Tuesday, August 19, 2008
GF9 Magnetic Basing System Review
A while back, I purchased a bag of GF9 Magnetic Basing System, specifically 25mm Round bases w/ insert, item number GF9 04125. Gale Force 9 also produces a similar product for square bases of various sizes. These are discs of plastic and a magnetic rubber component, glued together prior to being laser cut, accompanied by a flexible sheet to which the magnets will ahere. As I was at GenCon, I saw their demonstration of the magnet strength holding a Games Workshop plastic Ogre to the wall of their display booth. Not bad for a magnet of that size, but I wondered about the strength as appropriate for a 25mm base holding a 25-30mm metal model.
First notes-- The instruction sheet specifically mentions the use of cyanocrylate glue (superglue), and discourage the use of PVA glue. It specifically says that PVA glue will eventually peel away from the textured plastic of the topside of these bases. Ouch. That kinda sucks, as I usually use a PVA glue to attach preliminary coats of sand and gravel to the base. Perhaps if I give the top of the base a thin coat of Super Glue (not the gel I normally use for attaching components), then let it dry, that dried surface might provide more tooth for the PVA to attach to...
Secondly, the difference between the basing material and the magnetic material is pretty apparent by the touch and texture. It looks and feels almost as if it were an actual sandwich. There is the matter of the resolution of the laser cut circles. On my batch, the circles were not as smooth as I would have liked. In order to fix these issues, I first tried filing the edge of a base, but the difference in material consistency made it a bit difficult to get a smooth edge. I then covered the offending edge with a layer of Bondo Glazing and Spot Putty, which I was later able to sand, file and smooth the finish to something I found more acceptable. I hope that this is a more permanent solution as well.
The problem with this is the fact that I would normally buy these bases with the intent of saving time. By the time I go through such measures to fix the appearance flaws, I've spent more time on each base than if i were to stick a magnet in the bottom of a GW base... These might be ideal basing solutions for some gamers that want to hold their minis to a metal component or affix the included flexible ferrous sheet piece to a movement tray, but sadly, I don't think these will work well for me. IMHO, it's a good idea, but the execution is somewhat lacking. This is a big disappointment to me, but I'd give these a D rating if I were into that type of system with my reviews. I think this is the first product that I'd give such a rating. :-(
First notes-- The instruction sheet specifically mentions the use of cyanocrylate glue (superglue), and discourage the use of PVA glue. It specifically says that PVA glue will eventually peel away from the textured plastic of the topside of these bases. Ouch. That kinda sucks, as I usually use a PVA glue to attach preliminary coats of sand and gravel to the base. Perhaps if I give the top of the base a thin coat of Super Glue (not the gel I normally use for attaching components), then let it dry, that dried surface might provide more tooth for the PVA to attach to...
Secondly, the difference between the basing material and the magnetic material is pretty apparent by the touch and texture. It looks and feels almost as if it were an actual sandwich. There is the matter of the resolution of the laser cut circles. On my batch, the circles were not as smooth as I would have liked. In order to fix these issues, I first tried filing the edge of a base, but the difference in material consistency made it a bit difficult to get a smooth edge. I then covered the offending edge with a layer of Bondo Glazing and Spot Putty, which I was later able to sand, file and smooth the finish to something I found more acceptable. I hope that this is a more permanent solution as well.
The problem with this is the fact that I would normally buy these bases with the intent of saving time. By the time I go through such measures to fix the appearance flaws, I've spent more time on each base than if i were to stick a magnet in the bottom of a GW base... These might be ideal basing solutions for some gamers that want to hold their minis to a metal component or affix the included flexible ferrous sheet piece to a movement tray, but sadly, I don't think these will work well for me. IMHO, it's a good idea, but the execution is somewhat lacking. This is a big disappointment to me, but I'd give these a D rating if I were into that type of system with my reviews. I think this is the first product that I'd give such a rating. :-(
Labels: product reviews
