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Hi,
I'm building my first 40k minis and I read a lot last night about putting magnets in the bases of minis. All of that discussion is about the magnets, and I have 6mmx2mm magnets on the way.

A couple people mentioned using 22 gauge/ 0.6mm sheet steel for the trays, which is nice and rigid. I just went to find the steel and a 1' x 2' piece is over $20 at Lowes and Amazon. There are some specialty sites, but shipping is over $30. That's going to make my DIY case way more expensive than a commercial one.

Is there a cheaper alternative I don't know about? Can you laminate thin metal onto plastic?

I don't want to use Goodwill cookie sheets, but I will if I have to. Thanks.

First, welcome to Dakka.

A lot of tutorials for DIY magnet cases suggest the black rubberized sheet magnets. These work, but IMHO don’t have a huge amount of grip to them.

I’m also in search of decent sheet metal, but haven’t found much. I tried some cheep metal rulers, but they were not the right size for my boxes.

 Nevelon wrote:
First, welcome to Dakka.

A lot of tutorials for DIY magnet cases suggest the black rubberized sheet magnets. These work, but IMHO don’t have a huge amount of grip to them.

I’m also in search of decent sheet metal, but haven’t found much. I tried some cheep metal rulers, but they were not the right size for my boxes.

Those "ferrous sheets" are not much cheaper than solid steel. Amazon has 2' x 3' for $33. On specialty sites, a 2'x15' roll is $105 after shipping.

The magnetic sheets (basically big fridge magnets) are not that bad. I got a 10 pack of 8” x 10” sheet for like $16 on Amazon.

 Nevelon wrote:
The magnetic sheets (basically big fridge magnets) are not that bad. I got a 10 pack of 8” x 10” sheet for like $16 on Amazon.

That's much more of what I'm looking to pay. Thanks.

They do the job, but some minis have enough mass that the magnets don’t grip strong enough to keep them solidly locked down, so the torque lets them swivel a bit. Fine for if you are gently handling them, but don’t go off-roading on the way to the FLGS.

 Nevelon wrote:


They do the job, but some minis have enough mass that the magnets don’t grip strong enough to keep them solidly locked down, so the torque lets them swivel a bit. Fine for if you are gently handling them, but don’t go off-roading on the way to the FLGS.

What kind of magnets are you using? I have the amazon sheets and some 3x2 amazon magnets and it just seem doesnt work...

Tome_Keeper wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:


They do the job, but some minis have enough mass that the magnets don’t grip strong enough to keep them solidly locked down, so the torque lets them swivel a bit. Fine for if you are gently handling them, but don’t go off-roading on the way to the FLGS.

What kind of magnets are you using? I have the amazon sheets and some 3x2 amazon magnets and it just seem doesnt work...

5x2 for the most point. As GW’s bases are a touch deeper than 2mm, if you just superglue the magnets into the bases there will be a little gap, which reduces grip. I put a little ball of GS on top of the magnet and then squish it onto the bottom of the base, so it’s flush with the table.

Still not a perfect grip, but enough to keep them on sideways.

I use cookie sheets from the dollar store or galvanized metal roof flashing. Just bring a magnet with you to the store to make sure you're getting the right ones.

Cookie sheets I use are 9"x13", and I have some boxes that these fit into to transport to the local FLGS.

For larger boxes or to line plastic tubs I use 12" galvanized steel roof flashing, it's very thin and comes in rolls, just cut off what you need with a pair of tin-snips. I got a 50' roll a few years back and I still have a lot of it left, asmaller roll is probably all you need.

6"x10' for $10
10"x10' for $15

If you want cheap metal, use 'tins'.

I found this out when I wanted to magnetise my golden demon models. I couldn't find a case that wasn't an absolute fortune, and the magnetic tape I tried was total turd for actual magnetism. I ended up using some unfilled blank paint tins that I found at work. The neodymium magnets held onto them amazingly. You could cut the bottoms out of something like those to use.

You'd have to do a bit of experimentation to find ferrous materials, but you'd be surprised at how much of it is about your general space or at least cheap and easy to get hold of.

You can also combine case and steel sheet by using steel toolboxes.

 Kalamadea wrote:
I use cookie sheets from the dollar store or galvanized metal roof flashing. Just bring a magnet with you to the store to make sure you're getting the right ones.

I got 32 gauge galvanized flashing, which came in a 2' x 3' sheet for $13. That's enough for the 3 big plastic bins I want to line.

Can you get a remotely clean flat cut with tin snips? I was going to call sheet metal shops and see if they'll do 4 quick cuts with a shear.

I'm very happy with the $9 bag of 120 6x2 magnets I got from Amazon. I assume they're N30, and that seems to be plenty to attach them firmly- as long as you're using putty to make the magnet flush with the base.