Demagnetizers

William Schrade

William Schrade

Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
633
Now that I have a surface grinder my next purchase is a Demagnetizer. I see prices ranging from $8.00 to $900.00. What do you guys use and how is the performance?

Thanks
 
It is also something I have been wanting for a while. Looking forward to what people have to say. Thanks for asking.
 
Yep. I have one just like that too. Works great.....quick and easy. I got mine from Enco. It was cheaper than that one, especially combined with one of their regular free shipping offers.
 
I have the same one listed, although I think I got mine during a sale at enco. Works like a charm!
 
kdogmcg said:
What's the purpose of that?
Click to expand...

Parts around the shop often become magnetized (especially if using a magnetic chuck when surface grinding, but this can also happen during other processes), and when working around a lot of metal dust/grit, obviously this can get to be annoying, as it's harder to keep parts clean and free of dust and debris. This can especially be a problem with precision machining practices where magnetized chips and dust can throw a part out of square in a chuck or a vise.

A demagnetizer (or degausser) simply removes the magnetism from whatever part you pass over it, and keeps it from attracting the aforementioned problem causers.
 
I recently bought the same surface type demagnetizer as did Jason Fry,
S. Buzek, J. Doyal, and several others among us.
My two questions are -
1. As I understand things, the electro-magnetic field from the device
extends about 5 0r 6 feet beyond the activated surface.
Also that the blade or tool should be withdrawn slowly from the field
to that same distance before turning the device off, or blade will
become re-magnetized.
So, my question here is about placement of the demagnetizer in my shop.
If there are other blades, blade tools, and small hand tools within this
magnetic field, can these become magnetized from the repeated use
of the machine? By this I mean in any direction, including items only
a few feet away on the floor directly above.

2. Will these types of demagnetizers work as well drawing blade across
width of machine as well as length ways?
Thank you.
 
oldtimer125 said:
I recently bought the same surface type demagnetizer as did Jason Fry,
S. Buzek, J. Doyal, and several others among us.
My two questions are -
1. As I understand things, the electro-magnetic field from the device
extends about 5 0r 6 feet beyond the activated surface.
Also that the blade or tool should be withdrawn slowly from the field
to that same distance before turning the device off, or blade will
become re-magnetized.
So, my question here is about placement of the demagnetizer in my shop.
If there are other blades, blade tools, and small hand tools within this
magnetic field, can these become magnetized from the repeated use
of the machine? By this I mean in any direction, including items only
a few feet away on the floor directly above.

2. Will these types of demagnetizers work as well drawing blade across
width of machine as well as length ways?
Thank you.
Click to expand...

I don't know what exactly the effective ranges are, but when I demagnetize parts, I hold it within an inch or so of the top surface, or at least until I start to feel it pulling into the demagnetizer. I usually move it lengthwise, but I don't think it matters a whole lot. You'll get the hang of it after a couple of uses.

I keep mine up on a wooden shelf above my work bench. I haven't noticed any issues with anything around it, though if I did, I'd just demag accordingly. ;)
 
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Thanks Drew, I appreciate your input about this.
Coincidentally, I sometimes stumble across some of your you tube videos
when researching something. Also, congratulations on your Craftsman 150
drill press, I like it! Nice and simple, and it works.
Of course it reminded me that I miss an old, very heavy, hand crank drill press
with a massive iron flywheel & weight driven ratchet system that I traded for
a more needed micrometer. Oh well, it was a good trade.
 
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oldtimer125 said:
Thanks Drew, I appreciate your input about this.
Coincidentally, I sometimes stumble across some of your you tube videos
when researching something. Also, congratulations on your Craftsman 150
drill press, I like it! Nice and simple, and it works.
Of course it reminded me that I miss an old, very heavy, hand crank drill press
with a massive iron flywheel & weight driven ratchet system that I traded for
a more needed micrometer. Oh well, it was a good trade.
Carolina
Click to expand...

Glad somebody watches my vids... ;) I know they're a little light on editing and theatrics. :D

I've been so busy with other things as of late, I haven't even fired up that drill press yet, other than to make sure it still ran when I took it out of storage. It's on the list though!

Thanks for watchin!
 
I have the same one as Jason and it works very well. I may do it differently that some but I turn the machine on and lay the blade on the top and move it across and off the other side. After a couple passes it is completely non-magnetic. Back to hand sanding and the dust no longer sticks to the tip.
 
kdogmcg said:
What's the purpose of that?
Click to expand...
my calipers are always attracting metal dust and throwing off my measurements. they stick to my file guide too. i have no idea how it became magnetized. i was using the magnetic bubble jig as an angle guide on files, they became magnetized. i need to get one too...
 
knife to a gunfight said:
Glad somebody watches my vids... ;) I know they're a little light on editing and theatrics. :D

I've been so busy with other things as of late, I haven't even fired up that drill press yet, other than to make sure it still ran when I took it out of storage. It's on the list though!

Thanks for watchin!
Click to expand...

When I'm doing a little research on a blade, a process, a tool etc.
I'm glad to not have much theatrics and such. Just show me how it works.
"Just the facts mam, just the facts" ha ha...

Let's not talk about "the list", I get enough of that at home!
You're welcome!
 
woodster said:
my calipers are always attracting metal dust and throwing off my measurements. they stick to my file guide too. i have no idea how it became magnetized. i was using the magnetic bubble jig as an angle guide on files, they became magnetized. i need to get one too...
Click to expand...

I'm not a physicist, but the basic concept is that all ferrous metals, particularly
iron and plain carbon steels, have pockets of magnetic energy dispersed randomly
throughout the piece. It is only when these molecules become polarized (think lined up)
do we have a problem with blade/tool etc attracting metal particles.
This polarization can occur through exposure to another magnetic item, electro-magnetic
fields, atmospheric conditions, and of course... magic.

What a degausser (demagnetizer) does is scramble these energy fields within
the metal, so they are no longer polarized.
If the device is used improperly, your blade or tool can become re-magnetized
even worse than before.
As usual, I hope I do it right!
 
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