Here’s a little tutorial on how to swap out backpacks, so you can switch up Marines between Jump and Regular infantry.
Why would you ever even want to do a thing like that?
Well there comes a time, especially now, with a new edition of the rules looming in the distance, that sometimes it’s better to plan ahead when you build your minis.
Not to mention the fact of never getting caught up on projects… magnets may be a great way to retrofit you miniatures to make them work in the now, so to speak.
Lately I’ve been going back and re-doing all the backpacks on my Blood Angels so I can make them either Jump or Regular infantry cause hey who knows with sixth coming out right?
Part List
- Several 1/8″ magnets for the main weapons
- Pin vice with 1/8″ and 1/16″ Drill Bits
- Various Backpack you want to attach.
For the jump packs in my Adeptus Mechanicus themed Iron Hands I used Grey Knight Interceptor Backpacks, which are technically jump packs just not as boxy.
How I did it
I grabbed a big long stack of magnets, and a model that I had already finished magnetizing.
This way I could keep all the polarities of my backpacks the same throughout the army.
First off I carefully drilled a 1/16″ pilot hole first, then used a 1/8″ drill bit to enlarge the hole for the magnet. Drilling pilot holes first gives you better control (smaller bit), and reduces the chance for error with the bigger drill bit as it’s doing less work.
Believe me, the last thing you want is a improperly drilled 1/8″ diameter hole on your miniature. It would probably be pretty noticeable to say the least, so make sure you line your holes up good!
Then I after checking the polarity of the backpacks I had already done, I attached the first magnet into the hole I had bored using superglue and kicker.
When you use kicker to accelerate the drying process, I’ve found that it’s better to apply it from the bottom of the tube leading to the nozzle (that is normally inside the bottle).
This way you don’t actually spray the kicker and get it everywhere, which at least for me tends to make me nauseous.
I usually just put a dab of glue in the hole, and then sink a magnet into it that has been doused with some kicker.
Keeping the magnets attached together in a long shaft also makes it easier to control as well.
After the first magnet dries, glue another in the opposite piece you are attaching (checking first to make sure the magnets attract).
From here, it’s just wash, rinse, repeat for all the backpacks that need magnets!
Hit me up with any questions, and if there are any other kits would you like to see a feature on magnetizing? -MBG?
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
