DIY Magnetic Hooks
Intro: DIY Magnetic Hooks
This instructable explains how to quickly and cheaply create a magnetic hook, which can hold weights till 500 gms.
STEP 1: Things Required
You will require:
A neodymium magnet
A bottle cap, the kind that is made of metal and can stick to the magnet.
A wood hook, the one with threads.See image for how it looks.
Tools:
A hacksaw or a pliers that can cut the hook threads.
A knife to remove the rubber linings from within the cap.
A neodymium magnet
A bottle cap, the kind that is made of metal and can stick to the magnet.
A wood hook, the one with threads.See image for how it looks.
Tools:
A hacksaw or a pliers that can cut the hook threads.
A knife to remove the rubber linings from within the cap.
STEP 2: Assembly
Cut the threads of the hook, flatten the end which is cut with a filer or sand paper.
Gas weld this hook to the bottle cap. I had access to a gas welding equipment with garages who repair dents on auto rickshaws in Mumbai.
Soldering the hook is another option. Use flux for a cleaner joint, and sand off the cap to get a real nice shiny metal. Solder will not adhere with metal that's painted or corroded.
For folks who do not, use an epoxy like Araldite or a glue gun, but I am pretty sure it won't hold much weight. Welds are best.
Place the magnet inside the cap and attach to the metal object on which you need a hook.
Spray paint it to your desired colour.
I made this hook to attach my model airplane on the ceiling. My ceiling is made of plaster of Paris, and has metal screws on which this magnet holds well.
Gas weld this hook to the bottle cap. I had access to a gas welding equipment with garages who repair dents on auto rickshaws in Mumbai.
Soldering the hook is another option. Use flux for a cleaner joint, and sand off the cap to get a real nice shiny metal. Solder will not adhere with metal that's painted or corroded.
For folks who do not, use an epoxy like Araldite or a glue gun, but I am pretty sure it won't hold much weight. Welds are best.
Place the magnet inside the cap and attach to the metal object on which you need a hook.
Spray paint it to your desired colour.
I made this hook to attach my model airplane on the ceiling. My ceiling is made of plaster of Paris, and has metal screws on which this magnet holds well.
STEP 3: Measure Holding Strength
Take a plastic bag and fill it with some water, place it on hook.
If it doesn't fall, add more water.
continue above steps till you see the bottle cap sliding or moving under the weight of the water.
measure the volume of water with a measuring cup. 100ml of water weighs 100gms approximately.
My magnet could hold 1/2 kg effortlessly.
If it doesn't fall, add more water.
continue above steps till you see the bottle cap sliding or moving under the weight of the water.
measure the volume of water with a measuring cup. 100ml of water weighs 100gms approximately.
My magnet could hold 1/2 kg effortlessly.
STEP 4: Hang Stuff!
The ceiling I at my home is made of Plaster Of Paris, and is made to hold with iron frame that repeats every 12 inches.
When you do hang stuff, keep in mind, the more vertical the string from the hook, the more it can hold. In the image above, I had to install 2 hooks to hold the plane.
I can keep changing the position of this plane in any room I like, and it now doesn't require any drilling to put a screw or a hook.
When you do hang stuff, keep in mind, the more vertical the string from the hook, the more it can hold. In the image above, I had to install 2 hooks to hold the plane.
I can keep changing the position of this plane in any room I like, and it now doesn't require any drilling to put a screw or a hook.
4 Comments
rupin.chheda 10 years ago
Its best to remove it before doing the weld, because its easier to remove.
It is very important to remove the rubber/plastic lining, because the strength of the hold is influenced by how good contact there is with the metal.
My experiments showed that the rubber lining decreased the holding weight from 1/2 kgs to somewhere close to 350 gms.
greendayfan457 10 years ago
rupin.chheda 10 years ago
artworker 10 years ago