Here is a great tutorial on how to magnetize resin and plastic bases for miniatures with all the sizes you’ll need and tips to make it easy!
Rob has magnetized basically every miniature he owns and has been doing it for years. So, if you’ve been looking to get your miniature bases magnetized, this will cover all the tips and tricks, along with all the sizes of magnets you need and where to get them.
That way, you can get your army magnetized in no time!
How to Tutorial: Magnetize Resin & Plastic Bases For Miniatures
There are some major differences between magnetizing your resin bases and your plastic bases, so we’ll show you how to do both. Let’s get into it!
The video above focuses more on storing your minis, but it has some good tips, and we’ll show what you need for the base magnetization. Also, if you want to store your minis for cheap, the video is a must-watch! You can also learn more about how to do it here.
Steel Sheets & Storage
No matter whether you have plastic or resin miniature bases, you’ll need something for them to magnetize to! Best of all, these metal sheets are easy to customize by cutting them with tin snips or metal clippers if you need special sizes.
You can grab these metal sheets here or at your local DIY hardware store in the HVAC aisle under metal ducting. They are fairly affordable, and Rob just mounts them to his storage case with 1″ double-sided foam tape and Duct Tape around the edges…
No matter what you choose, they are all pretty easy solutions, but if you don’t have cases for your minis, Rob uses these Clear Cases (you can get them up to 6″ tall) as it’s cheap and takes a few seconds to get the metal sheets inside.
How Can You Magnetize Resin Bases for Miniatures?
There are two main options here. First, Squad Marks has tons of pre-cut magnets that work great for resin-based miniatures. They have them all the way up to 50mm, but generally, you don’t need too much over that size.
So, for the bigger minis, you’ll have to cut your own, but we’ll cover that in a second. All you have to do with the Squad Marks sizes is peel and stick them on your minis’ bases. It’s really that simple!
If you grab a steel sheet from our project list and the Squad Marks’ magnets, you can literally be done in minutes. As you can see above, they fit really well and are actually hair smaller than the bases, which is what you want.
However, if you don’t want to grab their stickers or need to cut them out for bigger minis, you can grab a high-strength refrigerator magnet sheet from Amazon and cut them out for yourself. Again, just like Squad Marks does, you want to cut them a little smaller than the base. That way, you don’t have to come back and trim anything later.
These sheets are also strong enough that they don’t have to cover the whole base all the way to the edge. To measure out how much magnet you’ll need, put your base down, trace around it, and cut the line so it’s not hanging over. As you can see in the pic above, it’s not all the way to the edge.
Keep in mind that base sizes are not “universal.” There are tiny differences in companies’ resin bases, so be sure to measure out and not just assume it will be the exact perfect size. It’s often the tiniest tolerance, but it can make a huge difference.
What’s The Best Way To Magnetize Plastic Bases?
Plastic bases have a little gap between the ground and the center “roof” of the bases, like the one above. So, all you have to do is glue a magnet in that open spot. Rob recommends using the Magnet Baron ones because he’s never had any problem with them. It’s really simple; you just glue it in, and you’re ready to go. The main thing you need to watch out for is which size magnets you’re using.
Here’s a quick reference sheet to go on with the diameter measurement listed first.
- 1/4 x 1/16 for lower 25-27mm.
- 3/8 x 116 for 32-50mm bases (2 for 60mm) and more as needed.
- 1/2 x 1/16 for the really big bases like 130mm.
The reason you only want a 1/16 height is that these diameter magnets have enough pull to keep your minis on the metal, and this way, they won’t interfere with playing. And maybe more importantly, if you use a bigger magnet, you can actually have too much magnetization and damage your minis when pulling them out (or that snap to each other).
But if you stick with the sizes above, you should be good to go; just remember, if it’s not holding the weight of your miodel you can always add more magnets to the base.
Product List For Magnetizing Miniatures Bases:
- Steel Sheet (For Clear Cases) You can also use 2′ x4′ HVAC sheets of Tin from home improvement stores.
- 3M Double Sided Mounted Table (For Steel Sheets) Or you can use Duct Tape.
- IRIS Letter & Legal Size Clear Case For Miniatures 18.13″ L x 14.13″ W x 10.75″ H Any box about this big will do.
- Squad Marks Pre-cut peel and stick Sticker Magents for bases 25mm – 50mm Get 10% OFF Enter Promo Code SPIKEYBITS
- 10 “self-cut” Adhesive Magnetic Sheets 8.5″ x 11″ 20 mil Magnet Peel & Stick
- Base Magnets From the Magnet Baron They have all kinds of sizes to choose from. Use coupon code Spikey10off to get 10% off your next order with them!
Here are the best magnet sizes to use when you magnetize Warhammer 40k minis to future-proof them against new rules and meta changes! Read More
Overall, magnetizing your bases can make a huge difference in the transportation and organization of your miniature collection. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you can easily magnetize your bases and get your army ready for battle in no time.
Don’t forget to check out the recommended products list and use the promo codes to get discounts on your purchases.
Get Your Magnets Here 10% OFF Use Code Spikeybits10
Which do you prefer to magnetize, resin, or metal bases on your miniatures?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
