Build Magnetic Storage For Your Minis
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- I’ve moved on from foam cases to store my mini collection for the better safety and protection magnetic storage brings. Watch as I try to improve on my previous successful cases. And get a few tips on organization too.
Really Useful Boxes 8.1C can be found on Amazon and Office Depot at varying prices. Here’s a link: www.amazon.com/Really-Useful-...
Unfortunately the sheet metal is not branded but use the standard sheets for HVAC you can find in your Big Box hardware store. - เกม
Great video. You should put an Amazon affiliate link in the description for the material you use.
Really Useful Boxes 8.1C can be found on Amazon and Office Depot at varying prices. Here’s a link: www.amazon.com/Really-Useful-Boxes-8-1C/dp/B004VRQMPU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T228Y3REQLTY&keywords=really+useful+box&qid=1580327359&sprefix=reall%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1
I originally found Duncan's (the Two Thin Coats guy) guide on making boxes similar to these, but with magnetic sheets. I found that the sheets were decent and all, but the magnets I've been using (2x1mm, 2 magnets a mini, or 4 for some of the more solid resin ones) just didn't adhere too well to the magnetic sheet. I'd imagine that your method with the metal sheets would do significantly better. I'm running a Skaven army for WH: AOS, and I'll certainly need quite a few boxes for all those rats, and probably the deeper boxes for the larger pieces.
Thank you for this video!
You’re welcome!
18:50 - GREAT idea! I already keep dice and counters in tobacco tins. Hadn't considered magnetising them!
Thanks! It’s great for travel or just knowing everything has a place.
Wait I've been seeing everyone use these but you can get heavy duty tool boxes like these containers for like 14 20 bucks and every single tool company sells em. There are even tackle boxes in the fishing section of most stores that work like these containers too. Best part is they come with dividers too so you can use it like a foam box but without the foam.
That’s definitely an option for most players. I have about 12 boxes that I use for shows so I need transparent boxes to know what’s inside at a glance. If the toolbox works for you, definitely use it.
Great video. Love the storage system you have.
Thanks for this. Great guide and advice. I am gonna do this. Already use larger versions of these boxes for my terrain and they are great. 😊
Thanks, this was maybe the most useful video I have seen on the subject
Thanks for this video. A few other people did something similar, but you showed each step and had some great extra tips. Really appreciated.
I’m glad you found it helpful. I’m still using these boxes 4 years later so they are really durable. No dust has collected inside either!
Those really useful boxes are really useful!
I used magnet paper instead of sheet metal. I think I will use sheet metal next time. I will probably save on the amount of magnets I have to use. I did this for transportation cases, works fricking amazing. Especially on the more delicate stuff like my night haunt.
28mm napoleonics on bass wood and iron bases, in Plano storage trays with magnets glue down.. Can be strapped together for easy handling.
Thanks for making this video I followed it step by step and it worked out so well :)
Ryan Glad to hear that. Mine have traveled a lot over the last year with great results!
Thanks, Corey! I've had this on my mind for a long time. Foam actually broke off axes of plastic minis, and this seems like the perfect solution!
Dungeon Doggies Cast I've had the chance to travel by plane and car to shows with these for several months now and couldn't be happier with the results. Good luck with yours! Cory
This is an awesome idea. I've been struggling to find a decent priced metal box for magnetized units. Didn't think about putting a metal plate into a plastic box. Its so obvious now. Thanks for the tip.
Glad to help Samuel! You can usually find those boxes at a discount on Amazon too. Mine have traveled several thousand miles now and really held up!
it's a very good idea. thanks.
I swear, you're like the Bob Ross of magnetic storage for miniatures in this video haha
Dreams of Priapia I'm going to take this as a huge compliment. 😂
More like the Bob Vila
So soothing
Do you remember what thickness is that metal sheet? There are several brands like greenstuff that sell A4 metallic sheets but they look too thin and I suspect the thinner they are the worse the magnets will stick to it. This sheet metal looks like a great compromise without using something too heavy or unpractical to cut. Edit: oh I managed to find that exact sheet, apparently this is 30-gauge which for us europeans means 0.3mm.
Thanks Andrew. That’s good to know!
Thank you for the video! People tried to tackle this subject since you made this video, but this remains one of the best tutorials out there.
One potential upgrade I have seen is to use nots and bolts to fasten the metal sheet in the plastic boxes. That seems like a good and cheap alternative to that very strong double sided tape your are using.
Thank you!
Awesome video Cory! Thanks
Your fav Canucks!
Thanks Chris! This magnetic storage wouldn’t exist without my first trip to Calgary.
great video, im going to make these
This was great. Thank you!
