Magnetized tools

[D Yuniskis]

Hi,

End-of-the-year sorting through tools (yeah, I'm a few
weeks late :< ).

Noticing a fair number of tools with magnetic tips, etc.
And, a few that have picked up some residual magnetism
over the years.

For the most part, this isn't a problem for me. I know
not to bring them near media, "heads", coils, etc. Often
the magnetism is a blessing (holding small screws in
place; keeping driver "tips"/bits from falling off; etc.)

I'm wondering if there are any un-obvious (obscure?)
cases where I might screw myself by using such a tool
when I *shouldn't*?

I guess these would fall into three rough categories:
- things that you can damage by introducing magnetism
(directly or indirectly -- e.g., bringing a magnet near
a guitar "pickup" while the guitar is connected to a
typical "crate" could result in an annoying "pop"/thud)
- things that you can disturb (e.g., leaving some residual
magnetism on a tape head)
- things that can surprise you
(the guitar pickup when the volume *isn't* loud enough
to damage the amplifier)
- things that can *hurt* you
(a tool being drawn to "someplace dangerous" by unexpected
magnetic attraction)

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Perhaps the safest approach would be to demagnetize all your tools, then
temporarily magnetize them as needed. I was working on something just this
morning where I wished the screwdriver had been magnetized, but decided it
was too much trouble to do so.

You can buy little magnetizer/demagnetizer blocks, but I think a bulk tape
eraser makes more sense.

You might also magnetize specific tools and keep them in their own drawer
for use as needed. All the others could be periodically checked and
de-magnetized.

Yes, I'm aware I did not answer the question asked, but made an alternative
suggestion.

 

[shrtrnd]

The biggest problem used to be the old magnetic floppy disks. Companies gave away
magnetized small screwdrivers for practical advertising purposes. People used to throw
the floppies in their briefcases, with one of those magnetized screwdrivers, and damage
their disks.
Except for the annoyance I find in having a magnetized tool pick things up I'd rather
it didn't, there probably aren't too many problems associated with having your tools
magnetized nowadays.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Unless you're working with magnetic compasses, magnetometers,

flux gate compasses, CRT's, or magnetic field measuring equipment,
I don't see much danger or risk from magnetized tools. However, if
you're playing with the powerful magnets found inside most hard disk
drives, methinks you should probably exercise some concientious
care in keeping them away from any magnetic storage material.
A "keeper" is usually sufficient (such as my steel desk).

I still wouldn't bring a magnetized tool near an analog tape recorder's play
head. However... as you'd demagnetize the head "as a matter of course" after
servicing the recorder, it probably doesn't matter.

 

[Meat Plow]

I still wouldn't bring a magnetized tool near an analog tape recorder's
play head. However... as you'd demagnetize the head "as a matter of
course" after servicing the recorder, it probably doesn't matter.

Heads were always demagged before leaving my bench so it wasn't ever an
issue for me.

 

[Meat Plow]

I use old microwave magnetrons a number of places around my workshop and
have never had any problems, I just keep them away from crt's and
anything that has a magnetic tape involved. They are very handy for
magnetizing tools, just draw the screwdriver across the surface and
you're done.

I have a few 12" speakers downstairs that one or two draws across the
magnet does the job. I couldn't do without one magnetic tip screw driver.