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Is there a recommended brand of magnets for mini conversions? I see a bunch of cheap magnets from Asia for cheap on eBay. Magnets are expensive so the ones from Asia seem suspect. I would hate to spend the time converting the minis and have to replace the magnets later cause they are crap.

I heard magcraft are good but they are pricey.

Neodymium, or rare earth magnets, are sold by pretty much all craft stores, and will be much better than any cheap magnets you can buy. They come in various sizes, and have a very strong hold unless they're extremely tiny (like on weapons with the hand separate from the arm, E.G. SM bolters/plasma guns).
Look on amazon or your local hobby shop/crafts store for them.

I get all of my magnets from K&J Magnetics

www.kjmagnetics.com

 amrogers3 wrote:
Is there a recommended brand of magnets for mini conversions? I see a bunch of cheap magnets from Asia for cheap on eBay. Magnets are expensive so the ones from Asia seem suspect. I would hate to spend the time converting the minis and have to replace the magnets later cause they are crap.

I heard magcraft are good but they are pricey.

As long as what you're getting are Neodymium magnets, even the cheap ones from Asia (via ebay usually) are perfectly good. I've got a couple hundred of them myself in 3 different sizes and they work as well as any you'll get at a craft/hobby store.

The strength on them depends on what you're using them for, but for the most part any will do for 40k models (unless you're trying to magnetize a particularly heavy part then you want the stronger level of magnets .. I can't remember which strengths they are but I believe mine are N42?? or something like that and they work for all but the heaviest pieces, which will sag so require a stronger level of magnet).

Magnets are magnets - there are different types and grades within those types (rated by pull strength), but most of the price variation and any specificity in their advertised purpose is just marketing. Grade N42 neodymium magnets are the standard - the ubiquitous "rare earth" magnets that everyone uses for modeling. Size and shape depend on personal preference and the task at hand, but I prefer smaller disks - for heavy tasks, additional magnets or a supporting pin usually do more good than a single magnet of a larger size.

As far as purchasing is concerned, if you only need a few, just swing by a craft store and pick up one of the small packs - the price per magnet is inflated, but you'll spend less than buying in bulk and having leftovers you'll never need. For larger quantities, order from K&J Magnetics. Best selection and prices, if you're in the US (shipping only prohibitive if ordering internationally). Check their clearance/overstock page every now and again, too, if you're in the market - most of the stuff there will be of no or limited use, but sometimes you get lucky. I picked up 100 of my usual size and got them shipped for less than the list price, alone.

I too use k&j - like the others have stated.

Been very happy with them.

I use round magnets for things that i need inset (drill a hole, put in magnet) and flat rectangular magnets for surface mount stuff(like a HK missile).

best of luck.

I've used eBay to purchase magnets, both from US and international sellers. I've had no troubles from any of them and all the magnets work properly. On eBay I use Casey's Games and Stuff, that is the seller name, and he has good prices, free shipping and his magnets are the size listed. I've ordered from a different seller that listed the magnets as 1/16 x 1/32 and they were a size bigger and wouldn't work for what I was using them for.

If you use a international seller, check their feedback rating, and you will know if they are a good seller or not.

Here are a couple of other sellers on eBay that list magnets at good prices, but I haven't bought from them all.

lotsotreasures - Out of US, I haven't used them, but have some good deals sometimes
Pay Less are We- Out of US, only sells magnets, but doesn't list the right size for their 1/16 x 1/32 size magnets. Still has good prices and deals.
Almost Free Magnets - Out of US, haven't used them, cheap prices, sometimes has good deals going on.
WishDreamComeTrue - Out of China, but you can get a ton of magnets for cheap. I've used them and all the magnets are good.

Hope this helps out,

DK

Thanks DK.

Does K&J ever offer discounts?