Tutorial: Making custom Magnetic movement trays

[Chris M.]

Being a Mechanic I have a ton of tools, I can cut shape and generally do whatever I want with plastics and metals. That out of the way, I dont play an army unless it has magnets on the bases. I've tried several products and found what works best for me.

First step is to make your movement tray out of whatever you want. I like the Modular Movement trays from GW. Paint em however you want to on the edges.

Second:
Go to a hardware store and buy sections of sheet metal. I get mine in 2x2 squares. Since I have a set of electrical sheet metal sheers its easy for me to cut to fit. I then cut em to size but dont glue em in the tray just yet. I have a VERY strong magnet that I hold the insert with. After I clean the metal and sand it, I prime it with self etching car primer and then spray it to match my outer color of my tray. Then you can glue it in with a strong two part epoxy, it'll stay forever.

My third step is to magnetize all the models. I've tried about ten different types of magnets and have had varying degrees of success. The one I'm happiest with is a 25MM wide roll of flexible magnet for the back of posters and stuff like that. I found it at Micheals arts and Crafts. I stock 3 rolls at all times because I do so many armies. I tried the smaller roll but it doesnt fit my 20mm bases... 25 MM it is.. I then super glue the magnets to the outer rim of the base and cut the magnet to fit. It raises the models about a mm but for how strong they are I dont care. When they are on the tray it completely covers them and you cant see em anyway. I have some pics of Orcs in progress that have the sheetmetal cut but not glued and I've been using the metal as my tray. Here is a pic of a Lord model with the magnet under him and of a unit with the magnets.





As you can see on the base of the single character you cant even tell there is a magnet there at a distance. The unit has bases that are made of GW movement trays so that I could make custom regimental base sized from 3 guys to 6 guys on a single base.

Just thought you guys would want to see how I was doing it,

Chris

PS
For those that want to try this on their own, Home Depot has a set of hand sheers that work pretty good at cutting the metal, just expect tired hands when you get done with a few trays. I highly recommend a set of electric sheers.

[powerposey]

Nice tutorial. I also use the sheet metal from any hardware store, just make sure magnets can stick to it. Maybe I should use the car primer as my trays tend to scratch pretty easily. A bit of warning for using tin snips, wear gloves. I have a nice scar on the hand I was cutting with after not paying attention and stabbed myself.

I have also tried magnetic paint, but even after many layers the bond isn't strong enough. Sheet metal is a lot faster.

For magnets I buy 1/4"x1/16". On eBay you can get 500 for $25. They fit nicely under the base and I just super glue them in.

[Erik Lindley]

Those are good tips fellas. I also magnetize all my armies. I have been using GF9 for the past few years. I like the quality and since I spend so much time and money on the models, the price point is acceptable for me on a per unit/model basis. It does get expensive fast though, so certainly something to be aware of.

If I was to churn out more armies at a faster pace and invest less time/money per army, then I would probably go with one of those methods. I have tried them successfully in the past so I know they work. :>

-Erik

[heychadwick]

I've done my trays almost the same way as Chris M. The only difference was that I just glued mine to some pressboard cut to the size that I want. This way there is no confusion as to "is that the distance to the movement tray or the edge of the mini?". It hurts to not be able to put flock and such on it, though. You can always decorate the edges of the movement tray for extra unit cohesion that I don't get.

One question I have is how do you stop the metal from curling out of shape? I have some $10 shears that I got from Home Despot, but the metal seems to curl or at least bend a little when I use them. I try to flatten them with something heavy, but it's hard to do with sheet metal.

I do admit that once you have all the tools, it's not too hard and it's cheaper to be able to make them yourself instead of buy them from Gale Force 9. I'm fully lazy and like to buy products instead of actually doing work, but I went with making them myself.