You’re very welcome Jason!
Thank you Cory
Thanks for the video.. awesome stuff!
Glad to hear you enjoyed this Roberto. These boxes have prevented so much damage and wear and tear to my minis over the years!
@@TheWitchBornI just bumped into this witchborn game .. looks like a rabbit hole.. here i go!! weee! :-)
@@robertogonzalez7026 shoot me a note if you have questions.
16:00 that looks like the bears from Scibor miniatures to me. Great models!
Really useful boxes is a UK based company as far as I'm aware.
Got mine at a staples in Canada
I'm assuming it will work if you use a print out of paper or either engraved or chemically etched place holder circles for reminding whats in what box for easy catalogue and clean up?
I use tie downs made from little bits of elastic and of If I use foam its kazan
Can you provide a link to the boxes you used? I’ve found the Really useful boxes, but no evidence of them stacking and interlocking like that
Really Useful Boxes 8.1C can be found on Amazon and Office Depot at varying prices. Here’s a link: www.amazon.com/Really-Useful-Boxes-8-1C/dp/B004VRQMPU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T228Y3REQLTY&keywords=really+useful+box&qid=1580327359&sprefix=reall%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1
There is a magnetic plastic sheet selling online. I think it is easier to cut and glue in the box than sterl sheet.
Oh god, l ordered 3mm thick steel. I could barely lift the parcel! do you think 1mm could work or is 2mm a minimum?
The metal I use is very thin, about 24 gauge which would be less than 1 mm if my Google search is correct. The sheets I use are for HVAC ductwork.
Thanks for the video, I'm currently in the process of building a case of my own, can you remember how thick the metal sheet was or what thickness would you recommend?
Galdenistal I've got a sheet here and the manufacturer, Master Flow, doesn't list a thickness so it must be standard for HVAC. 1/16" perhaps. A little thinner than the thickness of a steel ruler. It doesn't take much.
Cory
Any updates on your storage solution? How are they holding up after all this time? Anything you would change?
WhiteFlare there is little I would change. These have held up quite nicely to conventions! When driving I have found keeping the boxes nearer center of the cargo area in an SUV (rather than near the tailgate) ensures less jostling. Adding a heavier box with books or other game supplies on top really keeps them in place too. I also found myself putting a large label on the box top and one side. Even though I can see through the box and know what’s inside, helpers aren’t as aware when I say please get me the Orc Box.
There is a cheep tool that takes the burr off the sheet metal. What if you put magnets on the bottom corner of the boxes to add to the "nesting" of the boxes adding to the stability. Also, for shock absorption, why not put a layer of foam between the bottom of the box, and the metal? Great video.
James, great thoughts! These have been working great but I’m always looking for improvements. I’d be interested in the tool to take burrs off ( is something other than a file?)
AFA Tooling Deburring Tool with a Blade and 10 High-Speed Steel Rotary Burr Removal Blades www.amazon.com/dp/B07RM1D6WD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_S1KxDbPT4HXXM
Great job on the project. Can you speak to the costs on this? I did something similar but I used a roll of galvanized flashing and larger storage bins. I like the idea of mounting tape a lot and will very likely use that in my next project. I used spray adhesive and duct tape on my first iteration. I used spray adhesive, strips of wood and some cabinet handles to make a tray type thing for the second.
Danny, I can give you a rough guesstimate. The plastic boxes are expensive unless you get a deal. I got them on Amazon for about $8 each. The sheet of galvanized steel was about $10 (enough to do all the boxes). The most expensive was the tape (in the $20 range but I had plenty left). -Cory
@@TheWitchBorn can you put an amazon link?
How do you transport them? Do you carry the bonded cases by hand, put them on a trolley/cart or stack in a bag?
Kai Itza generally I stack them 3-4 high and secure them with a bungie. For the car I either bungee them in or for a show pack a lot around them and then put a heavy box of books on top. Center of the vehicle is best.
At shows one or two of us carry the bungied stacks short distances. I bungee them to a little hand cart when there’s a long way to go. I like to see them so don’t trust a bag.
What gauge is the plate?
Hi! do you find that the 6x2mm magnets arent too strong that it might damage some more flimsy models when you pull the out? (for example minis glued into bases with sand or similar)
Thanks!
sabaw3 In my experience going with weaker magnets causes more damage from sliding figures. Teach yourself (and friends) to lift by the base and not the figures and you'll be fine.
