Magnetizing Models

[JohnnyDangerous]

As I have started magnetizing everything, does anone want me to put together a magnet tutorial?

Once you start its easier than gluing and you can re-adjust poses and such on the fly so it is more fun in my opinion.

I know there are many tutorials already out there, but maybe I can answer some questions stopping you guys from "magnet suiting up" as barney would say.

It hardly takes any additional time and the money saved is amazing.

Let me know if there are any specific questions you guys have and hopefully I can answer them.

I have gotten so ridiculous with magnets you will notice in my tyranid army I have even begun magnetizing heads where there is a possibility of different options.

It is particularly beneficial to space marine units where different special weapons/wargear can be chosen. For example, one of my magnetized marines can be an assault marine, a tactical marine, or an apothecary. Obviously magnetising an entire army is silly as a player will need core troops(ie tactical marines with bolters), and it is not a benefit. However, being able to switch between a flamer, a plasma pistol, a plasma gun, etc is really saving cash and time.

In addition this gives more credence to wysiwyg as the addition of a few magnets can turn a slugga boyz squad into a shoota boyzs squad. Nobz and some other units can be an issue and it is something we can learn together how to maximize potential.

The best example of howmagnets have saved me is with terminators. I have taken four squads of black reach terminators and magnetized them into a full assault deathwing. Yess storm bolters are all fine and good, at 10.00 a model(for the box set) I would rather magnetize lightning claw arms(bought on ebay for 10.00) and make a whole squad of assault terminators. I did buy one box to compare, but seriously, no one would be able to tell, save for the modelers themselves. That and I wanted some thunder hammers and storm shields.

If anyone is interested let me know, Ill put something together.

[JohnnyDangerous]

So clearly, as I have seen you are all very familiar with magnetization of models. Infact you are so clear on their usage you have models to show.... Soo lets see them...

[erontherelentless]

Any tips you have would be great. I have spent many hours gluing my fingers together just to find out I polarized incorrectly.

[JohnnyDangerous]

Eron, as it may not be super obvious, but when you open your very first pack/bag/tube/smork of magnets choose one side of the magnets and arbitrarily nominate this as a plus or minus, or other easy to make and easy to identify symbol. This is of course taking for granted you do not wish to in the future share magnetized bits with friends. If this is the case choose your magnet marking scheme to reflect this.

I personally like the plus symbol. I then lightly, with a file, go through the stack of magnets and mark the whole tube of magets with a plus side on the same side of the magnets. I know people who use marker, but it has led them to issues in the past when the sharpy, from being handled, has worn off...

The main reason I like the plus symbol is that on my models body the plus symbol marked side faces out, saying in my mind,"add different combinations here."

Things are so much easier once a polarization is decided. Plus in the future you can add all sorts of things to the wrong places, like space marine arms to a trygon head for instance. It is appropriate to stare at your new creation and appreciate your cleverness at biomorphing.

The next step is establishing what strength magnet is appropriate. Too strong is usually ok, not strong enough and you get droopy appendages which is really ok and I have solutions for this I will mention later. Ork boyz for instance are very tough as the arm is very skinny where it joins the torso. So then it becomes an issue of whether it is viable.

Next, eyeball your pieces... figure out how you would like them to fit, using all possible weapon configurations... You will quickly find the key connective point. Mark it. I use a clay sculpting tool that is very pointy to actually create a tiny hole. I then check that point a second time, to make sure it is nearly perfect. The truth is the models are very small and this gives room for a little play. Its ok to be off slightly, unless your making mutants then just drill holes randomly.
Once the groundwork has been laid comes the nail biting part. I like to use a dremel. For most magnet sizes there is a perfect drill bit just waiting to taste plastic, for really large magnets I have used a cutting tool once a hole has been established. For the really small magnets, like the ones I used to magnetize my tyranid warrior heads, and will be using to give cyclone missile launchers to my terminators, I use a hand drill.

As you all know, I really like the game, but I dont want to gw more money where not needed. So I have compiled a list of situations where things get sticky:

-Too many magnets too close together: I ran into this with the hive tyrant and the trygons... Even though the tyrant is all metal... rare earth magnets are strong! Not waiting until the glue is dry on one magnet(ore using an acccelerant) will cause chaos. They will jump over to each other of flip to face with the polarity of magnets in there general area...

-Its sticking to the tool I'm using: Use plastic or wood tools... hell I went really practical one day at the market and purchased a bag of wooden kabob scqewers. Its a cheap solution that made manipulation of the magnets soooo easy... I mean the flip upside down because of polarity, just use the wooden tool to realign, a squirt of accelerant, and its perfect.

-I just ruined my 20.00 model: Never start magnetzing with heroes and independent characters. Though this is where you will get the most wysiwyg bang for your buck, it takes a couple trial runs to get the process down.

-My models arm is not staying where I want it: This one was a bit tough. The hive tyrants arms are all metal and heavy, but the magnet that would fit into its arm was not strong enough. Solution: I sculpted a little gray stuff around where it meets the torso, put the magneted parts together in the position of choice, and then removed them to let the epoxy harden. The magnets will hold the parts together but the resin keeps the arms in the proper position. After painting, its not noticeable.

This video helped me a lot... I know its for a carnifex, but the same principles apply... plus he makes it look really easy... and it is... Marines are easier. DE well... thats a toughy...

youtu.be/w8Tkw7ttTIo

If you run into any specific situations let me know.

[erontherelentless]

I went a little magnet crazy this week. It started off as I was finishing the Venom and realized that it is going to be a pain to store and move on the battlefield. Magnetized the Wyches, banners, grizzley trophies and the under side guns. Next was he Talos/Cronos. Oh what fun was had. I cut the arms wherethe pegs would fit in and where the tentacles meet the arms. magnatized everything with identical polarity as wel as the tail and torso. Completely interchangeable to make each ready to be a Talos or Cronos with every option. I am pumped to see what else i can figure out.

[JohnnyDangerous]

Your reply echos my feelings exactly! I mean once you start and have a system in place which works for you, its easier than gluing, holding each piece, and waiting for it to dry! And its soo easy, there is almost no excuse not to.
The magnets fit in there holes, you use only a tiny amount of glue, and then you just put them together as you need them, when you need them. Plus as your doing it, you realize how easy it is to build a wysiwyg army! Another benefit, you dont then have to buy as many models, and the ones you do have are now posable... which makes them more action figure esque... profit all around!
So glad you had a good experience!