I am looking for ideas to build a chisel rack.
Now I am thinking about using magnets to hold the chisels.
Any reason why I should not do that?
Is it going to be pain when I sharpen them?
Thanks
I can't remember all I once knew about magnets. I think your concern is the magnets might magnatize the chisels then when you sharpen them the metal dust will cling to the chisels. I believe you could easily wipe that off with a cloth or paper towel. I see no reason to not use magnets if you can make it work. It would be bad for the chisel and the owner if they ever fell and struck you.
If during sharpening the filings stay on, just pass the chisel through a circular magnet without touching the metal to the magnet and it will be demagnetized.
There was a post recently, that said round magnets are rummaged from microwave ovens. The post said something about discharging a capacitor, or something along those lines.
Microwave ovens have incredibly strong magnets in them. I had a friend that was factory trained to repair microwaves and he is no longer with us because he pulled on the wrong wire. Be careful messing with those ovens. They do have good magnets though.
I don't like my tools to become magnetized; especially the ones that I have to sharpen.
Therefore, I have never even considered any kind of magnetic tool holder.
"I've used a HD magnetic strip mourned near my lathe to hold chisels currently in use. I'll never do that again they seem to pick up every iron (or microscopic piece of chisel) within 1 sq mile area.
I was constantly wiping off tha tools and pulling steel splinters out of my fingers."
"Perhaps that has something to do with the strength or type of magnet?"
Most likely the steel itself. Some steel get magnetized very easily, some do not.
I have screwdrivers that I tried to magnetize on purpose but to no avail.
OK, @kunk has a point. I should have remembered this because I have a number of screwdrivers that have become magnetized over the years and have become a PITA to clean completely. Makes me wonder about chisels on sandpaper (scary-sharp method) and then later transferring that steel dust to the wood in use. Hmm… don't know either Bert.
I use magnetic strips from Harbor Freight, they are about 16" long and cost $2.99. Never had a problem with my chisels being overly magnetized. I did cover the magnet with a strip of old t-shirt to eliminate scratches if I slide the chisel off the magnet bar.
As a side note, I have been successful at knocking steel shaving of of my screwdrivers with a direct blast of compressed air +90PSI or more. Not the best method, but works in a pinch.
I haven't used one, but they do make a specially shaped magnetic block that will either Magnetize or DE-Magnetize tools by sliding them through a special slot or hole, but why fool with that? I just don't magnetize them to start with. I am also a jeweler when I'm not being an engineer or electrician and I hate it when my little screwdrivers grab a tiny screw before I want to pick it up.
The round magnets that Chrysler uses to "train" the sensors for the tire pressure monitors works to demagnetize. I don't know if other manufacturers use them but any Chrysler dealer should have them.
I am now considering the HF magnetic strips, they are on sale for $3.99 each. that would greatly simplify the installation and then it is very flexible.
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