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It's incredibly satisfying to watch a tea towel fly across the kitchen and snap onto the fridge door.
We couldn't resist taking them outdoors though :)
This hack was inspired by quartertone's very awesome magnetised kitchen towel, we fell in love with his idea but also thought that sugru could make it a little bit better by solving the waterproofing and washing issue.
We couldn't resist taking them outdoors though :)
This hack was inspired by quartertone's very awesome magnetised kitchen towel, we fell in love with his idea but also thought that sugru could make it a little bit better by solving the waterproofing and washing issue.
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Signing UpStep 1Ready, steady...
Start off by getting all your stuff ready for your hack. You will need the following:
Magnet* we used: Neodymium magnets - size 10mm x 5mm (1/2" is good)
sugru
Tea Towel
Scissors
Tissue paper
* We bought strong magnets from our local electronic store, (Maplin in the UK - product code: YA29G) they work really well as they are strong enough to hold the weight of a tea towel. (otherwise you'll might get tea towels sliding down the fridge!)
We also found loads of them on eBay, search for: NEODYMIUM or NdFeB
These magnets from RadioShack should be good too.
Or from K&J Magnetics, this one looks pretty good to me.
Good to know: This hack requires just 1/3 of a mini pack of sugru, so you can do three tea towels at the same time, or you can line up a few other hacks so you don't waste any sugru. For more inspiration and ideas, check out our gallery.
Magnet* we used: Neodymium magnets - size 10mm x 5mm (1/2" is good)
sugru
Tea Towel
Scissors
Tissue paper
* We bought strong magnets from our local electronic store, (Maplin in the UK - product code: YA29G) they work really well as they are strong enough to hold the weight of a tea towel. (otherwise you'll might get tea towels sliding down the fridge!)
We also found loads of them on eBay, search for: NEODYMIUM or NdFeB
These magnets from RadioShack should be good too.
Or from K&J Magnetics, this one looks pretty good to me.
Good to know: This hack requires just 1/3 of a mini pack of sugru, so you can do three tea towels at the same time, or you can line up a few other hacks so you don't waste any sugru. For more inspiration and ideas, check out our gallery.
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Conductive Sugru!
Conductive Sugru!
:-)
cool, what would use it for ?
- As Sugru bonds with textile, a whole other bunch of applications can be imagined such as connecting for example leds and resistors immediately on the fabric, with sugru.
- 3D modelling (playdoh-style) which connects electronics
(in any case, nothing above 5 volts :-))
I coated some (excessively strong) magnets with Sugru but found that the Sugru didn’t reduce the force of the magnets as much as I expected, so I wrapped the magnets in a small pouch of scrap washcloth. I picked up 4 terrycloth hand towels and a matching terrycloth washcloth and cut the corners of the washcloth off. I sewed the corner of the washcloth onto the towel and put the magnetic pillow into the pocket. It blends in really well and you barely notice the modification.
It worked out great, and you can toss the towel at the from quite a distance and not damage the fridge due to the two towel layers and Sugru protection. The magnet is still quite powerful, so I expect when they get washed to stick to the sides of the washer and dryer, but that should be fine.
As an aside, a pair of powerful Sugru coated magnets are a great desk toy for idle hands, plus make great stud finders. :)
I used DD4 magnets (13/16" dia. x 1/4" thick, 20.86 lbs of pull force) from kjmagnetics and half a package of Sugru per magnet. I really expected the heavy cloth and Sugru to weaken the magnetic field more than it did. If I were to get more magnets, I would try out the DD2, with 10.53 lbs of pull and get rid of the extra layer.
Thanks for the project. :)
once you cover the magnet in sugru you don't actually need to fold over the towel.
The sugru protects the magnet from rusting but also from impact when it hit's other metals. You could fold over the towel as well if you wish but personally, I wouldn't bother. Hope this helps and please post an image of your towel once you complete the project :)
I've not tried it, but sugru has inspired me to think of innovative putty ideas.
question. If the sugru people are reading this, Would you consider making different forms of the stuff? more than just colours? add in magnetic properties, glow in the dark-ness, electronic transmitability (totally cool idea so you could make Sugru circuits!), etc.
just a thought.
if you mix other ingredients with sugru, you will compromise it's properties, adhesion will be reduced and it will not be as strong. However, this migh suit some of your applications...
If you could chose one version of sugru with new properties, what would it be ?...
Why dont you just sew a magnet into the corner
(ie. fold the corner over and sew it shut with the magnet inside...)
and save the trouble of the sugru ... duh!
Your stupid.
Your not stupid.
thanks for your comment.
To answer your question, the magnet would not survive the washing machine, so sugru is used to serve two functions;
1: to bond the magnet to the towel
2: to protect the magnet from the washing machine / tumble drier / impact with hard surfaces.
Best,
James
Thanks for your diplomatic response...
I was drunk when I wrote that, (in case you cant tell).
So of course if you just sew it in place it will rust and run into the fabric?
I still don't get your answer though... wouldn't the folded over corner of fabric with the magnet sewn inside:
protect the magnet in the wash & soften the impact of hard surfaces?
& indeed bond the magnet to the towel in a sewn up corner?
Or would it just tear the fabric as it goes through the wash I suppose.
I'm going to make some my way anyway & let you know how it goes.
Cheers Deb.
water will penetrate the fabric so will still rust, if you look at quartertone's original post, he made the magnet removable. : http://www.instructables.com/id/Magnetowel-magnetized-kitchen-towel/
I used sugru so that it does not have to be removed.
I am going to fold over the top of the fabric on the towel though, as an added protection--that, and my magnets are about the size of quarters in diameter and thickness.
The same thing can be said about small batteries. The voltage in them is enough to cause an electrical burn inside their esophagus or intestines.
Sure, the kids need to taught to handle things properly. But no small child should have to risk the horrific injuries or death possible from a simple mistake. Be careful with magnets and batteries with kids around.
2. This has nothing to do about batteries. Please, go be safe on the hundreds of other projects on here that use batteries--you are just making more clutter here. And it's not the voltage that causes burns, it is the chemicals inside them that are the major issue. If you are going to be overly cautious and tell others about dangers that the Instructable has nothing to do with, at least get your facts straight.
Thank you, have a great day.
The voltage in the batteries is most certainly an issue. With longer exposure the chemicals inside only add to the risk. http://www.poison.org/battery/
Someone considering the use of magnets in a home setting would do well to at least be AWARE of possible risks. I doubt many people would really give much thought to it.
The point is small pill-like objects and kids are something to give some THOUGHT about. Not just snide comments.
the magnet will click onto the drum, but as the magnet is not that strong, they pull away during the wash so not a problem at all :)
Do you sell sugru branded t towels yet? :D
ps - I'm quartertone; no "s"
eek, sorry about the typo !
James