Leman Russ Magnetization Guide

  • This step by step guide will walk you through all of the steps in magnetizing your Leman Russ Battle Tank using our easy to use Magnetization Kit.

    For this guide, you will need:
  • Leman Russ Battle Tank Magnetization Kit
  • Super Glue
  • Large Pin Vise (0.5mm-8mm)
  • 3mm Drill Bit
  • 5mm Drill Bit
  • 6mm Drill Bit
  • Magnicator Tool



    Step 1: The easy part
    Simply build your lower hull, treads and body of the Leman Russ Battle Tank as listed in the manual(s) provided with the model, completing steps 1-8 (in the Leman Russ Demolisher Manual) or steps 1A - 2E (in the Leman Russ Vanquisher Manual).
    Basically, stop when your tank looks as follows.


    Step 2: Magnetizing your sponsons and front hull mount
    Our Engine-seers have decided that since the cost of the Tank already includes sponsons, then they will be welded on once built and magnetized. This guide does NOT include instructions to magnetize the sponson TO THE HULL, only to magnetize the weapon options.

    Once you have built the sponsons to this point

    Using the BLUE end of your Magnicator Tool, glue a 4 x 4mm magnet into each sponson drum (including the front hull mount), as close to the middle as possible.

    Using the flat end of a 5mm Drill bit, I glued the magnet in place as the Magnicator Tool will not fit into the sponson drum.

    You will need to repeat this step for each sponson drum including the front (hull) mount as well.

    Once your magnets are in place within the sponson drum, you will need to begin magnetizing the individual weapons. 
    Begin by clipping the back of each weapon off, making your cuts as flush as possible.

    Each weapon will be modified in this way.
    You will then drill into the now flat back of each weapon using a 3mm bit. Using masking or painters tape, measure the length of the 3 x 4mm magnets that will be used, marking your 3mm drill bit at a depth of 2mm. This will ensure that the magnet is properly secured within the weapon and will sit flush once attached to the sponson of your choosing. For the purpose of this photo, I used a stop-collar for my drill bit, and a 2mm magnet as the depth guide.



    BE SURE TO DRY FIT EACH BEFORE GLUING TO VERIFY PROPER DEPTH

    Once all weapons have been drilled, use the RED end of your Magnicator Tool, glue a 3 x 4mm magnet into the back of each sponson weapon.



    After you have magnetized the sponsons and their weapons, you can complete the next step of the manual build, gluing the sponsons onto the tank hull, securing them in place.


    Step 3: THE BIG GUNS!!! 
    Now's the part we've all been waiting for, the     SHOOTAS! ... Sorry, not sure what came over me. Won't happen again.
    We will be building and magnetizing the Executioner turret first, this will consist of the Plasma Executioner, the Punisher Gatling Cannon and the Demolisher Cannon.

    DO NOT FULLY BUILD THE TURRET - STOP AT (DEMOLISHER) STEP 12A

    Starting with the upper turret construction, you will need to decide if you want to have an open with crew or a closed hatch.
    Once you have made your choice, use the BLUE end of your Magnicator Tool to glue a 6 x 2.6mm magnet into the rear of the turret's internal housing.


    Next you will glue and place a 4 x 1mm magnet using the BLUE end of your Magnicator tool into the interior of the Plasma Coil turret attachment.


    After this, glue and attach a 5 x 2mm magnet into the interior of the turret stowage piece, using the BLUE end of your Magnicator Tool. Repeating the steps that were used with the Turret Plasma Coils.


    For the front of the turret / weapon hard point, you will need to drill through the turret mount. Using a 6mm drill bit, drill through the front facing center of the turret hard point, only drilling through the front only. Once you have done this, dry fit your 6 x 3.5mm magnet for sizing, using the RED end of your Magnicator Tool. Then glue the magnet flush into the newly drilled hole.


    Once the hard point has been magnetized, you can glue the part into the turret housing (or leave the part loose within the turret housing).

    DO NOT COMPLETE DEMOLISHER STEP 14 UNTIL MAGNETS ARE SECURED

    Plasma & Demolisher Cannons-

    Using the BLUE end of your Magnicator Tool, align a 3 x 4mm magnet into the interior of both the Plasma and Demolisher Cannon interiors, gluing them into place (as pictured below). Step process is repeated for both weapon options.



    Punisher Gatling Cannon-

    Glue the parts of the Punisher Gatling Cannon together. Once the glue is set, you will need to gently drill the back of the cannon, using a 5mm drill bit.

    Only enough to bore out space for your 5 x 1.5mm magnet to sit flush.
    Dry fit for depth correction.


    Using the BLUE end of your Magnicator Tool, glue the 5 x 1.5mm magnet into the Punisher Gatling Cannon, securing it in place.

    You may now complete Demolisher Turret Step 14 as listed in the manual.

    Step 4: The Main Guns!
    Next we will go through how to magnetize     the next turret, which we will call the STANDARD. You will be building and magnetizing this turret's hard point and its options as pictured below.


    DO NOT COMPLETE STEP 6 IN THE VANQUISHER MANUAL. LEAVE ARMOR PANELS OFF OF THE TURRET

    First you need to magnetize the hard point for the standard turret. Using your 3mm Drill Bit and Pin Vise, drill through the spot pictured below.

    Once you have drilled through one side of the turret, guide the bit across the open gap of the turret front and drill through the next hard point mount as well as the other turret side.


    Once you have done this, use the RED end of your Magnicator Tool to insert and glue a 3 x 4mm magnet into the hole drilled on the LEFT side of the turret, making sure the magnet does not enter the hardpoint gap.

    Once the LEFT side is magnetized, you will repeat this step on the RIGHT side of the turret, using the BLUE end of your Magnicator Tool to glue a 3 x 4mm magnet in place.


    COMPLETE STEP 6A IN THE VANQUISHER (STANDARD) INSTRUCTIONS
    This will place the armor panels on the turret sides, covering the holes you drilled to insert magnets.


    For each cannon option of the standard turret, you will need to fully build each respective cannon. For the Battle Cannon, only build the hard point portion (build the 2 barrel options but do not glue them into the hard point).


    Once all of the cannon option hard points are built, you will clip off the pegs on either side of each hard point and using your 3mm bit, drill completely through each. You MAY need to drill from either side to ensure that your drilled hole is level. You will do this for all options for this turret.


    Using the BLUE end of your Magnicator Tool, insert and glue a 3 x 11.5mm cylinder magnet into the RIGHT side of each hard point as pictured below.


    Next you will need to drill down the middle of the barrel of the Battle Cannon hard point using your 6mm drill bit. Once you have done this, using the BLUE end of your Magnicator Tool and a permanent marker, mark the end of a 6 x 1mm magnet. Then using the flat side of your drill bit, insert the 6 x 1mm magnet into the hole you've just drilled into the Battle Cannon hard point, gluing it into place.

    You will then gently drill into the connecting end of the Battle Cannon barrel with your 6mm drill bit, boring out space to fit a 6 x 2mm magnet.
    Dry fit the magnet to ensure proper spacing and depth before using the RED end of your Magnicator Tool to glue the 6 x 2mm magnet in place. The Magnicator Tool should be flush.


    The Vanquisher Barrel will not need to be magnetized as the parts are snug push fit.


    In the Leman Russ Battle Tank model kit, you are only provided 1 shield for the Standard turret, this is a dry fit piece that can be swapped between the Battle Cannon, Exterminator Auto-Cannon and Eradicator Nova Cannon. Do NOT glue the shield piece into place.

    You have now fully built and magnetized the work-horse unit of the Astra Militarum. Good luck on the tabletop, make em count!