Note: I later swapped over the larger magnetic wheel as it has more pull. I used a 4 mm drill bit and the thread tapped into plastic fine. So you need to go undersize when tapping plastic. The magnets were from the armature for a small synchronous motor, not asynchronous as stated. Cheers Rob
A useful tool, Rob, it'll save your back. You can almost guarantee that when you drop something small, it will bounce or roll, under or in between the smallest gap it can find. Cheers Tony
Absolutely right Tony. The number of times the bit bounces into a corner or out of line of sight is unbelievable. Some things are never found again ;) Cheers Rob
This is such a useful tool Rob. I bought a magnetic pick up tool from our local £ pound store. The magnet is on an extendable rod, like a car aerial. I also have a pick up device, like those used by litter pickers. Means this old man doesn't have to keep scrabbling around the floor to find nuts and screws. Cheers Nobby.
Hi Nobby. I've seen those extendable versions and they appear to be a great idea. My bendy bought one is super handy retrieving screws etc when working on car engines. This latest one is mainly for getting stuff off the floor without a lot of bending. Cheers Rob
Cool tool, Rob. I've got some neodiddlysquat magnets somewhere with a countersunk hole through the middle which should work. I'm going to say that a stiff one is perhaps better to get the washer that rolled all the way under the bench when you can't be fagged getting down on your knees with the torch. I get that 5mm rod from Bunnings occasionally. Pretty economical at about $4.00 for a 4 meter length if I recall. They keep it with the plasterboard and steel studs. I think it's used for suspended ceilings or something but it's super useful for making a quick hook to hang something for painting.
Hi Chez. Those countersunk magnets would be perfect for this application. I did use a couple of 10 cent sized ones in the past. I originally used some of that 5 mm rod to make heavy duty hooks to hang pot plants from a pergola. I have a whole bundle of it from somewhere. Only mild steel, but very handy. Bunnies have a good range of stuff. Cheers Rob
Ha Ha. The old bump the head on the way up trick. Done that too many times Colum. Yes, never fails to happen, even when you're being careful ;) Cheers Rob
I got some cheap thing like that off ebay, the magnet is kind of useless but it`s saved my back countless times. maybe if i find a better magnet I could change them over. Hmmm now you`ve got me thinking.
Should be fairly simple to replace the existing magnet with a sleeve and small rare earth magnet. I probably would have made up something like that if these two magnet wheels hadn't turned up. I have a few 5 mm diameter rare earth magnets in a container that would be suitable. Cheers Rob
... and to complicate your simple version, find a bit of plastic electrical conduit that will slide over the magnet, put a plastic cap on it, and it becomes self-cleaning when you withdraw the magnet from the tip of the conduit. All this depends on the strength of your magnet, of course 😉 Nice one, Rob
Good mod Russell. A rare earth magnet would add some extra performance and allow all sorts of things. This one is super basic design, but plenty of room for improvement. These tools are invaluable when working on car engines and little bits drop down out of reach. A must have tool. Cheers Rob
Nice job Rob. Many years ago, I made one using an old telescopic aerial from a broken radio that I couldn't fix. This has the advantage of being able to fold away for storage. Another tip is to put a small plastic 'baggie' over the magnet, which you can remove to get rid of the dross that collects on there.
Both good ideas Grandad. Being telescopic would make it more usable in confined areas. You can buy ones like that. Some also have a replacable small round tiltable mirror as well. Cheers Rob
Note: I later swapped over the larger magnetic wheel as it has more pull. I used a 4 mm drill bit and the thread tapped into plastic fine. So you need to go undersize when tapping plastic. The magnets were from the armature for a small synchronous motor, not asynchronous as stated. Cheers Rob
A useful tool, Rob, it'll save your back. You can almost guarantee that when you drop something small, it will bounce or roll, under or in between the smallest gap it can find. Cheers Tony
Absolutely right Tony. The number of times the bit bounces into a corner or out of line of sight is unbelievable. Some things are never found again ;) Cheers Rob
This is such a useful tool Rob. I bought a magnetic pick up tool from our local £ pound store. The magnet is on an extendable rod, like a car aerial. I also have a pick up device, like those used by litter pickers. Means this old man doesn't have to keep scrabbling around the floor to find nuts and screws. Cheers Nobby.
