Fun With Magnets, Or, All Your Base Are Belong to Us.

Using the two SoG pirate ship repaints, two sizes of rare earth magnets, Langton Miniature sculpted bases and the custom Litko bases recently acquired I thought I would try some variations on basing the ships with magnets to hold them in place. I'll let the photos do the talking, but if you have specific questions I'll do my best to answer.

The grip on the SGN bases is OK but I'd like it to be as strong as those that sit on the Langon's. More experimenting to come. Cheers!

The SGN minis on the Langton bases really hold tight, you almost have to pry them off.

Oh my god, it's alive!

And pretty, too :happy:

It looked like you weren't making direct contact in the SoG base design, but you were with the old Langton base.

Great photos Jim, very neat work with the magnets.

Excellent idea and execution!

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Originally Posted by Andy Blozinski

It looked like you weren't making direct contact in the SoG base design, but you were with the old Langton base.

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Exactly so, Andy. I think I'm going to try and drill through the SGN base to see if this improves the grip. I expect it will, and even with the card and clear plastic shield in place the ship should hold tighter. One thing I will also check is to see if the polarity on the bottom side of the base magnet will grip to metal or a flexible magnetic surface? Either way the option to hold the ship on the base plus the base to a flat surface metal/magnetic means that bottom larger magnet can do double duty. Photos later if it works out.

This is great Jim. Some tricky drilling though I bet.

Thanks for sharing!

:thumbsup::thanks:

The Black Pearl looks really good on the Langton base! Awesome job!

Some final result photos as promised.

Drilling the Langton base was fairly easy as the resin is not too difficult to penetrate. I actually did it by hand using the small drills I have. The SoG base was a bit harder as the plastic is tougher, but again I used the small mini drills to start a pilot hole and then progressively used larger drills up to the final one which was 3/16's (I did use a power drill then to maintain a more uniform hole). Some very slight trimming and the large magnet inserted very snugly. I will most likely use two part epoxy instead of super glue in future, but it's holding very well at the moment. I don't think I'd try the upside down trial that Erin did using his ships :shock:, but I did show that one magnet will hold the modified SoG base quite firmly to the side of a refrigerator (the Langton base has a layer of Litko's magnetized heavy duty sheet on the base bottom). Once I decide on a storage system I may well use Erin's felt method to line a box or case? Cheers!!

Good work!

Jim you have actually made these look good. Something I very much doubted could be done. I am humbled by your skill and innovation.

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Originally Posted by Volunteer

Jim you have actually made these look good. Something I very much doubted could be done. I am humbled by your skill and innovation.

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Thanks Vol. I think the ships are great for folks who want to explore aspects of the Age of Sail gaming right 'out of the box'. With a little more effort some of these sculpts can go even farther. I've really been enjoying the synthesis process as well as observing how others have been enhancing the game and minis. It's been a lot of fun!

Well done!

Before seeing the recent threads about magnets, using them were not on my radar. You folks are making me reconsider, especially regarding transportation.

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Originally Posted by 7eat51

Before seeing the recent threads about magnets, using them were not on my radar. You folks are making me reconsider, especially regarding transportation.

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I think the storage options that Keith is working on, plus what you, Ed and others have come up with is probably more than enough for normal transportation? I think Erin and I wanted to add another level of security for the ships that might not be critical for average use? Besides these magnets really are awesome and fun to experiment with! :wink:

Those bases are wavy on the top. Were they purchased that way, or did you modify them to be wavy?

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Originally Posted by Andy Blozinski

Those bases are wavy on the top. Were they purchased that way, or did you modify them to be wavy?

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Andy, those resin bases are produced by Rod Langton in the UK. You can purchase from Rob at Waterloo Minis here in the US. Here''s the link: http://waterloominis.com/oscommerce/...8cri71bd9spii7

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Originally Posted by Nightmoss

Andy, those resin bases are produced by Rod Langton in the UK. You can purchase from Rob at Waterloo Minis here in the US. Here''s the link: http://waterloominis.com/oscommerce/...8cri71bd9spii7

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Thank you for the link Jim. Your work looks brilliant. :envy:

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Originally Posted by Nightmoss

I think the storage options that Keith is working on, plus what you, Ed and others have come up with is probably more than enough for normal transportation? I think Erin and I wanted to add another level of security for the ships that might not be critical for average use? Besides these magnets really are awesome and fun to experiment with! :wink:

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One nice thing about being more secure is the confidence when others are helping transport your stuff. If someone is kind enough to help, I don't want to drive them nuts with concern over things being carried exactly right. I figure if you have one glued to the ship, one to the base, and one to the carrying case, you would be good to go. This assumes one is not using the types of trays Keith will produce.