Cory
@@TheWitchBorn thanks for the reply! Another question, do you find that the models attract each other with the magnets or it doesn't usually happen? Thanks alot!
sabaw3 when I used to use refrigerator magnets we had a few occasions when it happened because the magnets were edge to edge. Switching to earth magnets has worked better because they're centered (and far from the edge).
Hi, I was wondering the same thing about the magnets attracting each other but whilst on the table. Have you ever moved a model over or near another and had the one on the table move?
Many Colours 😊 never. They're just not that strong at that size. The Witchborn is a skirmish game so the minis are always next to each other. Sometimes in large scrums.
Have you tried spraying the bottom of the metal sheet with 3M spray adhesive instead of using tape?
Hey John, the shorter answer is I wouldn’t recommend spray adhesive.
3M spray mount is intended for repositioning. Super 77 is permanent for pictures but extremely messy and loses tack over time. It really can’t handle exposure to weather (like traveling).
The longer story is my buddy and I were reminiscing when this question came across. We are sort of experts on spray mount. Back in the day before advertising agencies outlawed spray mount, we spent no less than 10 hours a week in the spray booth. It’s safe to say we have more spray mount trapped in our lungs than the legal limit.
Before binding really took off at places like Staples we had to assemble presentation booklets with laser prints and spray mount. One particular Saturday we needed 200, 48-page booklets. About a case of spray mount.
Back then spray booths were about show not function.
My buddy volunteered to be the sprayer while I assembled. By the end of the day his forearms were coated in glistening goo. He end up shaving his arms just to get back down near the skin.
I don’t ever use spray mount any more.
@@TheWitchBorn Lol, been there a bit in Art School. They made us use the spray booth, though ;)
@@jmadmac2321 Yeah John, I worked my way up from the mount room to a bigger agency and when I even suggested spray mount for a project they said no way. Nowadays they use Artist-Tac or some other solution because of the health issues. Probably better for the world.
Any chance you could link me to the boxes that you used? :D
can you let me know how Thick that Metal Sheet is? i once tried to do this but i ordered my sheets too thick and it was horrible to cut!
Hi Marco, This is standard galvanized sheeting used in HVAC ductwork. The sheets I use don’t even list a thickness listed on the packagaing so I Googled and got 0.013 inches. The ones I purchase are from Home Depot and cut reasonably well with tin snips.
Master genius
Where did you buy the galvanized steel?
Justin Brinkley Home Depot. If your hardware store has supplies for metal ductwork, they usually have flat sheets that HVAC installers bend for custom work.
Where did you get the magnets? I’m using a4 rubber magnetic sheeting with 5mm x 2mm magnets for 25mm bases and they just won’t hold good and my miniatures slide lots
Corvus Blade my guess is the magnetic sheeting is causing your issues. When I used thin sticky-backed discs for magnets (like standard refrigerator magnets) the minis did not stick worth a darn.
I use a minimum of 5x2mm magnets on light plastic minis. 6x2mm magnets have become my preferred size because these also work on metal minis. Magnets are easy to find on Amazon by typing “6x2mm magnets.” The last batch was $12.99 for 300.
For a very heavy mini, I sometimes use 2 magnets. I can turn the boxes upside down without fear when using the cheaper metal sheeting. Hope this helps!
@@TheWitchBorn my thoughts too and ok thanks for the input ! I will probably be looking into the metal sheeting from now on, thank you
I noticed that you didn't used something like putty to make sure the magnet is flush with the metal sheet. That way you need less powerful magnets to get the same kind of stickiness. But I guess your method is faster though.
I’ll definitely be making some of these. I’ve had a few disasters already.
I’ve definitely felt a lot safer carrying my older metal and more detailed minis with the magnetic storage. -Cory
Sadly, there don't to be any stackable boxes anywhere in Bulgaria it seems.
Excellent storage system, but... I noticed you didn't flip the fully loaded box upside down to show how well the magnets hold the miniatures to the metal plate. 8^)
I also like your apothecary cabinet miniature storage!
Haha yes. At that time I was still trying to make the refrigerator magnets work on the bigger models-and you just can’t! I think in a couple of scenes you even see a couple figures sliding. The key is matching the right earth magnet to the size and weight of the figure. You want an easy release but solid hold. I think if I re-shot this today the tray could turn upside down but I still don’t think I’d risk it!
Where’s a good place to get the magnets from?
Amazon has the earth magnets in all the sizes shown. Incredibly inexpensive too.
How much weight does the galvanized sheet metal add?
Ma’ahes the weight is negligible (the metal weighs less than the box). I weighed the loaded box shown and it was 3 pounds, 5 ounces.
