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So as a new builder and a new player I want to get the most out of my models and as I have learned the use of magnets is the common course of action. Clearly I have noted that some models would require more than others. I have also learned that magnets come in super tiny sizes too.

Just today become acquainted with K&J magnets ( http://www.kjmagnetics.com ) and would like to place an order but I fear my novice/neewbie nature at this could cause me to under buy or over buy. And so with that in mind what is a good base to start with and what sizes seem to work well for the various units.

I have done an inventory of the models that would get magnets but am also considering other possibilities for them including future models. Also with magnets what other supplies are essential for their successful instillation, obviously some plastic tweezers would be a step in the right direction.

Models in consideration. Attack bike and landspeeder melta/bolter mounts, Monster creature arms for 'Nids, assault weapon's for tactical marines to alternate between- melta- flame- plasma, also the banner barer, one for the characters arm itself and or the banner and the pole. To remove the arm would allow him to become just a veteran trooper if points are an issue. Weapon mounts on vehicles like in the thread for the 4 CF rhinos.

Those are my starting ideas.

K&J is a great site. Be sure to check out their surplus page every now and again - you can find some fantastic deals. Just now, I saw these (http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ZD4), which would get you started (the lower grade shouldn't be much of an issue, at least on plastic models) and you can't beat the price.

Personally, I use approximately (been a while, but I think they were sold in mm) 1/8" diameter, 1/16" thick grade N42 neodymium disks (which I got from K&J surplus, by the way - 100 of them for only a few bucks) for most tasks. They aren't small enough to do hand-based weapon swaps on skinny-wristed models and they won't hold a titan arm on, but I find them to be a pretty flexible size.

They're pretty much perfect for larger troop bits (heads, backpacks, etc.). I like them for vehicles, as well, since they're small enough to replace the pins inside of sponson/turret weapons. My pred, for example, can be fielded with any weapon combination of weapons, each of which has full range of motion, all with hidden magnets. For something larger, I can simply use multiple magnets, which means I don't have to buy another size if I choose to magnetize a whole sponson, instead of just the attached weapon. You'll want to get some in a smaller size if you plan on magnetizing really fiddly bits, though.

As for how many to get, I'd suggest skipping the sample sizes and going for packs of 50 or 100. The bulk discount on these things is significant and you can easily use 100 over the course of an army or two, but won't go broke on a single order (or cry when you realize that half of your savings is tied up in the leftovers). Minimum orders (above sample size) are usually higher than that, but surplus magnets are often sold in different size lots. Ebay/Etsy resellers are another option, but you will have to deal with a pretty high markup, most times. It's sometimes worth it when you only need a few in a particular size, though.

A final point on tools: You don't need plastic tweezers. In fact, you don't need any special tools. As long as you can drill the holes in a proper size and superglue the things in place, you're set (barring perhaps some modeling putty to fill/strengthen the area around awkwardly placed magnets). When I'm inserting a magnet, I use a stack of them to give me something to hold on to. Drop some glue in the hole, then use the stack to push one in and hold until the glue sets. Once that happens, just slide the rest of them off. Using the stack also helps you make sure you match polarity properly (polarity is consistent throughout the stack, so gluing from the other end guarantees that the other part will attract, not repel) and seat the magnet straight and flush.

http://www.themanufactorum.com/ has loads of tips and lists of magnets you'll need for certain models.
I've bought from him a couple of times, and the stuff certainly does the job.

Get the magnets in fairly large numbers. I first bought noly 2 types (tiny blocks and bigger disks), and they can be squeezed into all sorts of places.

The thing that I find easiest when gluing in magnets is clear plastic bags, such as zip-locs. Once you have the first magnet in place, use it as a reference by dropping it in the bag. Then, put the next magnet against that, and puch the nextpart onto that. There's no tweezers needed, and you'll never get any magnets the wrong way up.

I don't use magnets for infantry scale weapon swaps - I use pinning. Much faster and cheaper to do and gives pretty much the same result.

I only use magnets on vehicles and larger creature sized models, and in the bases so that I can stick them to my magnetic carry board.

Basically I am suggesting thinking about just what you want to use magnets for before you decide on the type and quantity you will want. Think about using pinning for simple weapon swaps and so on for infantry sized models.

SilverMK2 wrote:I don't use magnets for infantry scale weapon swaps - I use pinning. Much faster and cheaper to do and gives pretty much the same result.

I only use magnets on vehicles and larger creature sized models, and in the bases so that I can stick them to my magnetic carry board.

Basically I am suggesting thinking about just what you want to use magnets for before you decide on the type and quantity you will want. Think about using pinning for simple weapon swaps and so on for infantry sized models.

What kind of pinning? Like the little brass bars? How well does that work out?

If you find a way to work some steel into your models you don't have to worry about fiddling with which way your magnets face. I just magnetized weapon sponsons on a land raider. I used a dremel to cut out sections of a hacksaw blade and set them into the doorways. A couple magnets on the back of the sponson plates and it fits very securely.
The hard part of course is shaping the steel. With the hacksaw blade I already had a narrow rectangular shape and a diamond cutting wheel buzzed them right off to the proper lengths

While on the topic of magnets, im going to make a display base using a metal sheet underneath the board, and wanted to know what size the holes are in a circle GW base??

Hoping to find a magnet that is a perfect fit and just glue it in that way.

Skinnereal wrote:http://www.themanufactorum.com/ has loads of tips and lists of magnets you'll need for certain models.
I've bought from him a couple of times, and the stuff certainly does the job.

Get the magnets in fairly large numbers. I first bought noly 2 types (tiny blocks and bigger disks), and they can be squeezed into all sorts of places.

The thing that I find easiest when gluing in magnets is clear plastic bags, such as zip-locs. Once you have the first magnet in place, use it as a reference by dropping it in the bag. Then, put the next magnet against that, and puch the nextpart onto that. There's no tweezers needed, and you'll never get any magnets the wrong way up.

Thanks for the link to this sight it has a lot of helpful stuff in it.

the 3mm x 1.5mm are the workhorse of my hobby. There are so many spots that they just fit for. Like magnitizing sponsons onto Ravagers, arms onto Dreadnaughts, DK Termi arm swapping, etc.