basing with neodymium??

[former user]

allright here it is - I had some ideas, I searched the forum, but couldn't find anything matching - maybe I should have searched more, or I am too lazy - anyway:

what if, I cut of the integrated base or the slot strip off a miniature (28mm), fix an appropriate sized magnet under one or both feet, and then have exchangable bases (with magnet or iron inside) or even spots on scenery or vehicles where I can place the Mini on??

I can't imagine noone hasn't thought about it before or tried it out???

Anyone experience with that, suggestions, ideas, hints? or maybe heard or read about it and can point me into a direction?

there are 1 or 2 mm diameter neodymium discs that would fit under most feet, or the small version of simply glueing iron in a hole under the foot and then having the neodymium in the base, or near the gun on deck etc.

[Cherno]

It would certainly work with plastic miniatures, but those tiny magnets can be VERY fiddly to work with. Also keep in mind that they are strong so all that snapping on and off can harm the paintjob.

Metal miniatures will most likely be too heavy for it to work with any reasonable stability.

[Westfalia Chris]

Furthermore, the requirements of the rules system might produce problems if you lack bases (unless you can do all measurements from, say, the figure's head).

Apart from that, I'd think any unnecessary handling of figures should be avoided, if in any way possible. That's why I use bases in the first place (apart from stability issues), to avoid having to pick up the figures themselves.

[former user]

THX
yes I understand the issues You adressed, I should be more precise

The idea is to still have bases, but to be able to switch them, like, sand, grass, snow, rock, or wooden boards.
Related to vehicles is of course moving the figures in the vehicles, with the vehicles, but being able to avoid the bulk of the bases inside a cramped vehicle .

So not using the magnet every time the figure is moved, but only say, fixing it on the required base at the start of the game (or into the vehicle), and maybe refixing it once the figure leaves or enters the vehicle, a boat or a truck for example. Otherwise it would be necessary to have, say, a ship's crew all glued on Deck an then a second one based for beach. or having the beach based miniatures on deck. That's the idea basically

I don't have any experience with the magnets, but I understand they are used very frequent for similar purposes, like rearming vehicles or dismantling buildings, and the the paintjob resists

[Westfalia Chris]

THX
yes I understand the issues You adressed, I should be more precise

The idea is to still have bases, but to be able to switch them, like, sand, grass, snow, rock, or wooden boards.
Related to vehicles is of course moving the figures in the vehicles, with the vehicles, but being able to avoid the bulk of the bases inside a cramped vehicle .

So not using the magnet every time the figure is moved, but only say, fixing it on the required base at the start of the game (or into the vehicle), and maybe refixing it once the figure leaves or enters the vehicle, a boat or a truck for example. Otherwise it would be necessary to have, say, a ship's crew all glued on Deck an then a second one based for beach. or having the beach based miniatures on deck. That's the idea basically

I don't have any experience with the magnets, but I understand they are used very frequent for similar purposes, like rearming vehicles or dismantling buildings, and the the paintjob resists

Yes, you are quite right with your last paragraph. I guess it wouldn't be a problem with well-primered and varnished plastic figures, and could indeed increase the visual appeal (provided you can do the "textured" bases in a way that the join won't be too apparent). But I am very skeptical when it comes to metal figures, especially those with lots of crisp detail, as those will probably chip in unholy amounts.

[zizi666]

I've used small magnets on the turrets of my 15mm tanks (FoW WW2 and GZG Sci-Fi) works like a charm. However, these are resin or very small metal parts. I'm guessing a full 28-30 mm metal fig could weigh too much for what you want.
FYI : I glued all magnets with 2-component epoxy as I had some glued with CA that got teared out of the cavities they sat in.
And most important : Check the polarity of our magnets ! Wouldn't want your fig to stick to one base and be repelled from another 

[former user]

I see.
allright then, I'll buy a collection of small ones next week and I'll test the idea.

@zizi666 - I have a pretty good idea what 15mm resin turrets weigh. what size and shape are the magnets You used? are there other technicalities worth knowing?

I have a lot of sailors waiting to be used that I have been hatching for some time because of this unsolved issue so I guess I'll simply check it out. 'll start with some plastic figures first.

Meanwhile, please add as many ideas, comments or bits of experience as You like, I need any contribution I can get.

THX again

[zizi666]

Well, my first order of magnets consisted of several sizes, so I didn't use just 1 type.
Also, I used magnets for both body and turret while 1 magnet and a metal plate probably might have done the trick.
Some shermans have a cube of 5mm or a disc of 1x10mm in their body and a disc of 1x3mm in the turret. (That way I didn't have to worry about the alignment of the magnets being off a bit)

As for the GZG vehicles the light & heavy gunsleds got 1x5mm.
the scout sleds tiny gun mounts are fixes with 1x3:



I'd be careful to put magnets in thin resin parts. wouldn't want to break those feet or legs. When bringing them together these magnets rush to each other so I wouldn't just worry about chipped paint.
To give you an idea of the strength : I can lift my tanks by the turret. (not the scout sleds, the metal bodies are too heavy for those tiny magnets)

[mikedemana]

It certainly sounds interesting. One problem I anticipate, though, would be filing the feet of 28mm figs perfectly flat and parallel in their flatness. If the magnets are not working together, they may not provide a strong bond. I do think it should work -- just remember the taller the figure, the more torque of any force that might try to remove it from the base.

Finally, what is your cost per magnet, knowing you now need 2 per fig?

Keep us posted on your experiment....

Mike Demana

[former user]

I anticipate 0,20-0,50 € per figure, depending on what strength the magnets need to be.
I do not intend to achieve the same rigidity like for fixed bases nor 2 magnets per figure if not absolutely necessary.
I would be perfectly content if the miniature is stable enough on the base/vehicle when I move it around, if it doesn't fall of or over.
Figures with fixed bases experience the same hazards from being knocked over or broken off vehicle fixtures. I couldn't expect more stability than that

The cost reduction should come from fewer bases needed and less work on bases. If I run a skirmish game, it would be 50-100 miniatures - so up to 100 arid bases, 100 woodland bases, 100 rock bases, 100 pavement bases, 100 planking bases (ship/harbour/neff etc). If by any chance I start playing games with mass bases, I will have a few mass bases and be able to switch the required figures to them.
of course the base thing doesn't work for cavalry, but there I have riders being able to switch mounts - I dont bother a small hole in the saddle and the pin in the butt is fine since they only ride. The rider can't break off the saddle and I don't need extra horses for dismounted units, I simply take the riders of. Certain riders can thus ride horses or raptors or whatever requires the same seat posture.
etc etc for seated figures