On average, what does a package of magnets run?

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Originally Posted by 7eat51

One nice thing about being more secure is the confidence when others are helping transport your stuff. If someone is kind enough to help, I don't want to drive them nuts with concern over things being carried exactly right. I figure if you have one glued to the ship, one to the base, and one to the carrying case, you would be good to go. This assumes one is not using the types of trays Keith will produce.

On average, what does a package of magnets run?

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Eric, if you don't mind I'll just link from Amazon, which is where I picked up both sets of magnets. I'm sure you can probably get these locally or via another online source?

Large: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Small: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/104...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Originally Posted by Nightmoss

Thanks Vol. I think the ships are great for folks who want to explore aspects of the Age of Sail gaming right 'out of the box'. With a little more effort some of these sculpts can go even farther. I've really been enjoying the synthesis process as well as observing how others have been enhancing the game and minis. It's been a lot of fun!

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Well that is what it's all supposed to be about isn't it?

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Originally Posted by Nightmoss

Andy, those resin bases are produced by Rod Langton in the UK. You can purchase from Rob at Waterloo Minis here in the US. Here''s the link: http://waterloominis.com/oscommerce/...8cri71bd9spii7

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Thanks for the link. Beatin's for them as a vendor, though. No photos or even a text commentary on what the base dimensions are. I guess I'll have to email them to figure out what they're selling!

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Originally Posted by Nightmoss

Eric, if you don't mind I'll just link from Amazon

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Thanks, Jim. :hatsoff:

I didn't realize they are so cheap - a no brainer, here.

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Originally Posted by Andy Blozinski

Thanks for the link. Beatin's for them as a vendor, though. No photos or even a text commentary on what the base dimensions are. I guess I'll have to email them to figure out what they're selling!

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Yes, Rob's site leaves a lot to be desired, but he's a good guy and will help you out with whatever you need.

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Originally Posted by Andy Blozinski

Thanks for the link. Beatin's for them as a vendor, though. No photos or even a text commentary on what the base dimensions are. I guess I'll have to email them to figure out what they're selling!

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If you click on the individual base "add to cart" link I believe you'll get the dimensions listed in the description. Still no photos, though.

Coincidentally, Rod Langton doesn't have photos either (at least not that I saw)? Look under "1:1200 Misc" http://www.rodlangton.com/napoleonic/frame.htm

Been thinking about the basing of the ships and magnets. What about placing a 2mm diameter magnet into the base by slightly enlarging the exisiting mounting hole, then removing the plug from the base of the ship and gluing a magnet on the bottom in the same position(either recessed or straight on the bottom). This way the cards can still be changed, the ship should "stick" quite firmly and it may be possbile if the magnet is long enough to use it to adhere to a metal base mounted case.

Recessing a magnet into the ship is technically more difficult but would also allow the ship to sail on a mat without a base, thus allowing it to be used with other game systems as well.

Comments or pitfalls?

Daniel, good idea, but may not work so well on tiny single-deckers like the Swans, also may have pivot problems. Really, the ideal here would be two points of attachment for better stability.

Good point about the smaller ships, I haven't compared the magnet size to the ship beam on those and the new sloops will be even smaller. Still 1mm magnet diameters are available but may not have enough holding power. This might need some testing. I've been fiddling with my double main masted French 74 so hadnt extrapolated ideas to the smaller ships and I'm reluctant to mangle a perfectly good model :shock:

We're not just looking at horizontal but vertical too... good luck shaving a neodymium magnet down with anything short of a laser cutter.

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Originally Posted by Diamondback

good luck shaving a neodymium magnet down with anything short of a laser cutter.

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Good luck even with a laser cutter! lol

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Originally Posted by Berthier

Been thinking about the basing of the ships and magnets. What about placing a 2mm diameter magnet into the base by slightly enlarging the exisiting mounting hole, then removing the plug from the base of the ship and gluing a magnet on the bottom in the same position(either recessed or straight on the bottom). This way the cards can still be changed, the ship should "stick" quite firmly and it may be possbile if the magnet is long enough to use it to adhere to a metal base mounted case.

Recessing a magnet into the ship is technically more difficult but would also allow the ship to sail on a mat without a base, thus allowing it to be used with other game systems as well.

Comments or pitfalls?

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I'm probably going to stick with this system as it eliminates the swiveling issues. It will be interesting to see how this will work (if it does) with the smaller ships? There are smaller magnets available so perhaps it wont be too much of an issue. I don't foresee ever using the SoG ships in any other system that doesn't make use of bases, but I can see where the plug is a problem if that's your ultimate intention. Cheers!

