LED Lighting Kits for Warhammer, Tabletop Miniatures and Sci-Fi Models
Small Scale Lights supplies miniature LED lighting kits, pre-wired LEDs, nano LEDs, fibre optics and special effects lighting for Warhammer, tabletop miniatures, vehicles, scenery and gaming dioramas.
For small miniatures, nano LEDs are usually the best option because they provide a tiny direct light source for eyes, lenses, visors, weapon barrels, spell effects and other small details. For larger vehicles, scenery and Sci-Fi models, 3mm LEDs, fibre optics, flashing LEDs and flickering effect kits can be used for headlights, engines, control panels, fire effects, welding effects and dramatic lighting.
All lighting kits are designed to be practical for hobby use, with no soldering required. Small Scale Lights is based in the UK and supplies ready-made lighting kits and pre-wired LEDs for wargaming, model making and miniature scenery projects.
Best lighting options for wargaming/Sci-Fi models
32/40mm Miniatures eyes and weapons: 32/40mm Base Lighting Kit
Knight Armiger / Titans/ Imperial Knights: Knight Lighting Kits
Tanks or vehicles: Tank Lighting Kits
Fires and explosions: Fire Effect Kits
Headlights and rear lights: 3mm LED Kits or Tank Lighting Kits
Welding effects: Welding effect Kit
Console panels and multiple small points of light: Fibre Optic Kits
Engines and thrusters: Flickering LED Kit or 3mm LED Kits 5mm LEDs also suitable
Buildings or terrain pieces: 5v LED strip
Beginner recommendation
If you are lighting a wargaming model for the first time, start with a larger vehicle, base or scenery piece rather than a very small infantry model. Larger models give you more room to hide the battery, switch and wiring.
A good beginner project could be:
- vehicle headlights
- engine glow
- a lit scenic base
- a bunker or building interior
- a glowing objective marker
For very small figures, nano LEDs or the 32/40mm Base Lighting Kit can work well, but they require more careful drilling, planning and wire routing. Many wargaming models have hollow interiors, but drilling up through a leg is usually required to route the wires. For glowing eyes, the eye moulds can be carefully drilled out so the light shines through. In very small models, one LED in the head is usually enough, with another LED used for a weapon, spell effect or other detail.
Small 32mm and 40mm bases may need to be modified so the battery can sit inside the base. This is usually done by removing part of the base top and sculpting over it with Green Stuff, Milliput or similar modelling putty.
FAQs
What LEDs are best for Wargaming models?
Nano LEDs are usually best for small Warhammer and tabletop miniatures because they fit into tight spaces. Larger vehicles, scenery and Sci-Fi models can use 3mm LEDs, fibre optics, flashing LEDs and special effects kits.
Can I add LEDs to Wargaming without soldering?
Yes, all lighting kits and pre-wired LEDs can be used without soldering. If you prefer to solder your own lighting setup, component parts are also available.
Where do I hide the battery in a miniature?
The battery can often be hidden in the base, inside a vehicle, under scenery, in a display plinth or behind a removable section of the model.
Are fibre optics better than LEDs for miniatures?
Fibre optics are better when you need to carry light into a tiny area, such as buttons or cockpit panels. LEDs are better when you need a brighter direct light source such as for eyes, headlights, engines etc.
Do you supply Warhammer lighting kits in the UK?
Yes. Small Scale Lights is a UK supplier of miniature LED lighting products suitable for Warhammer, tabletop miniatures, wargaming scenery and Sci-Fi model projects.
Not sure which kit is right for your model? Contact us with the model name, scale, and the effect you want to create, and we can suggest the most suitable lighting kit.