Magnitizers

[caryc]

I wanted to magnetize a screw driver I was using last week but could not find the magnetizer I used to have so I ordered the red one from Amazon. This came 3 to a pack for $13.46. When it came, I found them to be utterly useless. I used it on a phillips head screw driver and it would barely pick up one nut as you see in the picture. So I went back on Amazon and found another one just like the one I lost. This one as you see worked like my old one picking up multiple nuts.

Of course the hole in the smaller one was kind of small and not usable for large screw drivers. Then I remembered a large magnate that I had out in my storage shed. I had it stuck to the side of a metal shelving unit with a bunch of stuff hanging from the magnate.

That magnate weighed 5 pounds and was very strong. I took one of my largest screw drivers and dragged it across one of the legs of that magnate and as you can see, it magnetized the heck out of that big screwdriver. I don't remember where I got that big magnate but I'm glad I have it. Anyway if you want a magnetizer, don't buy one of those fancy looking ones, buy one of those small ones you see in my picture. Those big fancy ones do not work.

 

[Fox Mike]

If you cannot find a 'magnet' then simply tap gently, but continuously, on the tip of the screwdriver with a solid metal object. It will become magnetic.

 

[Bob Wright]

Why on earth would you want a magnetized screwdriver? They are the most aggravating things I can imagine. I went to great lengths to eliminate magnetic tips:



Bob Wright

 

[Kevin]

Why on earth would you want a magnetized screwdriver? They are the most aggravating things I can imagine. I went to great lengths to eliminate magnetic tips:



Bob Wright

I don’t know why CaryC wants one, but I love them. So many times the magnetic tip provided just enough hold to keep from dropping my tiny screw into the great unknown.

Bob, why would you not want one?

 

[Dan in MI]

Magnetic screwdrivers have their place in many (most?) applications, but there are times they aren’t best option.

 

[caryc]

Magnetic screwdrivers have their place in many (most?) applications, but there are times they aren’t best option.

So then you just run your screw driver across the outside of the magnetizer and it is no longer magnetized. So what's the problem? That's the nice feature of the magnetizer, your screwdriver is only magnetized when you want it to be.

 

[caryc]

So then you just run your screw driver across the outside of the magnetizer and it is no longer magnetized. So what's the problem? That's the nice feature of the magnetizer, your screwdriver is only magnetized when you want it to be.

Besides my reason for posting this is to keep people from buying those fancy looking things that don't work.

 

[caryc]

Why on earth would you want a magnetized screwdriver? They are the most aggravating things I can imagine. I went to great lengths to eliminate magnetic tips:



Bob Wright

Sometimes you need to get a screw into a hole that is way inside of something you can't reach with your fingers like an electrical panel. You need the screw driver magnetized to get the screw started in there. Or you can get a set of electricians screw drivers with the spring jaws on them for that purpose? That's why on earth one would want a magnetized screw driver. Any more questions?

 

[thepamster]

I use old speaker woofer magnets to magnetize screw drivers.
I work in the electronics service industry and when you are disassemblying something with lots of screws it comes in very handy for retaining screws to the screw driver just before you drop the screw into a tray.
Also if you drop a screw, nut, or whatever on the floor or deep into a project, it can aid in the reaching for it.

 

[eveled]

If you cannot find a 'magnet' then simply tap gently, but continuously, on the tip of the screwdriver with a solid metal object. It will become magnetic.

Ive had throwing knives become magnetized by hitting the same way every time.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

When I was doing appliance service for the gas company I used to have a ball of plumbers putty stuck on my tool pouch. A small pinch of that on a screw or bolt would keep it stuck to a screwdriver or socket driver.

 

[Dan in MI]

When I was doing appliance service for the gas company I used to have a ball of plumbers putty stuck on my tool pouch. A small pinch of that on a screw or bolt would keep it stuck to a screwdriver or socket driver.

There’s a ball of body sealer putty on my toolbox for that.

 

[Bob Wright]

I don’t know why CaryC wants one, but I love them. So many times the magnetic tip provided just enough hold to keep from dropping my tiny screw into the great unknown.

Bob, why would you not want one?

Why would I not w]ant one? Because when I lay the screwdriver aside, then pick it up again, other screws and/or parts are dangling from the tip.

Like this:



I find this most aggravating.


Bob Wright

 

[caryc]

Why would I not w]ant one? Because when I lay the screwdriver aside, then pick it up again, other screws and/or parts are dangling from the tip.

Like this:



I find this most aggravating.


Bob Wright

That is why when you are done with the magnetized screw driver, you run it across the magnetizer/demagnetizer again to de magnetize it. Pretty simple huh?

You only magnetize a screwdriver when you need it to hold a screw to get into a tight spot. You don't have to leave it magnetized. You're missing the whole point of what the little screwdriver magnetizer is for.

 

[caryc]

Here is another nice screw driver for phillips screws. See the little wedge up by the handle? That moves the holder at the tip to hold the screw or release it.

 

[TestEngineer]

The magnetizer on the right is called a "rare earth magnet". I'll agree with you that it does a superior job of magnetizing, but I've found that it doesn't really do a very good job of de-magnetizing. It always leaves a little residual magnetism behind.

