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Sorry for all the questions.

I have some rare earth magnets, and was planning on magnetizing the M4A4 tanks I plan on building. I've done this many times on 40K tanks, but there are a few options due to the hollow nature of the PSC models:

1) Shave off the knob on the bottom of the turret (which fits in the whole on the base of the tank), and put a similarly sized magnet there instead. Then, in the base put a large magnet of opposite polarity.

2) Leave the knob, and instead put a metal washer, etc. in the turret. In the base, use a magnet to attract the turret top.

3) Combo of #1 and #2 - shave off the knob, use a washer in turret, and use magnet on base. I believe mwnciboo uses this method in his post about magnetizing a turret. I'm not sure how the turret would stay "centered" using this method, and the magnet would be able to slide around without the hole and knob to keep it stable. Perhaps a small washer center piece is used instead of a large flat metal piece.

Also, anyone know where to find washer "centers"? They look like scrap pieces, and the local hardware store didn't carry any, or anything similar. I found a few of them as scrap in the washer boxes, but not enough to use.

Anyone done this and have suggestions? Pictures appreciated....

Thanks,

Mez

First question is do You really need to magnetise PSC tanks? If You have not yet put them together - the turrets stay in place quite tight - sometimes after painting You even need to enlarge the hole in hull to swivel them around. So unlike BF and Forged in Battle vehicles, these won't fall off during transportation.
If You need to magnetise them anyway and have not assembled them yet, I'd suggest to use that washer in the hull section rather than turret - then shave down the pin and glue a magnet there - that should prevent the turret from sliding around. And You don't really need the washers - in fact any ferrous metal plates will do, for example. I've used those from erasable magnetic message boards - they are thin enough to cut with scissors.

Why not just add some weight to the turrets? As Cain said, they sit quite securely. If you add some weight, they should be fine for gaming - and the model will have a bit more heft. It's nice to be able to remove the turret to show the tank has been knocked out.

I magnetise my larger PSC tanks, like Panthers etc. I put a metal chunk in the turret and then build the magnet into the hull you only need one magnet then (cheaper!).







Easy and cheap and allows me to swap them around depending on situation, and it means their is a nice free rotating turret that doesn't stick.

I just saw your post and I wanted to give you my input. I think this is the easiest way to magnetize you PSC tanks. I did this on my Pz IV's and Panthers and it works perfectly. I think you can do the same on all the other PSC tanks too.

Kasper

Nice tutorial svinehunden