Comments on: Finds: A Workshop Magnet http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:44:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Fletcher http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1544 Fletcher Sun, 01 Oct 2006 04:16:20 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1544 I have to throw in another vote for speaker magnets and hard drive magnets. Add shop rag and you've accomplished pretty much the same thing for free. I have to throw in another vote for speaker magnets and hard drive magnets. Add shop rag and you’ve accomplished pretty much the same thing for free.

]]> By: David http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1231 David Mon, 18 Sep 2006 15:21:52 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1231 The release level does look like a nice feature to have, but i use the Hard drive magnets myself. i drop them in a disposable glove and just flip it inside out to discard the metal scrap picked up. The release level does look like a nice feature to have, but i use the Hard drive magnets myself. i drop them in a disposable glove and just flip it inside out to discard the metal scrap picked up.

]]> By: Myself http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1229 Myself Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:54:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1229 If you opt for a magnet without a release lever, you'd do well to wrap it in plastic before using it. It's easy enough to pluck the larger fasteners and debris off, but the shavings and magnetic dust that accumulates on a magnet form a special kind of annoying crud. It's too tenacious to remove with your fingers, but if you go screw-hunting in light-colored carpet, you'll leave behind a smear of gray metal gunk. Being able to invert your pre-emptively placed plastic and capture the whole mess is not only effective, it's curiously satisfying as you look the little dipoles in the eye and say "I planned for this!". If some particles sneak past your plastic, or if you have a mishap while removing it, adhesive tape is a fine way to clean up the magnet. But why waste the tape if you don't have to? If you opt for a magnet without a release lever, you’d do well to wrap it in plastic before using it. It’s easy enough to pluck the larger fasteners and debris off, but the shavings and magnetic dust that accumulates on a magnet form a special kind of annoying crud. It’s too tenacious to remove with your fingers, but if you go screw-hunting in light-colored carpet, you’ll leave behind a smear of gray metal gunk. Being able to invert your pre-emptively placed plastic and capture the whole mess is not only effective, it’s curiously satisfying as you look the little dipoles in the eye and say “I planned for this!”.

If some particles sneak past your plastic, or if you have a mishap while removing it, adhesive tape is a fine way to clean up the magnet. But why waste the tape if you don’t have to?

]]> By: Kai http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1227 Kai Mon, 18 Sep 2006 02:45:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1227 The "release handle" looks like a nice touch, but I've had great successes with speaker magnets (as mentioned above) or, even better, with magnets from computer hard drives. Next time your hard drive is making the 'clunk of death', take to it with a torx bit and there will be to incredibly powerful rare-earth magnets inside it. Older hard drives generally use larger magnets, so if you can find some full-height 5.25" monsters at a surplus store somewhere, they'll generally be worth the price of admission just for the magnets. The “release handle” looks like a nice touch, but I’ve had great successes with speaker magnets (as mentioned above) or, even better, with magnets from computer hard drives.
Next time your hard drive is making the ‘clunk of death’, take to it with a torx bit and there will be to incredibly powerful rare-earth magnets inside it. Older hard drives generally use larger magnets, so if you can find some full-height 5.25″ monsters at a surplus store somewhere, they’ll generally be worth the price of admission just for the magnets.

]]> By: pat couzens http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1223 pat couzens Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:58:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/17/finds-a-workshop-magnet/#comment-1223 I accomplished much the same thing with an old speaker magnet in a sock, pick up the screws put it over the container and take the magnet out of the sock. There ya go. I accomplished much the same thing with an old speaker magnet in a sock, pick up the screws put it over the container and take the magnet out of the sock. There ya go.

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