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Build Your Own Magnet Separator Tool
We are often asked how we separate large
magnets. We have built several magnet separator
tools over the years and have been continually improving
the design. The tool is made out of wood and is
fairly simple to build with only a basic woodworking
knowledge. Here we will illustrate and explain the
process of building such a tool.
WARNING: Follow all safety
procedures when working with and operating woodworking
tools. This page is meant only as a guide and not
as a step-by-step procedure. Observe all warnings
and safety precautions with each tool. Read every
users manual from front to back and memorize the part
number for every replacement part of each tool before
proceeding.
DISCLAIMER: Any information posted
on this site is as a public service. Users of this web
site are responsible for checking the accuracy,
completeness, currency and/or suitability of all
information themselves. K&J Magnetics, Inc. does not
represent, guarantee or warranty the accuracy,
completeness, currency, or suitability of the
information on this web site. K&J Magnetics, Inc.
specifically disclaims any and all liability for any
claims or damages that may result from providing the web
site or the information it contains, including any web
sites maintained by other parties and linked to this web
site.
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1. Our Goal
This is what the finished tool will look
like. The material and tools required
to build it are pretty minimal. It is
constructed out of standard 2x4's and 2x6's. |
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2. Supplies and Equipment
Here are the basic tools and materials
needed to build your own magnet separator.
You will need about 6' of 2x6 and about 3' of
2x4 to build the separator as shown. The
only other materials needed are screws (or
nails) to fasten some parts together and a 1/2"
diameter x 6" bolt with a lock nut and a few
washers to act as the pivot for the lever arm.
The basic tools needed are a saw for cutting
wood, a drill for drilling the hole for the
pivot bolt and possibly driving screws, wrenches
for tightening the bolt and nut. A tape
measure and square are handy, but not absolutely
required. |
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3. Build the body
Start by cutting two 18" pieces of 2x6. Place
the two boards side-by-side and screw them
together with four screws, one in each corner,
about 1" from the edges. When finished,
the pieces should look just like the picture to
the left. This will be the body of the
separator tool. |
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4. Mark the notch for cut out
Using a square, mark the piece to cut out of the
boards as shown. If you will be separating
block magnets, it is advantageous if the 'V' is
at a 90 degree angle. The center of the
notch should be about 1/3 of the way from the
back end of the boards (where the pivot bolt
will go), and about 1/3 of the way through the
6" dimension of the 2x6's. |
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5. Cut it out
Cut out the notch. A good 'ol hand saw
will do just fine if you don't have the power
tool access or power tool skills. |
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6. Layout the lever arm
Cut a piece of 2x6 to a length of 22-26".
The lever arm works best if it is cut to three
levels. The part of the board above the
line will become our lever arm. The
rightmost section will be where the pivot bolt
goes through. The middle section will be
the part that does the actual magnet separating,
and the leftmost section will be the handle.The easiest way to lay this out is to align the
back of the lever arm board with the back of the
body you built earlier. Then make a mark
on the lever 1" on either side of the notch you
cut. These marks will be where the middle
section begins and ends. From there, you
can draw rough diagonals as shown. Each
step is about 1/3 of the 6" width. |
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7. Cut out the lever arm
This is about what the lever arm should look
like. |
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8. Drill the holes for the pivot bolt
This is the most critical part of the process.
The hole in the lever arm should be about 1"
from the back end, in line with the flat surface
of the middle section of the lever arm.
The hole in the body should also be 1" from the
back end, but this should be aligned with the
bottom of the cut out notch. When using
the finished tool, this alignment of the holes
will cause the magnets to separate just about
when the lever arm is horizontal. We have
found this to work best. |
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9. Bolt on the lever arm
Put the bolt through the holes in the body and
lever arm. If you are right handed, the tool
will be easier to use if the lever is on the
right side as shown. If you are left
handed, the lever should go on the left side.
Tighten the bolt so the lever arm moves freely,
but is snug to the body. A lock nut or double
nut will keep the nut from loosening during use.
(Actually, it is easier if you screw on the feet
as shown in the next step before bolting the arm
on, but we didn't take pictures of that during
the build) |
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10. Cut and attach the stabilizing feet
Cut two pieces of 2x4 to 12-14" in length.
Screw or nail them on to the bottom of the body
as shown. You now have a functional magnet
separator tool. |
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11. Start separating magnets
Hang one magnet under the lever as shown.
Use the lever arm to slide the magnet from the
magnet(s) in the cut out notch. Be careful
that the magnet being separated does not jump
back towards the other magnets once it is free.
A second person to catch the magnet is very
helpful. |
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Send us your pictures! If you build a magnet
separating tool of your own, please send us a
picture and/or describe any improvements you have
made so we can share them with others.
Special thanks to the
folks at ArtMagnetic in Coopersburg, PA
for their help building this tool and help during the
photo shoot.
Check
out their site for some of the most unique and
interesting artwork anywhere!
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