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Originally Posted by Berthier

Been thinking about the basing of the ships and magnets. What about placing a 2mm diameter magnet into the base by slightly enlarging the exisiting mounting hole, then removing the plug from the base of the ship and gluing a magnet on the bottom in the same position(either recessed or straight on the bottom). This way the cards can still be changed, the ship should "stick" quite firmly and it may be possbile if the magnet is long enough to use it to adhere to a metal base mounted case.

Recessing a magnet into the ship is technically more difficult but would also allow the ship to sail on a mat without a base, thus allowing it to be used with other game systems as well.

Comments or pitfalls?

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Cover a metal sheet with some wave printed fabric and you could have a cool little diorama of the ships sitting directly on the sea surface.

I've been following this discussion for a while now and would like to suggest 2 other solutions I've not seen mentioned yet.

First is a non-permanent method that uses something called Blu-Tack. This is a putty or plasticine type product that does not harden and can be re-used. Take a small amount and affix it to the bottom of a ship (fore & aft if desired) and gently press down on the plastic plate. The ship can be pulled off gently, the material removed and reused. Can be found in art supply stores.

Second is using magnets, but with a very thin (35 gauge) metal strip attached to the bottom of the ship. Could attach using 2 sided tape or Elmer's Glue. Attach the magnet to the bottom of the base as above. This should provide a bit of attraction to keep the ship on the base but not require drilling of holes. The metal could be cut to the shape of the ship base if desired. I did pick up some magnets and a thin (.008" tin plated sheet metal) to test but have not gotten around to it yet. Sheet metal from a hobby store, magnets from the art supply store.

Had intended to test both methods before posting, but thought I'd throw them out there for now. :fixit:

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Originally Posted by JonathanE

I've been following this discussion for a while now and would like to suggest 2 other solutions I've not seen mentioned yet.

First is a non-permanent method that uses something called Blu-Tack. This is a putty or plasticine type product that does not harden and can be re-used. Take a small amount and affix it to the bottom of a ship (fore & aft if desired) and gently press down on the plastic plate. The ship can be pulled off gently, the material removed and reused. Can be found in art supply stores.

Second is using magnets, but with a very thin (35 gauge) metal strip attached to the bottom of the ship. Could attach using 2 sided tape or Elmer's Glue. Attach the magnet to the bottom of the base as above. This should provide a bit of attraction to keep the ship on the base but not require drilling of holes. The metal could be cut to the shape of the ship base if desired. I did pick up some magnets and a thin (.008" tin plated sheet metal) to test but have not gotten around to it yet. Sheet metal from a hobby store, magnets from the art supply store.

Had intended to test both methods before posting, but thought I'd throw them out there for now. :fixit:

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Jon, thanks for the suggestions.

Keith, and others have used something similar to Blu-Tack, and it appears this works very well. Even a think application of basic white glue to the plug works if you let it dry sufficiently, and it can be peeled off if you have any issues.

I like the idea of thin metal strips on the ship bottom, so do post your photos. As some of the Wave 2 ships are going to be much smaller this might be the way to go, avoiding drilling in the ships at all?

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Originally Posted by Diamondback

We're not just looking at horizontal but vertical too... good luck shaving a neodymium magnet down with anything short of a laser cutter.

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No would never try to change the shape of the magnet, just order a different size as they are fairly cheap from China on ebay.

Jim

That is exactly what I did with mine. I don't have to worry about bases falling off when the kids pick them up by the masts.

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Originally Posted by BRIAN DUNBAR

Jim

That is exactly what I did with mine. I don't have to worry about bases falling off when the kids pick them up by the masts.

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They do hold pretty well. I've now started on other bases, but goofed up one of the ship magnets (I need to remember to check polarity before I glue the magnets in place). :shock:

I was in a hobby shop yesterday and they had some magnetic strip, which was sticky on one side (like selotape). That may be useful.

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Originally Posted by Naharaht

I was in a hobby shop yesterday and they had some magnetic strip, which was sticky on one side (like selotape). That may be useful.

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Do you recall how thick the tape was? I've seen similar items at the local craft store, but it's far too thick to work.

There are thick versions, and I recently (yesterday) saw a number of thin magnetic sheets of various sizes (8.5" x11" Dow to 2"x3"). After dithering I decided on a set that can be attached to business cards, should be cutable with scissors. Hope to get some time soon to test if this material will work (or the thin metal I got earlier) through the base.

Thickness is just under 1 mm (6 sheets with removable tape backing are about 5mm).