Foam trays protect minis — but they hide them
Foam has a place. But plenty of hobbyists want a system that keeps models visible at home on a display stand, but still lets them travel safely to Warhammer games in a magnetised case. That’s where magnetising your bases and keeping your units structured on the shelf wins.
Step 1: Decide your transport style
There are two common approaches. A) Magnetic “sheet + box” storage: minis stick to a metal surface inside a travel case. It is fast, low friction, and scalable for large armies. B) Organised “squad tray” approach: each unit stays in its own footprint on a movement tray. It offers faster setup at the table and makes it easier to keep track of missing models.
Step 2: The simplest magnetising workflow
At a high level, the workflow is: choose neodymium magnets that fit flush under your bases, glue them securely with superglue or epoxy, use a ferrous metal sheet in your travel box, and test stability before trusting it for travel. Key tips: keep polarity consistent (so bases don’t repel weirdly), don’t rely on weak glue, and test with gentle shaking before committing.
Step 3: Combine magnetisation with “ready-to-play” shelf organisation
Magnetisation stops sliding in the car. Shelf organisation stops chaos in the house. If you keep units grouped and visible on your display shelf at home, you gain faster deployment when packing your travel case, easier army list checking, and fewer lost minis.
Where WarSplay™ fits: WarSplay™ functions as your home-base organiser. It is the modular display system you use to keep your Warhammer 40k squads grouped together on the shelf. Because the core tiers start at a highly manageable 19cm wide by 10cm deep, you can often pick up an entire organised squad block from the stand and drop it straight into a suitably sized magnetised case without having to sort individual models.
Step 4: Make your transport “one motion”
Your goal is to reduce steps. A good transport workflow looks like: grab the whole organised group from your display stand, place it into a case with minimal rearranging, and arrive and deploy without searching for models. Anything that requires re-sorting models after transport becomes a failure point over time.
Step 5: Practical travel checks
Before you travel, check: are heavy/tall models on the bottom layer? Is there any overhang that could snag? Does the case have enough clearance so models aren’t pressed? Can you carry it without tilting dramatically? If you travel by car, remember that sudden braking creates more force than you think.
FAQ
Is magnetic transport safe for painted miniatures?
It can be, if magnets are properly secured and the case has enough clearance. Test before you rely on it.
Do I still need foam?
Not always. Some collectors use foam only for very fragile centrepieces and magnet storage for everything else.
How do I speed up setup at game night?
Keep squads organised in repeatable groups on your home display stand so you aren't searching for individual models when packing your case.
Choosing the right display for your miniatures?
If you are torn between an enclosed acrylic case and an open modular stand, we break down the pros and cons for wargamers.
Compatibility & Legal: Business Blubber Cove is an independent manufacturer. WarSplay™ modular stands are designed for compatibility with tabletop systems including Warhammer 40,000™, but are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by Games Workshop Group PLC.