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Hi Dakka! I recently found this necron terrain piece/pylon stand-in: http://thectansupportgroup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=7048.0 Ever since I saw it, I've been wanting to make one myself. Then I had this idea about trying to make those to big pieces above the base float! Would this be possible if I put one strong magnet into the opposing sides (with same pole pointing upwards) and then 4 magnets around the strong one in the opposing sides (they would be glued in so that the 4 on each side attract each other)? Do you think that that could work? If not, do you have any other ideas to make it work? I've already thought of putting something like a thin line between the pieces, but I'll leave that as a last resort...
Thanks in advance!

Uh... I don't think the magnets would work, I think it would just fly off.
It looks like he just used some transparent plastic

At eye level, a small pin might not be visible. Clear plastic sounds like a must.

Your magnet idea, though logical, would be nearly impossible with typical hobby magnets. You're only going to create a piece that will self destruct as soon as you try to put the two pieces together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superconductors

If you want floating magnets, this would totally work.

as long as all forces the magnets creat are equalized by eachother you shouldnt have a problem, the difficulty is you have to be extremely precise. i had once tried to develop a small maglev train for my HO layout and got about 2 feet of working track, and that took me a month to get right (and it wasmt true magnetic propulsion, just floating rollingstock). and foam wont work, it has to be osmething strong, like wood or any nonferrous metal (aluminum)

Then what about just getting like one magnet in each opposing side, so that they repel each other, and then use fishing line to support it? Do you think that could work?

tehbarry wrote:Then what about just getting like one magnet in each opposing side, so that they repel each other, and then use fishing line to support it? Do you think that could work?

Ooh, good idea.
The only thing that may be problematic is it would probably sway a bit, but that would add character.
It might even rotate, which'd look cool. But you'd need VERY precise location of your magnets, otherwise it could possibly just flop around on a horizontal plane.
I'd say try it, though.

This is exactly the kind of insanity that inspires me. One day when I have some time and extra magnets, I'll be trying something like this.

Terraformer wrote:This is exactly the kind of insanity that inspires me. One day when I have some time and extra magnets, I'll be trying something like this.

The kind that inspires me is Tesla.
But, I'd like to see how this works. And if all else fails, BALOONS.

You'll need magnets with a large flat surface area, at least 2/3 of the surfaces that you are repelling.

Terraformer wrote:This is exactly the kind of insanity that inspires me. One day when I have some time and extra magnets, I'll be trying something like this.

I'm happy to hear that, and actually a lot of your terrain has inspired some of the more nurgle like terrain I have made/ been planning on making!

EDIT: If you do try it, then please make a thread, as I'd be interested in seeing how it turns out.

The fishing line idea would work but you would need to make it out of something strong enough to withstand the string pulling it.

You also need to use 1 large magnet rather than multiple small ones.

Have you considered supporting it by pins on the edges and concealing them to look like trailing vines? If done with care, I think that could look the business. Makes the piece look nice and old, too.

htj wrote:Have you considered supporting it by pins on the edges and concealing them to look like trailing vines? If done with care, I think that could look the business. Makes the piece look nice and old, too.

Good idea, but I was planing on making it look as if it had just risen from the sands on a necron tomb world.

Ah, so you could have streams of sand running off of it.

So here is a picture of the layout I'm planning on using for the magnets:
[img]http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/216136-Magnet%20layout.html

What do you think about it?

EDIT: It's not showing... anyone have some advice on uploading pictures from dakka gallery to a post? Anyways, the link is in the post.

I see we have a lot of people who do not understand magnets - it is extremely difficult to balance things on regular magnets.

However, if you want to plug your building into the mains and it weighs less than 3oz, you could buy one of these.

Alternatively you could try building a lightweight hollow structure and use a tightly sealed helium balloon to "float" the structure. Tether it to the base with fishing line. You will need to ensure you get a very well sealed helium balloon/helium container.

I would suggest the easiest way of getting a "floating" building would be a clear plastic rod.

I think that if you pull it off, it'll look awesome.

I was planning to make the same magnet thingy with skimmers (or possibly a crisis suit...).
Trust me... if you don't have the best resources for it, don't do it.

Good luck!

sluggaslugga wrote:I was planning to make the same magnet thingy with skimmers (or possibly a crisis suit...).
Trust me... if you don't have the best resources for it, don't do it.

Good luck!

Thanks!

Clear Plastic on a base

Use foam, that floats very well. Oh wait...nevermind.