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Neodymium Small Disc Magnets 3mm x 1.5mm (1/8 x 1/16 inch) N48 - Tiny Round Rare Earth Magnets for Crafts, DIY Projects, Miniature Modeling (250 Pack) Review (2026)

Updated September 14, 2026 · Research-based review

Our verdict

At 3mm by 1.5mm and N48 grade, these discs hold noticeably stronger than the thinner 1mm magnets many miniature painters start with, which suits weapon and turret swaps that see rough handling. The 250 count pack covers more than one project, but the extra thickness means the drilled hole needs to be a little deeper.

Neodymium Small Disc Magnets 3mm x 1.5mm (1/8 x 1/16 inch) N48 - Tiny Round Rare Earth Magnets for Crafts, DIY Projects, Miniature Modeling (250 Pack)

Neodymium small disc magnets at 3mm x 1.5mm (1/8 x 1/16 inch), N48 grade, in a 250 pack for miniature modeling.

Price range: See on Amazon

What we liked

  • + Thicker 1.5mm discs give extra holding power over thinner magnets
  • + N48 grade offers strong pull for weapon and turret swaps
  • + 250 pack balances quantity and cost for a couple of armies

Trade-offs

  • - Thicker magnets need deeper holes, which thin parts may not allow
  • - Drill size must match the 3mm diameter for a snug fit

Who benefits from the thicker 1.5mm disc

These magnets share the same 3mm diameter as the thinner discs common in miniature magnetizing, but the added 1.5mm thickness gives more holding force in the same footprint. That makes them a good fit for parts that get handled a lot during play, such as turret rings on vehicles, detachable weapon sponsons, or bases that need to click firmly onto a movement tray. Painters working on smaller infantry with thin arms may prefer a slimmer 1mm disc so the socket does not need to go as deep, but anyone prioritizing a secure hold over the smallest possible drill depth will get more out of this thicker option.

Grade, coating and what the numbers mean

N48 sits just below the strongest N52 grade, but the difference in practice is small at this size, and the extra 0.5mm of thickness here adds more real world pull than the grade difference costs. The discs carry a nickel coating that resists corrosion and, based on the product listing, is described as accepting cyanoacrylate glue cleanly without the bond failing over time, which matters since a magnet that debonds mid game is a common failure point in magnetized models. The 250 count pack is large enough to cover a full army's worth of weapon swaps plus a magnetized display base or two without running short.

Fitting the thicker disc into a build

Because these magnets are 1.5mm thick rather than 1mm, the drilled socket needs to be slightly deeper to seat them flush, which is easy on vehicle hulls and larger bases but worth checking first on thin infantry arms or headswaps where material is limited. The 3mm diameter still matches a standard pin vice bit, so the drilling step itself is unchanged from thinner magnets. Gluing a small dab of cyanoacrylate around the disc before pressing it into the hole gives the most reliable bond, and letting it cure fully before the first swap avoids the magnet working loose under repeated handling.

How it compares with thinner and stronger options

Against the thinner 3x1mm N52 discs sized for headswaps and light infantry conversions, this 3x1.5mm N48 pack trades a small amount of grade strength for extra thickness, which in practice gives a firmer hold for parts that see more physical stress, such as vehicle turrets. Painters who need the absolute smallest possible socket depth, for example on delicate resin heads, are better served by the thinner disc instead. For most general army magnetizing work the thickness matters more day to day than the one grade step between N48 and N52, and the price difference between the two sizes is usually small enough that thickness, not grade, should decide which pack to buy for a given part.

Verdict and who should pick a thinner disc instead

For weapon swaps, turret rings, and bases that need a confident click rather than a loose wobble, this 3mm by 1.5mm N48 pack delivers a stronger hold than the thinnest magnets on the market while still fitting a standard 3mm drilled hole. The 250 count covers a full magnetizing project with room to spare, including several movement trays or a whole squad's worth of interchangeable weapon options. Anyone working on very thin infantry parts or headswaps where drilling deep is not possible should size down to a 1mm thick disc instead, since the shallower hole matters more than the small strength gain on those smaller components.

Frequently asked questions

What drill bit size works with these magnets?

A 3mm pin vice bit matches the diameter, the same size used for the thinner 1mm version of this magnet.

Are these stronger than the thinner 1mm magnets sold for miniatures?

Yes, the extra 0.5mm of thickness adds noticeable holding force over a thinner disc of the same diameter and grade.

Will 250 magnets be enough for a full army project?

For most single army magnetizing projects, including weapon swaps and a few movement trays, 250 magnets should be more than enough.

Can these be glued in with regular super glue?

The nickel coated finish is designed to accept cyanoacrylate glue, and letting the bond cure fully before use gives the most reliable hold.

Prices change often, so check the current price and availability on Amazon.

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