Optionally magnetic screwdriver

Kind of more of an idea then a complex instruction but one that hadn't hit me before and made me go "Why didn't I do this before"?

Magnetic screwdrivers are very handy for keeping screws, especially those so small they are barely visible, stuck to the screwdriver. However, also very unhandy around disks, hard drives, TV sets, etc and not all screwdrivers are in the first place and can be in the way getting the screws off it. With a ferromagnetic but not magnetized screwdriver and a neodyme magnet, you can have it both ways.

Step 1: Put it on

Attach the neodyme to the screwdriver. This temporarily magnetizes the whole thing, strength depending on magnet and closeness to the tip.

Comments

[dactadork]

great idea, but quick ocd moment: hard drives are not affected by magnets, as a matter of fact, there are 2 decent-sized neodymium (aka VERY POWERFUL) magnets enclosed in them

[MysticX]

It actually takes a very strong magnet to mess with a hard drive. I have used magnetic screw drivers on computers for years with no problems. I used the magnet on / magnet off technique once to attach a floppy drive once in a case with very poor access. Overall, a nice instructable which will help other from facing that frustration.

[LasVegas]

Mystic's right about hard drives. Even floppy drives would have no problems with a magnetic screwdriver. I wouldn't recommend using a floppy disk to rest the screwdriver on though.

As to TVs. Again, a magnetic screwdriver shouldn't be a problem when used to remove/insert screws. Never (read NEVER!!!) use a metal screwdriver of any sort to calabrate a TV or monitor. Always use plastic tuning tools.

[LarrySDonald]

I'm probably a little behind on this and have emotional leftovers that may need to be thrown out. I've messed up a few HDs (and disks by proxy from others leaving magnetic drivers on them) but that was back in the 80s. Still, I'm paranoid about magnets near almost anything. I've never tune a TV with anything but plastic, but ti's kinda the same there, the old school CRTs didn't take a lot of magnetism to distort and not much exposure to make permanent so I'm still not entirely comfortable with anything strongly magnetic close to them. Right or wrong I'd as soon pee on a spark plug (regardless of new versions of spark plugs) then put a magnet near a CRT.

[cdousley]

my tvs still got a purple spot from when i was young and stupid (about 7)

[carlosdreyfus]

I prefer my screwdrivers to be permanently magnetized, just by sliding the Nd magnet, in one direction to the tip of the tool it gets magnetized and can hold all the small screws.

[lucanos]

I have had to use magnetised screwdrivers on a number of occasions (although mainly when working on cars - same principle, if somewhat larger tools and screws/bolts).

Other methods for magnetising the screwdriver which I have used are:

Rubbing with a Magnet
Rather than attaching the magnet to the screwdriver, just running it along the shaft of the screwdriver (a few times, and in one direction) will pass on a weak, temporary magnetic power. Not perfect, but when you are working around alot of ferrous parts and you just need enough "stick" to hold the screw, it can work wonders.

Shock the Screwdriver
Sounds strange, but is a trick I picked up from a mechanic friend - you get some cable (almost any gauge) and twist it around the shaft of the screwdriver (rolling it in one direction and from the handle towards the tip). Touch the ends to a battery for a short period (only a second or two - otherwise, you may melt off the insulation, or screw the battery) and now the shaft should be somewhat magnetic.

Both of these methods are temporary, and not terribly strong, but may also be options for some jobs. Of course, using the second method should never be used with any power source other than a car/bike battery (mains power tends to tickle).

[tanmanknex]

Are you serious? I just barely helped my dad fix our fridge this exact way the other day! We had an awkward crew position and I put magnets on the screwdriver to position the screw! Well, great minds think alike ;D

[LarrySDonald]

It is a bit of a "thank you captain obvious" tip, but one I'd not thought of for a solid two decades of electronics work before going "Oh, duh". There are a few on magnetizing on here, also pretty quick and easy. The magnet pile also makes a pretty handy storage spot for not dropping things on the floor in tight positions.

[tanmanknex]

True. GO MAGNETS!

[ampeyro]

there is anither way to do this, you can open the transformer of an olt microwave oven, i accidentaly magnetized most of my iron tools when trying to repair it

[ich bin ein pyro]

and its neodymium i think dictionary is sometimes wrong

[newkiraj]

ya its neodymium

[LarrySDonald]

May be correct for all I know. Dammit Jim, I'm a programmer not a metallurgist.

[ich bin ein pyro]

ive tried this before never actually screwed something in but it was fun to play with

[xboxteen01]

cool,i once considered an electromagnetic type but this is much easier. i may still try one out though.nice job

[!Andrew_Modder!]

yeah, when i get a new screw driver or drill bit, i magnatize them. (its a pain to screw stuff into small places with a non mag-tized driver) I reccomend using a neodynium magnet (get 2 of em from a old hard drive.)