Demagnetizers

[drom68]

Who has them and what do you recommend?

I am in need of one as my tooling is becoming magnetic.

Does a simple low-cost chinese version work or do I need a high dollar version?

 

[higgite]

If you're talking about hand tools, tool bits, etc., I find one of these to be pretty handy. I use mine mostly to magnetize a screw driver to retrieve dropped screws, washers, and stuff out of nooks and crannies. Then demagnetize it. Got mine from Amazon.

Tom

 

[Bob Korves]

It all depends on how big the items are you need to demagnetize. The one listed above by higgite is inexpensive and does the job, but only on smaller work.

 

[rrjohnso2000]

Demagnitizers can be homebrewed fairly easy. If you collect enough junk even cheaply.

Google will give a ton of info

 

[John Hasler]

Who has them and what do you recommend?

I am in need of one as my tooling is becoming magnetic.

Does a simple low-cost chinese version work or do I need a high dollar version?

Someone here posted this idea (I'm sorry, I've forgotten who): Scrounge an old soldering gun (they're useless for soldering) and replace the tip with a coil consiting of six turns of #12 insulated wire, Plug it in, pull the trigger, and pass the item to be demagnetized through the coil.

BTW sometimes it is the swarf that's magnetic, not the tool.

 

[KMoffett]

I purchases a line powered Chinese demagnetizer from ENCO with 20% off and free shipping. It came in a cheap cardboard box, wedged down in a corner of another cheap cardboard box, and had the power switch broken. After replacing the switch, it worked great. I also have used the soldering gun trick. That also works. But why are soldering guns "... useless for soldering)"?

Ken

 

[David S]

Here is what I did.


David

 

[sanddan]

I bought this one from Enco using a 20% off with free shipping coupons. Works great.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=949785&PMAKA=285-2505

 

[mws]

I use a small induction motor frame, without it's armature, as a demagnetizer. I have about a 200 watt light bulb in series with the stator to limit the current. I can pass most anything up to about a 10" crescent wrench through it. Works quite well. To properly demagnetize you really need an AC field and not turn off the current until the tool is about 4 foot from the coil. We used to work on Electron Microscopes and frequently had to demag parts that some Nimrod used a magnetic screwdriver on. I despise magnetized tooling in my shop/toolbag.

 

[John Hasler]

But why are soldering guns "... useless for soldering)"?

Poor temperature control, clumsy.