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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: javeryh on February 25, 2012, 10:48:22 am

Title: Removing Magnets from Cups - I need your crazy ideas!
Post by: javeryh on February 25, 2012, 10:48:22 am
OK, I'm out of ideas... how am I supposed to remove the magnet from the countersunk cup in the picture?  I can't even slip a razor blade in there to pop it out.  Any ideas?  Of course googling it I get responses like "if you are ever planning to remove the magnet just file a notch in the side of the cup" - I'm WAY past that (obviously).  Why isn't this built into the design?  

Any help would be GREAT.  Thanks!   :cheers:
Title: Re: Removing Magnets from Cups - I need your crazy ideas!
Post by: EightBySix on February 25, 2012, 01:25:08 pm
Do you need to keep the magnet? If not, I would dremmel a slot into it and lever it out with a screwdriver.
Alternatively, demagnetise it and fill over it maybe?

What it anyway?
Title: Re: Removing Magnets from Cups - I need your crazy ideas!
Post by: paigeoliver on February 25, 2012, 02:00:11 pm
That looks like wood, right? Get a holesaw a bit bigger than the magnet. Drill in around it, use a screwdriver to pop out the whole hunk of wood around it, fill the hole in with wood filler.
Title: Re: Removing Magnets from Cups - I need your crazy ideas!
Post by: DaOld Man on February 25, 2012, 02:17:00 pm
Is this on your Mountain Jukebox, James?
Title: Re: Removing Magnets from Cups - I need your crazy ideas!
Post by: jimmy2x2x on February 25, 2012, 02:55:18 pm
A large rare earth magnet or an electro magnet should pull it out without any damage as long as its only magnetism holding it in place.
Title: Re: Removing Magnets from Cups - I need your crazy ideas!
Post by: javeryh on February 25, 2012, 02:57:05 pm
yup... it has been sitting in my basement for almost 3 years!  It works but I still have a bunch of stuff to do in order to finish.  A lot of it might just be out of my skill set.  I haven't worked on any project since 2009 believe it or not - life just gets in the way I guess.  The kids are involved in a million activities so there just isn't any free time.  My wife is due again in May too so I'll be even busier!

I finally dragged the juke to the main floor of the house and put it on a folding table to try and motivate me to finish.  I can do it but I'm going to need help!

Anyway, the magnets/cups are countersunk just a bit too much and aren't securing the back door in place.  We're talking about 1/16" or less.  It is really giving me fits.  I want the back door to be removable but I didn't want any screw heads showing so I thought the earth magnets would allow for just that.  At this point I'm fine with losing the magnets and reordering new ones once I get the cup depth right - can I just drill through them (I don't have a dremel)?  Is there anything inside like plutonium or is it solid metal?

EDIT: I should add that there are two pieces in the picture... the rare earth magnet sits inside of a metal (non-magnetic) cup which you can kind of see the border of around the magnet.  The cup has a hole in the bottom for a screw which is how it is secured in place.  Obviously, the magnet blocks my access to the screw to remove the whole thing.  It is secured in 3/4" MDF.

Would a larger rare earth magnet be able to pull it out?  I read on Rockler's site that the cup actually adds 4x the strength to the little magnet.  Ugh.
Title: Re: Removing Magnets from Cups - I need your crazy ideas!
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on February 25, 2012, 03:48:00 pm
Can you attack/unthread/drive out the screw from the backside or is it tight in there?  Looks tight in there.  If you can find an electromagnet big enough to pull it out, don't bring your wristwatch or credit cards anywhere near it!
Title: Re: Removing Magnets from Cups - I need your crazy ideas!
Post by: javeryh on February 25, 2012, 06:00:25 pm
Ugh.  I just fired up the computer for the first time in ages and the touch screen isn't working properly.  The left side of the screen works fine but the further you go to the right the further away from my finger the pointer gets (to the right).  It is so frustrating.  I have no idea what the issue could be.

EDIT: Maybe I just need to recalibrate the touchscreen?