Magnet Suggestions?

weo

weo

Joined
Sep 21, 2014
Messages
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Hello all. Tried to use the Bladeforums search and nothing came up but google ads, so I thought I'd go ahead and ask here.

Anyone have any suggestions for small (but large enough to hold onto), and strong magnets that I can use to hold my blanks while sanding on a surface block or my grinder to get a flat surface to work from? I'm afraid either my anvil (or, more likely my forging) is not giving me as flat of a Damascus billet as I'd like. I've got a larger (3" dia) magnet that's strong enough to hold the steel when flattening on my 2x72, but being that large, it's too easy to rock the metal from side to side and I'm having a hard time keeping it flat.

Thanks in advance.
 
I've used right angle welding magnets before. You can get them in different sizes depending on need. I've also made my own by sandwiching 2 to 3 neodymium button magnets between 2 pieces of flat stock. You can shape the flat stock how ever you want and add or remove magnets as needed.
 
weo said:
Hello all. Tried to use the Bladeforums search and nothing came up but google ads, so I thought I'd go ahead and ask here.

Anyone have any suggestions for small (but large enough to hold onto), and strong magnets that I can use to hold my blanks while sanding on a surface block or my grinder to get a flat surface to work from? I'm afraid either my anvil (or, more likely my forging) is not giving me as flat of a Damascus billet as I'd like. I've got a larger (3" dia) magnet that's strong enough to hold the steel when flattening on my 2x72, but being that large, it's too easy to rock the metal from side to side and I'm having a hard time keeping it flat.

Thanks in advance.
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Look around at the different kinds of wall magnets for hanging culinary knives and tools on in a kitchen or shop. Amazon, Lowes, HD ...
 
I've been using a 100# magnet with a handle. Works great. Below is an Amazon listing, but I've seen them at Ace Hardware, and Walmart also.

Handle Magnet
 
I have a variety of magnets for grinding most of which I have constructed but the one I like using now is sold by Texas knife supply. It is a five inch long block of wood with a long strong magnet embedded in it. It is really strong but you can still get the blade off it by twisting the blade sideways. I grind stainless steel and it holds the blades hard. The price is $19.95. I was using a welding magnet before and it worked also but this is a little bit better. Be sure to put some masking tape on the magnet first to keep from scratching your blade. Just my opinion. Larry
 
I got some laptop hard drive magnets, they come with a metal backing with holes that you can screw onto a piece of wood, nice and light and will hold a blade well. When done with it, you can just stick it to your grinder and it doesnt get in the way.
 
I have a couple tool bar magnets. I cut them to the length I needed and mortised them into wooden blocks for handles.


 
weo said:
Hello all. Tried to use the Bladeforums search and nothing came up but google ads, so I thought I'd go ahead and ask here.

Anyone have any suggestions for small (but large enough to hold onto), and strong magnets that I can use to hold my blanks while sanding on a surface block or my grinder to get a flat surface to work from? I'm afraid either my anvil (or, more likely my forging) is not giving me as flat of a Damascus billet as I'd like. I've got a larger (3" dia) magnet that's strong enough to hold the steel when flattening on my 2x72, but being that large, it's too easy to rock the metal from side to side and I'm having a hard time keeping it flat.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

In every Hard disc from PC you have two very strong /brute force / rare earth /Neodymium/ magnets . Google hard disc magnets to see how they look

I m sorry , now I see that is already answered .................

tattooedfreak said:
I got some laptop hard drive magnets, they come with a metal backing with holes that you can screw onto a piece of wood, nice and light and will hold a blade well. When done with it, you can just stick it to your grinder and it doesnt get in the way.
Click to expand...
 
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This is my favorite. It's recessed slightly so it's not just the magnet holding the blade, but the steel itself.

image_16159.jpg


http://www.harborfreight.com/30-lb-capacity-powerful-handle-magnets-67156.html
 
The trick to using a magnet is to get one that doesn't hold your steel to hard. I like the idea of the magnets Kevin Powers posted a link to, as you can turn them off--that can be handy--I will tell you, be careful about getting a magnet onto a blade you have started an edge on already, as you have to pull pretty hard to get the blade loose of the magnet--will cut you!! DAMHIKT

The wall hanging magnet Karl B Anderson posted is a good one to cut up to sizes you want, and then inlet a piece of wood and glue them into the wood!

Good luck!!!
 
weo said:
Hello all. Tried to use the Bladeforums search and nothing came up but google ads, so I thought I'd go ahead and ask here.

Anyone have any suggestions for small (but large enough to hold onto), and strong magnets that I can use to hold my blanks while sanding on a surface block or my grinder to get a flat surface to work from? I'm afraid either my anvil (or, more likely my forging) is not giving me as flat of a Damascus billet as I'd like. I've got a larger (3" dia) magnet that's strong enough to hold the steel when flattening on my 2x72, but being that large, it's too easy to rock the metal from side to side and I'm having a hard time keeping it flat.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...



These have been really good to me, but still be careful as they will release the blade (and at speed) if you really shove the blank into the belt... ;)

http://www.harborfreight.com/retrieving-magnet-150-lb-pull-36904.html
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_13888_13888

Just do a search for "Pulling Magnet" or "Retrieving Magnet"...
 
Fish30114 said:
The trick to using a magnet is to get one that doesn't hold your steel to hard. I like the idea of the magnets Kevin Powers posted a link to, as you can turn them off--that can be handy--I will tell you, be careful about getting a magnet onto a blade you have started an edge on already, as you have to pull pretty hard to get the blade loose of the magnet--will cut you!! DAMHIKT

The wall hanging magnet Karl B Anderson posted is a good one to cut up to sizes you want, and then inlet a piece of wood and glue them into the wood!

Good luck!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the warning, Fish, but I'm not looking to use these for final grinding, only to get me a flat blank to start with, so not too worried about the edge.

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks. Almost too many to choose from, but right now I'm looking at the ones that Larry L, Atlas Knife and SBuzek recommended. Thanks guys!
 
Has anyone used a electric magnet? I have access to a electric magnet used for door locking access control. (search mag lock) Its 12vdc so I can use my etching machine to control. It's basically a flat bar that when 12vdc is applied it becomes a extremely strong magnet. My thoughts are put knife blank on Mag lock apply voltage and it becomes part of the magnet. Thoughts?
The other possible use is to put below knife grinder with voltage applied so it collects metal dust. Then turn voltage off so you can clean up.
 
Most, if not all of the knife maker supply companies used to have a version. i am not seeing them now.
 
The ones I posted are extremely strong. The switch makes the blank really easy to remove. The edges on the magnet allow metal dust to build up without effecting the strength. I hog with the thing. 40 grit belt 1.5 HP running full speed laying into it and the blade doesn't come off. It bogs the motor.
https://instagram.com/p/9wKPLuEy8U/
 
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