How do you de-magnetize a rare earth magnet?
Cannot heat, drop or put electrical current through it.
Don’t ask…….
“Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.â€
Reagan….
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.
–Truman Capote
Replies
Get REAL far away from the earth's core..like, the SUN far.
I don't think it can be done with out a ele field.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
My dad built this nice gun box.
Exotic wood.
Wanted a nice clasp of some sort.
Thought, hey, magnet.
Well, the rest is history........
He put them in opposing!!
Now the lid won't close! LOL
At least he doesn't have to fight the lid to get at the pistol when he needs it in a hurry.
I thought about drilling but those things but they have to be made of a hard material, no?
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
No, they're coated or plated, the guts are very fragile. Hit it with a center punch and poof, bits and pcs.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
The world of people goes up and
down and people go up and down with
their world; warriors have no business
following the ups and downs of their
fellow men.
putting two magnets probably wasn't a good idea to begin with. He should have used one magnet on one side and a metal catch on the other.
can it be pulled out with another magnet or even epoxied to a dowel ?
putting two magnets probably wasn't a good idea to begin with. He should have used one magnet on one side and a metal catch on the other.
Probably the key right there.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Two magnets works fine as a closure.I've made dozens of fly boxes that use that system as a closure.
Yeah but opposing? :-)
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
I did make an effort to ensure that didn't happen.Maybe he should just add stronger magnets aligned correctly in another location.
That may be an option if others fail.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
He needs to remove one and turn it around. Or, have a magnet on one side and a piece of metal to attract.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
He needs to remove one and turn it around. Or, have a magnet on one side and a piece of metal to attract.
I thought about having him glue a piece of metal on one side but as I haven't seen it he did tell me they were flush. If a piece of metal was added the lid wouldn't close flush from the thickness of the metal. If it isn't exactly flush he could put the metal in a recess like for a hinge.
I think the best bet is to drill out one of them with a hollow drill bit and then add the metal to the drilled out area for the other magnet to attract too.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Just putting a piece of metal between them won't fix this. The poles must oppose for them to have a strong attraction and the fields from both magnets will still exist.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
I see your point there.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
The rare earth magnets I've seen, if I'm thinking of the correct ones, are brittle and chip easily. I would think you could drill them out--or chisel them out. If that doesn't work, a hole saw slightly bigger in diameter would probably core them out. (Only need to remove one though.)
Edit: If you decide to heat it to break the glue bond (and I think superglue will stop holding if you get it hot), you could touch the magnet with a soldering iron--have a steel screw driver to attract it out of the hole while the glue is melted!
Edited 9/7/2008 3:59 pm ET by Danno
I have a soldering iron. Wonder if the surface area of the iron would be big enough.
I'll try that.
If he hadn't destroyed the box.......
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Did you try the idea of "tapping" it with a nail set? That seemed like a good idea--the poster said r.e. magnets are the fragile ones and it may just turn to dust.
Dads can be fun, sometimes, can't they?
Edited 9/7/2008 4:45 pm ET by Danno
Edited 9/7/2008 4:45 pm ET by Danno
I wonder if Dad was a Marine too..snork.!Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
The world of people goes up and
down and people go up and down with
their world; warriors have no business
following the ups and downs of their
fellow men.
LOL
20 years.
Grunt. Retired a Captain. Worked his way up from Private.
Absolutely no patience.......
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
(G).
If he drills it, it'll either fracture or spin maybe.
I bought a SLEW of them from Lee Valley when I got a gift cert., biggest is the size of a quarter, and smallest about the diam. of apencil eraser.
They're handy. I've broke a few just having them in my pocket or a tool bag.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
The world of people goes up and
down and people go up and down with
their world; warriors have no business
following the ups and downs of their
fellow men.
I'm going to call him tonight and try and line him out. Back drilling a hole and tapping it out may work good.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
if you backdrill and tap it out, i would clamp the sides of the lip just enough to prevent it from splitting but not enough to put any pressure on the magnet.
You check out that link I posted? Man, there is some cooooool stuff there, and Force Field is in Co. I'm buying more!Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
The world of people goes up and
down and people go up and down with
their world; warriors have no business
following the ups and downs of their
fellow men.
