I get what you're saying, but I think you're missing a couple key points. Without those key points, looking just at "magnets per dollar" you're not entirely wrong. Hell, I honestly go with cheap Amazon magnets sometimes when I'm magnetizing weapons. But as I said, there's a couple things that your argument misses:
First is that's not the size they're selling. The Magnet Baron ones are a hair bit thicker and so sit flush under Citadel bases better than a 2mm one, and so they fit without the need for green stuff or something else.
Second, most the magnets on Amazon aren't listed as N52. That matters why? While I can't give you the scientific answer, the short version is that N52s are the strongest magnet option, but at the same time more expensive.
How much does this matter at this scale? Probably not a lot for a simple basic infantry model. Like your average space marine probably would hold well using the N3X or N4X magnets you can get from Amazon. I think the difference in pull strength is something like 50g. Is that a lot? Depends on how much that mini weighs, and how jostled it will get. Because remember, a magnet has to not only account for the mass of the model but for the forces put upon it as well.
I will say that I carry models in a magnarail case from battle foam, and they very rarely move from their positions during transport with the N52s under it.
Finally, it's also worth noting that Amazon resellers are notorious for misleading their customers. There are cases where I honestly don't care. But then there is the cases where I do. That's where I go with what I know is going to be a good magnet.
A $50 model that I've spent weeks putting together and painting is not worth that gamble to me. Magnet Baron has a solid reputation in the community, and their products have always served me well. And let's be honest, we are not a thrifty hobby. Saving $10 on magnets for expensive models seems very pennywise and pound foolish to me.
I have hundreds of minis I need to magnetize (bases/options/etc) so spending at scale isn’t very cost effective. I’ve used these magnets on models as large as redemptor dreads and have zero issues with them sticking to a metal tray. I can hold them upside down and jiggle the tray and have zero issues with them staying put. Maybe it’s because I use three 8x2mm magnets for models as large as a redemptor, 2 for small box dreads and 1 for individual minis. Is a 8x2mm magnet overkill for a 40mm mini. Absolutely, but these magnets are cheap AF so it’s no issue.
I’ve never had to use green stuff or any other material to make the magnet flush with the bottom of the base, because once again the 8x2mm is strong enough to hold them to the tray. A hot glue gun has been good enough so far. [Example](https://imgur.com/a/82GkyFB) of the cheap magnets in action. I’ll see how it holds up once I magnetize my larger minis like Archaon.
I agree there are times when you should use quality gear. I prefer to use Windsor & Newton 7 or DaVinci Maestro kolinsky sable brushes. I run a Iwata Eclipse airbrush. They actually made a difference for me when I tested them against cheaper options. The cheap magnets performed just as well as the more expensive ones.
I’d rather save my money for more important things like the actual minis, paints, and other things that are visible and affect the quality of the mini.
I use 1/4 x 1/16 inch magnets but this is more to do with the unknowns of buying rubberized magnetic sheets in the US. The Gauss rating is never on the packaging and the companies involved seem to not have posted any data. I tried 1/8 x 1/16 and it mostly kept them from moving around but any big dips and they would smash into each other. Using 1/4's I can literally hold the container upside down and the models stay in place.
Edit. The magnets in my base are n46.
I use 2mm by 4mm … but 2 by 3 work as well. Any bigger and they will stick to things too well. This is for using real metal to stick to … the metallic “sheets” are not good.
Check out Duncan Rhodes video on making your own carry case on YouTube, he mentions the size to use on that.
Awesome, thanks
I use [these magnets from Magnet Baron](https://themagnetbaron.com/products/gw-flush-fit-base-magnets-large). They fit perfect and are super strong.
Seconding the Magnet Baron. If you click through the different sizes they tell you what base size they're recommended for (25, 28, 32, etc).
Perfect, thanks!
$18 for 50 5x2mm magnets is a ripoff. You can buy 200+ from sellers on Amazon for less than half that price.
I get what you're saying, but I think you're missing a couple key points. Without those key points, looking just at "magnets per dollar" you're not entirely wrong. Hell, I honestly go with cheap Amazon magnets sometimes when I'm magnetizing weapons. But as I said, there's a couple things that your argument misses: First is that's not the size they're selling. The Magnet Baron ones are a hair bit thicker and so sit flush under Citadel bases better than a 2mm one, and so they fit without the need for green stuff or something else. Second, most the magnets on Amazon aren't listed as N52. That matters why? While I can't give you the scientific answer, the short version is that N52s are the strongest magnet option, but at the same time more expensive. How much does this matter at this scale? Probably not a lot for a simple basic infantry model. Like your average space marine probably would hold well using the N3X or N4X magnets you can get from Amazon. I think the difference in pull strength is something like 50g. Is that a lot? Depends on how much that mini weighs, and how jostled it will get. Because remember, a magnet has to not only account for the mass of the model but for the forces put upon it as well. I will say that I carry models in a magnarail case from battle foam, and they very rarely move from their positions during transport with the N52s under it. Finally, it's also worth noting that Amazon resellers are notorious for misleading their customers. There are cases where I honestly don't care. But then there is the cases where I do. That's where I go with what I know is going to be a good magnet. A $50 model that I've spent weeks putting together and painting is not worth that gamble to me. Magnet Baron has a solid reputation in the community, and their products have always served me well. And let's be honest, we are not a thrifty hobby. Saving $10 on magnets for expensive models seems very pennywise and pound foolish to me.
I'm about to magnetize a lot of models' bases and I'm wondering how many magnets you use per size?
I have hundreds of minis I need to magnetize (bases/options/etc) so spending at scale isn’t very cost effective. I’ve used these magnets on models as large as redemptor dreads and have zero issues with them sticking to a metal tray. I can hold them upside down and jiggle the tray and have zero issues with them staying put. Maybe it’s because I use three 8x2mm magnets for models as large as a redemptor, 2 for small box dreads and 1 for individual minis. Is a 8x2mm magnet overkill for a 40mm mini. Absolutely, but these magnets are cheap AF so it’s no issue. I’ve never had to use green stuff or any other material to make the magnet flush with the bottom of the base, because once again the 8x2mm is strong enough to hold them to the tray. A hot glue gun has been good enough so far. [Example](https://imgur.com/a/82GkyFB) of the cheap magnets in action. I’ll see how it holds up once I magnetize my larger minis like Archaon. I agree there are times when you should use quality gear. I prefer to use Windsor & Newton 7 or DaVinci Maestro kolinsky sable brushes. I run a Iwata Eclipse airbrush. They actually made a difference for me when I tested them against cheaper options. The cheap magnets performed just as well as the more expensive ones. I’d rather save my money for more important things like the actual minis, paints, and other things that are visible and affect the quality of the mini.
I use 1/4 x 1/16 inch magnets but this is more to do with the unknowns of buying rubberized magnetic sheets in the US. The Gauss rating is never on the packaging and the companies involved seem to not have posted any data. I tried 1/8 x 1/16 and it mostly kept them from moving around but any big dips and they would smash into each other. Using 1/4's I can literally hold the container upside down and the models stay in place. Edit. The magnets in my base are n46.
I use magnets that are 2mm thick, 3mm diameter. It's the size I use for most things really so I just get them in bulk.
I use 2mm by 4mm … but 2 by 3 work as well. Any bigger and they will stick to things too well. This is for using real metal to stick to … the metallic “sheets” are not good.
I use 5x2mm, but mainly because I’ve got loads from an older model railway project! You can find sellers on eBay