"Magnetic Bases Question" Topic

I am wanting to stick the figures from The Great War by PSC to small washers to be able to magnetise them onto a small square magnetic base (30mm x 30mm which can then be used for Squarebashing).

This should increase the stability of the figures (they are 15mm and plastic) and aid in moving them around the game board.

I have some questions though, has anyone done this? If so what materials did you use? I would like to be able to paint the base, with PVA, sand and acrylic paints, would a magnetic sheet be strong enough to hold the figures through these layers? Any suggestions for products here in the UK would be appreciated. I'd also like the washers to be as thin as possible so not to be too noticeable.

I think it unlikely that you would get enough magnetic force to hold even a plastic figure through a layer of sand & PVA by using the commercially available magnetic sheet.

You may be able to do it using the much more powerful rare earth magnets you can get but these would need to be sunk into the base somehow.

Why do you need the figure to be removable from the base ? If you wish to use them for different game systems then you might consider some of the movement trays with pre-cut holes that are readily available from various manufacturers.

Thanks for that Gildas. The strength of the magnet was my biggest concern. I had not even considered the pre-cut idea. But that would be very useful. The figures are removed in The Great war to indicate casualties, arguably, I could just base them as four and use another system for marking casualties, but I want to keep within the spirit of the original game.

If you want pre-cut very thin (0.8mm) metal discs in the UK then take a look at Precision Wargames Supplies. They are rather more expensive than washers but they are nice to work with.

You'll find that when the discs have been stamped out there is a slight burr to one side. Make this side the top face of the base and then when you build up with a bit of filler to hide the cast base of the figure the burred edge holds the filler neatly to the edge of the disc.

Magnets do not hold well enough through sand and flock. I know, I tried. Rare earth magnets on a base, surrounded by sand and flock would work fine.

I think you best bet is to make your own with holes, like this:

Put down sheet magnet on your 30x30 base. Paint the whole thing brown or green. Now, trace 3-4 washers on the base. Do sand, flock, static grass leaving the circular areas blank. Filled with troops the little border will not be very noticeable.

If you really want to go to town, flock some empty washers to use as plugs if you do casualty removal from the 30mm base.

Cheers guys, that's some great information.

I do something similar with my 15mm miniatures. I mount the figures on 1/2" wide magnet. I flock these pieces individually. These are situated on steel plates as bases for units. I paint the plates an appropriate color for the terrain. (sand for desert, for example) This also leaves the option the mark the plates if one should wish in order to identify the unit.
The result are units that can be moved together, or split up as individuals. Plus I can change plates for play using different rules. I also line my transport boxes with magnets. This helps secure the figures for travel to the game store.

Thanks Rrobby, this may be the path I take with this problem. I have just been looking for movement trays and all of them seem to be too big to fit the Great War minis, which have a circular base of 12mm. The smallest I have found has been 15mm diameter holes. Anybody know of any movement trays with 12mm diameter holes?

I do mine the other way, magnetic sheet on the bottom of the figures and steel paper on the movement bases. The magnets work fine through a thin layer of paint (but not flock).

If you want pursue the magnetic movement tray idea, why not use the GW figure bases as a template to mark out areas free of flock so you get better adhesion?

Or just stick the figures to 30x30 bases and use them for both Spearhead and the GW game using hit markers to record hits (which is what I do with my figure bases for all the other CnC games).

Another issue with washers on bases is keeping the edges from chipping. I got really sick of seeing specs of shiny steel at the edges of my bases. This was 28mm skirmish so possibly subject to more wear than you are planning.

Thanks guys. More great suggestions. I like the idea of magnetic paper, that way it's not so obvious.

Martin, I did consider sticking the figures to bases permanently, but I want to retain the board game aesthetic. Besides, if they are magnetised, I can still use them in Squarebashing, should I need to!