Oh yeah, great link. Put it in my favorites. A lot of info in that link. Thanks!
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
if you backdrill and tap it out, i would clamp the sides of the lip just enough to prevent it from splitting but not enough to put any pressure on the magnet.
great tip. Didn't think of it.
I'm going over tomorrow and help him out with all my new found knowledge!! :-)
I'll be a winner or a total loser! Been the loser in the past so no big deal! LOL
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Of course, you'll have to fill the resulting hole. To prevent this, you could use a razor blade to cut out a v-shaped sliver out of the lid. You then drill your hole in the notch left by the sliver. When you're done, just glue the sliver back in. Should be an invisible patch if the lid is still unfinished.
I thought about putting the metal in place of the magnet so the other magnet will attract........after the hole is made. Filler.....
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
just make sure your dad doesn't use a piece of brass or copper :-)
Funny you say that or funny it made me think of a guy I worked with..he was an ex-Marine, and some joker tried to steal his truck once. They broke the ignition sw. something awful, so he had the wires hanging under the dash stripped, and for some reason would use a .308 round to make the connection..a live round.
Now I'm not all that smart, but I think, that just touching the wires together would have done about the same thing, without the chance of the bang..ya know?
Anyway, the chance of bang must have been zero, cuz even Marines aren't THAT ..well, whats the word? Careless..yeah, thats it..LOLSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
The world of people goes up and
down and people go up and down with
their world; warriors have no business
following the ups and downs of their
fellow men.
Yeah, I'd try that -- soldering iron to heat the superglue.
In science it often happens that scientists say, "You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken," and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. --Carl Sagan
Does the lid float above the box from the magnetic force?
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I haven't seen it but from his description yes, it floats.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Rare earth magnets are usually pretty brittle, you may be able to remove it by giving it a rap with a hammer & punch, then digging out the pieces. Or a Dremel tool and one of those el-cheapo diamond burrs from HF, just cut it out.
Appreciate the help.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Move it.
Probably the only practical method.
It might be able to be degaussed, but I suspect that the take a much larger magnetic force that you can practically supply.
What is the real problem?
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I told him to rub a magnet, larger one over it in random pattern but I haven't heard from back yet to see if it works.
The magnet is flush and glued using super glue in the gun box.
Other methods I have read were an electric current, dropping, hammering, heating, etc.... Although they may work the box will look pretty good too after being dragged behind a truck a few miles or burned to ashes. :-)
Even if he used a drill press if he could drill into it and use an ez-out, it would probably split the wood because it is thin.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
you probably won't be able to drill the magnet but you could drill a small hole into the wood just behind the magnet and then use a nail as a punch to punch it out.
Magnetic materials have have a property (forgot the technical name) that you have to overcome before it will change magnetic fields. I believe that it is very high for rare earth magnets. And thus next to impossible to change with by rubbing a magnet over it. Magnetic fields like in an MRI might work, but some thing like a tape record degaussing coil won't.The other things tht you mentioned work on soft iron. But, even if you could do it, I don't think would have an affect.BAck to removing it.Not sure of the detail of how it was installed, but I would look at using a hollow core bit to drill around the magnet.You can make one with a piece of tubbing with an ID slightlight larger that the magnet. Then file saw teeth on the end.There are commercial version availabvle athat are used for drill a plug around broken screws in wood.Steel break line is good and hard enoug. But I don't know how much difficulty there would be in getting it alligned over the magnet.If this is not a very hard wood then maybe aluminum would work.Or brass tubing..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
There are commercial version availabvle athat are used for drill a plug around broken screws in wood.
I think this may be the ticket, thanks! I'll let him know.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
could he use a stronger/bigger magnet to remove one of the existing magnets from its mount?as others say, they are brittle and easy to break - "there's enough for everyone"
this is neat reading
http://www.dansdata.com/magnets.htm
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
"this is neat reading http://www.dansdata.com/magnets.htm "
Well, THAT blew a couple of hours!
Fun tho'.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Great link
good luck. Although you say "don't ask", I'm asking :-)
Trying to get one out of those little holding cups, are you ?
