Anyone who has ever had a miniature knocked over and broken a piece off or had counters blown off the table because someone sneezed this is the project for you. For $20 you can make your own magnetic gaming surface.

Lets get started with the following supplies:
2' x 2' x 1/4" masonite sheet
2' x 2' x 1/16" rolled steel sheet
spray on contact adhesive
several cardboard strips about 1 inch wide and 3 feet long
metal yardstick
fine point permanent marker
pencil
white gloss spray paint
rolling pin
denatured alcohol
rags
sheet magnets

Begin by using the spray adhesive to attach the metal sheet to the piece of masonite. First spray an even coat on both the metal and the masonite. Let the adhesive dry until both pieces are tacky to the touch. Now place the cardboard strips on the masonite. They will stick to the glue but that is normal. Next carefully position the metal piece on top of the cardboard strips with the sticky side touching the strips. Make sure the sticky sides of the two pieces doesn't touch because once they touch they are stuck for life. Align the metal with the piece of masonite so they are both square. Now starting at the center carefully remove the cardboard strips so the metal is now touching the masonite. Starting at the center of the board, using your fingers, press the pieces together making sure not to get any air bubbles under the metal. Repeat this process until you have removed all the strips. Then use the rolling pin over the entire surface to insure good contact between the two surfaces.

Now you have the basic board completed. Clean the surface of the metal using the rag and denatured alcohol to remove any oils or adhesive from the surface. Next in a well ventilated area, spray at least 2 coats of stray paint on the surface you just cleaned. When the paint has fully dried, preferably overnight, use the yardstick to mark off a 1 inch grid on the freshly painted surface with a sharp pencil. Once the lid is completed use the permanent marker to trace over the pencil lines you just created and the board is complete.

To get the models or counters ready for use attach magnets to the base of each one. If you check craft stores you can find full sheets of adhesive backed magnets for business cards for $5. The pack I got came with 10 8.5 x 11 inch sheets. One pack was enough for all my counters and I picked up a second pack to attach magnets to the bottoms of the 3D walls from the 3D Worlds section.

If you want to dress up the board further you can print up the color floor tiles from the 3D Worlds section on transparency film and glue then to the top of the board to give your board a different look. If you do go this route place them image side down do the images don't get scratched during game play.

Another alternative is to split the board in half so you have 2 1' x 2' sections. Attach the pieces to 2 1' x 2' x 1" thick frames. Add some small hinges and a some latches to keep the pieces closed and you have a portable game board with storage space for counters. you could also build foam inserts to hold miniature if you like. Build several and you could create a attach then together to make a large gaming surface for Chainmail games that is easily portable from location to location.

Well you have your instructions so get building.