Warhammer-Empire.com
The Empire at War ... The Gamers Guild => WHFB The Electors' Forum => Topic started by: Helgrim on February 14, 2010, 01:23:06 PM
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Hey guys, I'm about to start magnetising all 3k of my empire (note, mostly infantry :icon_rolleyes:) and just wondering if the article in the workshop is the best way to go about it? Theres only one way there you see, I'm just checking my options before i go ahead :::cheers:::
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I found it much easier (but more expensive) to use the modular movement trays from GW and just place the magnetic sheet into that.
The other easier option is just to glue the miniature magnets onto the plastic movement trays and glue them onto the bottom of your bases as well.
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It depends on wether your models are plastic or metal mostly.
For metal models the "Workshop Way" is fine, put having pulled apart at the waist too many plastic models (skeletons mostly), I generally use self-adhesive 2mm thick, magnetic strip for those.
Such as these :
(http://static.manutangroup.com/OIB/picts/zo/1/zo_101005142605.jpg)
It fits perfectly under the non slotted bases and is so easy to do...
Only downside is the size of the rolls this comes in. Enough to do many armies.... and therefore not cheap, unless you split it with a few friends.
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I've used Litko a few times:
http://www.litkoaero.com/
You can order magnetized base bottoms and flex steel sheets(either precut to a certain size or an 8.5x11") their price isn't too bad IMHO.
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thanks kindly :::cheers:::
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I use both the rolled magnetic tape and the rare earth magnets. I'd suggest using rare earth magnets on models of any weight, the magnetic tape is pretty weak in comparison. On a note of the modular GW trays, do you think they could have included more corners? The scammers! Plastruct all the way for me from now on.
-Grutch
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I use the rare earth magnets and tin strips from hobby stores. you can paint tin too and it still stays magnetic, $1.50 for 2 sheets that make 2x 4x5 20mm formations...
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Just got some of the magnetic tape/sheet and its excellent stuff, as for figures of weight, it depends how big they are and how top heavy.
I used them to secure a standard bearer (human) with a metal flag which made him very topple prone, no danger of him or the plastic figures around him shifting now, you cant stand them on the vertical, but they wont move under transit or normal handling.
but I can see for big beasts the other magnets would be prefered.
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I use washers and magnetic sheet on the movement trays. Pretty easy, though you have to find the right washer (ie its magnetic, and it sits well in the base).
Just finished doing my 3k army this way (140ish infantry, 40ish cav)
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When I finally get around to doing my empire army I plan on making resin bases for them and putting the magnet in the base. Then I'll just stick down a piece of gal sheet on the movement tray and they will work a treat.
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I barely have enough time to paint models, let alone make movement trays, so I used sheet magnet. You can't play fridgehammer with it or anything but it gets the job done and is very easy.
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It fits perfectly under the non slotted bases and is so easy to do...
Only downside is the size of the rolls this comes in. Enough to do many armies.... and therefore not cheap, unless you split it with a few friends.
Hmm, I'm still looking to magnetize my armies' bases. How much are we talking for a roll? And for sheet iron for regiment bases?
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I'll tell you after our next game...
Some evening next week? My place ?
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Okay for me. Not Monday though, my gf returns from a holiday trip with her family then. Wednesday?
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24th you mean, right ?
19.30 ish ?
I have to check with the supreme commander of my household, though.
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Yes,24th.
Ok!
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I used galvanized steel sheet of 1mm thick- inside GW modular movement trays. Before that I just used the sheets seperate. ZD1 from K&J. I've made this complementary article: http://www.warhammer-empire.com/theforum/index.php?topic=28730.msg395815#msg395815
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24th you mean, right ?
19.30 ish ?
I have to check with the supreme commander of my household, though.
So, what did the commander say? :-)
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Permission granted.
Little mites will be timely deported to their beds. See you !
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Luckely they listen well ;)
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Permission granted.
Little mites will be timely deported to their beds. See you !
Yay! Looking forward to it. I'm having a hell of a time at work, this'll be the first real WHFB-dedicated time of 2010. :roll:
2250 points game?
