"Washers as bases?" Topic

For my present project I used square metal bases so that I can be very versitile and play the figs on magnetic trays rather than on large bases. Then I can change the content of the trays to alter the units.

But I was thinking that perhaps metal washers might do the trick. The question is, are they magnetic? And are they cheap enough to use?

Yes, and Yes

Buy 'em by the box, and they are .o2-5 cents each;
(depending on whether you buy 100, 250, 500,or 1K at a time)
It's worth bringing a magnet to the hardware store
to test the specific brand's magnetization capability.

I use 'em all the time for 6, 10, 15 and 28mm

Zinc washers are magnetic, and run about $5.25 USD for 100 the way I buy them. These are 7/8". Sometimes I use 3/4" and those are a bit cheaper.

I use washers for almost all my circular based miniatures. Washers are magnetic and are great for use with magnetic movement trays. I also use plastic containers lined with magnet sheet for storing and transporting all my figures. I really love washers (and hate slotta bases, especially round-lipped Warmachine bases.)

Most washers are magnetic and if purchased in bulk, they are dirt cheap -- 1 to 2 cents each.

I find they work fine for 15mm figs.

For 28mm figs not so much. I have found that you can buy rare earth magnets from Hong Kong in bulk (gets the price down to 8 to 10 cents each. I affix the magnet to the figure and base them on galvanized steel bases or storage trays.

auction

This really works well. My 28mm Gauls are just rock solid when being transported.

mjc

I like 'em; I'm searching for a cheap local vendor who supplies them in bulk. Otherwise, I've picked them up at local hardware stores for about 10 cents a piece – packs of around 10. I like them for figures with long pointy things, so you can face them whichever way. Most recently, I've used them for Victrix Napoleonics, with their bayonets pointing every which way, on magnetic four-man square bases. And, I also still have the option to use them singly. IMO: Round metal bases are great if you can find them for the same price or cheaper than squares. Dean

I bought all mine in bulk at a Local Hardware Chain which Shall Remain Nameless, and the Despot gave me a very good deal on them in bulk.

Now I have 'em coming out of my ears.

If you live in the US, beware those sold at Home Depot or Lowe's; all those I have seen there were vastly overpriced and non-ferrous (I don't know what they were made of, but they definitely didn't bond with my magnetic sheeting).

Fastenal, found pretty much everywhere (according to the locations map on their site):

fastenal.com

…have good, quality washers, very cheap. Always seem to have friendly and helpful employees to boot.

I have scads of washer-based minis. I find them much more attractive than square bases (for some reason).

Beast Rabban:

Wow – thanks for the link – according to the store search there's one really close by. I need to give them a call. Regards, Dean

Oh, on re-look, it appears these guys are wholesale only?

Many people recommend 'fender washers' which have a smaller hole, thus less filling in to be done in case your miniature's base does not cover the hole. It makes sense that they would also have more metallic surface to hold to a magnet.

I went with an online supplier and bought 5000 washers for $50 USD or so.

I've had the best luck at hardware stores, not the big box home improvement stores. Usually an Ace franchise, they have all of their washers, nuts, bolts, etc in an aisle full of drawer bins. They have the loose ones in the front of the drawer but look in the back where they stick the boxes for a better deal. My other good source is a hardware outlet store that buys lots of overrun merchandise. Their hardware section is all bulk and by the pound and they have lots of unique items (sizes, shapes, etc) you don't usually see.

I almost exclusively use fender washers which I believe have zinc in them. I struggled over magnetizing square bases, and basing options for games for a few years. Finally, I just decided to use various sizes of fender washers and have never looked back. You do have to make sure the washers are magnetic, because they are definitely not all so. I use them to base all my miniatures from 6mm to 28mm. The only exception is my basing for Warmaster Ancients, which I use Litko adhesive magnetic sheets (the ones with metal bits inside) attached to either plastic or wooden bases. I love the magnetic setup.

