Top Shop Tips

[Rrandy]

A big if here but if you have a microwave oven headed for the dump then you can destroy...uhdismantle it and get the magnet off of the magnetron. I think that's what it's called. I have 4 of them and all are about 3/8 thick by about 3 in diameter with about a 1 inch hole in the center. I scrounged them off the street and if you need a good magnet there is a source for free...except effort. 

[Dave in Md]

Another source for magnets are old hard drives.  There are 2 rare earth magnets in there for the voice coil head positioner.  Usually 1/8 to 3/16 thick curved and very strong.  I use one to keep my drill press key attached to the machine, my buddy is left handed so he can swap sides if he is using my shop.  I use 1 to hold a clip board on my cabinet and 1 to hold a note pad for the next HW store run. My wife has several she uses on the refrigerator to hold a calendar, shopping lists and coupons

[john880]

For anyone that is a fisherman that has had a trolling motor go bad, and to costly to repair. Inside surrounding the lower motor casing glued to the inside is one of the most power full magnets that I have found. May take a chisel to get them loose....

[birchwoodguy]

wow I think I will do a "dump run" today and look for some of these unbeknownst-to-me sources for sup(p)er  magnets!

Robert.

[Dave at WOOD]

If you can find an old stereo speaker where the cones is torn or trashed, harvest the driver magnet. The bigger the speaker, the stronger the magnet.

[MSWOODcraft]

Old guitar pickups are great, too.  The alnico magnets stick to the 'fridge like gangbusters!

[bojoyseven]

Panel meters from old electronic equipment contain magnets that encompasses a wire coil on the meter's needle movement. The size and power of the magnet will of course depend on the physical size of the meter. Bob

[ed57gmc]

For small, but very strong magnets, check out the brush heads of a Sonicare tooth brush. They are good for catches in boxes, etc. approx 3/16 x 1/8 x 1/4

[dale755]

check out old old old hard drives. They usually have 2-3 rare earth magnets inside. DON'T get your fingers caught between them unless you like blood blister blue as a color.

Geoff

[Grant Dorcas]

Ditto here on hard drive magnets. I do computer repairs, so have a pretty constant supply. I use one to hold up a hammer , 2 together to hold a 25' tape. (2 only because of the tape being bulky, it is safer) I have them epoxied to my lathe to hold the wrenches, and other tools, I use them attached to old axe or shortened shovel handles for that elusive screw or socket that rolls under the counter. I even have 2 holding my electronic cross cut miter gauge to the wall. It needs 3 if you put a long auxillray fence on it. Grant Dorcas