Longstrider | 11 May 2016 8:56 a.m. PST |
So I've recently purchased a bunch of magnets and some cheap plastic tubs in which to story my minis, but I need to get some thin material to line the tubs with so the magnets will hold. I've come across some mentions of some 'steel paper' or the like, and I was wondering if anyone would know where to get that, or other magnet-receptive material that flexes, in Canada. I tried at Canadian Tire and Home Depot to no avail. I know the most accessible option is some kind of thin ferrous metal sheeting and tin snips to cut to size, but I'd pretty clumsy and I'm concerned about sharp shorn metal getting lost in my apartment's carpeting. Perhaps it's possible to get these cut to size and the edges dulled at one of the big-box hardware stores, though. Anyhow, if anyone's advice I'm all ears. Thanks! |
steamingdave47 | 11 May 2016 9:04 a.m. PST |
If you are storing "white metal" figures, with significant lead content, I would be wary of plastic storage, especially with tight- fitting lids. I lost a valued collection of 1970s Minifig artillery limbers, teams and riders through lead rot. They were the only figures I have ever stored in sealed plastic boxes and the only ones to sucumb to this rot. I now store my magnetically based figures in steel filing trays, with plenty of silica gel packs to absorb excess atmospheric moisture. As for your query about flexible steel sheet in Canada, can't really help as I am in UK, but I got some from the Principles of War website and I am sure there must be similar sites in N America. |
Longstrider | 11 May 2016 9:08 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the heads-up. Most of my minis are plastic – I only got into gaming in the late 90s. But I'll keep that in mind – at the very least I can make sure I have some vents and it gives me a use for all those silica gel packs. I've also come across ferrous tape sold here and there, but mostly in the UK – I'm wondering if that might be available in Canada. Part of my difficulty is I don't know what any of these things are actually called, so faffing around on ebay or amazon or calling around isn't yielding much. |
steamingdave47 | 11 May 2016 9:12 a.m. PST |
Looked up some old TMP posts, found this link: custom-magnets.com Might have what you want (flexible self adhesive ferro or steel sheet is the stuff I have used in the past, like this stuff ( UK supplier) link |
boy wundyr x | 11 May 2016 9:12 a.m. PST |
Michaels Craft Stores have rolls of adhesive magnetic sheet, which may help depending on just what your bases are. Picoarmor in the US sells sheets of steel paper. |
IronDuke596 | 11 May 2016 9:17 a.m. PST |
Visit your local graphics company…the type that does the magnetic sheeting for vehicle advertising. The material is similar to a fridge magnetic ie thin and flexible plus easily trimable with scissors. Ask for any scraps that have left over from projects. For about ten bucks I usually get about two to three square feet of varying pieces. I glue this sheeting (white side down magnetic up) to the bottom of storage containers for my trees and other terrain that have metal bases. I also use this magnetic sheeting for unit bases to base my individual figures that are mounted on Litko 20mm square flexible metal bases. You could also use this sheeting for your figure basing. |
Extra Crispy | 11 May 2016 10:30 a.m. PST |
I use magnet sheets in my boxes. Works just fine with troops mounted on steel or magnets. And that way I buy one roll of material, not two… |
Dschebe | 11 May 2016 12:36 p.m. PST |
I use 'papersteel' and magnet sheets made by 'Renaissance Ink'. I buy them from a local distributor (sorry I'm of no help in Canada). You have their e-mail in the TMP manufacturer directory, but unfortunately they have no web page, apparently. The company is in NY, USA. These sheets work great for me. Maybe it`s worth to drop them a line, if you don't find anything locally. Hope it helps. |
Dschebe | 11 May 2016 12:42 p.m. PST |
Ups! I have just checked and found that Renaissance Ink is no longer active, according to TMP manufacturer's Directory. I hope it isn't a correct information. |
Longstrider | 11 May 2016 1:31 p.m. PST |
The more I look around, the more I think I should have gone for metal bases and magnetic material in my containers, but I've got a few hundred rare earth magnets already fixed into the underside of plastic bases. I'm still finding sign supply stores (lots here in the suburbs, but most of them have flexible magnetic sheet and not the other way around. I've found one that's a fair ways away that has flexible ferrous sheet, but I need to decide if I want an industrial sized amount for an industrial price. Picoarmor doesn't seem to carry it any more and Renaissance ink sadly seems to be gone. I'll keep looking (and might as well check out a michael's to see if they have steel paper), but otherwise custom-magnets and eating the shipping cost will probably have to be the route I go. |
boy wundyr x | 11 May 2016 2:00 p.m. PST |
Picoarmor lists it as out of stock, you can maybe ask when a restock is coming in, or if not, who their supplier is. link |
wrgmr1 | 11 May 2016 2:02 p.m. PST |
Ask a sign supply distributor. They have flexable magnetic sheets and can point you in direction of sheet steel. EM Plastics are in a number of cities in Canada. Also metal distributors, Google local companies. |
Hafen von Schlockenberg | 11 May 2016 4:48 p.m. PST |
Magnetic Displays in the UK sells Steel Paper,but the prices seem to have gone up considerably. Used to be about £10.00 GBP for five sheets. |
pnguyenho | 12 May 2016 6:18 p.m. PST |
Much cheaper than steel paper is just sheet metal. You can go to any steel company and have them cut sheet metal based on your plastic tub size. You choose what gauge thickness you prefer. I have used 25 gauge (good stiffness, not too thick, and most importantly, not heavy). Best part about having them cut it is that they smooth the edges so you don't get any nasty cuts on your hands. I am not a fan of metal bases as the hard, thin edge can damge the paint on figures if inadvertantly mishandled. |