Sourcing Rare Earth Magnets

Looking for cheap rare Earth magnets? I picked up this set of eBay for under $15 and it contains 188 of these little (but very strong) magnets and three dozen steel balls. Hopefully this gets more people into the magnetic challenge. I'll be posting my $1 digital counter/odometer/much more within a few days (and finally enter the challenge :D).

Simply grasp one end of a bar with pliers and squeeze. Then touch the bar to something magnetic such as a ferrous pair of pliers :P The idea is to deform the casing slightly which allows the magnet to pop out. Mine were only pressed in - no glue.

Be careful when putting them together - they are capable of self destruction if you snap them together. And once they are together -- its a PITA to get them apart (I used pliers ;) ).

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Yes, I know you can find magnets around for free.... but if you can find this quantity/quality - I'd be impressed.

Comments

[Zaacharia]

Late to the game but with round magnets you can make a rail gun and shoot ball-bearings through the walls (er, don't do that - build a backdrop).

[pgd5000]

I wish i would have seen this a year ago, i had one of these filled to the point it would not close, but i had to throw it away :(

[super_genius]

I HAVE A BETTER IDEA!!! I LIVE IN A TOWN WHERE AT THE DOLLAR STORES THEY HAVE A PACK THAT WOULD HAVE ABOUT MAYBE 100 OR SO RARE EARTH MAGNETS FOR LIKE $1.04 IN THE LITTLE GENERIC VERSION OF THE "MEGAMAGZ" mmmbbuahhahahahahhahahaa

[Noodle93]

I have a better idea which involves the 'Caps Lock' key. But on topic: Magnets are awesome, and there's lots of instructables that use them.

[Kred14]

 lol

[momento mori]

this was hella helpful.

many thanks. :)

[ElQuinntero]

would magnetix brand magnets work as good?

[girrrrrrr2]

nice job...i just cut my hand open...big time!!!

[Bongmaster]

how in the name of great buggery did u manage that?

[girrrrrrr2]

...metal shears...cutting the plastic in my hand...being stupid... does that help...

[Bongmaster]

clever trevor :P well its a learning curve :)

[girrrrrrr2]

...my names not trevor... its girrrrrrr2... the cut/scar is going to be a curve(really)...lol

[doobuzz]

Try dismantling old hard drives, you know like the 1 GB ones you can pick up for nothing at the dump in old computers. My friend and i have been getting some really big (and powerful!) ones for nothing at all. This one picked up a chair in our science lab!

[stranoster]

Try www.thinkgeek.com they are a reliable source of rare earth magnets

[Robotic_mage]

trebuchet03; Sorry I mistyped(misspoke) 1/8" Dia x 1/16th" Thick NdFeB Disc Magnet, Grade N40, Ni Plated with Matte finish, Axially Magnetized (the top & bottom flat faces are the north & south poles). Click on image for larger picture. 1/8" Dia. x 1/16" thick Disc Pack of 50: $10.00 www.unitednuclear.com Left hand column, toward the bottom are the magnets.

[PetervG]

Lot's of dollar stores sell these kits to, i'll buy a kit next time I go and post back if they are or not rare earth magnets.

[sockmaster]

These are the kind of magnetic link toys I've seen at my local dollar store. Each set gives you 22 1/4" diameter by 1/16" thickness NdFeB magnets. This comes out to less than 5 cents per magnet and you get a bunch of free ball bearings too :)

[FrenchCrawler]

I just refound your instuctable and was reading it: https://www.instructables.com/id/EKXVKRFW8JEP286SSU/

I want to try it out but lack the surface to do so.... maybe if I take the metal casing off one of the old computers, cut it flat and hang it on my door... Then I could have a welcome (or what ever I want) sign.

[trebuchet03]

cool! bigger diameter - but thinner magnets :D Just be careful as these might me more likely to break in half (if snapped together)... I've already chipped one of mine :P

[trebuchet03]

Be careful with dollar stores... while yes,a dollar is cheap... sometimes they are ripping you off. However, these might be worth it if there's enough and they are not a cheaper magnet...