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This is a really, really good idea!! I actually am using the snapware case for my army right now, but magnetizing everything and sticking a magnetic sheet at the bottom to hold it in place is a really good idea, considering how easily gargoyles like to break...

Anyone from the UK have any suggestions on what type of box to use for this in the UK?

gilljoy wrote:
Anyone from the UK have any suggestions on what type of box to use for this in the UK?

try cutting a shingle to size, and walk into the store with it, and begin inspecting the boxes by comparing your metal plate against the container's base. Of course, you will have people looking at you like a looney.
Also, bring a model to get an idea of height.

Mmn, I must make one for my tanks!

Ok, So you get metal sheets, glue them too the snapware case, then glue magnets to the models, Then the magnets attach to the model metel sheet.
I can see this working on my rhinos. Although i am struggling on how to make these work for my Devil fish

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
Ok, So you get metal sheets, glue them too the snapware case, then glue magnets to the models, Then the magnets attach to the model metel sheet.
I can see this working on my rhinos. Although i am struggling on how to make these work for my Devil fish

custom base. Go to a hardware store, get a set of those long threaded bolts with matching hex-nuts. one hex nut goes in the base, the other through the bottom of your model. the custom base gets decorated, and magnets underneath.

pics? I mean they are already painted kinda

@ hotsauce: The 2 part bolt method is effective, and already a fairly popular conversion. theres lots of videos and such of how to's for that in particular. and if you do use or a resin or cast base its very easy to drill out for a magnet or 2. on smaller vehicles that use flight stands i actually glue the stand together, then drill out the center of the bottom (into the underside of the shaft) and recess a small magnet in there. i've used this on vehicles up to the size of an annihilation barge to good effect with no problems. just be sure to use a magnet that is very slightly smaller than the diameter of the shaft pin so you don't drill out your connection completely ! a devil fish is a bit bigger so you may wanna test it out. to test if this method will hold i usually put a small ball of blu tac on the bottom of the base (about the size of the magnet im gonna use) and press it down firmly to a flat smooth surface, if the model feels "stable" or doesnt wobble then i usually go for it. hope this helps!

@ gilljoy the galvanized steel roofing shingles here in the US come in a variety of sizes i typically use the 8"x 12" ones so there's usually no need to cut them as the cases i use are 12 x 12 or 12 x 14. but if you do need to cut them they are quite thin, when i need to trim or cut mine for some reason, i just use a pair of heavy kitchen scissors and it works fine. as far as finding containers a good place to start is any "home goods" store ... we have target and bedbath and beyond etc here, not sure what the equivalent would be across the pond. but another place to try is the bakery or kitchen section. a friend of mine actually found a cupcake carrier that is pretty cool and he uses that with the same method and it works well.

I'm having a heck of a time finding steel shingles. no one local seems to have them or has stocked them for years. home depot and menards dont have them. anyone know online?

Hello Conker, I hate to say it, and i don't want to sound jerkish or anything. but if you asked at the store theres a good chance the average employee was wrong... they are not a commonly asked for item but the people who buy them tend to know what they are after i.e. contractors etc. they are almost always in the building supply section, under roofing materials. i would be genuinely surprised if the local home depot didn't stock them at all since its not a localized construction material... flashing for roof s is pretty universal. They are not in a package and usually on a small section of shelf with the other flashing.rolls and smaller sheets, L sections etc. if you call the store and give them the SKU from my link you may have better luck. (not sure if you did this already i apologize if you did) if they really dont stock it. maybe you can order them to the store.

ill check back with home depot, I was suprised when 2 places said they dont have it or anything close to it. online site says they dont stock it nor can get it with my zip code. lowes site as well. ill keep looking since i have the case and the magnets, just missing the final piece. going to try local roofers and see if i can snag a section. BTW you were not coming off as jerkish.

conker249: I'm running into the same problem. I live in Ohio, I have a Menard's and Lowe's in my home town. Lowe's does not carry these and Menard's carries metal shingles but only in 5"x7" which does not cover much of the case. I went to HomeDepot.com for the shingles but then are not available in any store within 50 miles.

As of right now I'm looking for any suggestions which doesn't require buying a whole box of metal shingles online or buying sheet metal and cutting to size.

That's a pretty sweet idea but far too much effort for me. I just buy trays of battlefoam and stick it all in a box.

For those in the UK or struggling with metal shingles, I have done something similar using ReallyUsefulBoxes of various sizes and magnetic rubber sheets designed for car signs and shops.

I stick the magnetic rubber sheet to a piece of plasticard and build it up like a large movement tray. Using rubber o'rings I lay out the positions for my models and fill in the gaps with filler. This allows me to put a bit of detail on and make it look like a bit of a presentation whilst carrying them around in clear boxes.

Will post some pics tonight. Everything is WIP as only started doing it a few weeks ago.

I found roof flashings made of steel for .68 at lowes. They are 8"x8" bent at the 4" inch mark 90 degrees. I bought 6 and hammered them flat. Used liquid nails and glued down. Works great. Thanks for the awesome and effective thread.

thats awesome! glad you found something that fit the bill, and ty for the kind words.

Really innovating and inspiring! Great work.