"Using Ø15 rare-earth magnets as bases" Topic

I've been reading through various methods of magnetizing bases, and I came up with an idea… why not use a whole circular magnet as a base, and attach them to a galvanized steel movement tray?

Since I'm using 15mm miniatures, I went out to buy a few dozen rare-earth magnets at Ø15/1T (15mm in diameter, and 1mm in thickness).

Then I ran into a problem: these magnets are WAY too strong!!!

I know that rare-earth magnets are supposed to be rather strong, but I had no idea just how strong. It took a massive effort for me to just separate one magnet from the stack.

Making things worse, these magnets attract/repel (depending on the pole) each other at a distance of around 5cm!

There was no way these guys could be cramped together on a FoW-style movement tray.

Oh, well. Guess I've paid for a refresher course on elementary physics.

I'm posting this topic to warn others for trying this

For 15mm I affix the magnet 6mm x 1mm to the FOW base and base the figure on a 5/8" washer. You can get 4 infantry on a base and still pop them off and use them for Rules of engagement.

mjc

Yeah, I should have done something like that.

I wanted to do away with the whole washer thing, you see…
Didn't really occur to me that a 15mm magnet might be too strong.

Serves me right for trying to be too clever.

I use 1/16th inch thick semi-flexible magnet sheet for this purpose, and it works perfectly. I purchased 'arch punches' in various diameters to make circles from the magnet strip. No washers needed. They have enough srength to hold the figures down, even in careful transport, yet come off easily enough to avoid damaging anything.

Chick

Rather than rare earth magnets. I used a cheapo magnet its about 6mm diameter, and less than 1mm thick. One per 15mm fig. Works fine. (for stands use steel bases)

I just snapped up some 1/16 x 1/8 magnets for mounting some riders, so that I can remove them. Those little suckers are tough! I can't imagine using bigger than that…

I was looking to do this myself with some GZG stuff using small magnets drilled into the base and then using a metal base to move a couple about.