Neodymium Magnets

sansouci · Post by **sansouci** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:23 pm

Anyone ever try to use Neodymium magnets as inserts into your sockets to keep the nuts and bolts from falling out? They come in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch diameter and also probably metric sizes too. They are on eBay and not expensive. Seems cheaper than the Craftsman inserts I used to have. They were octagonal-shaped plastic with a magnet molded in the center.

redrumm3 · Post by **redrumm3** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 2:52 pm

I have used them for years and they work great.

Da_Hose · Post by **Da_Hose** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 3:47 pm

I always look at the magnet holders, but never pull the trigger.

I go low tech. I use a scrap of paper to make the nut hold on to the socket. When I pull off the socket the paper just falls out. The magnets take away some of the room inside the socket. On smaller sockets that is a problem, but I really like the idea of magnetized socket bottoms.

Jose

sansouci · Post by **sansouci** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 11:09 am

So I bought a bunch of 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 magnets. Boy do they grab! The next part of the science project is to see how well my idea works. They fit right on the end of the socket wrench stub where the socket mounts.
$15 for a whole bunch from China on eBay. If all else fails, I've got a lot of refrigerator magnets!

Brucey · Post by **Brucey** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 11:19 am

nice idea, but..... I predict that whilst bolts may be OK, nuts might disappear inside all but the shallowest sockets and may not pick up on the threads of the bolt/stud very well. If so you may struggle to get the nut out of the socket!

Anyway, let us know how you get on!

cheers

slofut · Post by **slofut** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 6:51 pm

I have on many occasions, just stuck a good size neo magnet on the side of an extension or a screwdriver handle as an aid. Works well sometimes. Especially those science project neos. I have one about a 1 inch cylinder that I use often.

sansouci · Post by **sansouci** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:21 am

Brucey wrote:nice idea, but..... I predict that whilst bolts may be OK, nuts might disappear inside all but the shallowest sockets and may not pick up on the threads of the bolt/stud very well. If so you may struggle to get the nut out of the socket!

Anyway, let us know how you get on!

cheers

Some of what you say is true. Ive been using a pick to remove the nut stuck in the sockets. R&D continues. Wonder if they'll do any good in the oil reservoir?

Brucey · Post by **Brucey** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 8:53 pm

sansouci wrote: ..... Wonder if they'll do any good in the oil reservoir?

can't do any harm, will almost certainly do some good!

cheers