DIY: Make your own magnetic socket!

[cn90]

Sometimes you wish you have a magnetic socket to prevent dropping those intake manifold bolts down the engine?

Sure, they sell inserts (magnet inserts), where you insert the magnet (surrounded by rubber) and it stays permanently inside the socket.

Well, there is a much easier way...

- Go to Harbor Freight and buy PN 67488 "Rare Earth Magnet 10-piece set" for $3.

- The magnet has 2 sides, use a telescopic magnet to make sure the side that attracts the telescopic magnet will face you
if the magnet stays with the bolt, if so, then once the bolt is installed, use the telescopic magnet to fish the magnet back out.

- The 1/4" 10-mm socket: works great and the magnet remains inside the socket, just remove it from the socket when done.

- The 3/8" 10-mm socket: the magnet stays with the bolt, no big deal, use the telescopic magnet to fish the magnet back out.

This will be the best DIY this year LOL...Easy easy and easy DIY...

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[abscate]

This is Volvo horn worthy.....

[IslandV70]

DIY make your own magnetic screwdriver:]
Find about 6 feet of thin wire. Wrap it around a screwdriver and spark the wire across a car battery a few times.
At least for the rest of the day you have a magnetic screwdriver

[abscate]

Which way do you wrap the wire? Does Mike in AUS wrap opposite way?

[BlackBart]

Good question - you don't want this to go wrong and shoot little screws across the garage!

[cn90]

The wrapping wire business, people can search the internet for that high school Physics stuff. But I'd not recommend it as it is cumbersome and potentially dangerous.

Seriously, back to topic go to Harbor Freight and spend $3 on these magnets. You will be happy you did.

[precopster]

The wrapping wire business, people can search the internet for that high school Physics stuff. But I'd not recommend it as it is cumbersome and potentially dangerous.

Seriously, back to topic go to Harbor Freight and spend $3 on these magnets. You will be happy you did.

Geez I wish WE had Harbour Freight here in Downunder! I would need to order these through eBay. Great find!!

[packetfire]

As a warning, while some stainless steel bolts and nuts are magnetic (for one, "Martensitic", which is 12%-18% chromium, like 410, 416, 420 and 431, and if dealing with cheap Chinese crap "Ferritic", which is 5%-18% chromium, such as types 430 and 430F and should never appear as any automotive fastener)....

Austenitic stainless steel is NOT magnetic! (15%-20% chromium, and 5%-19% Nickel, including 302, 303, 304, 304L, 316, 32, 347, and 348).

So, some bolts and nuts may not stick to your magnet, which means it is time to go get the roll of double-sided carpet tape, put a hunk on your bolt head, or nut, and trim to fit with scissors. The double sticky tape will not hold the socket to the bolt, and who cares if it stays on the fastener once it is tightened?

[matthew1]

Blue Tack might work well for non-magnetic fasteners https://www.amazon.com/Blu-Tack-S050Q-R ... s_li_ss_tl

I haven't tried it for this application, but I do use it around the house.