You might be able to de-magnetize it by bringing it in contact with another magnet that is stonger and harder to de-magnetize. One such magnet would be the type found in a computer hard drive. If you have an old drive lying around, open it up with a torx screwdriver. The magnets in a hard drive are the strongest I've even seen.
Hmmmm, I'll see what I can find. Thanks.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
If you have one of those spring opperated nail sets I'll bet lunch that it will quickly and easily break up the magnet with little damage to the surrounding wood.
I don't know for sure, but intuition also suggests that heating the magnet would release the glue bond long before any damage to the wood could be seen. Maybe not, but it works with most high tech/high strength adhesives. If it were me I'd grab a section of rod or even a bolt with a good flat end that's slightly smaller than the magnet, heat it up red hot on the stove, place on the magnet and when the glue bond is broken it'll just pull out. Be careful not to brand the wood! *chuckle*
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
I'll tell him about the heat deal, thanks.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
I think a soldering gun would work for this.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
I bet you are right
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Drill it out and drive a small screw into it, or drive a screw extractor into the hole.
Billy
The sides are 1/2"
I did talk to him. He said the magnet was 3/8". That leaves a 1/16 on each side for an extractor. I don't see that as an option anymore.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Acetone will melt the glue. Will also melt finish.KK
I did think about the acetone.
But was worried about the wood and effects from the acetone. It may be ok though because it drys so fast.
Luckily we make it out at work!! Thousands of gallons a day.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Should not affect the wood but will eat the finish. Wonderful stuff, make more!KK
That is actually our byproduct.
Our money maker is Phenol.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
To demagnetize, you need to apply a magnetic field of greater than that of the PM.
In the case of a magnetic tape, this level is only a few tenths of Teslas, in the case of a Neo rare earth magnet it can be up to 1.2 Teslas.
You can build a core that has the end to match the ends of the PM as close as possible and wind it with wire and discharge a big capacitor thru it to demagnitize (or magnetize) rare earth materia. Off the top of head calc would probably need a square inch of silicon steel in a C shape with pole pieces to match the magnet, combination of enough turns and capacitor and voltage to generate say 1.8Tesla.
If that is too much to try to do, the best suggestion otherwise in previous posts was heat and drill a small hole from the pottom to punch it out.
Wow.....
I read about the tesla's etc... from Sphere's link. A lot to digest from something simple like a magnet!
If I can't get to it manually I may have to resort to something like you describe but then if I get to that point C-4 may do the trick!
You can learn anything from this site and it's endless knowledge from it's members. Thanks guys.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
The easiest way that I found to pull on a rare earth magnet (to get it out of a metal cup or whatever) is to use a stack of rare earth magnets.
Leave it in. Call it a no slam feature and install a different catch.
LOL!
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
You could go in with a small dremel bit and work your way out. I've done this stuff before.
The most important part is to set it up so you are comfortable. Put on headphones, sip a beer, whatever.
It's going to take time.
Most people expect result to quickly.
Edited 9/7/2008 9:39 pm ET by popawheelie
The most important part is to set it up so you are comfortable. Put on headphones, sip a beer, whatever.
It's going to take time.
Now that is a plan.....
Lets skip to the beer part! LOL
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Can the lid be turned 180 degrees and start again with a new magnet in the lid?
Now that's 'thinking outside the box'....
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
That is good......
Not sure.
Depends on the type of hinges he has used.
Good suggestion, thanks!
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Back to the original question. I have demagnatize rare earth magnets two different ways.
I have used a propane torch to unstick one glued to steel. It did not come off, it just demagnetized it. The torch was hot but did not discolor it.
I also have a demagnetizer, its over 40 years old, it was used to demagnetized reel to reel and cassete tapes. It uses A/C current that alternates a magnetic field to demagnetize anything. You would turn it on next to the item and slowly move it away.
I have found that when they break in half, the polarity may reverse. So maybe just crack them in half and leave in place.
That would be great if that occurred!
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
First thread I've ever seen where the proposed solutions didn't call for at least one Multimaster attachment or blade ;o)
Jeff