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I want to magnetise my miniature bases to make the models adhere to metal. I have a bunch of rare earth magnets and was wondering what kind of glue should I use? Does PVA work or do you need superglue? Do the magnets need to be flush with the ground or can there be a small space (I am guessing as the rare earth magnets are so strong that they can bridge some distance)?

I use super glue and a super glue accellarator.


You want them to be flush - so either get thicker magnets, or put a small blob of green stuff on the bottom, and stick the magnet to that.

It really depends on what you want them to do.

If you're just looking for something to stop them sliding around, they quite possibly don't have to be flush - depends on the weight of the models and the size of the magnets you're using. I've made fridge magnets out of slotta bases with a magnet buried under a layer of putty, and they stick like nobody's business despite the magnet not directly contacting the metal.

If you're looking for a secure bond that you can tip over and have them not move at all... then yes, they're probably going to want to be flush.


And yes, superglue is your friend for this sort of thing. If you want to make really sure, glue the magnet to the bottom of the base, and then glue a strip of plasticard over the top of it, making sure the plastic is securely glued to the base (use plastic cement for that!) on either side. That way, even if the superglue works loose on the magnet (which can happen, particularly if they are knocked) it won't fall out.

I used 1/32" neodymium mags with a spot of superglue. No problems at all so far.

Granted the only use the magnets are getting are to stick to my magnetized cork while I paint. Haven't tried it for a gaming setting or anything yet, but I can't see why there'd be any issue.

I'll try sticking some to my fridge tonight. XD

Myself, I make sure to use magnets that specifically are smaller than the base depth, so that there is an air gap between the magnet and the surface it is sitting on. If you make the magnet flush, you can actually pull the magnet off the base if there is any weakness in the superglue bond. It's probably ok with something like plastic covered metal (such as a white board) but I would avoid direct metal to metal contact.

For something the size of a marine, if just plastic, one neodymium magnet should be sufficient to hold it to something like a metal tile. Two are good enough for terminators, and for larger ones that are metal you can use a couple more.

I've got a couple of squads of tactical marines, a squad of terminators, and Dante, some warmachine troops, and some Grey Knight terminators, all stuck to the back of my door for storage, stuck to a white board, and they have not moved in like 2 years. Or more.

I magnetise bases to stick models on a steel sheet for transport.

Scratch bottom of base
Apply superglue
Blob of greenstuff or milliput
Place magnet on greenstuff
Push onto clingfilm/foodwrap on flat surface to get magnet lined up with bottom edge of base.


On a biker base, use 2 or 3 magnets.

I'd use 2 component epoxies.
Araldite Rapid, cures in 5 mins time.

And I'd also avoid using CA and CA accelerators.
The accelerator turns an already brittle bond even worse.