Eye magnets?

etp777 · Jun 1, 2003

OK, I've heard mentions of eye magnets, though I've never seen one.

My quetsion is, I have piles of rare earth magnets around from hard drives, is this a tool i can make myself, or should I buy one? I know I want one of some kind around, I can't deal with eye damage. Dad can't wear contacts cuz of some of worst corneal abrasions ER had ever seen from two incidents(both were bad enough that you could actually see abrasions with naked eye). I don't want to have that kind of problem.

My concern with making one over buying one is that I am currently out of work, so while I want one for the safety, don't want to spend money if I can make one from stuf I have around.

and yes, i always wear safety glasses, plus my regular glasses, and will also be getting a full face shield once I'm working again

DC KNIVES · Jun 1, 2003

I have one and I think paid about $20 for it, many years ago. Don't even think about using other type magnets for this or you could cause way more damage.I got mine because most of the shops I have worked in didn't even have a first aid kit, let alone an eye magnet.An eye magnet is highly polished on one end and has a monofilament loop on the other for nonferrous junk.I have used mine several times so the money was well spent.I would also say short of a full wraparound helmet metal can find its way in.I 've had steel get into my eye while wearing safety glasses and a welding helmet.Good luck and be safe.Dave

KennyC · Jun 2, 2003

whats an eye magnet? i'm guessing it's placed near the eye while working with steel to divert dust away from the eyes...??

rlinger · Jun 3, 2003

Its that sweet little buxom thing I saw walking down the street the other day.

rlinger

DC KNIVES · Jun 3, 2003

Kenster, it's for removing the particles than get into your eyes so hopefully a doctors visit is not necessary.Doesn't always work but does quite often when grinding.Welding particles tend to burn in requiring professional extraction,Don't ask me how I know that.Dave

KennyC · Jun 4, 2003

thanks DC, how would i go about using one? just hold it near my eye and wait for the particle to be sucked out or actually touch my eye in the area which the particle is in?

Mike Hull · Jun 4, 2003

Dave, where can these be purchased?

DC KNIVES · Jun 4, 2003

You can touch the eye with it.I swab mine with an alcohol swab and let dry,and wash with a good over-the-counter eye wash afterwards.If it still bothers you the next day you should see an eye doctor.Patches aren't cool.

Mike try a industrial medical supply.I got mine from Zee Medical.
Dave

Mike Hull · Jun 4, 2003

Thanks Dave.

KennyC · Jun 4, 2003

thanks

Tom Krein · Jun 5, 2003

I would recomend going to the doctor sooner than the next day if you are unable to get the foriegn body out of your eye. If it is a piece of carbon steel you can get a rust ring which can be difficult to remove (scrapeing and grinding). It can also imbed itself into the surface of the eye over time making it much harder to remove.
I say this from experience as well as from seeing it done to other people. I have been an ER nurse for the last 8 years.
A big bottle of eye wash is also a good idea to have in the shop. If I get something in my eye I try to wash it out first. This is the least invasive way to get something out of your eye.

Tom

etp777 · Jun 5, 2003

Toms advice is dead on, both from my mom's experience as a nurse and the previously mentioned experiences with my dad and his eyes.

And personally, gonna have to get some eyewash too to go with the magnet(well, when I get the magnet.

Guessing any regular eye wash/sterile saline eye drops/etc would work Tom?

Tom Krein · Jun 6, 2003

The stuff I have is called "Eye Wash". It is made by Bausch and Lomb and is designed for emergency irrigating eyes. It is available at Wal-Mart.
I'm sure any other opthalmic irrigating solution would work.

Tom

Reg ELLERY · Jun 6, 2003

Don't throw those hard drive magnets away. I have 2 screwed to a piece of wood. I put my billet on the magnets to hold while I grind them flat.

You still need to cool it down so if you have something better than partical board or mdf. It would be better I started with a piece of mdf (medium density fibre board) it swells when wet and does not remain flat.

I use 2 magnet but if you have a bundle that may work better.