Magnetising Warhammer Models – The Hobbyist’s Cheat Code

At some point in every Warhammer hobbyist’s life, a horrifying realisation sets in—Games Workshop loves optional wargear. Do you want your Space Marine Captain with a thunder hammer or a relic blade (duh … smash-captain FTW!)? Should your Carnifex have two sets of scything talons, or would you prefer the iconic crushing claws? And let’s not even get started on the nightmare that is kitbashing an Imperial Knight’s weapon loadout.

Once upon a time, you had two options: commit to a weapon choice and live with the regret, or buy multiple kits and let your wallet suffer a slow and painful death. But there is a third way – magnetising your models.

This magical technique lets you swap weapons and loadouts at will, ensuring you always have the perfect configuration for your next game. It’s cost-effective, surprisingly simple, and adds a whole new level of hobby satisfaction. So, let’s dive into the world of tiny magnets, mild frustration, and the joy of endless customisation.

Why Magnetise? – The Pros (and Some Cons)

Pros:

✔ Money Saved – Buying one model and making all the weapon options swappable is significantly cheaper than buying multiple versions of the same unit.

✔ Meta Flexibility – As the competitive scene shifts, you can adjust your units accordingly without breaking out the hobby knife and super glue.

✔ Customisation for Days – Even if you don’t play competitively, there’s something deeply satisfying about changing your model’s loadout just because you can.

✔ Transport-Friendly – Swappable parts make it easier to fit models into cases without awkwardly shaped weapon protrusions snapping off mid-transit.

Cons:

✘ Fiddly as Hell – Working with tiny magnets can be frustrating, especially if they decide they like sticking to your tools more than the model.

✘ Alignment Issues – If you place your magnets wrong, your weapons might end up at weird angles, ruining the aesthetic of your carefully painted miniature.

✘ Upfront Effort – While magnetising saves money in the long run, the initial setup takes time and patience (and possibly a bit of cursing).

What You’ll Need – Tools of the Trade

To get started with magnetising, you’ll need a few essential items:

Magnets – Neodymium (rare earth – and the earth is indeed a rare commodity!) magnets are the go-to choice. Typically, sizes range from 2mm x 1mm for smaller joints to 3mm x 2mm for larger components.

Pin Vise (Hand Drill) – For precision drilling, because eyeballing it and jamming a knife in there is a recipe for disaster.

Super Glue – Plastic hobby glue works for other tasks, but super glue is essential for ensuring the magnets stay put.

Green Stuff (Optional) – Useful if you need to reinforce a magnet hole or adjust a fit.

Tweezers and flat Files – Helps to place tiny magnets without them jumping onto everything but the intended surface. Use your file to press the magnet home, then slide the file away sideways (microteething as well, should all else fail!)

Polarity Checker (Your brain, or a Sharpie – which has the longer memory?!) – Always mark your magnets to keep polarity consistent; otherwise, you’ll end up with repelling weapons that refuse to attach.

Step-by-Step: How to Magnetise Like a Pro

Plan Your Magnet Points – Before drilling into anything, dry fit your parts and figure out the best placement for the magnets. Look for flat, stable surfaces where they won’t be too obvious.

Drill the First Hole – Using a pin vise, drill a hole deep enough to fit your magnet. Take it slow; you don’t want to accidentally punch through the other side of the model (unless you’re going for an “artistic battle damage” excuse).

Test Magnet Polarity – This is the most important step. Mark one side of the magnet and always insert it in the same orientation for all matching parts. Nothing feels worse than magnetising a loadout only to realise the magnets are repelling each other. (I am literally now experiencing that sinking feeling for you … )

Glue the Magnet In Place – Dab a small amount of super glue into the hole and carefully place the magnet. Hold it for a few seconds to ensure it sets properly.

Repeat for the Other Side – Drill into the corresponding weapon or limb, double-check polarity (again!), and glue the second magnet in – be careful to keep the two plastic parts apart whilst the glue sets … or they’ll just stick.

Test the Fit – If everything clicks into place, congratulations! If not, well, grab some green stuff or sand it down and try again.

Best Units to Magnetise – Where to Start?

Some models benefit more from magnetising than others. Here are a few prime candidates:

Space Marines – The Wargear Buffet

Intercessors, Aggressors, Dreadnoughts—pretty much every Space Marine kit is a magnetising dream. The ability to swap between bolters, plasma, flamers, and more is a huge advantage.

Tyranids – The Bio-Weapon Bonanza

Hive Tyrants, Carnifexes, and Warriors all have multiple weapon options that make magnetising a no-brainer.

Imperial Knights – The Ultimate Magnetisation Project

With massive interchangeable arm weapons and carapace-mounted guns, Knights are expensive enough that you’ll want all the options without buying multiple kits.

Tau Battlesuits – The Swiss Army Knife Army

Tau players thrive on options. Crisis Suits and Riptides have so many loadouts that magnetising is practically mandatory. And sweet, sweet flat surfaces … oh yeah, flat surfaces!

The Verdict – Is It Worth It?

Magnetising your Warhammer models isn’t just a practical money-saving technique; it’s a hobby within the hobby. Sure, it takes time and patience (and maybe some trial and error), but the ability to swap wargear, adapt to the meta, and show off your fully modular army is incredibly satisfying.

So, if you’re tired of committing to a single weapon choice or just want to experiment with your builds, grab some magnets and start drilling. Just remember—check polarity, or risk assembling an army of weapons that won’t stick.

Warhammer Online – Gaming Frome, Somerset

Happy hobbying!