Phase #1: Materials

It's quite easy to build your own magnetic game board. I use mine for map-based campaign games, allowing players to move their pieces around a magnetized map. Why? Because it looks cool and also allows the game to be stored easily between rounds. 

You'll need a sheet of galvanized steel--24"x36" pieces sell at Home Depot for under $10. Next, pick a frame size for your board and find a neat, cheap frame. You could opt for full poster size, although mine is 22"x28". Building a custom frame is also an option for the more industrious among you. Finally, you should get some tin snips to the cut the metal and a degreasing cleaning agent to wipe down the greasy steel. 

Phase #2: Some Assembly Required

Depending on the size of your steel sheet and your frame, you may need to cut the galvanized steel to fit properly. This is easily done with a pair of tin snips, but remember to wear gloves, as the cut steel edges get very sharp. I then recommend cleaning the steel with a degreasing agent before fitting it inside your frame. Sealing the steel with a protective finish is optional. I used a clear matte Rustoleum sealant for under $4.  

Phase #3: Magnetic Markers

Your game board is now done, but you'll need a way to attach a future map to the steel, plus a way to move tokens or markers. The good news is that magnets are cheap. Really cheap. Your local craft store should have a very wide selection of options. I picked up some circular disk magnets for $2.50 that I use to hold the corners of the map.

There are lots of ways you could make the map tokens, but my preferred method is to buy a flat magnet sheet (the craft store sells a paper-sized sheet) and use rubber cement to glue the map tokens images on both sides. Just remember that the sheet is only magnetized on ONE side, so glue the image you want to hide on the correct side. I glued and cut out all 36 tokens for the Vicksburg campaign game in about 45 minutes.

Phase #4: Game On!

For about $30 you should now have a magnetic game board that can be used for any sort of map-based campaign. I suggest breaking in your new board with our free campaign supplement, Gibraltar of the West! A gorgeous, full color map and all the playing tokens are included with the free PDF supplement, so get to it!