Foam trays have been the industry standard for years, but they come with a hidden cost: paint abrasion. Every time you slide a model into a tight foam slot, you risk rubbing off those delicate highlights. Plenty of hobbyists are now switching to a magnetised system that keeps models visible at home and secure during travel.
Transitioning from a transport case to a wargaming showcase should be seamless. By magnetising your bases, you can move your units from a carry case directly onto a tiered stand without ever touching the painted plastic. It is the most effective way to stop hiding your miniatures in dark boxes.
Why Ditch the Foam?
While foam is fine for basic storage, it is the enemy of high-level paint jobs. "The Foam Case Burial" refers to the damage caused by friction, snagging antennas, and the simple fact that you can’t see your army once the lid is closed. Magnetisation offers a "touchless" system that is compatible with Warhammer 40,000® and Age of Sigmar® models of any size.
For standard 32mm infantry, 3x2mm N52 Neodymium magnets are the gold standard. They provide enough pull to keep models secure on a steel sheet or magnet-ready stand without being so strong that you risk snapping the model's ankles when trying to lift it. To put the strength in context, even a tiny 5mm × 2mm neodymium disc holds around 0.45kg (roughly 1 lb) of pull force — far more than any plastic infantry model weighs — so a single magnet keeps a based model locked to a steel sheet even if the case is upended.
From Carry Case to Home Display
The beauty of a magnetised army is the consistency. You use a metal-lined carry case for the drive to the local club, and a professional miniature display stand for when you're back at home. Our modular stands can be easily fitted with magnetic sheets or steel plates, allowing your units to "snap" into perfect alignment every time.
Prefer it ready to go straight out of the box? Our newest stand, the WarSplay Pro, has the magnets built into every podium — no steel sheets or plates to add. Drop a magnetised model on and it locks in place, any polarity, ready to lift, tilt or carry. It's the first of a new wave of magnetic stands from us.
This setup works perfectly as an IKEA Detolf® upgrade. By using tiered stands inside your cabinet, you elevate the rear ranks for visibility while the magnets keep everything from sliding if the cabinet is bumped. For more on cabinet layouts, check out our guide on Detolf alternatives.
Magnetised bases ensure perfect alignment and safe handling for your collection.
Organisation on the Hobby Desk
A magnetised system also helps with desk display setup. Instead of loose models rolling around your workspace, you can keep your current project snapped safely to a tiered riser. This keeps your workspace clean and ensures that even your "work in progress" units look like an intentional exhibition. If you're working with limited space, read our small space display guide.
Unsure which stand will fit your magnetised strike force? Check our Miniature Display Stand Size Guide to match your base sizes perfectly.
Protect Your Paintwork
Don't let standard acrylic cases or abrasive foam ruin your hard work. Upgrade to a professional, matte-finish modular system built for serious wargamers.
👉 Shop the WarSplay® CollectionCompatibility & Legal: WarSplay® modular stands are independent designs. They are compatible with Warhammer 40,000®, Age of Sigmar®, and other tabletop systems, but are not affiliated with or endorsed by Games Workshop Group PLC. IKEA®, Detolf®, and Billy® are trademarks of Inter IKEA Systems B.V.