While sometimes a dropped screw is just a minor annoyance, in delicate repairs, it can lead to catastrophic results. This exact frustration was shared by a user on a popular forum: “I recently bought this screwdriver set on Amazon… but I found the tips weren’t magnetic, which kinda sucks when you’re working on small screws in a computer. I was wondering if there was any way to magnetize the tips?” To prevent this unexpected situation, this guide will teach you 3 easy methods to magnetize your screwdriver with ease.
Method 1: The Classic Rubbing Technique
This is the quickest, safest, and most common method for those learning how to magnetize a screwdriver. All you need is a magnet. For best results, use a strong neodymium magnet (the powerful silver type from old hard drives or craft stores), but a standard refrigerator magnet will also work.
- Clean Your Tool: Start by cleaning your screwdriver shaft to ensure it’s free of dirt and oil.
- Stroke in One Direction: As one user advises, “Get a strong magnet and drag the tips over it in a linear motion, always in the same direction.” Place the magnet at the base of the screwdriver’s metal shaft (near the handle) and rub it firmly towards the tip.
- Lift and Reset: Once you reach the tip, lift the magnet completely away from the screwdriver. Do not drag it back up the shaft, as this will undo your work.
- Repeat: Bring the magnet back to the starting point and repeat the one-way stroke. Do this 30-50 times for a strong charge.
Quick Hack: One clever user suggests a simpler approach for ongoing work: “Sometimes I put a small neodymium magnet on a screwdriver and just leave it there. It works until something else steals it.”
Pros: Extremely safe, uses common materials, and is essentially free.
Cons: The magnetic strength is temporary and depends on your magnet’s power.
Method 2: Buy a Magnetizer Tool
For those who need a fast and reliable solution for how to magnetize a screwdriver, a purpose-built tool is the answer. For a few dollars, you can buy a small tool that makes this process instant. It’s a must-have for any serious toolbox and a direct answer to the user’s problem.
As one happy customer on Reddit noted, “I bought this a while ago and it works surprisingly well. You’ll need to use it almost every time you use your screwdriver, but you can’t argue with the price.”
- To Magnetize: Insert the screwdriver tip into the hole marked “+” or “MAGNETIZE.” Slowly slide it in and out a few times. Your tool is now strongly magnetized.
- To Demagnetize: Slide the tip along the stepped slots on the side marked “-” or “DEMAGNETIZE.”
Pros: Extremely fast, very effective, and offers both magnetizing and demagnetizing functions.
Cons: Requires a dedicated (but very inexpensive) tool that, as another user joked, “is always in another work area” when you need it.
Method 3: Using a Battery and Coil
This method uses the principles of electromagnetism to create a powerful magnetic field. It’s highly effective but requires more care.
What You’ll Need:
- A battery (a 6V battery or higher is recommended for a strong effect, though a standard AA battery will work in theory; the result will be very weak).
- A length of insulated copper wire (thin telephone wire is a great option).
- Your screwdriver.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Create a Coil: Tightly wrap the insulated wire around the metal shaft of the screwdriver. The more wraps, the stronger the effect.
- Strip the Ends: Carefully strip about half an inch (1 cm) of insulation off both ends of the wire.
- Connect to Battery: Press one bare end of the wire to the positive (+) terminal of the battery and the other to the negative (-) terminal.
- Hold for a Few Seconds: Hold the connection for 5-15 seconds.
- Disconnect: Remove the wires. Your screwdriver is now magnetized.
For Maximum Power: The Car Battery Method
For an even stronger charge, you can use a car battery, but extreme caution is required.
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING: This creates a powerful short circuit. The wire will become instantly hot enough to melt insulation and cause severe burns. Sparks can fly. Always wear safety gloves and safety glasses. Do not hold the connection for more than 10-15 seconds to prevent battery damage or other hazards.
Pros: Creates a very strong, lasting magnetic charge.
Cons: More complex and carries a risk of minor burns or battery damage if not done carefully.
How and Why to Demagnetize Your Screwdriver
Sometimes, you don’t want a magnetic tip, especially when working on delicate electronics where a magnetic field could damage sensitive components. Here’s how to remove the charge:
- Use a Demagnetizer Tool: This is the safest and most reliable method. Just use the “DEMAGNETIZE” slot on the tool mentioned in Method 2.
- The Striking Method: This old-school trick still works. Firmly tap the metal shaft of the screwdriver with a hammer a few times. The impact causes the magnetic particles inside to lose their alignment, removing the magnetism.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a screwdriver stay magnetized?
It depends on the method and the quality of the tool’s steel. A screwdriver magnetized with a strong magnet or a battery can hold its charge for months or even years. A weaker charge from a simple magnet might only last for a few hours or days.
Can magnetizing damage my screwdriver or electronics?
Magnetizing won’t harm the screwdriver itself. However, a magnetized tip can pose a risk to sensitive electronics like older hard drives. This is why knowing how to demagnetize your tool is also important.
How strong will the magnetism be? Can it lift heavy bolts?
The magnetic force is designed to be just strong enough to hold a small screw to the tip, preventing drops. It will not be powerful enough to lift heavy bolts or other large metal objects.
Summary
Can you believe that magnetizing your screwdriver is so easy? Try these three methods right now and say goodbye to the problem of dropping a screw! In addition to magnetic tools and accessories, FridayParts can also offer a wide range of screwdriver parts and other power tools to increase your working efficiency.
Stop chasing runaway screws! Explore FridayParts’ tool collection today and make every turn efficient, reliable, and hassle-free.
