MAGNET HEAVEN

[Dr. Cranky]

For those of you interested in using magnets in future builds, go here:

http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/

[Terror]

You got me wondering.Can this magnet stock be turned on lathe without looseing magnetism?Has anyone tried this?

[shucky]

Cranky, me likey what I'm seein' here! Thanks man.. These could turn out to be very useful!

[1972 Satellite]

Let me just say that a rare earth magnet is also the best stud-finder money can buy. Rub it on a wall and find every screw or nail-head.

[Dr. Cranky]

LOL! Nothing beats tools with multiple uses.

I've never turned one on a lathe . . . some of them are so small . . .

[Dave Ambrose]

You got me wondering.Can this magnet stock be turned on lathe without looseing magnetism?Has anyone tried this?

So long as you keep the resulting size above a few hundred atoms, you can cut magnets without them becoming non-magnetic. Best to use carbide cutting tools as some of the magnetic materials are very hard and abrasive. Also, the turnings stick to pert near everything.

Cheers,

Dave Ambrose

[made007]

i got a few, but not that small, i found them at wal mart, and also purchased a magnetic sheet

[Darren B]

i got a few, but not that small, i found them at wal mart, and also purchased a magnetic sheet

now thats an idea, i have a bunch of that stuff(magnetic sheeting), have to try that can cut that any size and shape....used it for making signs but never gave that a thought.

Edited July 21, 2010 by Darren B

[Steven Zimmerman]

Darren, Ive tried that magnetic sheeting,but I've never had any luck with it; just isn't powerfull enough. I was buying those magnetic jewelry clasps at the craft stores and cutting them apart,until I found them online. They are relatively inexpensive,anout ten cents apiece at www.amazingmagnets.com for the size I use(app. .060 X.120).......

[Darren B]

Darren, Ive tried that magnetic sheeting,but I've never had any luck with it; just isn't powerfull enough. I was buying those magnetic jewelry clasps at the craft stores and cutting them apart,until I found them online. They are relatively inexpensive,anout ten cents apiece at www.amazingmagnets.com for the size I use(app. .060 X.120).......

your right i tried and it wouldn't stick to anything so i was at the local hobby lobby and found these! there small and a power of ten, very strong, now 10 for 2.99 seems high but using the 40% off coupon made it 1.89 with tax, so not to bad. I already took the magnets off the card just showing you the card case you go and want to try them out. They are about a 1/4" in diameter.

Edited July 25, 2010 by Darren B

[Kaleb]

what do you use them for on cars? Just holding metal on it or is there something else?

[Darren B]

what do you use them for on cars? Just holding metal on it or is there something else?

Cranky could explain it better but the magnets let you change up builds for variety. Check out the very lastest issue of Model cars, it shows being able to change out parts of the build like grilles and other things on a post apoc build that Cranky wrote and built. It also has other uses as well. What i have planned in an up and coming build is for a sci fi project, that I have been working on of a 1/6th scale star wars battle droid. Using magnets I can make it possible to take off the back pack and put it back on, and to make it poseable on and off the stap. I have already articulated the hands to hold a custom made resin pistol and with the mags can have it possible to take the gun out of its hands too. Mags have a great many possibilities only limited to the imagination. Until Cranky and his latest article, i never thought of using magnets in a build. This opens up a whole new world of modeling.

Edited July 25, 2010 by Darren B

[Steven Zimmerman]

I use them to hold my hoods on. I drill 2 holes in the top of the firewall about .030 away from the fender and cowl,and imbed a magnet there attached with superglue(top of magnet should be slightly below/even with surface) I then do the same with the radiator support. I then grind small channels in the bottom of the hood directly over where the magnet would be when the hood is closed, being careful not to break through ,and then superglue small pieces of straight pin in the channell . Make sure all magnets/pins are at or below the surface,so you can sand the area smooth with no 'evidence' of the metals.I use magnets at each corner of the hood, because if you just do this at the front of back of the hood,the magnets are so strong they may 'pull' down on the back of the hood enough that you may have a gap where the hood meets the grille. I've had hoods that are slightly warped and have one corner stick up and strategically placed magnets will pull the hood into the correct position! If you place the imbedded pin pieces slightly towards the front of the car(.020) instead of directly over the magnet,it will pull the hood back against the cowl for a tight fit. WARNING....these are MAGNETS we're playin with....Don't try to superglue them in by applying the glue with anything metal,or lay the magnets on the modelling bench near anything metal.....Don't try to use metal tweezers.(DUH) It's possible you may have to shim the hood away from the body because the magnets pull it too close,leaving your hood setting lower then the fenders or cowl. If using the round flat magnets,you must have the flat surface towards the metal piece you want to 'attract',the magnet edges will not hold,and you will have done a lot of work for nothing(grin).....one plus,if you drop a magnet on the floor(and you WILL ) you can find them by waving a piece of metal(must be steel,not aluminium or copper) over the floor,and you will probably find you magnet. Another thing to remember ALL magnets have a 'positive' and a 'negative pole,so if you're using 2 magnets on separate pieces of your model to hold things together,make sure you get the placement right,or the pieces will REPELL each other I get my magnets from amazingmagnets.com - got a hundred for around 10 bucks...........'Z'

