Magnetic basing: help please!

[fyreandsword]

I'm looking at basing some 28mm figures, want to mount them singly, but would also like to be able to group them for use with movement trays. I've tried the GW trays in the past, but find them a bit difficult once the base is flocked etc, and cutting them's a bit of a pain. Anyone point me in the right direction, please? I know V3 do some, and there are the Gale Force rubberised ones, but am a bit unsure of which is best/easiest to use. Cheers.

[NORTIVS MAXIMVS]

Hi fyreandsword

I don't know if this will help, but I use Litko ply bases with a flexible, self-adhesive magnetic strip of the appropriate size. I sourced them all from Litko in the US because the UK supplier at that time couldn't actually supply, and I got fed up with waiting.

I'm using 0.8mm ply bases in two sizes, 30mm x 60mm, for one mounted figure or up to three foot figures, and 60mm x 60mm for up to two mounted figures, command groups, war machines and so on.

The large bases do flex a bit, so I stiffen them up, eg by mounting mounted figures across the grain.

I'm not using movement trays, but I think I would make my own, probably with magnetic sheet ...

Anyhow, have a look at my blog to see the results:
http://nortivsmaximvs.blogspot.com/

Cheers
Paul

[Parus Ater]

The very easiest way is to putty a single rare earth magnet into one corner of a slotta base and gluing 1p coins or magnetic foil to the movement tray.

[pbeccas]

I use the Litko bases as well. But I get the 1.5mm plywood for my 28mm figures. There is no flex at all. Litko make the precut magnetic bases that fit perfectly. Their movement trays are excellent. You can order exact cut flexi steel to stick fit into them so your magnetic based figures sit in nicely. Litko itself is a good mail order company. I get them sent to Australia. Never had a problem.

[NORTIVS MAXIMVS]

Yup! I bought the magnetic bases from Litko too ...

[Colonel White]

If you use 1p coins you need to check them . I think post 2000 coins you should be OK as they contain steel at their core.

[fyreandsword]

Thanks, all. Litko seem to fit the bill, particularly with the movement trays. Always find slotted bases a pain, as they tend to be deeper, but will be experimenting with pennies and magnets ... cheers!

[Klingsor]

Gale Force 9 do a good selection of magnetic versions of standard plastic bases - you know the sort of thing, the sort GW use: 25mm square, 25mm round and so on. If you are wedded to the standard bases but want magnetic bottoms they are a lot easier than converting them yourself, this I learnt the hard way.

Were I starting again I might avoid them but I have been using the things since they first appeared twenty years or so ago so old habits die very hard. As we are primarily skirmish gamers they fit the bill nicely. They also so some longer versions that could be used to base groups of figures or, for example, a line of pikemen.

[Klingsor]

What might be more use if you use plywood or MDF bases is to pop along to Magnetic Displays. They sell self adhesive magnetic and steel sheet. The magnetic material cuts easily enough, the steel a little less so, so I would use their magnetic material for figures. I have some old 6mm figures that were based on thick plastic card with a magnetic piece below. Now they look awful, the bases are too thick and too small but they are still in one piece and still adhere happily enough. Were I to do 6mm again, and as I have been buying and painting the little buggers this suggests it is likely, I would be tempted to use the plastic bases from Renedra or Victrix with some magnetic sheet below them though this is all just theory at the moment. I should look at the premade ones from Litko or Renaissance Ink first.

[Phil]

If you use 1p coins you need to check them . I think post 2000 coins you should be OK as they contain steel at their core.

The transition from bronze to copper-plated steel took place in 1992. I just check any from around that time with a magnet.

Phil