Magnetizing Warhammer Model Bases
Find out what magnets you'll need for Warhammer 40k, Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Aeronautica, Adeptus Titanicus, Necromunda, and Kill Team, as well as a few different ways to apply the magnets without getting glue on your fingers.
Choosing the right magnet is the first thing I'm going to address. For all standard Games-Workshop standard beveled bases, you'll use this recommendation list.
For 25mm & 28mm Bases: 4.5x2.2mm Flush-Fit Mediums.
[Buy Product=gw-flush-fit-base-magnets-large,variant=4389761089547]
For 32mm-130mm Bases: either 4.5 or 6mm diameter by 2.6mm tall. Medium/Large Thick.
[Buy Product=gw-flush-fit-base-magnets-large,variant=39439166242900]
[Buy Product=gw-flush-fit-base-magnets-large,variant=39439165882452]
Use Medium Thick for Aeldari-like models that are delicate and don't have great places to grab. Use Large Thicks for things like Space Marines and Terminators. You only need one of each of these respective magnets for models including Terminators. For Dreadnought sized models, you'll want 2 Large Thicks. For Impulsor and Repulsor sized models, you can choose either 2 or 3 depending on how strong you want the pull to be.
For 170mm Ovals (Imperial Knights) and 160mm Round (Forge World big models): 6x2mm (Large Thin). 3-4 magnets is all you need for a standard Imperial Knight. These magnets are quiet strong in general, so you won't need a lot of them.
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So long as you are using actual N52 grade magnets, which is the strongest grade available, you will only need the recommended 1-4 magnets per model. If you are using N35 magnets, you will likely need 1-6 magnets per model.
For the clear flat skimmer bases things like Tau Drones and Wave Serpents come on, we recommend these self-adhesive magnets that are cut to size. The small bases that the Drones come on are 32mm and the medium sized bases that things like Doomsday Arks come on is a 60mm base.
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These magnets are flat and have a self-adhesive peal and stick making it a lot easier to apply. We do use a drop of super glue on occasion since the glue isn't always perfect on the stickers for the bases, the little bit of super glue really helps these stay on forever.
These flexible magnets do NOT work for standard black plastic Games-Workshop Warhammer bases, the bases are too deep and the magnetic field on these magnets is only strong enough when in direct contact with either metal or magnets.
Another place these flexible magnets are great for are the scenic resin bases many 3rd parties provide. Generally those bases are flat bottomed, making the ideal for this sort of peal and stick magnets. By using the peal and stick magnets that are cut to size, you can avoid drilling every model to set a magnet into their base. These magnets aren't quite as strong as the above Flush-Fit Basing Magnets, but for normal use they do quiet well. If you intend to fly with smaller and heavier models sideways on a plain frequently, you may consider drilling the bases of your models for stronger magnets.
The smaller self-adhesive magnets are also not as strong as we would like when used with our Plasteel Movement Trays.
For Aeronautica models, we carry a special self-adhesive flat magnet that fits the bottom of the hexagonal base they are provided with. These are peal and stick, however a small drop of super glue goes a long way with the pre applied adhesive.
Let's get into different ways to apply magnets to the bases, without gluing our fingers!
If you haven't glue the model to the base you are in luck, you have the easiest technique on the list available to you!
Grab a piece of Ferrite metal (something magnets stick to), flip the base upside down and place it on the metal.
Apply super glue to the base where you want the magnet, then drop the magnet into the base.
The metal will grab the magnet and hold it down in the glue applying a nice firm even pressure for you.
You'd have to try real hard to glue your fingers doing this, we know because we found a way here...
Option 2, using Magnicators.
If you don't have a set already and don't know what they are, these are a Magnet Baron special invention. Red/Blue opposite polarity magnet applicators with super glue resistant tips. Polarity doesn't usually matter when you are magnetizing bases for a metal racked case, but if it does, use blue for one side of the magnet equation (the base) and red for the other (the case) and they will always stick.
Best of all, they are long enough where you can avoid the dread super glue.
Don't forget, the tips are RESISTANT to super glue, not super glue proof. This means that it's very hard to glue things to the tips, but you can do it.
It also means you can more easily chip off the glue, clean off the glue with chemicals, and ensure the magnet isn't accidentally glue to the tip while you are applying it to the model.
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Back to the bases, Magnicators are pretty straight forward, drop a magnet onto the tip, glue the base, press the Magnicator with magnet onto the base where you applied the glue. Hold for a moment to ensure it's set and slide away.
There is another way that you can do bases, though it can be model dependent.
Grab a couple of magnets, enough to hold on to, then place them on the top of the base, glue the bottom of the base, then release a single magnet near the bottom, close enough where the magnets you are holding grab and pull it into the glue.
If your model is covering all the good points to do this on the base, this won't work very well.