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I demand a battle report!
On topic, I use a similar method to Obi, except I make the base and sides of my trays from balsa wood. The main pain in the butt for me is trying to cut the steel without it bending or getting nasty edges, but once it's in there, it works a treat.
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For plastic models i use small rare earth magnets under the bases and either flex (rolled) steel or in the past I used roofing tin which is actually squares of galvanized steel that is really thin and can be cut with a heavy pair of scissors or shears. I use larger rare earth magnets for metal figs with more weight. I usually go with the slightly weaker version of the magnet so it doesn't pull free from the glue.
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I use Business Card Magnets that I buy at Staples, but I assume you can find them at most office supply stores.
They are about 4"x2" with a little extra on the edges giving you enough to do pretty much any sized model relatively easily.
They are also plenty strong to hold plastic models or plastic/metal mixed models.
Pure metal models especially really heavy ones won't be held well, so Rare earth Magnets will be best for them.
Fortunately most infantry and cavalry have at least 50% plastic now, so these Business Card Magnets work great!
I typically put a strip of glue around the base of the model and set it on the magnet, then cut them to size once th emodel is attached firmly.
I then will add sheet metal (Tin in most cases) to the movement tray and extra magnets to the bottom of the tray so it'll hold to a Steel tool box which is my carying case.
Magnetic models, trays and metal cases make for very fast setup of armies, and many times they take up th esame amount of space or even less than the typical foam carrying case.!
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ARGH.... popup blocking notification for the spell checker... I ok it and poof gone is my 2 pages story... I hate Microsuft IE 6 at work places...
To sum up what I wrote in my essay:
What about Magnet / Metal arms on knight units to easily swap Lance / hammer arm for a trumpet arm to get your needed musicians if you convert your big knight unit into multiple nilla (with musician) units?
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I replaced about 4-8 shoulders that way, it is great to add/reduce musicians, standards, lances, and preceptors. I use a 1/4" rare earth magnet on the shoulder socket and in the shoulder torso. Drilling it out is pretty easy, just do a 1/8" prep hole to guide it in smoothly.
One thing to always check before you glue is the polarity. Ensure you do all of the torsos the same way and all of the arms the same way, otherwise you will end up with arms that are repelled from the magnet.
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I replaced about 4-8 shoulders that way, it is great to add/reduce musicians, standards, lances, and preceptors. I use a 1/4" rare earth magnet on the shoulder socket and in the shoulder torso. Drilling it out is pretty easy, just do a 1/8" prep hole to guide it in smoothly.
One thing to always check before you glue is the polarity. Ensure you do all of the torsos the same way and all of the arms the same way, otherwise you will end up with arms that are repelled from the magnet.
Ah that would be great though I think I would only go for the standard trooper / musician swap as I think the standard with a full banner might be a bit to top heavy and the arm might rotate downwards on the magnet. As for the preceptor... these guys have more added stuff then the normal trooper and with me these are too unique to use the swapping technique with.
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Like this ?
http://www.warhammer-empire.com/theforum/index.php?topic=16132.msg339380#msg339380 (http://www.warhammer-empire.com/theforum/index.php?topic=16132.msg339380#msg339380)
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Ok so being the poor person I am...I need a cheap (but strong) suggestion for making these things.
I'm hoping to get magnets strong enough so I can stick the trays to the inside of a metal case (on the walls too).
Please keep in mind that most of my models are old 5th-6th edition ones with the slots in the bases.
Only my characters and Stank are metal...my knights mostly come from old Battlemasters sets so their very durable for plastic.
Any suggestions for my type of models?
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ZD1 from K&J Magnetics. Absolutely perfect for what you need, 500 for $20. If you don't live in the states order a lot, that way the shipping will be more bearable. They fit next to the slots, and 4 or 5 should hold up a stank (just try, add one until, and one, and one until it sticks)
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Thanks for the info. Obi. :biggriin:
do you have a website to share on that by chance?
I'm in the states so I'm not too worried about shipping.
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http://www.kjmagnetics.com/