demagnetize tools

[reinhardt]

i do a lot of metal work in my garage, so i have lots of grinding dust. i am really tired of cleaning the grinding dust off of my screwdrivers and center punch and every other metal tool i have. i can't figure out how i magnetized my tools, but i want it gone!

i did a yahoo search and found that tvs have demagnetizers in them and you can use one to demagnetize tools. i couldnt find a how to on how to do such. anyone able to point me in the right direction? anyone know how my tools got magnetized in the first place? i'm not a scientist here, so this has left me ....

ben

 

[1320stang]

I'm not sure, but I think the tool isn't magnetized, I think the dust is.

 

[reinhardt]

interesting! now how do i demagnetize the dust? lol! what a pita. i went to pick up my centerpunch yesterday and it looked like a magnet in a science book w/ all the filings sticking to it.

 

[84scrambler]

I would also suspect the metal filings to be magnetized but if your tool is magnetized the only way I know how to demagnetize something is to slowly pull it away from a strong oscillating electric field.

Its funny because I have metal shavings stuck to the mudded wall right where the screws are.

 

[catfish]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00018AONE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

might be good for smaller stuff

 

[Vicegrip]

Degausser from Radio shack or similar. Plug it in wave it over the tool or metal and you are done.

 

[Stick Figure]

I've always just slide the screwdriver over a magnet one direction to make it magnetic and the opposite way to demagnatize it.

 

[TN_GARAGE]

I've always just slide the screwdriver over a magnet one direction to make it magnetic and the opposite way to demagnatize it.

That's what I've heard, too.

Get a strong magnet and rub it on the tool:

Pull for magnetizing and push for demagnetizing


I've also heard that this can be done with batteries and/or welders or simply by hitting it real hard.

 

[Hamster]

I got one of these for free but I never figure out how to use it, seems it jut stay the same whichever hole I stick my tool in.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00018AONE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

might be good for smaller stuff

 

[Indy_500]

Harbor Freight sells a demagnetizer, It actually works!

 

[Monte]

slightly strike the screwdriver/punch (etc.) against a metal surface and the metal dust should fall off

 

[LEVE]

For the DIY'er, just pick up a free TV or Computer Monitor off Craigs List. These devices usually have a degaussing ring built in. Strip it out, attach a switch and you're in business....

 

[Cheapskate]

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?...PMKANO=274&PMKBNO=2339&PMPAGE=9&PARTPG=INLMPI

ENCO has a demagnatizer on closeout for $20.39.

 

[Kirbot]

A powerful soldering gun is a makeshift alternative to a degausser.
I've used one successfully to demagnetize a monitor before.

The transformer inside is what does it.

 

[Professur]

ROFL ... information in power ... the best way to demagnetize a tool is to hit it with a hammer ....or throw it several times against a hard (concrete) floor. We frequently have to do it with printer parts. Alternately, heat it up and let it cool slowly. That's how your shavings become magnetized .. they're cooled quickly because of their size.

 

[wafrederick]

An old car speaker does work too,one side of the magnet will magnatize it and the other will demagnatize it.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I have one of these from Craftsman and it actually works as well...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...21x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00945021000P

 

[gatewaysysop]

I got one of these for free but I never figure out how to use it, seems it jut stay the same whichever hole I stick my tool in.

I actually just bought one of these to replace the POS Craftsman that fell apart when the rubber bands dried out (this is AZ, YMMV). This Wiha one, on the other hand, is freaking awesome.

I've used mine on my screwdrivers of all types, lengths and thickness and a couple different manufacturers (with differing quality of steel, etc.) and it worked flawlessly on ALL of them. I love this thing, best one I could find for the money.

Hope this helps! Mine didn't come with instructions either, but one of the reviews on Amazon has some decent instructions, supposedly from Wiha's tech support:

"You put the screwdriver blade slowly in and out of the + side to magnetize and slowly in and out of the - side to demagnetize.

If you are having trouble demagnetizing put the blade in slowly at the top of the demagnetizing side, walk it down the steps and then remove."

This has worked great for me, so maybe this will help you?