Magnetized Game Board

[MattV]

I remember someone posting about playing on a magnetized game board. Has anyone made one of these?

I've been thinking either buy a magnetized dry erase board and make the counters metal.

or

Making a board out of metal and using business card magnets counters.

or

Use sheet magnet for the game board, and make the counters metal.

Any thoughts?

[Too Bo Coo]

If you use minis, rare earth magnets and tape or clamp a paper map to a metal backing. If you use counters, I'd imagine board magnet like you mentioned. But I'd also guess that magnetizing paper counter would make them annoyingly difficult to move, however secure from wind they may be.

Why not use minis?

[muskets]

I'd say that going with a metal-backed whiteboard for the playing area, then mounting counter printouts on self-adhesive sheet magnet or magnetic tape would be the way to go. You should be able to get the sheet magnet in full-page sheets, then cut the counters out with a sharp hobby knife. Sort of similar to what I did with printing the counters onto full-sheet self-adhesive labels, then sticking those onto greyboard and cutting them out to make sturdier, thicker counters that don't blow away so easily.

[ak_aramis]

Originally Posted by Too Bo Coo

If you use minis, rare earth magnets and tape or clamp a paper map to a metal backing. If you use counters, I'd imagine board magnet like you mentioned. But I'd also guess that magnetizing paper counter would make them annoyingly difficult to move, however secure from wind they may be.

Why not use minis?

Your analysis is wrong.

I've put counters onto magnetic vinyl. Sheets of it are available at good office supply and school supply stores, as are rolls of 3/4" wide tape of it or as sheets for mounting business cards or even 3x5" cards. I've seen 8.5"x11" sheets sold online for use by crafters using standard die-cutters.

It's actually pretty easy to move them, especially through a mapsheet. It doesn't work well for semi-trailers - make them double thick except for the last 3/4"...

[Magesmiley]

Originally Posted by MattV

I remember someone posting about playing on a magnetized game board. Has anyone made one of these?

I've been thinking either buy a magnetized dry erase board and make the counters metal.

or

Making a board out of metal and using business card magnets counters.

or

Use sheet magnet for the game board, and make the counters metal.

Any thoughts?

An option I haven't seen mentioned is that there is spray paint that you can use to create a magnetic surface. Spray it on, then put another color on top.

I've found 1/2" wide rolls of magnet tape at a craft supply store too, which is perfect for many classic-scale counters.

[AOTA]

I always thought that would be a cool thing to do for a Car Wars game. Too many times in the Air Force long ago we would be playing in parks or decks outside the the dorms and a wind would try to ruin our game.

[Magesmiley]

Originally Posted by AOTA

I always thought that would be a cool thing to do for a Car Wars game. To many times in the Air Force long ago we would be playing in parks or decks outside the the dorms and a wind would try to ruin our game.

My group has always put a small ball of blue-tac under any dropped weapon or debris that gets puts on the map. It sure helps against the folks who tend to drag their arms on the map.

[OgreMkV]

If you use magnetic white board (or just painted sheets of steel), then it might be better. If only because you're not hauling around a 4'x8' magnet.

Then, just put the magnet sheet on the counters with a bit of glue. Don't use roll magnet, they will never stay flat.

There's a bunch of sheet metal fabbers in the area, see if they have any cast-offs to play with. I think Krylon makes a good on-metal spray paint. And I don't think we actually need a grid. If you make the obstructions with the magnetic backing too, then the arena could be different each time.

And I might have some of the miniature neodymium magnets lying around (if I can find them after two moves)... it you wanted to drill your minis or glue them on the bottom.

[Parody]

Originally Posted by Magesmiley

My group has always put a small ball of blue-tac under any dropped weapon or debris that gets puts on the map. It sure helps against the folks who tend to drag their arms on the map.

We also use sticky-tack. Pair it up with counters stuck to cardboard with a glossy back and it works like a charm!