[Darren B]

I use them to hold my hoods on. I drill 2 holes in the top of the firewall about .030 away from the fender and cowl,and imbed a magnet there attached with superglue(top of magnet should be slightly below/even with surface) I then do the same with the radiator support. I then grind small channels in the bottom of the hood directly over where the magnet would be when the hood is closed, being careful not to break through ,and then superglue small pieces of straight pin in the channell . Make sure all magnets/pins are at or below the surface,so you can sand the area smooth with no 'evidence' of the metals.I use magnets at each corner of the hood, because if you just do this at the front of back of the hood,the magnets are so strong they may 'pull' down on the back of the hood enough that you may have a gap where the hood meets the grille. I've had hoods that are slightly warped and have one corner stick up and strategically placed magnets will pull the hood into the correct position! If you place the imbedded pin pieces slightly towards the front of the car(.020) instead of directly over the magnet,it will pull the hood back against the cowl for a tight fit. WARNING....these are MAGNETS we're playin with....Don't try to superglue them in by applying the glue with anything metal,or lay the magnets on the modelling bench near anything metal.....Don't try to use metal tweezers.(DUH) It's possible you may have to shim the hood away from the body because the magnets pull it too close,leaving your hood setting lower then the fenders or cowl. If using the round flat magnets,you must have the flat surface towards the metal piece you want to 'attract',the magnet edges will not hold,and you will have done a lot of work for nothing(grin).....one plus,if you drop a magnet on the floor(and you WILL ) you can find them by waving a piece of metal(must be steel,not aluminium or copper) over the floor,and you will probably find you magnet. Another thing to remember ALL magnets have a 'positive' and a 'negative pole,so if you're using 2 magnets on separate pieces of your model to hold things together,make sure you get the placement right,or the pieces will REPELL each other I get my magnets from amazingmagnets.com - got a hundred for around 10 bucks...........'Z'

Cool I for sure am gonna have to try that. Thanks for sharing, i was wondering about hoods and doors.

[1320wayne]

Dirk Joseph got me interested in these. He showed me that they are perfect for getting your opening doors to stay closed and lined up. One on the door and one on the door jamb. I haven't tried it yet but I have mine ready to go on a current project.

[made007]

Dirk Joseph got me interested in these. He showed me that they are perfect for getting your opening doors to stay closed and lined up. One on the door and one on the door jamb. I haven't tried it yet but I have mine ready to go on a current project.

yup, im gonna do the same thing, thats why i purchased a magnet sheet in walmart, keep doors closed

[dustym]

I use magnet sheets for stickers. I collect stickers then put then on the sheet,cut them out and can put them where ever there's metal, like tool boxes sides of cars wherever. They can be taken of and moved to a different item.

[Darren B]

I use magnet sheets for stickers. I collect stickers then put then on the sheet,cut them out and can put them where ever there's metal, like tool boxes sides of cars wherever. They can be taken of and moved to a different item.

Never thought of that, thats a great idea, they will last a lot longer too!

[eastown]

If ordering from Rare-Earth magnets, what size do you use?

Thanks Bob

[AzTom]

Thanks for the link. I have been cutting the jewelry clasps to get the tiny round magnets. After making realistic hinges on my Willys I needed them to hold the doors shut.

AzTom

[eastown]

Can anyone tell me what size they use on doors and to hold down hoods on 1/24-1/25 scale if ordering from Rare-Earth magnets?

Thanks Bob