Hi Nobby. I've seen those extendable versions and they appear to be a great idea. My bendy bought one is super handy retrieving screws etc when working on car engines. This latest one is mainly for getting stuff off the floor without a lot of bending. Cheers Rob
That is a long one Rob. Good for getting under the deep bench, right back at the wall where the thing you dropped stopped rolling.
Sure is Jon. The things that shoot off the grinder/wire wheel and hit the roof are rarely ever seen again ;) Cheers Rob
Everything is recyclable - a great way to look at things.
Absolutely.
Nice work Rob.
Simple, but useful Michael. Cheers Rob
I made one with a sleeve that you can control pickup and release .. great share Rob !
Hi Shawn. Good idea. Very handy item. Also useful for picking up swarf etc. Cheers Rob
thanks Rob , magnets have there uses in the shop for sure ..@@Xynudu
Cool tool, Rob. I've got some neodiddlysquat magnets somewhere with a countersunk hole through the middle which should work.
I'm going to say that a stiff one is perhaps better to get the washer that rolled all the way under the bench when you can't be fagged getting down on your knees with the torch.
I get that 5mm rod from Bunnings occasionally. Pretty economical at about $4.00 for a 4 meter length if I recall. They keep it with the plasterboard and steel studs. I think it's used for suspended ceilings or something but it's super useful for making a quick hook to hang something for painting.
Hi Chez. Those countersunk magnets would be perfect for this application. I did use a couple of 10 cent sized ones in the past. I originally used some of that 5 mm rod to make heavy duty hooks to hang pot plants from a pergola. I have a whole bundle of it from somewhere. Only mild steel, but very handy. Bunnies have a good range of stuff. Cheers Rob
Handy to have . Def going to make one . Not only saves the back stretching under the bench but also the inevitable bump on the head getting back up😊👍
Ha Ha. The old bump the head on the way up trick. Done that too many times Colum. Yes, never fails to happen, even when you're being careful ;) Cheers Rob
Ha Ha The Bump on the Head We've All Done That ! 😂
I got some cheap thing like that off ebay, the magnet is kind of useless but it`s saved my back countless times. maybe if i find a better magnet I could change them over. Hmmm now you`ve got me thinking.
Should be fairly simple to replace the existing magnet with a sleeve and small rare earth magnet. I probably would have made up something like that if these two magnet wheels hadn't turned up. I have a few 5 mm diameter rare earth magnets in a container that would be suitable. Cheers Rob
... and to complicate your simple version, find a bit of plastic electrical conduit that will slide over the magnet, put a plastic cap on it, and it becomes self-cleaning when you withdraw the magnet from the tip of the conduit. All this depends on the strength of your magnet, of course 😉
Nice one, Rob
Good mod Russell. A rare earth magnet would add some extra performance and allow all sorts of things. This one is super basic design, but plenty of room for improvement. These tools are invaluable when working on car engines and little bits drop down out of reach. A must have tool. Cheers Rob
I must be older than you, made them all years ago, when my back told me too. Enjoy all this from you. Thanks.
Nice job Rob.
Many years ago, I made one using an old telescopic aerial from a broken radio that I couldn't fix.
This has the advantage of being able to fold away for storage.
Another tip is to put a small plastic 'baggie' over the magnet, which you can remove to get rid of the dross that collects on there.
Both good ideas Grandad. Being telescopic would make it more usable in confined areas. You can buy ones like that. Some also have a replacable small round tiltable mirror as well. Cheers Rob
Nice job 👍 Rob ! Another Handy Shop Tool ! That's Quite the HD Die Stock. 😊 It Sure Beats Bending Way Down . And As You Said Made From Shop Scrap !
Hi Wayne. It sure is. Those small dies are bastards to start and this big mother isn't really overkill in that situation. Cheers Rob
Bloody good idea Rob 👍👍👍👍 I'll be making me one of those. Cheers, Alan.
Super useful Alan. Make it any length you want. Cheers Rob