[Anita]

Hello everyone, I am a newby, and was wondering if a magnetic tool holder would be okay to use on my bench or does the magnetism do something to the temper or is otherwise not advisable to use. Thank you in advance

[mikeg]

I don't think it would do anything to the temper but I've had people tell me that over time your tools will become slightly magentic themselves and will attract the metal particles created during sharpening thus making it harder to get a good edge. I don't know if it's true, or how much effect it would have if true but I decided not to chance it.

mikeg

[Irishman]

Its true about the tools becoming magnetic themselves. I use good quality pfiel tools and they do tend to magnetize and connect with other tools laying on the bench next to them. You'll find that you'll like to have your tools handy when you start carving so the magnetic holder might only be used for storage purposes. I'd be leary about them getting knocked off while pulling one off. That's my observation anyway.
Patrick

[cats pa]

Anita, I'm a big fan of magnetic tool holders because my workbench is always messy and they help reduce the clutter. True, they can magnetize your tools over time, depending on how you jiggle them around, but that's much less a problem in woodcarving than metalworking, and I use them next to my drill press and grinder.

One thing that will happen with magnetized tools is that when you grind or (not as much) hone them, some of the swarf will stick to them, especially to the ends. Swarf, as you know, is the little metal dust and particles that abrasives produce, and it can be wiped off quickly with an old rag made of terrycloth towel or similar fabric.

It is also a great word to drop in casual conversation, if you like to go to parties; you might say, "Cheryl dated that guy and thought his personality was duller than swarf," or if he's someone you fancy, "I find myself drawn to his charms like swarf to polished steel." Of course, you have to be prepared to explain to them what that means, and if you've been blacksmithing that afternoon, say, and forgot to change your clothes, it might be helpful to dig a little sample out of one of your shirt pockets by way of demonstration.

Back on track, however, magnetic tool strips are available commercially and you want the strongest ones you can find. I have some that will easily hold big files and floats and woodplanes up to about a Stanley #5. Also, in the kitchen they are more sanitary than a knife block (you can stick them up there wet) and less dulling than tossing your knives in a drawer. IIRC, one of the woodworking magazines had plans a while ago for making your own with rare earth magnets, which I haven't done but I'd think would be stronger than snot (and much more sanitary). I'll look throught the stack and try to find it or maybe Al Archie remembers.

You needn't worry about the temper of your tool steel. That is a function of heat and molecular structure and won't be affected by magnets in any noticeable way.

HTH,

Parker

[Just Carving]

Hey Parker,

Recommend any commercial magnetic strips in particular--Craftsman, etc.?

Swarf, huh? I thought that was those little blue guys I used to see on TV on the Saturday morning cartoons! (Never mind...) I always wondered (used to keep me up at night) what to call that fuzzy stuff I have on the end of my tools when I'm sharpening with the scary sharp method. So, I guess that makes us a bunch of swarfettes, huh?

Bob L

[JFoster88]

Has anyone using magnetic holders found that they contribute to the dulling of the tools? A couple years ago, I made magnetic knife holder Christmas presents for various family members using rare earth magnets from Lee Valley. They were good looking and worked great, but a friend who is an industrial arts teacher saw mine and asked me if I knew that the magnets would gradually dull the knives. I thought he was crazy but then I kept finding my kitchen knives duller than I thought they should be so I dumped the holders. I still don't know if they actually were being dulled by the magnets or whether it was just the power of suggestion. Anybody out there know for real?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by Just Carving

Hey Parker,

Recommend any commercial magnetic strips in particular--Craftsman, etc.?

Swarf, huh? I thought that was those little blue guys I used to see on TV on the Saturday morning cartoons! (Never mind...) I always wondered (used to keep me up at night) what to call that fuzzy stuff I have on the end of my tools when I'm sharpening with the scary sharp method. So, I guess that makes us a bunch of swarfettes, huh?

Bob L

I think they are called "smurf"

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by JFoster88

Has anyone using magnetic holders found that they contribute to the dulling of the tools? A couple years ago, I made magnetic knife holder Christmas presents for various family members using rare earth magnets from Lee Valley. They were good looking and worked great, but a friend who is an industrial arts teacher saw mine and asked me if I knew that the magnets would gradually dull the knives. I thought he was crazy but then I kept finding my kitchen knives duller than I thought they should be so I dumped the holders. I still don't know if they actually were being dulled by the magnets or whether it was just the power of suggestion. Anybody out there know for real?

I made magnetic knife holders too for awhile but have taken them all off, it seemed to me to dull the blades and in addition, magnetized the blade enough that it picked up metal shavings and was a mess.....no more, now any blade covers I make are "friction" with the wood being tight, no more magnets

[bulldog]

I read alot of the comments about the magnetic strips dulling the blades. I don't buy it,,excepting if you rub the edge on the magnet, or it picks up swarf and prevents proper sharpening. Is'nt there a way to De-magnetize if indeed this is a concern ??

Keep Barkin

[redbird46]

There are indeed several ways to demagnetize your tools. First off this is assuming that the tools weren't professionally magnetized on purpose but just from being near a magnetic field.
1. Get a factory demagnetizer tool
2. Some have taken an old computer floppy drive unit that creates a magnetic field when energized to reverse the field on the tool
3. If you can find a place on the tool shank where it doesn't matter, you can lay the tool on a vice or anvil and sharply strike it with a ball peen hammer and the shock will realign the flux lines and demagnetize.
4. Some swear they demagnetize a weak field on a tool by stabbing the tool into moist ground several times?
5. Sometimes you can make a bunch of loops in a wire or extension cord and move the tool through the inside of the loops while the cord is plugged in.
Hope that helps, Norb