Magnet Used to Hold Knife When Grinding

[C_Kyle]

I bought this magnet from Harbor Freight:

150lb Retrieving Magnet

It's strong as hell and holds the knife like a champ while sanding flats on my granite slab. It's so strong that it bends the 3/32" 1095 to the shape of the magnet. The problem is the magnet is not perfectly flat. I've started to sand the "flat" of the magnet to make it...well...flat.

I'm not sure if anyone else has seen this or issues with the magnet being too strong; but, I wanted to share my experience. I bought 3 different magnets, a 50lb, 75lb, and 150lb. I think thinner stock requires the use of a weaker magnet so it doesn't bend to the shape of the magnet, in case the magnet is not perfectly flat because it's made in India and sold at Harbor Freight.

 

[Steve Hayden]

What are the dimensions?

 

[C_Kyle]

The nessie is what I was working on. It's 3/32", ~9" overall; a few inches longer than the magnet.

 

[delbert ealy]

I bought this magnet from Harbor Freight:

150lb Retrieving Magnet

It's strong as hell and holds the knife like a champ while sanding flats on my granite slab. It's so strong that it bends the 3/32" 1095 to the shape of the magnet. The problem is the magnet is not perfectly flat. I've started to sand the "flat" of the magnet to make it...well...flat.

I'm not sure if anyone else has seen this or issues with the magnet being too strong; but, I wanted to share my experience. I bought 3 different magnets, a 50lb, 75lb, and 150lb. I think thinner stock requires the use of a weaker magnet so it doesn't bend to the shape of the magnet, in case the magnet is not perfectly flat because it's made in India and sold at Harbor Freight.

I use a 50 pounder and a 25 pounder.
They both hold the blades quite well, I use the bigger one for holding blades prior to HT and the smaller one after. The reasoning behind this is that the masgnetic force seems to carry through to my platen after HT and my finishing belts are thinner too. With this combination, I find it better to use a less powerful magnet after HT.
Del