I'm forced to magnetize my B wing after the peg snapped so ended up drilling into the engine compartment to put the magnet in to "fix" it.

now i want to magnetize the rest of my Fleet and am wondering what everyone's favored method of removing the pegs from the bottom of the ships? would a solid grip and a pair of pliers work? would i need to just snap and pray or use side snips?

i'm not averse to just snipping and drilling but if i can pull them out without breaking the model then even better!

A pair of flush trim sprue clippers is probably the best bet but do be prepared for the peg to ping off at a rate of knots across the room when you do.

I'm well versed in the art of side snips lol. I'm a veteran ex-40K player so am used to small metal objects (and some of the plastic sprues) flying off!

Would it be worth drilling a small pilot hole to get the 3mm drill bit lined up correctly on the hole?

Yes a pilot hole is often worth it. I use a pin vice to do the pilot hole, then a properly size Forstner bit to inset the magnet. It works very nicely and gives much better result than my earlier attempts with a Dremel equipped with an engraving bit. FYI, the thread has a lot of information, if you find new, better ways to do things, add them in!

i did search, just didnt search for Magnet lol.

I have a pin vice with a 3mm bit in it lol. will see how i get on with a smaller .5-1 mm bit later.

A pair of pliers and some patience will often (not always) remove the peg intact. When it breaks, it usually breaks flush with the ship so you are good either way.

Do Not recommend using a hobby knife... Don't ask...

10 minutes ago, gamblertuba said:

A pair of pliers and some patience will often (not always) remove the peg intact. When it breaks, it usually breaks flush with the ship so you are good either way.

Do Not recommend using a hobby knife... Don't ask...

Given the wife's current string of knife related injuries (new knifes, not used to them after using blunt ones) i will not be using a hobby knife!! one of us slicing our fingers up is enough thanks!! lol

might give one of my A wings a go later and see how it holds up.

Blunt-nose pliers gripping sideways across peg(so it grabs equally and not along angle of plier mouth pivet). Wiggle slightly in all 4 axis will usually break glue and remove peg. As noted above, worse case scenerio is the peg will break flush with the ship. The inserts are basically a mini version of regular stems with male and female ends.

Depending on magnets being used follow manufacturer supplied methods of application. I personally like rotation style of ball bearing and ring magnets.

Good luck and be safe

I use the pliers on my leatherman squirt. Grab it close to the hull then wiggle the peg side to side a bit.

The small ones are ridiculously easy to snap clean off - especially when you still need it attached while painting!
Large pegs just take more slow wiggling to crack.

Then file it flat.

1 hour ago, Polda said:

I use the pliers on my leatherman squirt. Grab it close to the hull then wiggle the peg side to side a bit.

The small ones are ridiculously easy to snap clean off - especially when you still need it attached while painting!
Large pegs just take more slow wiggling to crack.

Then file it flat.

Exactly. A little bit of wiggling works wonders- the newer small ships seem to be very easy to pop the peg off of.

i snipped a couple off and seems to be ok. I've sunk 3x1.5mm disk magnets into where the pegs where on the ships and seems to be ok. i'm running Disc magnet to Disc Magnet and so far only have "Lefty" have a small issue (you can probably tell what from the name!

My next issue is having a flat topped flight stand to glue the magnets too, my filing is a little rounded.