Magnetic screwdrivers? No problem!

[buildabane]

Conducted an experiment today using the magnetic force generated by a coil to give a mag. charge to my $3.00 screwdriver set from walgreens that I use every day.

If you've got some screw drivers or allen keys that need to be magnetized - try this.

Pick an rda and a device. Wrap yourself a coil, a fairly long one if you can. I did 10 wraps of 24 gauge kanthal. Fire it, tidy it up, and try to make sure that all of the wraps are touching each other (basically just build a long macro). Fire up that coil until it glows red hot, and slowly run your screwdrivers in and out of it. Done. Try picking up a screw or paper clip, or piece of kanthal...You should have yourself a wonderfully magnetized screwdriver. From what I have read and learned in school, induction and magnetics involving high currents and wire, tend to leave pretty long lasting charges. If it doesn't work the first time, keep trying. I did my whole set in about ten minutes, and saved myself a decent amount of $ since I was going crazy losing rda screws every where.

Try it out! It worked for me...Let me know how it works for you!

 

[Fuzzy Bruce]

I am a big fan of magnetic screwdriver. The ones I use for vaping were already magnetized. I even have magnetized wire clippers. They keep the clipped kanthal from falling/disappearing only to be found by a bare foot or stuck in a finger.

 

[Bimini Twist]

This seems like a great idea for the Not Advisable sub forum.

Magnet(izing) wire is insulated and any moving parts are not rubbing directly against that insulation. You are suggesting that we run a ferrous material through a non-insulated coil. Sure, Kanthal has a very thin layer of oxidation, but I'm certainly not going to take a chance on shorting it out by running a steel rod through it while current is flowing. Especially if I'm using a metal mod and a 30+ Amp battery.

 

[buildabane]

This seems like a great idea for the Not Advisable sub forum.

Magnet(izing) wire is insulated and any moving parts are not rubbing directly against that insulation. You are suggesting that we run a ferrous material through a non-insulated coil. Sure, Kanthal has a very thin layer of oxidation, but I'm certainly not going to take a chance on shorting it out by running a steel rod through it while current is flowing. Especially if I'm using a metal mod and a 30+ Amp battery.

Whoa now. No need to get cranky. I simply conducted an experiment that I found to be completely safe, in a safe environment. I did not find this to be dangerous in any way, and if it is dangerous I apologize for putting it up because that was not my intention. If it is dangerous, delete the thread. Also, there was no screwdriver to kanthal contact..They don't touch. Probably just delete this thread, any admin. I don't want to start a pissing match.

 

[nyiddle]

It wasn't very clear from your original post whether or not you were touching your metal screwdriver to your coils while you were firing, but either way I have to agree with Bimini.

It's VERY easy to cause a short if you're firing your mod and any bit of metal is touching the coils.

A much safer way to magnetize a screwdriver involves taking another magnet (any semi-strong magnet will work fine) and rubbing that against the screwdriver you want to magnetize in one direction (ie: not back and forth, just from bottom to top or top to bottom). Takes about 10 seconds and it'll last quite a long time.

I did it by accident about a month ago to one of my screwdrivers after sticking it to the magnetic door of my box mod.

 

[Bimini Twist]

Yea, I didn't mean to come of as cranky (that tends to happen when I post pre-coffee).

I've used nyiddle's method for years and it works just great. They sell magnets made specifically for this purpose, but they're just magnets enclosed in plastic.