Some people will never understand the concept of using washers as bases:

link

CC

I'll second Fastenal – they have a shop just around the corner from my office, and I'm on my second bag of 100 3/4" (20mm-ish) fender washers. Troops don't rank up quite as easily as precision cut square bases, but since I use movement trays for games that need ranked up units, it's not really a big problem.

The amount of time I spent worrying about whether or not to use washers for basing was ridiculous. It was a big change for me, aesthetically speaking.

For a while I used thin plastic wafers that I die-cut at work… then I went to washers. I use 3/4" or 7/8" fender washers on all my guys now and have for years. The weight is nice and the thin profile helps them blend into the table better.

The only ones I don't base using washers are Warhammer figs. On any other slottabase figures I snip the slotta tab down halfway and make a groove or mini-slot on the washer using two thin plastic strips to help stabilize the figure.

I love fender washers. As a matter of fact I need to go by another box of 100. I've been using mostly 7/8" washers for my 28mm figures.

Even the slotta based ones. I cut the tab off of the figure and file the bottom of the feet smooth then glue them to the washer.

No, DeanMoto, Fastenal sells retail. I bought a 100-count bag of 5/8" for my 15mm minis last month.

Twice as cheap as where I had been getting them, and as silly as it sounds, they have all been well-stamped…when buying bulk, I used to get a surprising number of washers that weren't completely round, or completely flat, etc.

Mind you, I just toss those in the nuts & bolts bits-box, but it is nice to be able to use them all on minis!

I actually did pick a 3 100-count bags of 3/4" fender washers from Fastenal today! I called them & yes they do sell retail. It came out to about .06 cents per washer – as opposed to about .10 cents at Lowe's or Home Depot – and last time I checked, they didn't have 3/4" fender washers anyway. And the employee was really cool.

I used to get a surprising number of washers that weren't completely round, or completely flat, etc.

Yes, me too, from the aforementioned hardware stores. But, no more! Fastenal all the way!

Regards, Dean

You could also try my round bases gamecraftersltd.com they are 1. Thinner than washers. 2. They are galvinised steal instead of stainless steal so they adhere more strongly to magnets. 3. They have no hole.

I generally prefer magnets on figure bases and steel in the movement tray, but to each his own.

The Beast Rabban: If you live in the US, beware those sold at Home Depot or Lowe's; all those I have seen there were vastly overpriced and non-ferrous …

FWIW, I have 1-lb boxes of 7/8" and 5/16" washers I got at … Home Depot. They stick to magnets just fine. This was several years ago as that quantity will probably last me forever.

"beware those sold at Home Depot or Lowe's; all those I have seen there were vastly overpriced and non-ferrous"

The zinc "SAE Washers" sold at Home Depot (orange baggies or labels) stick to magnets just fine. My local HD used to have the magnets on the same aisle as the washers, so I tested before buying. The magnets have since disappeared, so if I need to conduct a test I step over to the powertools section and grab one of those magnetized bowls they sell.

My problem with HD is that they don't have fender washers smaller than 1". I use 1" fender washers quite a lot, but would also like smaller ones.

I'd be looking at 1/2" or 5/8" fender washers as ideal. turns out they're sold right nearby! I'll have to go check this out…

All my figures have pegs on their feet so plywood bases were suggested by some guys here.
These need 2 1.5mm drill holes on each base,washers are out of question right?
I mean I cant ask ALL my costumers to have a Dremel or other tool to drill metal.
Any suggestions are really welcome!
Gui

I buoght 200 5/8th" fender washers for $2.75. This works out to the brutally costly result of abuot 1.5 cents a washer. ouch! :)

Guys were super friendly, found them thru their website, and yes, they are magnetic.

Thanks for the feedback!

Menards has fair prices on washers still [look for big bags]. Lowes, Home despot & Ace hardare, not so fair prices, even in bulk.

I found that washer cost more than a penny so I use ……. a penny!