#059: iPad on a Fridge

Fridge magnets are still the most boring of all uses for magnets (even though it’s the most ubiquitous use), but with all the fuss over iPad 2 recently we figured this was one way to slightly improve the usefulness of your fridge.

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.

#027: Drill Press Vice

Here’s a third (but probably not final) use from Erle - a homemade jig for holding small objects whilst drilling. Erle uses magnets to separate the two pieces when the vice is opened, effectively acting as an extension and a reshaping of the vice jaws.

Erle’s shed is positively brimming with magnets. Where do magnets feature in your workshop? Let us know!

#026: “Soft Jaws” Magnetic Vice

Erle is still going strong with uses for Aussie magnets, this time with a “soft jaws” attachment for his vice. To prevent the metal jaws of the vice damaging delicate materials, Erle embedded two magnets into pieces of MDF. Then, he simply attaches the MDF to the vice, the magnets lock them in place and he can work safely without the jaws causing any damage. Clever stuff.

#025: Magnetise Your Shed or Workshop

Aussie Magnet-er Erle has found some priceless uses for magnets – keeping tools handy in the shed. There’s nothing worse than being stuck without the tool you need (especially if you’re doing precision work), so Erle employs magnets to save the day:

I use Aussie rare earth magnets throughout my shed to hold the tools applicable to the various machines on the machines e.g allen keys and spanners. This means I don’t need to go searching for them when I want to make an adjustment.

I also attach small rare earth magnets to pencils and these are located at strategic places so all I need to do is put my hand out and generally there’s one there!

Above you’ll see magnets holding up various calipers, chuck keys, drill press covers, awls, allen keys, blade holders, rulers and of course pencils. Adding magnets is a simple (yet genius) trick that makes these tools endlessly handy.

Erle’s using our 12mm x 1mm Rare Earth Discs to hold up most of his tools (they hold 671 grams), but for heavier equipment he uses our 12mm x 1.5mm’s (these hold up to 1 kilogram).

Great uses Erle! We’ve sent some free magnets your way as a thankyou - be sure to let us know what use you find for them.

#016: Invisible Magnetic Watch

Blogger buddhazooka stumbles across this amazing magnetic watch which uses iron filings for the hands:

The minute hand and main hand is magnetic, hidden behind a plate sprinkled powdered iron. By shaking the watch, powdered iron will gathering around the hands, time becomes “visible” from no shape.

That’s very, very cool. We know what we want for Christmas now! Iron filings make a great learning tool to help visualise magnetic fields, and now they’re also stylish.

#014: Removing Stubborn Batteries

Sometimes batteries just don’t want to budge. They’re easy enough to insert, but what happens when you need to change them?

Evil Mad Scientist Lenore M. Edman has been using magnets to remove batteries from toys and other difficult gadgets. It’s safer (you don’t need anything pointy) and definitely easier on your fingers!

A stack of 10 x 10 x 10mm Rare Earth Blocks should do the trick, as should any strong magnet you’ve got lying around the house.

#011: Magnetic Power Adapters

Apple MacBook laptops feature a magnetic power adapter called ‘MagSafe’. The power cord is held in place magnetically, so if someone should trip over it, the cable disconnects harmlessly and the Mac stays put.

It’s a nifty invention that saves on repair costs and prevents that gut-wrenching feeling of seeing your laptop dragged across the unforgiving floor. Thanks, magnets!

Watch the MagSafe ad.