Whether you're rolling dice in a dungeon or leading futuristic tanks into battle, there's one tiny but mighty tool that can level up your tabletop experience: magnets. We recently sat down with Master Builder Etiquette, a seasoned miniature creator and painter, to dive into the many ways magnets make hobby modeling more creative, cost-effective, and just plain cooler.

With years of experience in Warhammer builds, 3D-printed kits, and terrain design, Master Builder Etiquette shared how magnets have become one of his most essential tools for practical efficiency and jaw-dropping customizations.

Say Goodbye to Glue: Swap, Pose, and Customize

Models aren’t cheap, especially when new rulebooks call for different loadouts. That’s where magnets shine. Master Builder Etiquette uses small disc magnets (like 3 mm x 1 mm) to attach interchangeable weapons on Warhammer tanks, such as the iconic Land Raider.

Instead of gluing a weapon permanently, magnets let you swap pieces, keeping your army adaptable and game-legal. As a bonus, you can pose your models in more dynamic stances. “It looks like the tank’s actually in battle,” he said, “not just stuck in one static pose forever.”

Heavy Metal? No Problem

Working with large resin or 3D-printed models? You’ll need stronger magnets. Think ¾” by 1/16” disc magnets—ideal for supporting heavy parts like cannons or arms on massive models. These magnets give your pieces enough grip to stay put during gameplay while still letting them pop off safely if dropped, saving both paint jobs and your wallet.

table top miniatures and tank

Modular Terrain for the Win

Rectangular magnets like a 6mm x 4 mm x 2 mm block or 1/4”x 1/4” x 1/16” block are perfect for terrain builders. Their shape fits right angles and flat surfaces, making them ideal for modular buildings, swappable walls, and ever-changing board layouts. Want to reconfigure your battlefield for each session? Magnets make it possible (and without a single drop of glue).

Tiny Magnets, Huge Impact

2mm x 1mm disc magnets and 3mm x 1mm disc magnets might be small, but they’re mighty. These micro-magnets are perfect for delicate parts like whips, spears, or even character heads, especially when dealing with smaller-scale or child-size miniatures. You can make nearly any detail swappable with a steady hand and a Dremel.

Travel-Proof Your Army

Glue one small disc magnet to the underside of a model’s base, and suddenly, your transportation game changes. When placed on a magnetic tray or inside a lined case, models won't slide around or break during travel. It’s simple, secure, and ideal for protecting your hard work.

Bonus creativity tip: “Magnet boots” let you walk characters up metal walls or hang them upside down from bridges. It’s a small detail that adds serious flair to your storytelling.

Let There Be Light: Using Magnets with LEDs

Master Builder Etiquette also shared how magnets power up miniatures—literally. You can light up fireballs, magic effects, and glowing eyes by using thin disc magnets as conductive points for LED wiring. Swappable batteries, replaceable bulbs, and flickering effects bring your models to life in new ways.

Tools and Tips for Magnet Success

A few pro tips from the builder himself:

  • Use plastic tweezers or a magnet applicator tool to avoid magnetic misfires (no more glue accidents with metal tweezers).

 

From Tabletop to Terrain: Let Magnets Be Your Secret Weapon

Whether you’re new to tabletop gaming or a seasoned hobbyist, magnets offer a game-changing way to build smarter, play harder, and travel safer. With a little creativity and the right magnet sizes, you can transform how your miniatures move, light up, and fight.

At Apex Magnets, we stock a wide range of hobby-ready magnets, from tiny discs to terrain-worthy blocks. Are you ready to magnetize your minis?

Shop our hobby magnet collection here

 

Want More Inspiration?

If you’d like to see more magnetic miniatures, LED mods, and terrain masterpieces, check out more from Master Builder Etiquette:

His work is equal parts technical and artistic, perfect for anyone looking to elevate their tabletop game.

 

Magnets can be dangerous. Neodymium magnets, especially, must be handled with care to avoid personal injury and damage to the magnets. Fingers and other body parts can get severely pinched between two attracting magnets. Bones can be broken by larger magnets. Children must be supervised.

Visit our Magnet Safety page to learn more.