“What Is”  is a feature describing an item that is used a lot in gaming. These articles are done to describe and answer what a particular item is and the various things about it.

A lot of people ask about using magnets in their models and what they should use. Most common is the Neodymium magnet (or NEO for short) mainly for their availability in small sizes and their incredibly strong pull. Some of you maybe asking what is a NEO magnet?

Also known as neodymium iron boron magnets, the chemical formula for Nd2Fe14B, is a man-made permanent magnet. So far, this is the strongest magnetic materials, known as the king of the magnet.

NEO magnets come in a variety of sizes and shapes. This variety coupled with their strength is what makes them great for what we need them for.

Size: Typically the smallest you will find is the 1/16th of an inch. They can also get several inches in diameter as well though the larger you go, the more expensive the magnet will be. Personally I keep a handful of 1/16th to 1/4 inch magnets on hand but really it all depends on what will be good for you as a modeler. I would honestly not go thinner than 1/16th of an inch, these magnets are very fragile and the really tend to break.

Shape: The most common shade we would use is the disk magnet. This shape corresponds with the drill bits we use as a hobbyist. So when ordering a package of 1/16th NEO magnets you can also pick up 1/16 drill bits to match those. As you can see in the picture above there is a wide variety of shapes for  box, cylinder, disk, ring etc. So if you need a specific space for a project it is likely available.

Strength: the strength of a NEO magnet is rated between 30-52, typically with a N in front (ie N42 and N52) to show they are a Neodymium magnet. Some places sell magnets with a two letter abbreviation behind it (ie N50SH), these letters mean those magnets can withstand higher temperatures before losing their magnetic pull but those are unneeded for what we do as hobbyists. It doesn’t hurt if you use them but they are more expensive.

Typically I will not use anything less then a N42 and primarily use N52 magnets. I know a lot of people buy magnets on eBay because of their low prices but a lot of those magnets are lower end N30 magnets. I highly suggest paying a little more and going with a quality magnet maker such as K&J Magnetic.

From Chris L on Facebook

There are all the magnets I use. The smallest is good for most infantry, and some weapons for vehicles. The next size up is terminators and most of your vehicle weapon needs. The one up from that is once again for vehicles, and the largest is used for the heavy attachment point on vehicles like hold down turrets. While I have never done a monstrous creature the middle two sizes are probably good for that.

I recommend getting a dremmel (plug in not battery powered), a set of drill bits (handy for doing barrels), and a dremmel bit 194. That bit is perfect for magnets it is 1/8″, and leaves a flat bottomed hole unlike a drill bit. It also has bladed sides, so you can widen a hole to fit any diameter magnet you need.

As always wear safety glasses, and if working with resin a dust mask.

Example of Magnet Strength
1/16th x 1/16th
N42 has .1 lbs of pull
N52 has .12 lbs of pull

1/8th x 1/16th
N42 = .45
N52 = .56

3/16th x 1/16th
N42 = .75
N52 = .93

1/4th x 1/16th
N42 = 1.19
N52 = 1.47

For modeling if you need to add strength you can also go for a thicker magnet as well

1/4th x 1/16th N52 = 1.47 lbs of pull
1/4th x 1/8th N52 = 2.85 lbs of pull

As you can see, doubling the thickness almost doubled the pull. While I am not 100% on this, I believe doubling up on the magnets (stack two on top of each  has a very similar effect (may not be to such a high increase but it does have more pull).

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Shops:
Guy’s Magnets (UK) http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Guys-Magnets

Amazing Magnets (US) www.amazingmagnets.com/

Artisan Quarters (UK) www.artisan-quarters.com

First 4 Magnets (UK) http://www.first4magnets.com

K&J Magnetics (US) www.kjmagnetics.com

e-Magnets UK (UK) http://e-magnetsuk.com