"Question about mounting magnets on turrets" Topic

Hello

I have done these in the past but its been a while, getting back into mounting magnets on turrets. My question is What type of drill works best when drilling thru turrets? I forget what I use to use. It seems like the bits I have now just don't cut it thru the material as easily as I recall?

Also what methods do you all use to hold the turrets when drilling into them? I hold them by hand or lay them on a mat, but some times its a close call with hitting my fingers.

Thanks
fullmetaljacket

Before you do that consider something far easier and cheaper. I use toilet bowl wax rings (unused of course!). Take a little of the wax from the ring (tip of a toothpick works fine), apply it to the bottom of the turret where it sits on top of the hull. Turrets freely rotate and will not fall off but can be easily removed.

One of these will do thousands and thousands of turrets.

link

I find drilling resin or white metal (I assume that's what you're talking about) is better held on a bed of bluetac (or one of it's cheaper alternatives).

Three or four quids worth is enough to achieve a soft bed for most needs and make it easier to hold a small item when its pressed into the putty.

I just use regular metal (rather than wood) type drill bits.

John T

Let me give you a tip that will save you a lot of heartburn.
Use only ONE magnet. Make the other side a nail head. No more worries about aligning polarities.

Let me give you a tip that will save you a lot of heartburn.
Use only ONE magnet. Make the other side a nail head. No more worries about aligning polarities.

Brilliant idea John – highly recommended! Started doing that myself a couple of years back.

Also for Drilling, use a small drill bit first, to make a Pilot hole (I even use a small, pin vise drill for this). Once you have the initial Pilot hole done, the main hole will be easier to drill. I've only used this for Resin (FoW models) tanks, not sure how well it would work for Metal kits – but if you're careful, it should be OK too.

Re: John's and Mr Canuck's comment. Drill the hole in the tank body placing the magnet there. Buy some of that steel adhesive paper and snip a piece to fit the turret bottom. Quick and simple.

Thanks guys, John I forgot to mention that is what I do. I mount a nail head to the bottom the turret, an place the parr of the nail thru the turret an then place the magnet on it. I know the pain I did like 20 some planes with magnets for CY6 then when I tried mounting to telescoping rods with magnets well you guessed it polarity was wrong on most of them.

The toilet ring wax idea little fuzzy on the process? Can you post a picture?

fullmetal2015

Seems obvious, but don't use a drill, use a pin vise, if you want to keep your hands and fingers undamaged.

Clean out the threads of the bits regularly, since they tend to get gummed up.

Second OFM's suggestion. Those rare earth magnets are so strong that two magnets together is sort of overkill.

Ensure your bits are sharp. Maybe new ones and use a couple of ideas listed above.

OFM, good suggestion. I'm gonna try this.

Forgot to mention – if you're drilling, brush a little Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) on your drill bit. You don't need to slather it on, just a little goes a long way. It will help clear the "tailings" from the grooves as you're drilling the holes. Repeat the application occasionally, as needed.

One of those little "travel" pots of Vaseline will last you your entire Hobby career!!

If you are talking micro-scale, Check out this link.

link

Not only do you save on magnets by using a nail head on one side but you don't have to have your turret hovering above the hull if the polarities misalign.

I use a product called "Bard's Tacky Wax". Just a 1/8 of an inch sliver over the hole in the hull and insert turret and push down and turn. Takes just a few seconds.

Wolfhag