Using magnets on paste hinges

Gerard

True Grumbler
Joined
Jan 26, 2003
Posts
73
Loc
Custer, SD
Yesterday, while applying paste hinges, I could not find any weights handy. I did have a couple of 3/4 inche rare earth magnets (available from Lee Valley Tools) and some scraps of thin sheet metal. As I was working on 3/16 foam board; I slid the sheet metal under the foam board and placed a magnet on top of the piece of blotter paper. Worked great!
Does anybody see a down side to this? I was even able to move the work out of the way while preasure still in place. This is probably not new but someone may find it a solution.
 
Gerard, I think that's a great idea! Why is it that ideas come in clusters? This must be magnet day - This was just posted on the Textile Dist List,on the topic of framing kid gloves. I think it's a great idea too:

"Magnets might be another option to consider re attachment to the backing.
Make the rigid inserts as you feel appropriate (Gail's suggestion...)and
incorporate small rare earth magnets (we get them from Lee Valley Tools in
Ottawa - you could try hardware stores - they're available in very small
diametres) into the palm areas. You'd have to incorporate some appropriate
(thin) padding to separate the magnets from the inside of the gloves so no
impression is created... On the back panel of the backing board you'd
attach (using Lascaux glue, screws...whatever) strips of thin-gauge
stainless steel covered with Ultrasuede, or Mylar... Then just position the
gloves as you like.
Rough idea, anyway. We use magnets for all kinds of display applications -
neat, fast, non-interventive, can be spray-painted to appropriate colour -
great for loaned large flat (thin) textiles...moccasins too...
Julie Hughes
Textiles Conservator"

Rebecca
 
This sounds like a terrific idea, folks, but may I ask for a definition of "rare earth" magnets? I have a whole box of round disc 1/4 x 1/2 and 3/4 magnets that I bought to glue onto the back of the polyform clay items I no longer make. Would they work? They are dark brownish black. Bought them a long time ago from who knows where.
 
Rare earth magnets are made from neodymium. A 3/4 inch diameter magnet has a pulling strength in excess of 20 pounds. The 3/4 inch magnet is about 1/8th of an inch thick. The cost of these little buggers is $5.75 for 5 - 3/4 inchers from Lee Valley Tools. This is a terrific company by the way when looking for good tools and strange old out of print books (re-printed) and vintage hardware.

It sounds like the little brown magnets are ceramic kitchen type johnsons. No comparison!
 
Gerard, I guess mine are the ceramic types cause the price was not that astronomical. But they are pretty strong, they would be suitable for your hinge trick, doncha think?
 
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