DexC Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Hi all, I've been messing around magnetizing a few test minis, and I've had some success doing a couple of arms. However, I've got a metal apoth figure, and I'd ideally like to magnetize the arm and backpack so I could swap a jump pack in and out. However, I can't see how I'd manage to drill into the metal. I normally use a drill bit in my hands to drill plastic, which won't cut it on metal. I can't really see using an electric drill or putting the model in a vice, as I think I'd probably damage the mini. So does anyone have any tips? Or am I attempting something that can't be done? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/221567-magnetizing-metal-minis/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vindicatus Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Can it be done? Yes. I did some SERIOUS drilling/pinning on my oldschool metal Hive Tyrant (and subsequently JB welded the whole thing together) because i got tired of random parts flying off if I so much as looked at it with a cocked eyebrow. Drills/grinders/etc can be used if you are extremely careful and operate at a low speed; too high and you risk creating so much friction heat that you partially melt the thing, or you go right through it without even thinking about it. I have a variable speed dremmel tool that goes between 5k/rpm and 35k/rpm (which sounds a lot like a dentist's drill) and setting it towards the lower end, I've been able to hollow out metal minis enough to drop some JB weld and a magnet in there. Drills you can do, but it's a lot more touch and go because of how tricky the triggers are on some of them. You can certainly do it with some care and the right sort of vice. Copper coated ones are supposed to be soft enough not to mar metal, but pewter is even softer than that. I'd get a couple of pieces of scrap leather and drape them on the inside of the vice clamps in order to hold your dude in place. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/221567-magnetizing-metal-minis/#findComment-2647127 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quixus Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I have the metal apothecary as well. Drilling worked all right with an electric drill after I did a little hole by hand (which was a pain). Metal melting was no problem for me. Before any melting took place the mini got pretty warm and I stopped. I resumed after a minute or so. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/221567-magnetizing-metal-minis/#findComment-2647229 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironwulf Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Hi all, I've been messing around magnetizing a few test minis, and I've had some success doing a couple of arms. However, I've got a metal apoth figure, and I'd ideally like to magnetize the arm and backpack so I could swap a jump pack in and out. However, I can't see how I'd manage to drill into the metal. I normally use a drill bit in my hands to drill plastic, which won't cut it on metal. I can't really see using an electric drill or putting the model in a vice, as I think I'd probably damage the mini. So does anyone have any tips? Or am I attempting something that can't be done? DexC, you mention that you're using a drill bit in your hands? Seriously?!? Go buy a pin vice. The Games Workshop one is just fine. There are also others offered by other companies like Gale Force 9 or such. They are NOT expensive, and usually come with a few drill bits. It makes precision drilling much easier, even on plastic minis. Now, for your problem with magnetizing metal minis- you might want to use a larger drill bit size, with an electric drill, in order to drill a hole large enough to fit your magnet in. I would recommend a vice, but pad the jaws of the vice with several layers of masking tape on each side, and that will help hold the mini without harming it. Drill as slow as you possibly can and you'll do okay. These are just MY tips on doing this. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/221567-magnetizing-metal-minis/#findComment-2647557 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Captain Sam Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Slow dremmel works great. Just be sure you take your time. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/221567-magnetizing-metal-minis/#findComment-2647894 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DexC Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 Thanks for all the tips. Ironwulf, the main reason I was using the drill bit in my hands was because I was following this tutorial, which states in bold letters to do exactly that. I was using a drill bit about 3-4 inches long so there was plently to hold onto, and it worked perfectly well on plastic. So if I pad a vice well, and use a manual drill so I can keep the speed slow, that seems like it should work. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/221567-magnetizing-metal-minis/#findComment-2648096 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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