Magnetizing. Completely lost.

Okay so I have been out of the scene for a while and have been reading about people magnetizing their models for different weapon options and/or making it easier to store their miniatures. Any pointers such as what size to purchase? Do you use the same glue as you use when putting together your model? Anything helps. Thanks fellow Archons!

You'll want neodymium rare earth magnets - N35 should be sufficient for most things, though you may want a higher strength for heavier parts. Can't think of anything in the DE range that would require it.

What size will obviously depend on what's being magnetised. For things like arms on troops, gun swaps on fliers and other such small parts, 1mm thick x 2mm diameter works best. Naturally, the larger the part, the larger the magnet, but again, I can't think of anything in the DE range that benefits from a larger magnet.

For attaching the magnet, I typically drill a hole for it (be sure to mark a pilot hole as it helps ensure you don't drill off-centre), periodically dry-fitting to get the right depth - you'll want it to sit a tiny bit deeper than the surface so when glue is added, it sits flush. As for glue: regular CA/super glue (this differs from model assembly as I use poly cement for plastic miniatures).

An important tip: double- and triple-check the polarity before gluing the magnet in; it's a nightmare to find out the polarities are wrong and your magnetised pieces repel each other.

One final tip: I find it's best to make sure the polarities are the same across all models of a given type so any given piece can be used on any model, rather than having to find the item that matches a particular model.

As Erebus mentioned, I'd recommend 1x2mm for small limbs and light weapons. I also magnetized all my skimmer bases for easier transport, using 2x3mm magnets. For really large stuff, like the wings on my Heldrake, I use 2x5mm.
I've bought all mine on Ebay.

3x2: http://www.ebay.com/itm/191043873437?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

2x1: http://www.ebay.com/itm/WARGAMES-Chaos-Marines-Space-Fantasy-N45-Nickel-50-Neodymium-Disc-Magnets-2x1mm-/390851289726?pt=UK_Toys_Wargames_RL&hash=item5b008d627e

The trick with checking polarity is quite important, but I've F'ed it up a couple of times anyway. When this happen, use a tiny drill (I use GW's own handheld hobby drill) from the opposite side of where you put the magnet. This will push it out, and allow you to turn it around. Sure it will leave a hole, but it will be quite small and easy to cover up.

Also, if you want something magnetized, do it before you begin painting.

Thanks guys y'all have been SUPER helpful!

I find puting a dab of paint on the magnets helps me remember wich side to glue to a model

Anybody have any suggestions on what to magnetize? Or things you wish you would have magnetized in the past but didn't? I'm currently putting together a Raider, Warriors, and getting Wracks tomorrow.

I really wanted to magnetize my raiders/ravagers, but couldn't figure out how to do it with how those guns are assembled... so I figured I'd probably never run them without lances anyway....

Magnetising vehicle weapons means you can remove them after a Weapon Destroyed result; it also makes them easier to put into the foam!

I have a 3mm magnet replacing the pivot point of the gun, and the gunner is glued to his trigger, so the whole man&gun assembly comes off, or remains swivelable. This also means that my Ravagers can be used as Raiders with running boards!

I've magnetised at least one warrior from every box because of blasters/splinter cannons. I would maybe suggest even doing two - one for heavy weapons, one for special (hey, shredders may become useful some day!).

If you have Wyches, I'd magnetise 3 per box due to wych weapons (another just in case scenario).

Now that they can field 4 weapons per squads, I magnetise all Scourges.

At least one wrack per box for the ossefactor/liquifier, possibly a second for Acothyst.

Talos - all the things! - so it can be fielded as both Talos and Cronos.

Venom - underslung splinter cannon/rifle (cannon is always worth taking, but many were expecting it to be nerfed (worse) this codex)

Raiders/Ravagers - Dark Lances/Disintergrators.
Not so much magnetising, but on Ravagers, you can cut in half the support piece for the side guns (the bit that goes through the hull) and just slide the two halves in so that it can be used as Raider if not fielding Ravagers.

Sigmaril wrote:

I really wanted to magnetize my raiders/ravagers, but couldn't figure out how to do it with how those guns are assembled

The pegs that attach the guns to the shield is the perfect place to magnetise: remove the peg and drill a slight dip where it was to allow a magnet to sit, then carefully widen the notch on the shield enough to place a magnet and you're good.

I'm still a newb to magnetizing. Recently I tried to magnetize a Scourge's gun, and the arms ended up not fitting together as the should.

Is there a method to prevent that from happening?

@Rokuro: No surefire way that I'm aware of besides practice, carefulness and lots of dry fitting. You could try gluing the arms together first, but that adds increased fiddliness (that's a word now) to the task and they're just likely to break apart during the process.

Rokuro wrote:

I'm still a newb to magnetizing. Recently I tried to magnetize a Scourge's gun, and the arms ended up not fitting together as the should.

Is there a method to prevent that from happening?

This worked for me until I got experienced enough to do it freehand.
First, I put the magnet in the arm-bit. Once dried, I put a little dot of un-thinned red paint axactly in the middle of the magnet. Then I placed the arm where I wanted it on the model, being careful not to smear it around. The red paint will then leave a dot where you need to drill the center of the other magnet.
Also, use a tiny drill first, to mark the center of the hole you need. If you go directly to the larger drills, it's quite hard to control the position of the drill once it takes hold of your model.

Sigmaril wrote:

Rokuro wrote:

I'm still a newb to magnetizing. Recently I tried to magnetize a Scourge's gun, and the arms ended up not fitting together as the should.

Is there a method to prevent that from happening?

This worked for me until I got experienced enough to do it freehand.
First, I put the magnet in the arm-bit. Once dried, I put a little dot of un-thinned red paint axactly in the middle of the magnet. Then I placed the arm where I wanted it on the model, being careful not to smear it around. The red paint will then leave a dot where you need to drill the center of the other magnet.
Also, use a tiny drill first, to mark the center of the hole you need. If you go directly to the larger drills, it's quite hard to control the position of the drill once it takes hold of your model.

I'll try that. Thanks a lot!