crimsonedgeevents finds these super-cool magnetic salt & pepper shakers:

Designer Mike Flache has created a high-class magnetic salt cellar and pepper pot made of stainless chromium steel.

Inspired by hundreds of breakfasts around the world he transformed the natural shape of a simple egg into a stylish accessory.

Magnets on each part of the ‘Spice Egg’ stick it together and makes the handling comfortable.

Now we can dine with magnets!

#039: Magnetic Silly Putty

remierk discovers the future of silly putty:

I’m not sure, but I think this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I need to get this.

http://www.geekosystem.com/magnetic-silly-putty/

Woah!

#038: Impromptu Tool Belt

Need help holding your tools while you’re working? Put a few Rare Earth magnets in your pockets and you’ve got a home-made tool belt. Strong magnets won’t let go and will hold relatively heavy tools. You might also keep a magnet in your pocket to magnetise your screwdrivers, ensuring screws don’t fall off the tip.

Any Rare Earth magnet should do the job, but you’ll need to consider the thickness of the material (this will reduce the effective pull strength) and the weight of your tools.

#037: Gauss Pistol

Rob made a Gauss Rifle, so why not a Gauss Pistol? Here’s his clever concept miniaturised. 

#036: Gauss Rifle

The late Rob Gallagher was a magnetic genius, and it shows in his Gauss Rifle. Using linear acceleration spurred by magnets, Rob launches a steel ball from the rifle at a substantial rate.

Brilliantly simple, and a great demonstration of the true power of magnets.

#035: Instant Compass

Need a compass in a hurry? Sandwich a thread between two very strong magnets, let it hang gently and you’ve got an instant path to the Pole.

(Via evilmadscientist).

‘Inside Insides’ have been shooting Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MRI) of food. See if you can guess which foods are shown below, then see more at http://insideinsides.blogspot.com/:

(Via tacit-laconic)

#034: Animag Photo Stands

Photojojo lurrrrve magnets, and their latest magnetic treats are super-cool. These ‘Animags’ are magnetic photo-holders shaped like animals. Check them out!

"Electricity and magnetism are those forces of nature by which people who know nothing about electricity and magnetism can explain everything."

#033: Fire Door Safety Inspections

Magnets saving lives? Perhaps. Stephen (an Aussie Magnets customer) is using our magnets to test fire doors during building audits. Fire doors are complicated creatures, but Stephen checks every single one to keep us safe if disaster strikes:

Most fire doors have a metal frame within the structure of the door, which door components such as hinges, latches, peep holes, sequencers etc are anchored in to. I use the magnets to determine firstly whether the door is a fire door, secondly whether it has been hung the right way and thirdly whether the door components are anchored into the door at the right place (you would be surprised how often they aren’t).

Stephen uses a strong 25mm x 25mm x 5mm Rare Earth Block, which pulls 11.5kg:

This strength of magnet is just right for testing fire doors as it allows me to undertake the task required and also allows me to get my magnet back as well. 

Its the smallest and easiest tool in my kit.

Thanks for looking out for our safety, Stephen, and congrats on your innovative use. Free gifts are in the post, here’s hoping they find a home in your tool kit!

BoostUp reports that a former NASA engineer has developed customisable, multiple-pole magnets.

Programmable magnets could be used to seal spaceship hatches, to create friction-free prosthetic ball joints and to make long-lasting gears for engines.

Aussie Magnet-er Tammy magnetised the inside of her doors to save space and keep things in order. It’s certainly one of the more creative uses we’ve seen for our Flexible Rubber Magnets, and sure seems to have freed up some space.

Well done Tammy, we love it. A free gift has been posted out, let us know what use you find for it!

ramonsmind found this cool magnetic artwork. Magnets never cease to amaze us!

#031: Number Holders for Equestrian Competitors

Jenni (from Leading Designs) makes Halters for equestrian events, and has been using some Aussie magnets to bling up her ensembles:

I embellish a magnet with a rhinestone setting & a central swarovski crystal. Team that with a second magnet, these are then used in a set of four to hold competition numbers on for equestrian competitors. Traditionally safety pins are used, but these are ugly & damage expensive (sometimes into the 1,000’s) jackets. The magnets add some “bling” to the outfit.

Very clever - magnets can be gentle (sometimes!) and are far better than damaging materials with unsightly pins.

Jenni is using our 12mm x 3mm Rare Earth Discs, and attaching them to the crystals using 2-part epoxies. 

Thanks, Jenni! A free gift is on the way.

Paul writes in with a use for his Aussie Magnets:

I built a display box for a collection of knives I am proud of and used your magnets to secure the knives against a tin backing covered with felt. Very effective and the knives can be easily removed for examination and discussion.

Choosing the right magnet for this job is no easy task:

• Since tin is thinner than steel, the effective pull strength of the magnet will be reduced
• The felt layer will further reduce the strength of the magnet, since there is a greater gap between the magnet and the surface of the knife (strength decreases with distance)
• Knives are usually thin, hence a stronger magnet is required to maintain a strong hold
• The knives still need to be removed by hand, and hence the magnets can’t be too strong.

We’d probably suggest something like a 9.5mm x 10mm Rare Earth Rod, or perhaps a longer 50mm x 5mm x 3.5mm Rare Earth Block (depending on the size of the knives).

Thanks, Paul! Another great use.