Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows of a happy medium version of model magnets(ie 1mm x 2mm discs) that are stronger than normal magnets at that size but not as strong as the regular neodynium ones? I need to magnetise a Goblin to he can be used on a normal base and on the back of a spider mount, but I'm fairly sure if I use the magnets I've already bought for other stuff I won't be able to swap him without snapping his thin wee legs.

Hi, I've just recently done a very similar project, magnetising 40k grots to a diorama base, using 1mm x 2mm disc magnets...I thought my magnets were quite strong, but I certainly don't see any threat of them being strong enough to snap limbs off!...are you using GW goblins? or something more dainty?...because I'd say you should be fine with GW goblins, unless you really do have some crazy-strong magnets!

just in case you want to try the magnets I use, I buy them from an Australian Ebay store called "Back 2 Base-ix"...it seems like they ship to the UK? not sure... LINK

Could you just place the magnet a bit too deep in the base and cover it with green stuff or some other filler?

 ZoBo wrote:
Hi, I've just recently done a very similar project, magnetising 40k grots to a diorama base, using 1mm x 2mm disc magnets...I thought my magnets were quite strong, but I certainly don't see any threat of them being strong enough to snap limbs off!...are you using GW goblins? or something more dainty?...because I'd say you should be fine with GW goblins, unless you really do have some crazy-strong magnets!

just in case you want to try the magnets I use, I buy them from an Australian Ebay store called "Back 2 Base-ix"...it seems like they ship to the UK? not sure... LINK

It's a Forest Goblin Shaman based on the nu-WHQ "Scuttling" model, the legs are *really* skinny and there are two obvious weak spots(ankles and where the leg joins the body) that I don't think would stand up to repeated shifting, even removing the mould lines with the back of my knife was a risky business. Alas N50s are the ones I already have, it's finding the lower grades(N30 or N35) in a small enough size that's problematic :/

Increase the gap between magnets (set it deeper OR put some kind of thin barrier between them) - magnetic force drops off over distance (inverse cube law) and even a thin card layer between lowers the grab a lot.

Don't use pairs of magnets; use a magnet and a piece of metal, much lower grip force. I find paper clips work quite well, as you can drill and fit them just like pinning.

Neodynium magnets come in different strengths.

N35, N38, N42 N52 etc..... the higher the number, the stronger they are.

I suggest buying them cheap on ebay. It may take a bit longer to arrive but the cost savings is usually well worth it.

Back2base-ix are so expensive for magnets (and everything else, now that I think about it), just get a N rating magnet as Rickfactor has pointed out for the strength you want (for this, I would say 38) and get them from ebay.

kb_lock wrote:
Back2base-ix are so expensive for magnets (and everything else, now that I think about it), just get a N rating magnet as Rickfactor has pointed out for the strength you want (for this, I would say 38) and get them from ebay.

aww...really? I thought AU$13.95 for 200 magnets was pretty good ...where do you get yours from, and for how much?...clearly I need to shop around...

That actually is pretty good, last I looked it was about $15 for 20 - perhaps I'm blind! Really though, B2B and TCC were both 10x more than they should have been, their prices now are fine.

I got mine from these guys -> https://www.frenergy.com.au/

kb_lock wrote:
That actually is pretty good, last I looked it was about $15 for 20 - perhaps I'm blind! Really though, B2B and TCC were both 10x more than they should have been, their prices now are fine.

I got mine from these guys -> https://www.frenergy.com.au/

ohhh dear. I kinda wish I didn't look at that site...I had no idea I "needed" so many of those things in my life until now

Like all non-hobby related sites, they have the best stuff. Sydney Cutting Tools is another one to avoid