This pertains to Warhammer (GW) figures, but could be applicable to any large figure.
I’m building my first Dreadnought, which is a heavy, pewter figure. The arms alone weigh almost 10oz. Obviously, glue won’t keep these things attached (with game handling, transportation, etc), and I’d always read one normally uses pins to keep the articulating parts on the main body.
Recently, however, I came across a post in the GW forums discussing the use of rare earth magnets, extremely powerful, even in small quantities. Anyone use these?
Never used them, but you can salvage them from old Sonicare tooth brush heads. They are small, but very strong magnets. Maybe not Sumarium-Cobalt, but they are powerful.
I’m a firm believer in pinning but I can testify that the magnets in my 1/32 scale slot cars are incredibly powerful. It’s certainly an interesting idea.
If I wasn’t interested in articulating my figures, I’d go with the pins. Articulation adds character, and I plan to ‘retire’ my Elite (I campaign [8D]) units to a diorama some day.
I know that people on the Battletech miniature boards have use rareearth magnets to hold swappable arms, but that results were disappointing. While the limbs stay in place, they always “Droop” down. Apparently, the magnets are very good at staying together, but can swivel with very little resistance, so everything always point down.