Dumb Framer Question

[MerpsMom]

Can you magnetize the tip of your drill bit by rubbing it and a magnet together? Seems to work for a short time, then not.

Cathie

 

[Dave]

Cathie... why would you like to magnetize your drill bit?

:kaffeetrinker_2:

 

[Rick Granick]

I keep my drills chucked with a quick-release holder for hex shank bits. I keep the screwdriver bits on the magnetic tool bar just below the tabletop at my fitting station. Not only are they always handy, but they have become magnetized and so they hold a screw in place while I am positioning it to drive. The magnetized file that also lives there is handy for picking up little piles of framers points, small screws, etc.
:thrumbsup: Rick

 

[Bron]

Two good questions.

Cathie, if you want to magnetize a driver bit, I use a gadget like this:



However, suffering from old timers today, I have no idea where I got it, though, hardware, tool stores, probably have them.

 

[Finest Fabric]

If it's for a driver - just get a magnetic bit holder like this.... (hope the picture works) any hardware store has them -

 

[MerpsMom]

Aha. The old screw-driver-bits-on-the-magnetized-tool-bar trick. Good idea.

Dave, it's just what Rick said: the bit holds the screw to itself when positiioning on the hanger.

Bron, cool tool. If you think of it, let us know. And the question still lingers for me? Does the "charge" dissipate over time? It must or the bit would stay magnetized?

Cathie

 

[Dave]

Ah... magnetize the driver. I thought you meant a drill bit.

 

[RParrish]

They make a little sleeve that goes into your drill and driver bit, you put the screw on, slide the sleeve over it and it holds it in place and moves as you go down.

 

[Bron]

Ace hardware has them:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1297750&CAWELAID=109341707

There are bit holders that are magnetized as well.

 

[Bill Henry-]

Does the "charge" dissipate over time? It must or the bit would stay magnetized?

Cathie

Yes, up to a point. It is possible to demagnetize a tool by jarring it repeatedly. If I remember from high school, shaking or dropping something like a drill bit disturbs the polarity. If you leave the tool alone, it will retain the "charge".

I have been trying to demagnetize some screwdrivers for some time. Radio Shack used to have a hand held gizmo through which you could pass a tool (or a reel to reel tape) and demagnetize it, but they don't carry this "degausser" anymore.

 

[RParrish]

Ace also has (most hardware stores will)the item I mentioned, see bottom righthand corner.

 

[Rick Granick]

I like these for hex shank bits. Stanley makes a really nice one too.
Rick