"Magnetic basing" Topic

Are the magnetic sheets at hobby lobby or Michael's strong enough to hold miniature bases? I'm going the 6mm route with thin plastic or mdf.

What types of metal sheeting material do you put under your bases? Where do you get them? Any us retailers?

Can a mod delete the multiple posts?

I use metallic bisquit and shocolate boxes.
And I don't use these sheets under bases, but these sheets ARE bases.

Yes, those sheets are plenty strong usually.

You can order ferrous sheet (like sheet magnet but not magnetic) from many craft places or from Litko.net cut to size. I think they call if FlexSteel.

I've found that magnetic sheets in cheap (Dollar/Pound) stores in the UK are too weak to hold onto metal figures.

I normally use magnetic sheets supplied by more reputable hobby companies which have a stronger 'pull'.

I use them. I line the bottom of my boxes with them. My bases are metal ones from Wargame Accessories. They do work but it will not keep them completely immobile. You may want to put some foam between them.

I have some 28mm metal figures which are based on galvanized washers which does sort of stick to the bottom. I would stick with thin metal bases.

If your going to use the sheets, do not get the kind that are curled. Get the flat ones and cut or add to size. For 6mm it will depend on your basing.

I stock and sell both Magnetic and Ferrous sheets in the UK.

My experience is the same as Jim's, most cheap magnetic sheet is just that – cheap and of little use for basing figures.

Unless the bases are small (less than 20mm square) I think that you would need a rigid base. Good photo mount board can be got in various thicknesses and can be a good alternative to MDF or plywood if you want a thinner base.

I have used card backed with 0.8mm magnetic sheet for bases up to 60x30mm quite successfully. You need to stick the card to the sheet and then cut out the bases with a craft knife – that way the edge of the base is compressed and less likely to fray.

I'm thinking of going with some sabot bases. So….the litko 8x11 metal sheets can be cut with just normal scissors? Glued to the bottom of the bases.

The magnetic sheets from hobby lobby or Michael's can be glued to the bottom of a tote.

Is that the common procedure or do I have that backwards…..metal sheet glued to the tote and the magnetic sheet cut into pieces and glued to the bases?

I swear I saw someone online doing this. Sucks being a visual learner 😁

i also use the magnetic sheets from Wargame Accessories also to line the bottom of my boxes. My figures are mounted individually on metal washers and it holds them fine as long as you don't turn the box upside down. It fact I just bought a roll of them yesterday and will cut the sizes I want from the roll.

I'd try and get self adhesive sheets captain – much easier to use and readily available. Gluing vinyl is a pain.

If you do as you describe it will work whatever way round the magnetic/steel goes BUT, if you put magnet on the bases and line storage with 'steel' sheet then you can use any metal box to store or transport the bases in and sabots can be topped with the steel sheet (which is usually cheaper).

I base my gaming figures on cardboard (offcuts from picture framing shop) with magnetic sheet on bottom (roll ends and misprint sheets from 'truck sign' shops, attached with Elmer's Glue), and store my armies in Christmas cookie boxes.
Have had no problems.

I use business card magnetic sheet with the adhesive backing from the office supply store or custom cut from Litko. I've used 'cheap' stuff, but had to get rid of it. Works for 25/28 mm figures, too. I normally store my figures in cake pans with plastic covers with out any problems.

pjm

Ok

So the magnetic sheets from hobby lobby I can place in a carrying case.

What goes on the undernearth of the infantry bases? The flexsteel from litko? Does that stuff cut easily?

Thankx

CaptainCold:

The flex steel stuff cuts quite easily with scissors or shears. It is the same material as sheet magnet but impregnated with plain metal instead of magnetic metal.

Craft store magnet may be too weak to hold your bases depending how heavy they are. I have some which will hold a metal 15mm tank even when held edgewise, so you can find good stuff.

If you are going 6mm, it should work. You mostly want to protect from potholes and the like. If you drop a box you're going to have shifting no matter what.

One last note: if the magnet you use in your boxes is too strong, you may find you pull figures off the bases trying to get them out of the box!

I use the Pro-Mag self-stick magnetic sheets that come rolled in a box from Michael's and have had no problem with them. I use them with 6mm microarmor, 15mm multiple figure bases, and 25mm multiple and single figure bases.

As far as the curl, I stick the cut sheets to rectangles of foam-core and haven't had a problem with any resultant curling.

Jim

Thanks to all….clears things up for me perfectly

One last question……does anyone here think sabot bases would work well in a 6mm company level game or am I better off just putting figures on a circular metal base (considering litko steel bases)

My thought was that it would be nice to remove the KIA figs from the sabot bases instead of having dice to signify how many are KIA

Thoughts? And thanks again for all the expert advice

You defiantly want the kind that you peel off the back and stick in the box. I have tried spray adhesive and it just doesn't work.

I have a customer in USA that wants to buy magnetic bases (I only supply to Europe).
I have suggested LITKO. Any other USA sources of magnetic bases?
Thank you in advance.

Went to Hobby Lobby and Michael's and the only magnet sheet I could find was a level 1 magnetic strength sheet.

Anyone have any recommendations online?

I'm thinking of going with the Litko circular metal bases. Anyone know what a good size would be for squad size teams? (6mm)

Thanks