Magnetizing a Predator Turret

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Wandered over here from the chaos forums to ask if anybody here magnetized a predator turret to accept both the twin-lascannon and the predator autocannon?  Wondering what the best way of doing it is.

[WrathOfTheLion]

I ended up clearing the two pin holes out enough to get a 3mm magnet in each one. Then I cut the pins off of each turret gun and drilled 3mm holes and magnets into each one there. It works well enough I think. I have seen other ways to do it, and they may very likely be better, but that is what I have done and it is acceptable for me.

 

I also drilled a 2mm hole to hold the back ammo hopper/power pack for that to be magnetized.

 

I have better tools now, including smaller squares and calipers, so I think just those would make a second time turn out better.

Edited October 9, 2020 by WrathOfTheLion

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Thanks - that's how I was thinking about doing it as well.  Uses more magnets but seems easier than doing it from the back end.

 

Do you have a problem with "barrel droop"?  That's my main concern of doing it the way you did.

[WrathOfTheLion]

I did at some point, but I think especially after adding paint the friction holds it. Either way, it did when I first did the work and it doesn't now for whatever reason 

 

If I were to do it again, I think I would draw it up better and glue a piece of sprue behind it to hold another magnet, to keep it from rotating. Removing a degree of freedom should keep it quite steady.

 

It might actually be 2mm magnets I used. If I did it again, I would use the 3mm. I'll probably end up doing some more soon, as I think I'm going to make a full squadron of Mars pattern for my 1st Legion.

Edited October 10, 2020 by WrathOfTheLion

[Grotsmasha]

Thanks - that's how I was thinking about doing it as well.  Uses more magnets but seems easier than doing it from the back end.

 

Do you have a problem with "barrel droop"?  That's my main concern of doing it the way you did.

Rather than magnetising the pin holes, magnetised the top and bottom. The model itself will stop left/right misalignment, and 2x 3mm magnets will stop barrel droop

[Sword Brother Adelard]

I also magnetised the existing pin/lug holes.

 

This was the easiest way I found, and when I bought my third predator, (for killshot reasons) third hand and broken from a LGS, it was the easiest way to magnetise a turret which was both glued onto the hull, and had the weapon glued in place. (Why?!) I managed to slide a knife into the gap and cut the lugs, then drill out the holes for the magnets.

[Minsc]

I didnt even bother to magnetize it, i just didnt glue the turret, and instead lift off the top half like a hat whenever i want to switch weaponry.

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Thanks for the help, everyone.  I ended up taking magnetizing the lugs, as that was the easiest way to go about it and I have lots of magnets.  Also added a strip of plasticard as per the suggestion of Cheex on the chaos forums, as he said it will help prevent barrel droop.  Not sure it the card I used is thick enough - they don't droop now, but they may overtime... if they do, I guess I can put a thicker strip then. 

 

[Mandragola]

Looks good. For the chaos-y bits around the sides, I'd suggest using some Green Stuff to fill the gaps a bit. You always get these tell tale grooves between bits of plasticard but they're pretty easy to fill.

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Thanks - not quite there yet, though.   I literally just finished that last night, and need to size check my bolts to see if I can do another, smaller layer of card ontop of the first (it the bolts are too big, it might not look right).

 

Here's the completed model (though still unpainted), for those who are interested: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/346143-the-judgment-on-kadeth-dr-ruminahuis-emperors-children/?p=5615994

Edited October 12, 2020 by Dr_Ruminahui