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.

Ok, so I'm planning to start magnetising models rather than pinning them, and I need a little information on the hows and how nots of the process. So, I know you have to drill out the holes and make sure the magnets are the right way round. What I'm concerned about is the size of the magnets and holes.

Right now I'm looking at the set of 100 2mmx2mm from Gifts For Geeks, it seems a reasonable price. Bearing in mind I mostly work with MEQs, with some Tyranids thrown in, are these magnets good for what I need?

In terms of drilling the holes, what drillbit are I looking for and how deep do I need to go? I'm unsure whether I need the 2mm for a snug fit, or a 3mm? Right now I have only a 1mm from GW. Whatever size I would need, where could I find a single drillbit cheaply? Preferabley something that would fit in the GW handle, as this is most conveniant.

Any other information would be very helpful as well.

Thanks in advance!

I just started doing this myself!

For legs to base you need 1/8" x 1/16" magnets and you need a 1/8" drill bit to make the hole. Be SUPER careful drilling the holes as some of the feet are barely bigger than the drill bit and you can damage the feet easily. I pre-drilled with a 1/16" drill bit first.

I then used super glue and green stuff to fix the magnets to the feet and then the same combo under the base I want to use.

I did a tester model last night and let everything dry over night and the results were really great when I messed around with it before work this morning.

These are the magnets I got:
http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/magcraft-nsn0566?feed=Froogle&gclid=Cj0KEQjw8u23BRCg6YnzmJmPqYgBEiQALf_XzQQZ3DulZQtUTYBib3tc4gpUmUVOJx5gByJm8GedL-saAsmr8P8HAQ

In general you only want to drill as deep as you need to. If you go too deep, a small ball of greenstuff to fill helps out. Also, if you drill too wide.

2mmx2mm is the primary magnet I use for most everything. Arms, wrists (a little tight), backpacks, the works. While I recently acquired a metric drill set, but old one has a 5/64th inch bit. Which, according to internet conversion tools, is 1.98438mm. Never had a problem fitting magnets in the hole it drilled.

I use 2mm diameter x 1mm deep neodymium rare earth magnets, these are easily strong enough to support the weight of arms or even models on bases. If you use larger magnets than that you are basically going overkill.

Only thing you have to look out for is "drooping" where the arm is too heavy away from the joint, but that's not an issue with plastic arms. Just use common sense really on arms of the big bugs you can fit two magnets near to each other to prevent sagging.

For drilling in plastic I use a 1.9mm bit then just push the magnet home (plastic is soft so it deforms and holds the magnet in place) and I don't even need to bother with glue most of the time.
But if you use a 2mm drill bit a drop of super glue is all you need.

You can pick up packs of hobby drill bits from hobbycraft or most model shops. I don't know if the chuck in the GW drill can hold 2mm probably can, but if you need to buy a new one, they are easy to get hold of form most model shops.

I found these helpful...
http://www.miniwargaming.com/magnet-guide
https://m.reddit.com/r/warhammerFAQ/comments/1yuhck/magnets_and_you_tutorials_and_tips_on_magnetizing/