3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Demagnetizing a screwdriver

Demagnetizing a screwdriver
these days, tool companies have found that a lot of people like the handiness of magnetized screwdrivers, so its sometimes hard to find a good set that isnt magnetized. but for some things, such as replacing sensitive electronics like hard drives, its necessary to have a completely demagnetized screwdriver. in this instructable, i'll show you how to demagnetize a screwdriver with heat.
 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up
 

Step 1Materials

Materials
«
  • 0801001637a.jpg
  • 0801001637.jpg
its simple. all you need is a (magnetized) screwdriver, and a heating element. i used an electric stove, but a gas stove, blowtorch, or gas welding torch would also work
« Previous StepDownload PDFView All StepsNext Step »
6 comments
Aug 2, 2010. 4:24 AMcraig3 says:
I don't understand why you would need a demagnetized screwdriver for hard drives. Hard drive has some of the strongest magnets inside the case, they work by using magnets dont they?
Oct 26, 2010. 11:26 PMcraig3 says:
but such a weak magnet like a magnetic screw driver? With the screws on each corner, and now actually immediately close to the discs, it couldn't do THAT much damage to it, surely
Aug 2, 2010. 8:02 AMPhil B says:
Sometimes a magnetized tool is an asset. A screwdriver can hold a screw on its tip while trying to install it down a hole in a constricted area. Sometimes a magnetized tool is a pain and you want it demagnetized. I have some pliers and screwdrivers that have become magnetized and wish these were not. Although I no longer have it, I once had the frame of an old electric motor from a junk garbage disposal. I could connect it to AC line voltage and quickly dip the tool into the center opening a couple of times. It was demagnetized without the need to restore the temper of the tool's steel. (I did not want to leave the motor frame plugged in for more than a few seconds. It overloaded circuits fairly quickly.) I no longer have it because the windings eventually failed.
Aug 4, 2010. 4:34 AMPhil B says:
After thinking about your Instructable, I decided to try a demagnetizer for cassette audio tapes to see if I could demagnetize my screwdrivers and pliers. It works very, very well. The demagnetizer is something I bought in the late 1970's at Radio Shack. Hold the magnetized tool near the underside of the demagnetizer and use the thumb to energize the demagnetizer. Move the tool away from the demagnetizer in an orbital motion. Release the switch with the thumb. This item is no longer in Radio Shack's stock, but you might be able to find one on eBay or at a rummage sale.

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
1
Followers
1
Author:IncrediblyCondensedBlackMatter