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It might be more to where the tools were located on the magnets, as a tool across the centre would likely not retain magnetism, and a tool off to one side would be more prone to becoming magnetized, with the magnets you are using.
Its all about the flux path the tool creates, and a dead short from North to South should give almost no magnetism, but a tool over just one pole of the magnet will become magnetised.
Ideally you want a strip magnet of North and a strip magnet of South, and the tool bridges both magnets, that way the tool is just a flux path between both magnets.
Pete.Sometimes it just works
M Del Senior Member
Joined: 09/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 155
Posted: 11:15pm 02 Apr 2014
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So it has been one more month, the spanners and screw drivers don't seem to have changed much in their magnetism.
So either I give up on idea of magnetic holders or as has been suggested get some magnetic strips.
One other possible option is lots of little magnets, some north facing outwards and some south facing outwards? Ie, a row of north on top with south on the bottom.
Has anyone done this or seen it done?
What is the chance of this just making one big magnetic field?
Mark Mark
yahoo2
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Joined: 05/04/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1166
Posted: 10:22am 03 Apr 2014
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soft grip spanner racks (holds the spanner tight so you can grab the whole rack and take it with you)
socket toolbox organisers (the ones with the post that runs up through the socket and the little number on the top
screwdriver rack. perhaps inch by inch of high density foam with slots cut in it to grip the shank, glued to the board perhaps with a little wood strip underneath for support. also good for other stuff like chuck keys and grinder spanners.
polystyrene or HDfoam square surface to jab odds and ends into.
Things like drill bits, burr and router cutters will damage if they touch each other in a drawer or tray they really need foam or wood holders but in the cupboard where its dry and dust free.
of course, some of this is still on my gunna-do list.
I'm confused, no wait... maybe I'm not...
M Del Senior Member
Joined: 09/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 155
Posted: 07:17pm 23 Jun 2014
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I have given up the idea of using small magnets for tool holders, some of a trial set of open enders magnetised and some didn't. They were all one brand (good) and purchased as a kit.
The dual strip magnetic holders might be the go, as well as other methods mentioned.
Any ideas for a use for 100 little magnets? Mark
Downwind
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Joined: 09/09/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2333
Posted: 03:24am 24 Jun 2014
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Yes a magnetic tool rack.
Its all about how you construct it, take a chunk of flat steel bar, lets say 50mm wide by 10mm thick (thickness depends on magnet strength) then place your magnets on the flat bar as a top row of all north facing away from the steel flat, and a bottom row all South facing away from the steel flat.
So we have 2 rows of magnets about 40-50mm apart, with one row with North facing poles and a row of South facing poles.
Place a steel bar across all North poles, and another steel bar across all South poles, so you have a South Bar and a North bar parallel to each other, perhaps a couple of cable ties to hold the bars in place.
Now when you place a tool on the rack it will simply complete the flux loop and not be magnetized.
The reason is, the flat bar acts as a back plane for the flux to flow through from North to South (or is it the other way around) and the tool closes the flux loop between both bars for the magnetic flux to pass through it, and completes the flux circuit.
Magnetizm is like electrical energy, it will take the path of least resistance.
Pete.
Sometimes it just works
M Del Senior Member
Joined: 09/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 155
Posted: 05:43pm 24 Jun 2014
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I did ask, didn't I.
Never thought about the bar across the front of the magnets, I was going to put the tools against the magnets.
I have several very suitable strips in the mower shed.