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I've recently started a Tyranid army. I want to magnetize the arms and other bits to swap the kits.

Now, as I understand it, you drill a hole in the model then stick the magnet in. Could someone recommend me an appropriate drill and magnet size for Tyranid monsters?

Whatever magnet fits! (and the same diameter drill bit)

If its large, then some more drill bits to work upto the final diameter - if you try and drill say a 3mm hole in GW plastics it will split most of the time, you need to start small and work up.

A spot of gel superglue seems to do a good job of filling the (not flat) bottom of the drilled hole so contact can be made on the magnets surface to hold it in.

Lastly take care about orientation of the magnetic field; they onyl work one way around and you need the parts you want to magnetise to have the right faces of magnet together or it will repel and never come together.

Alternatively, you could use a forstner bit to "square off" the bottom of the hole so that the magnet sits flat.

I tend to use a small ball of greenstuff to seat the magnets and then add a drop of superglue to that. I've found superglue alone is often not enough with the bigger magnets (their attraction is stronger than the glue bond).

 chromedog wrote:
Alternatively, you could use a forstner bit to "square off" the bottom of the hole so that the magnet sits flat.

I tend to use a small ball of greenstuff to seat the magnets and then add a drop of superglue to that. I've found superglue alone is often not enough with the bigger magnets (their attraction is stronger than the glue bond).

I've not actually used larger than a 3mm diameter by 1.5mm deep N52 magnet thus far. But that size seems enough for everything upto Predator tank size so far. So superglue is holding them just fine But yeah you might need better for larger / stronger.

Filling the bottom of the hole doesnt even feel all that necessary to me, the glue is barely needed atall if you drill the hole the right size then it fits flush and is held very tightly by the hole alone. Stickt he magnet against the flat of your hobby knife and push it in so that you cant push it too deep too to ensure a flush fit, and hold it there untill the glue is set enough to allow the knife to pull away without unsetting it. (slide it away rather than directly pull it as the magnet is weaker this way)

I should be more specific - I'm in the UK - could someone link me where to buy the correct materials? I've heard it easy to buy the wrong thing.

Sidguard wrote:
I should be more specific - I'm in the UK - could someone link me where to buy the correct materials? I've heard it easy to buy the wrong thing.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Spider-Magnets?_rdc=1

I find these to be a good magnet supplier

Not used anyone else so far as theyve always delivered to me promptly.

As for drill bits, I already had them around the house in various tool sets. But you could get a set of them on ebay too, or from a local shop perhaps. I use HSS twist bits. of the same diameter as the magnet being used (so for me 3mm and 2mm often, but could be any)

What also sometimes is a good idea (with stuff other than arms) is green stuffing thinly over the magnet to create an even area. That way the magnetized parts are less wobbly and fit better.

I used a 4mm wood drill bit for my dreads - had to turn it by hand but the resin was soft enough that it didn't take too long.
The bonus of a wood drill is that the hole ends up being pretty square at the bottom.
When you choose the first 2 magnets (body & arm) let them stick together then get a permanent marker & put a dot on each exposed end. Glue this so the dotted end is facing into the model. When you get to the next arm stick the magnet (using the magnetism not glue) against the body one & again mark the exposed face.
Use superglue to glue them in place.
I use this company for a great variety of magnet sizes:
http://www.first4magnets.com/uk-magnets-i41

I have worked with 1.5 to 6 mm sizes of neodymium magnets which I got from amazon.

Fun story, they can flip polarity. Watch how you store them, and keep them separate from other magnets. The Green stuff and and marking are all good calls. You will also want 2 probes, one magnetic and one not. I put the magnet on the magnetic probe, put glue in the hole, stick it in, then push it off the magnetic probe with the non- magnetic one.

Did the arms of my wraith guard. Angles were very tough but the result is functional. Not winning any contests though.