How/where to make/buy a large magnetic whiteboard with grid?

[FoxWander]

I've decided I want to us a whiteboard for mapping in my games and, of course, one with a 1 inch grid would be most excellent. I also want a magnetic one so I can use counters, or maybe even minis, with magnetic bases on it with it mounted on a wall. The problem is that a large enough one for gaming (I'm thinking 3' x 4' at a minimum, but 4' x 6' might be better) is really expensive! SO does anyone know where I could get one that big cheap? I'm thinking the best cheap solution is to make my own. I remember seeing threads about white boards and such on here where people mentioned making them. Does anybody know or have ideas on how to make a magnetic one with a grid?

It being magnetic is important to me because, as I said, I still want to use counters/minis, but I want to remove the battlemat from the middle of the gaming area. That's usually where it goes now an it winds up being a barrier to the kind of play my group enjoys. It's awkward to write on, rolling dice on it knocks things around and, in order to fit it on a table and leave room to play still, it has to be fairly small- so we wind up erasing it over and over to draw or re-draw the map. If I can put the map on the wall next to the DM, then we can use a bigger map, so less redrawing. It would allow us to be more casual without the large 'no-man's land' filling the table. It would be easy for everyone to see. Plus I've thought of a neat trick that could make combats less confusing- the Wand of Power! It's a laser pointer that will both emphasize who's turn it is (to cut out all the crosstalk) and be used to show the DM exactly where you're moving.

Anyway, that's all besides the point. I want a large magnetic white board with a grid on it. I'd really appreciate any ideas on either where to buy one or how I can make one. Thanks!

 

[Fast Learner]

For making a grid on an existing whiteboard the best (by far) technique I've found is to simply get a large straightedge (preferably metal) and score along it (cut through the surface of the whiteboard) using an x-acto knife. This will result in a very thin line (of course) but the first time you write on the board and then erase it the little dry erase bits will get stuck in the crack and produce a beautiful ultra-thin-but-very-visible line. Use a very sharp x-acto and replace the blade regularly and you'll get such a clean cut that the eraser won't ever "catch" on it or anything -- just a great black line.

All other methods I've tried have failed because the liquid chemical in dry-erase markers seems to remove anything you put on the board: permanent marker lines come right off immediately and paiint wears off after just a couple of swipes.

 

[Thresher]

El-cheapo way would be to buy a sheet of galvanised steel about 2mm thick and cover it with about 5 layers of ozone raping, non-biodegradable enamel paint, then get some plastic poster holders or mount it in a cheap picture frame (so no one gets slashed to pieces on the edges).

Get some permanent paint marker and a ruler, I think you can figure out how to do the rest

Reckon it would cost under $15 bucks if you manage to scrounge.

 

[Umbran]

It being magnetic is important to me because, as I said, I still want to use counters/minis, but I want to remove the battlemat from the middle of the gaming area. That's usually where it goes now an it winds up being a barrier to the kind of play my group enjoys.

I can understand this, but note a couple of things:

1)It won't be portable at all, especially at 4' by 6'.

2)If it is not at the center of the gaming area, that means that not everyone will be able to reach it. Someone's going to have to keep getting up (or remain standing) to move the minis around on the board. If it's more than a couple feet away, standard size minis will be little undifferentiated lumps, and players will find it difficult to keep track of who is who, visually.

That last one is a biggie, I know from experience. It rather negates the purpose of using the map in the first place. If you don't believe me, set up a battlemap with a bunch of standard minis, and then step six feet away, and see how hard it it to tell things apart.

 

[FoxWander]

I can understand this, but note a couple of things:

1)It won't be portable at all, especially at 4' by 6'.

2)If it is not at the center of the gaming area, that means that not everyone will be able to reach it. Someone's going to have to keep getting up (or remain standing) to move the minis around on the board. If it's more than a couple feet away, standard size minis will be little undifferentiated lumps, and players will find it difficult to keep track of who is who, visually.

That last one is a biggie, I know from experience. It rather negates the purpose of using the map in the first place. If you don't believe me, set up a battlemap with a bunch of standard minis, and then step six feet away, and see how hard it it to tell things apart.

You bring up some good points, but I may have a way around them.

1) Portability- If I make my own out of sheet metal (per Thresher's suggestion), I could make it out of smaller pieces and put hinges on it so it folds up like a board game. (In fact, since I'm in the Air Force, for the price of a six-pack I could probably get it professionally flat-riveted and the edges folded under at the flightline metals tech shop. ) With four 2' x 3' pieces I could hinge two pairs of them together on the long edge, then hinge these pieces on the short edge of the top piece so it hangs flat. Then anyone in the group can just measure the placement of hangers on the top edge and have hooks ready for it. I know, I know- I've thought about this WAY too much.

2) Visibility - I was thinking to use minis only for the PCs and the Big Bads, Mooks and regular monsters would be counters. That should help with differentiating, at least between PCs and everyone else. Then I've got an idea for a clip-on magnetic base for the minis that could either be made in different colors or have distinctive flags attached (picture your mini with a pole in the back corner and a personalized banner above its head).

As for someone having to be up all the time to maintain it. That shouldn't be a problem since I planned to have it right next to the DMs seat, so there shouldn't be much actual "getting up" at all.

Any other thoughts or suggestions? What gaming set up works best for everyone? (Hmm, sounds like a good poll topic. )

 

[ruleslawyer]

hmph.

 

[ruleslawyer]

oops.

 

[ruleslawyer]

If I make my own out of sheet metal (per Thresher's suggestion), I could make it out of smaller pieces and put hinges on it so it folds up like a board game. (In fact, since I'm in the Air Force, for the price of a six-pack I could probably get it professionally flat-riveted and the edges folded under at the flightline metals tech shop.

Hey, FW; any chance that I could pass your friends at the tech shop a six-pack for that kind of work?

Seriously, if you can do that, it sounds like a great idea. However, there has to be an easier way. Is there no one who sells thin rollup magnetic material? You might want to check an industrial plastics shop (I've got a bunch on Canal Street right here in good ol' NYC, but maybe there's one somewhere near you?).