On another note- I accidentally magnetized a firing pin by trying to polish it smooth:

I think the problem was caused by doing all the sanding in a single direction. Now I sand in X or O patterns. Figure 8s also work well without magnetizing. I'm just curious if anybody has tried sanding a screwdriver (maybe to remove rust or such) and found it became magnetized?

 

[Jeepnik]

Time and place for both. That’s why I keep both. But I tend to collect tools. I have some I have used maybe once. But they made the job easier.

A good example are my Vampire screw and bolt removal pliers. Works wonders on stripped fasteners.

 

[blume357]

Clear up one thing for me... I understand how you magnetize the tip of the screw driver by rubbing it against the magnet, but how do you de-magnetize it?

 

[Bob Wright]

Many, many, years ago my brother-in-law was a watch repairman. He had a little device which was a coil winding. It was electrical, with a push button switch. To magnetize a part, one placed the part inside the coil and pressed the button for a few seconds, the released the button and withdrew the part. To demagnetize, one placed the part inside the coil, pressed the button, then withdrew the part while still holding the button down.

Bob Wright

 

[redfernclan]

Another way to de-magnetize something is a sharp blow or big "tap" on something hard. When you magnetize something you are aligning the molecules. A sharp blow to something hard will scramble them.
I like to proof read my posts before sending them and this one sounds like I have been smoking something. But I have found it to be true.

 

[Zonker5]

Time and place for both. That’s why I keep both. But I tend to collect tools. I have some I have used maybe once. But they made the job easier.

A good example are my Vampire screw and bolt removal pliers. Works wonders on stripped fasteners.

Not familiar with the Vampire pliers, tell us more.

 

[Uncle Howie]

Not familiar with the Vampire pliers, tell us more.

See for yourself!

https://www.vampiretools.com/

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I don’t know why CaryC wants one, but I love them. So many times the magnetic tip provided just enough hold to keep from dropping my tiny screw into the great unknown.

Bob, why would you not want one?

While I do often use magnetized screwdrivers ( I use an old tape eraser ) there ARE times when one should not, such as when one is working on electronic and / or audio equipment. It can play hell with certain chips, some electrolytic caps, and coils. It could also demagnetize an audio head / video head.

 

[Fox Mike]

Why on earth would you want a magnetized screwdriver? They are the most aggravating things I can imagine. I went to great lengths to eliminate magnetic tips:
Bob Wright

Work on a helicopter and tell me that they aren't welcome in your tool box.

 

[caryc]

Clear up one thing for me... I understand how you magnetize the tip of the screw driver by rubbing it against the magnet, but how do you de-magnetize it?

On the little magnetizer, to de magnetize the screw driver, you just rub it along the flat spot on the outside of the magnet.

On the big magnet you just have to run the blade up and down a couple times with the screw driver between the two legs of the magnet without touching one of the legs and it is no longer magnetized. This was not easy to do for me with one hand on the camera since that magnate is so strong but it does work.

Do not ask me to explain the science of it, I just know it works.

 

[Ka6otm]

I don’t know why CaryC wants one, but I love them. So many times the magnetic tip provided just enough hold to keep from dropping my tiny screw into the great unknown.

Bob, why would you not want one?

I'm with you Kevin. I have screwdrivers without them, but I always want at least one magnetized one around for things.

 

[Bob Wright]

Well, y'all have pointed out one thing I overlooked, and that is what is the thing you are working on. Most of my work involves many parts laid out on my work bench. Laying my screw driver sown, then picking it up again I found many small parts or screws dangling from the tip. This I found aggravating. But, working on larger projects I can see where one would be useful.

Y'all have educated me in the field of driving screws.

Bob Wright

 

[caryc]

Well, y'all have pointed out one thing I overlooked, and that is what is the thing you are working on. Most of my work involves many parts laid out on my work bench. Laying my screw driver sown, then picking it up again I found many small parts or screws dangling from the tip. This I found aggravating. But, working on larger projects I can see where one would be useful.

Y'all have educated me in the field of driving screws.

Bob Wright

You ever change a set of points in a regular old style distributor? Some are in hard places to get at besides not being able to get one's fat fingers in it to start a screw. Luckily they make pretty neat small screw starters just made for that job now. I'll get you a picture of mine tomorrow. I use it on my tractors.

 

[blume357]

Another way to de-magnetize something is a sharp blow or big "tap" on something hard. When you magnetize something you are aligning the molecules. A sharp blow to something hard will scramble them.
I like to proof read my posts before sending them and this one sounds like I have been smoking something. But I have found it to be true.

Maybe it's just me redfernclan, but when I read your post above it made me laugh.. ... nothing to do with the magnetism subject but your last two sentences..... they were worth reposting.

 

[caryc]

These are pics of a tiny screw starter used in tight places like inside a distributor.

On the ends, you see a black collar. This collar turns the middle of the flat blade on an angle and locks the screw onto it. It works on phillips and regular slot screws. It's a very handy thing to have.