tried a magnet also on the bottom of each model, the attraction was so poor you couldn't even tell it was magnetized.

However, I had a piece of really thin metal lying around (I think it is called plasteel - sold by the company that makes clan war) and the metal is so thin you can cut it with scissors. When I placed this on the bottom of the bases for my models, it stuck to the magnets perfectly.

Now the catch is this - I have no idea where to buy this sort of thin metal and I am running out fast. Can anyone suggest to me what it is that I am using and where to buy more?

Thanks all,
Solorg

I suppose you could find an old tin-foil can somewhere.

Breotan wrote:I suppose you could find an old tin-foil can somewhere.

No, thinking more like sheet metal. Anyone work with the kind of metal I'm describing here? Thicker than foil, thin enough to cut with scissors. I checked a local craftstore - they sell the magnetic canvas I use, but not the sheet metal. I'll be checking some more places, but anyone else know where I can find this stuff?

Ive been using this stuff with rare earth magnets to good effect. I recommend that you get magnets that aren't too strong, or you could cause the miniature some fatigue as you remove it from the base.

Here it what I would do.

Get some galvanized steel sheets and a pair of tin snips($10.00 or so) Cut them to the same size as your movement trays. Then simply drill out the holes in your movement tray and glue it to the steel sheet.

Aluminium siding. Super thin and easy to cut to size. It doesn't warp when you cut it, either. One of the guys at my FLGS uses it for transporting his models.


Ghidorah

He wants to magnetise his trays, Ghidorah. I don't know what sort of siding think you're using, but magnets generally don't stick to aluminum.

Disclaimer: I haven't tried this method, but it seems like it might work...

Step 1: Get some steel (not stainless) washers that are small enough to fit completely inside a 25mm round base, something like 7/16th's outer diameter and ~1/32nd thick.
Step 2: Get some rare earth magnets of roughly 1/16-3/32nds diameter and 1/32nd thick.
Step 3: Adhere washer to inside of base.
Step 4: Adhere magnets to holes in movement trays.

NB: This technique does NOT work for slotta bases.

Alternatively, if you don't mind the minis standing a bit proud of the trays, washer or discs of thin sheet metal inside holes, magnets on bases. This method has the advantage of working with slottas.

I use a variant of this technique to transport squads of Fire Warriors for my Tau army, magnets with plasticard spacers on the bases so the magnets are just shy of being flush with the bottom rim of the base and some thin sheet steel.
Works like a treat and makes deploying out the back of a Devilfish really easy.

Surely there must be large cheap versions to those soft bendable fridge magnets o_o

Thanks, all. I have what I need re: magnets (I use a product called Magnetic Canvas, found at the Craft Store). What I don't have is sheet metal.

I've been placing magnets inside the WOTR movement tray and placing metal on the bottom of each base. This works great, but I am almost out of metal and not sure what I am using, exactly, or where to buy more (it was given to me).

Steel washers on the bottom of bases are a nice idea - they sell these in 25mm sizes, but they are too big and get jammed in the WOTR movement trays (Are GW bases really 24mm, perhaps?)

I expect the best solution is something like what ChaosDave is saying. I'll look into Galvanized Steel Sheets. But to they cut well? The stuff I am using is thin enough to cut with ordinary scissors - that's sort of what I am after.

Solorg wrote:Thanks, all. I have what I need re: magnets (I use a product called Magnetic Canvas, found at the Craft Store). What I don't have is sheet metal.

I've been placing magnets inside the WOTR movement tray and placing metal on the bottom of each base. This works great, but I am almost out of metal and not sure what I am using, exactly, or where to buy more (it was given to me).

Steel washers on the bottom of bases are a nice idea - they sell these in 25mm sizes, but they are too big and get jammed in the WOTR movement trays (Are GW bases really 24mm, perhaps?)

I expect the best solution is something like what ChaosDave is saying. I'll look into Galvanized Steel Sheets. But to they cut well? The stuff I am using is thin enough to cut with ordinary scissors - that's sort of what I am after.

Yeah you can get the stuff at a Home depot. It comes in different gauges just pick one that you think will be easy to work with. Make sure to pick up a decent pair of tin snips for cutting the stuff. The sheet will cost you a couple dollars and the snips around 10 or so. The other thing you can do to make this cheaper is get some thin ply wood or even foam core board and drill holes in that to attach to the sheet metal instead of those expensive trays.