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 have Mechanicum Destroyer models, and I'm magnetizing their big guns to be swappable. I have installed the magnet into the body with no problem: drill a hole the right size, put in a bit of green stuff and shove the magnet in. Use a bit of glue if necessary
But the gun arm has problems because the casing of the gun is too thin to drill a hole in. I tried holding the magnet in place with a bit of green stuff, but the REM magnet is strong enough to pull it out.
I've had trouble in the past with superglue not being strong enough to hold a REM in place either: eventually the glue breaks and the two magnets are stuck together.

Any tips for how to fix a magnet in place without drilling a hole?

I dunno if there is much else you can do. I just end up making it work through some combination of super glue and greenstuff. Being patience and waiting for the super glue to dry is important - also, maybe a weaker magnet so it won't break the super glue bond.

Have you tried a ring magnet? I use a 3mm ring with a 1mm hole, then pin in the hole for support.

Never heard of those, I'll have to look into them!

Use a two-part epoxy. It is a pain to work with, but should be just what you need for a job like this. Mix it up and put it into place with a toothpick, then drop your magnet in once it starts to set. Give it about a day to cure and your magnet will never move.

Be very careful when using it though. It's difficult to get off of plastic models so don't use too much, and avoid drips. If you've never used it before, i would recommend testing it out on a piece of sprue or something before putting it on your model.

Just take a file or hobby knife and scratch up the surface of the magnet where you are going to apply the glue. That will help the glue hold a lot better.

You can put a small disc of card or epoxy over a magnet to make the pull less dramatic.

Do you need to use two magnets to hold the weapon?

A piece of metal in the weapons may be all you need; the strength of the hold may not be too much to pull anything free, and saves on magnets.

I did this for a Helbrute conversion and had no problems.

I have had some luck with magnets with a product here called GOOP. It is a very thick adhesive, you can put a drop, mash magnet in, then add a thin layer over the magnet so it forms a clear casing. This does two things, holds the magnet and makes it less powerful. Goop really needs 24 hours to fully dry, though it will be rubbery after only twenty minutes. Cheap, found at any hardware store, and once it is set, very hard to move. Be warned, It can warp some plastic.