Magnets

[secretpaintgeek]

Hi all,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Where do you all get your magnets from? (I'm in the Uk). Also What size do people recommend for general use?
I wanna order a batch and just wanna make sure i dont do something dumb and get the wrong thing. Is there a problem with any types losing attraction or anything like that?

Thanks in advance for letting me plunder your collective knowledge

SPG

 

[Bloodhowl]

I'm in the US so my vendors probably won't do you much good. But a Google search for UK vendors of rare earth magnets found these guys:

http://e-magnetsuk.com/
http://www.magdev.co.uk/
http://www.powermagnetstore.com/

I have had my magnets for going on 2 years now and no noticeable loss in attraction, if any at all. A search for Neodymium (also known as: Neo, NIB, NdFeB or rare earth) magnets might also turn up more for you.

 

[freakinacage]

I get mine from:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/guysmagnets

Bloody good stuff, gets there the day after usually. I think he's cheap but haven't looked around of late due to the quality of service

 

[QuietiManes]

They shouldn't loose their attraction, assuming they aren't exposed to extreme heat, high voltage electricity or very intense magnetism. The size you want is generally as large as you can fit in the model, leaving a bit of material around the outside. Don't forget to check the depth and keep the curvature of the model in mind, like how shoulders round over, it reduces how far you can drill into them quite a bit on the arm portion, but doesn't affect the body portion at all (if that makes sense). Something like 1/16" x 1/32" discs for most shoulders and weapon swaps...1/8" x 1/16" discs for larger stuff, vehicle weapons, monsters, etc (would probably fit most peoples needs). I wouldn't bother buying a variety of thickness', because you can just drill a deeper hole and double up the magnets if you need more strength but your mileage may vary on that.

 

[secretpaintgeek]

They shouldn't loose their attraction, assuming they aren't exposed to extreme heat, high voltage electricity or very intense magnetism. The size you want is generally as large as you can fit in the model, leaving a bit of material around the outside. Don't forget to check the depth and keep the curvature of the model in mind, like how shoulders round over, it reduces how far you can drill into them quite a bit on the arm portion, but doesn't affect the body portion at all (if that makes sense). Something like 1/16" x 1/32" discs for most shoulders and weapon swaps...1/8" x 1/16" discs for larger stuff, vehicle weapons, monsters, etc (would probably fit most peoples needs). I wouldn't bother buying a variety of thickness', because you can just drill a deeper hole and double up the magnets if you need more strength but your mileage may vary on that.

Thanks thats very helpful. The tip about the curve of the minis shoulder is something I imagine I would have fallen foul of so that is great. Think I'll go for the 1/16 and the 1/8.

 

[RuneBrush]

I've used eMagnets a few times now. I've ended up with a variety of different sizes, not sure what diameter's they are off the top of my head, but I know that one lot will fit into the hole of a Space Marine backpack which if memory serves also is the lug size of a Razorback gun. For weapons I tend to use a 1.5mm as that will fit into a fist and gun.