How to install/mount magnets?

[javeryh]

I have some rare earth magnets that I am going to be using to secure a removable panel in place.  Any ideas on how to go about securing the magnets to the panel?  They are VERY strong and I'm reasonably certain that something like wood glue won't cut it.  I need something that is stronger than the pull of the magnet I guess...

Any ideas?

[FrizzleFried]

Have you considered the effect the magnets will have on your monitor?  How about your hard drive?

If you're rolling with a CRT,  a strong magnet at the CP WILL discolor the monitor requiring constant degaussing (which won't work until you remove the magnet).  If you're rolling with an LCD if the magnet is anywhere near your computer (even 18 - 24 inches),  you'll experience data loss from your hard drive.

[Necro]

You definitely need to consider the effects of these things on your computer...

That being said, in response to the question you asked...

Route/drill a hole from the top of the panel, place the magnets in there, then fill the hole with Bondo or something similar.  Sand, finish.

If you've ever screwed around with these things, you know their strength and that even with superglue or something like that, it's going to rip itself off over a short time.  Heck, I have some in my office and I can't pull them off the filing cabinets without sliding them to an edge.

[javeryh]

Hmmm... I had not considered that.  The magnets are quite small (0.10") but very powerful - when they arrived I played with them for an hour because I've never seen anything like it.  These are what I'm talking about (I got the smallest ones): 



I'm planning to install them by countersinking them into the MDF frame.  Maybe this will be enough shielding?  Now that I think about it I'm not sure - the magnets are so strong that they are still attracted to one another through my hand!

[FrizzleFried]

A good way to test would be to put a magnet in the approximate position it would be installed and see if it affects your monitor.  Of course,  if your hard drive is within 2 feet I'd opt out.  Wood provides pretty minimal shielding to magnetism.

[javeryh]

A good way to test would be to put a magnet in the approximate position it would be installed and see if it affects your monitor.  Of course,  if your hard drive is within 2 feet I'd opt out.  Wood provides pretty minimal shielding to magnetism.

Damn.  The whole thing is smaller than 2 feet all the way around (16"x12"x21")!  I guess I need to think of another way to secure the panel in place.

[Bender]

if the magnet is anywhere near your computer (even 18 - 24 inches),  you'll experience data loss from your hard drive.

not so sure about that... both my dell and mac laptops have rare earth magnets in the lid to keep them shut and at the power connector. the one on  the lid is about 1" to the left of the HD and about 1/16 above it VERY close, and I haven't lost any data yet

I'm certainly no expert but with the litigious society we live in I find it hard to believe that these companies would design things like this if people were going to lose data all the time

hey FrizzleFried where are you getting your info about the magnets and hard drives? you've got me really curious about it

[FrizzleFried]

Depends on the direction the magnet is facing.  Keep in mind there are already a couple magnets in the hard drive itself.

[Franco B]

I don't know a hell a lot about magnets but I think you would be better off with  larger (read thinner) magnets(s) with a bigger surface area and lower permeability. Any idea how strong mountains Rockler ones are?

[mountain]

You guys worry too much 

The Rockler magnets I used are very strong. The magnets sit into a metal cup that has a countersunk hole for mounting. I had to remove them after my tests to install the laminate and thought I was screwed because I could not get them out. I had to use a set of vise grips on the cup and unscrew the whole assembly. The magnet held the screw head enough to where it didn't slip.

No problems reported from Pops yet. 

[javeryh]

You guys worry too much 

The Rockler magnets I used are very strong. The magnets sit into a metal cup that has a countersunk hole for mounting. I had to remove them after my tests to install the laminate and thought I was screwed because I could not get them out. I had to use a set of vise grips on the cup and unscrew the whole assembly. The magnet held the screw head enough to where it didn't slip.

No problems reported from Pops yet. 

I'm going to give it a shot then.  I also have the cups that I plan to countersink into the MDF frame.  I will glue/epoxy the actual magnets to the back panel I guess. 

[tommyinajar]

How about industrial strength velcro ? If it's not a CP should be fine , (even some people have used it for that purpose)- quite a few posts on using it

[severdhed]

I used two strong magnets to hold down my control panel, and i have had no problems.  i am using an LCD monitor though.  my hard drive is within two feet of them and i have had no ill effects.  i don't know how they compare to the magnets you bought, but these are magnets i removed from some dead hard drives.  they are strong enough to stick together through my hand.

[HaRuMaN]

How about industrial strength velcro ? If it's not a CP should be fine , (even some people have used it for that purpose)- quite a few posts on using it

I've used just your craft-variety velcro pieces.  Spread out 5 circles of velcro across the front lip of your CP, and it won't open unless you want it to.

[u_rebelscum]

Quick notes:

Rare earth magnets are a lot stronger than other magnets, BUT only at close distances.  Smaller magnet means smaller range of magnetic field, no matter how strong the magnet is at short distances.  At about six inches and higher, the larger but "weaker" iron magnets have a stronger magnetic field (actual distance depends on the magnets being compared).

I've used some rare earth magnets on a portable CP I place right next (~3-4 inches from nearest screen edge) to my CRT monitor without problems.  They are in baby lock doodads, though.

Cheap and easy way to hold a magnet.  Drill small hole in bottom of CP top that fits the magnet.  Put magnet in hole, cover hole with small metal plate, drill plate to CP.  Now the whole plate is magnetic.


Still, be very careful around your hard drive!