demagnetize / degaussing

[Ken G]

Is there a easy way to demagnetize or degauss tools?  It seems that suddenly several of my tools are holding metal fillings and shavings.  It's rather annoying. 
Thanks,
Ken

[Dave B]

I was told that you can use the little giZmo that is for demagnatizing the heads of tape players. I think you can get them from Radio Shack.  I have the same problem with my gravers picking up small bits of metal and my carving chisles

[davec2]

Look at the $6 pocket demagnetizer at the bottom of this link page.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#demagnetizers/=55jw9b

They work great and are cheap.  In the mean time, use a piece of masking tape to pull all the metallic "fuzz" off your tools.

[Acer Saccharum]

If you have one of those Weller soldering guns, you know the kind that looks like a pistol, and the 'iron' is a copper square wire tip? Open the tip up, squeeze the trigger, and run your parts to be demagnetized inside the loop of the 'iron'.

Tom

[JTR]

Good idea, Tom!
Some of my tools are magnitizing too, so the question is why?

I'm thinking, that since Ken is way back in TN, and Dave is up in WA, and I'm down in Southern CA, that it must be due to Global Warming!

Or maybe leaving to tool in close proximity to a magnet? Or what?
John

[Don Getz]

We have had one in our shop for years, don't know where we got it.....electrical thing.   Has a flat top about 6" x 8",
just lay the piece on it and turn it on, demaganetizes in seconds..........Don

[Jim Kibler]

I think that metal debris causes a lot of damage to edged woodworking tools.  Sometimes I think it would be best to try to seperate wood and metal working areas, but I'm not sure how practical this would be.  Seems no matter how hard you try, small metal filings etc. come in contact with edged tools.   Magnetism is certainly a way this happens. 

[ottawa]

I think I read somewere that friction can cause metals to magnetize like sharpening and  such I know I have had  files get magnetized that where no where near electricity but got a lot of friction in use so maybee its true

[Ken G]

Thanks for the responses.  Like John, I would like to know how this happens to begin with. 

[David Veith]

I like Toms Idea but if you don't want to order one like the one in the Mc Master catalog. I find the same thing in some better supply houses, and screw supply house. I hate to order thing that I have to pay for shipping.
David

[exTNer]

I know I'm reeeeallly new here, but I do have some experience with magging/demagging.  I spent 15 years in industries that relied on magnetic materials and mag/demag processes. 

For tools like chisels with small tips, the process of sharpening or even honing can be enough heat to cause a small magnetic charge.  Impact, like when I pound on my screwdivers with a framing hammer cause I can't find my chisels, will also cause the electrons to align enough to notice the charge. The small tip also focuses the magnetic field, and causes the chips and shavings to stick exaclty where we don't want them. 

Passing the tool through any magnetic field can reverse the charge in tool, if you go through the 'charging' field in the opposite direction to the charge in the tool.  If the tool get more magnetic, reverse the direction of travel through the field, or reverse the tool and go though in the same direction.  If it still gets stronger, move the tool through the field further away, where the 'charging' field is weaker.  Rinse and repeat.

[exTNer]

As a disclaimer, I should have mention that if all your tools end up in a big prickly pile that you can't seperate, THAT has to be George Bush's fault.

[stuart cee dub]

ex TNer ....The magnetic pole is shifting to Siberia now at the rate of 35 miles per and the magnetic field of the earth is weakening . How can such a massive shift to the Left be  ;)bush's fault?
Thanks for the demagnetizing hint

[Ken G]

Good information and thanks but lets leave the politics out. 
Ken

[exTNer]

Sorry Ken.  Strictly guns and gunbuilding from now on, I promise.

[DutchGramps]

This is my de-Gausser: 10 m electrical wire on a coil. Connect it to an old welding transformer, 35 Amps, stick the tool to de-magnetize in it, and remove s l o w l y ; repeat if needed. Works already for 45 years now