Great to know, I've never used this stuff and was going to get some today. Would you know how important the thickness / gauge of the metal is, or is the thinner 30-26 gauge range ok
@@maahesghulainn9480 28 gage or 0.013 inches is standard for duct work here. It’s fairly thin.
Really Useful Boxes 8.1C can be found on Amazon and Office Depot at varying prices. Here’s a link: www.amazon.com/Really-Useful-Boxes-8-1C/dp/B004VRQMPU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T228Y3REQLTY&keywords=really+useful+box&qid=1580327359&sprefix=reall%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1
Any updates to how these held up?
Jamie, it isn’t a truly fair test as there were no conventions and only one store appearance in 2020 but I would say the boxes are a huge success! The other solutions I purchased and tried were failures after their first events and these homemade solutions have been through some biggies like Gen Con now.
@@TheWitchBorn thank you for replying soo quickly!
For me this will mostly be an in house storage system with the very occasional use traveling, I have the same issues as you with the foam based storage boxes
@@Faithless655 those apothecary cabinets behind me in the picture are lined with metal bottoms for magnetic storage too. The minis are alphabetical by type. Players using Orcs for example can pull out a drawer of Orcs and set up their war clan for play. This prevents the cringe-worthy events that used to happen, where a player would grab a handful of painted minis, crush them together, walk across the room with minis grinding, and plop them on the game table.
The only drawback I've seen of magnetizing the bases of the minis is that they sometimes tend to push each other away on a regular map board. For context, I've used this method for my D&D minis and used them on standard square-grid maps. When I attempt to place two magnetized minis next to each other, invariably one or both get pushed. My next attempt is going to be to glue small washers to the bases and just see if I can use a magnetized sheet to line the box and keep the washers in place. Of course, I'll have to take a magnet to the store and ensure I don't accidentally purchase non-ferrous washers. Has anyone had success with a similar method?
Hi Peter, it’s unfortunate that you’re having issues! Could the magnets be too big/too powerful? I have never run into issues and have been using very tiny magnets for more than 5 years and many trade shows now. I would recommend against washers. I tried those years ago. They look clunky even when neatly painted and make a lot of surface contact so are more likely to scratch gameboards, game mats, and tabletops.
@@TheWitchBorn That's very possible. I will try smaller magnets to see how it goes. Thanks!
@@PeterRamos-cg1nf You’re very welcome. Err on the side of too weak first because if others are handling your minis and they grab an arm and connection is too strong, the arm could come off!
I have large slots with a layer of foam on the bottom and a shaped top piece of foam to sandwich the models. Takes more boxes but they are safer. This method seems way too dangerous when dropped.
about 99 ninjas really interesting idea! I may experiment with that too.
I just got aluminum Sheet and my magnets dont stick i thought they would hahah damn
why don't you use A4 magnetic sheets in the boxes?
Purely for cost savings. The galvanized sheets are about 20% of the magnetized sheets I’ve seen.
hi dude! nice vid.. BUt please.. Cant you add in your description the names of the items you are using? Its hard to know and do what you do if we cant have names on metall ... brands and so on and then these videos dont help us so much.
Benjamin, Really Useful Boxes 8.1C can be found on Amazon and Office Depot at varying prices. Here’s a link: www.amazon.com/Really-Useful-Boxes-8-1C/dp/B004VRQMPU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T228Y3REQLTY&keywords=really+useful+box&qid=1580327359&sprefix=reall%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1
Unfortunately the sheet metal is not branded but use the standard sheets for HVAC you can find in your Big Box hardware store.
Why don't use magnetic sheet?
Hi Junior. I have learned through painful experience that thin magnetic sheeting doesn’t have enough pull. The earth magnets stick much better to metal. If you scroll through the comments a few others have tried magnetic sheeting and were disappointed.
Technically Security should not allow you to take it on the plane. These plates are weapons. You could cut someone up. XD
ObiWanReksu you could also kill someone with a bible if you tried hard enough.
@@davidekstrom9595 true! haha
The T.S.A. is a joke. We can tightly roll up a newspaper, and/or magazine, and have a more than adequate weapon at the ready. Personally, the T.S.A. should be abolished and passenger lists should be screened by counter-terrorist task force personnel. We all know who the bad guys are... yet we cannot vet them because of ignorant leftwing organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the American (un)Civil Liberties Union.
@@davidekstrom9595 Bible? Try again Sir... I think you misspelled the truly malevolent "holy book"... the book you are looking to identify starts with a Q. Facts matter. Emotions do not.
"How much do you charge for taking one of those out"
*Whispers* *As much as I want*
Definitely plays a chaotic PC for D&D