Magnetic sheets for wrenches

[becket]

Will 30mm, or 60mm magnetic sheeting be strong enough to hold up to 3/4" wrenches (just cheaper Sears-type, not heavy snap- on)? I want to put 6" strips up to hold the wrenches and smaller bits vertically, and to do the home-made magnetic armbands with Velcro or whatever also, thanks. I can get 2-foot wide sheets by the roll, or linear foot, thanks to another thread's link.

 

[kartracer23]

Do you mean mil instead of mm? a 30 mil sheet barely holds itself up. a 60 mil wouldn't do much better. For reference, most refrigerator magnets are either 20 mil or 30 mil. You can't put anything between a 20 mil and the metal and get it to stick. A 30 mil (say business card size) will hold 1 sheet of paper.

 

[rickycobra]

I think you need something stronger, thats why you usually see people using the peg board.

 

[haugy]

It's going to need to be at least an inch thick. I have one of those big magnets to pick up things with, and it's over an inch thick and it can pick up smaller tools.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Would that approach end up magnetizing your wrenches?

 

[fourfeathers]

Is this what you mean? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959084000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Would that approach end up magnetizing your wrenches?

Yes it would, even a 30 mil (even though I am sure it won't hold a wrench) sheet of magnetic strip will magnetize metal, it just won't be a very strong polarization. Probably wouldn't notice it.

I have had tools near larger magnets and they end up getting a little sticky on some things.

 

[baneonrt]

I use magnetic strips from HF to hold my screwdrivers. They would be strong enough for most wrenches.

This is the closest I could find. Not quite what I bought.
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-inch-magnetic-holder-65489.html

Steve

 

[becket]

That's what I need, thanks! Thanks for all the responses, I learned something (always a good thing).

 

[kartracer23]

That's what I need, thanks! Thanks for all the responses, I learned something (always a good thing).

Get the strongest ones you can find. The cheap ones simply don't work. I went through 3 different ones before finally finding some at Rural King that would actually hold anything. Before you buy, go over to the tool department and try out what you expect the bar to hold-it's surprising how much force it takes.

 

[Toolhorder]

I'm still waiting to get a stator magnet off a Hybrid to hold my tools... You probably couldn't take the wrench off of it after but it sure would hold it good.

 

[baneonrt]

Yeah, after testing the strips I have with a 21mm wrench, a larger crecent and a 1/2" drive ratchet I'd say if you can find a stronger set it'll be fine for the smaller wrenches but that's it. I wouldn't trust it to the 21mm I tested. Maybe if you doubled them up by running two parallel to each other it would be ok.

I did see a Craftsman "Magnetic Locking Wrench Holder" at sears though. Says item number 910017 on it but I can't find any reference to it online at all. Looks like it holds 12 wrenches.

Steve

 

[Cargo]

You can use two or three with this coupon. Free meter, screwdrivers and flashlight too!

View media item 5758
View media item 5757
Enjoy

 

[RobSmith]

I had a small magnet just hanging off the bottom of my tool cabinet and all the spanners became magnetized....what a pain in the ****. They stuck to each other and picked up all the metal filings and **** around the work shop. I eventually used an audio 'de-magnetizer' to bring every tool back to normal. The magnets now hang off a bit of steel attached to a separate wooden shelf.