Best Budget Magnetic Miniature Carrying Case? A Review

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Personal Experience with the Miniature Storage and carry case

Transitioning from large plastic bins lined with foam to this magnetic carry case has been an adventure. My array of games, from 40K (at the skirmish level) to Bolt Action and World of Tanks Miniature Game, demands efficient storage and transportation, especially when the battlefront shifts to FLGSs or friends’ homes.

The case, with its robust build and metallic trays, has served remarkably well. The artist in me is already envisioning an airbrushed interior in stark black, and the exterior adorned with iconic wargaming symbols. I know that sealing off the somewhat porous MDF material will help the case endure the possible hazards of traveling to different events.

A slight longing does persist for an acrylic front with a hinge and clasp, but that’s a minor trade-off.

For this case, the front acrylic sheet slots into pre-cut “keys” in the side of the MDF case. It works well, despite it’s somewhat simplified mechanism. Suffice it to say, there’s no door on this case.

For a more elaborate, premium magnetic case, you can check out this acrylic magnet-ready model carrying case. You can see right through all the walls of the case, which is kind of cool. But it is more expensive.

When it comes to balancing cost and value, the MDF miniature carrying case reviewed here is a good value.

As for its core material, MDF, it couples well with the metal trays, allowing the addition of magnets underneath each miniature, securing them in place.

A Quick Word About the Case Assembly

Upon unboxing, my first impression was a bit of dismay as I saw all the parts that were required to assemble the case. I never enjoyed assembly.

My recommendation for anyone in the miniature painting and scale modeling hobby is to pick up a battery powered, mini power tool like this electric screwdriver. You’ll thank you me later.

All of the MDF sheets were pre cut and clean. I didn’t need to do any preparatory work to get the parts ready for assembly.

The instructions were clear, and I was able to grasp immediately what I needed to do.

As mentioned above, a power screwdriver was helpful. But, if you’re unsure, the carrying case kit comes with a handy screwdriver.

Using this screwdriver (along with my electric one) I got to work screwing in the bolts and nuts into the MDF sheets.

As the walls went up, I noticed how quickly I was moving; But more impressively, how sturdy the case would become when I finished. All the pieces fit tightly with no wiggle room between slotted parts.

The “door” that covers the front of the case is a clear acrylic sheet. Before installing it, however, you’ll have to peel away the frosted plastic backing from both sides. Doing so revealed a very clear and attractive cover for the carrying case.

Slotting the acrylic door into the case was simply a matter of lining up the keys with the MDF slots on each side of the case. While I think this may be a hassle, a hinge or other door-like mechanism would have added weight, complexity, and perhaps even extra cost to the carrying case. This is a good compromise.

How Well Do the Metal Shelves Work?

The magnets on the bases of my miniatures are strong neodymium (rare earth magnets). They are very strong for the small size. However, if they don’t have good contact with the metal surface they are meant to attach to, it can be flaky.

No problem here. The five metal trays that slot into the miniature carrying case are sturdy, smooth, and very flat. The magnetic bases of ALL of my models, e.g, Warhammer 40k, stuck very well to these metal trays.

The beveled edges of each metal tray have a fairly steep angle, which also maximized the amount of carrying capacity on each tray. I was very, very happy with the number of models I could fit into each tray within the case.

Note: A limitation of the trays is that they slide easily and you’re required to insert a wooden MDF dowel through the top of the case to “lock” them in. This is a fairly cheap way to keep everything from bouncing around. But it works.

In practice, how does it all come together?

For storage, the metal trays are wonderful. For deployment, they are really convenient. When you’re ready to play, you simply pull out each tray and lay them out on the table. Everything you need is within easy reach.

The simplicity in the design of this case is endearing. You want to use it!

Comparison to Foam Carriers

I’ve tested a lot of miniature transport cases and fancy storage options. Almost all of them use foam trays or some type of foam system to store the miniatures.

The advantage of foam, of course, is that you don’t need to buy magnets to attach to each of your miniatures or models prior to using them in your case. You simply take your miniatures and insert them into the foam carrying case. Sometimes, the models fit well. Other times the models may require a bit of a squeeze or jostle around (if things are too loose).

Pros and cons to foam and magnetic carrying systems?

I think you can already see some of the limitations of foam just from the photo above: Foam requires some brain power to use effectively with miniatures, especially if you have a lot of miniatures and of various sizes.

You have to plan ahead each time you’re placing your carefully painted miniature into the trays, and deployment can be a hassle. All those spike-y bits may get stuck in the foam if you’re not careful, breaking them off, or scratching the paint job.

On the other hand, foam is less expensive in general over the long run. They are also great for smaller army collections, because you’re not dealing with a large volume of cushion material.

Enter the magnetic carrying case. While you have to spend time and money to magnetize your miniature collection, once you’re done with that step, everything becomes simple. You’ll have improved protection for your miniatures and a much better time packing away or deploying your models from the case.

The metal pull-out drawers are kind of awesome, too. It’s an elegant solution for miniature hobbyists and wargamers who want to store and travel with their miniature collections with ease.

Where Do I get Magnets for my miniatures? What kind of magnets do I need?

I get all my neodymium magnets on Amazon. Of course, the size of the magnets that you need will depend on the miniatures you have. If you’re unsure and want a variety of useful magnet sizes, I recommend you pick up a magnet set that I have.

How do I attach magnets to my miniatures?

To attach magnets to the bases of your models, or even the tank treads or flyer bases of the vehicles you have, I always recommend using some combination of super glue or epoxy putty.

You can even use quick-setting two part epoxy resin. It’s a bit messier, but for a stronger bond on larger magnets with heavier models, it’s the best option.

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