"Removing Rare Earth Magnet (REM) from figure" Topic

Working with REMs I got 5 of 6 magnets for three joints correctly glued for a large metal figure. Magnets had a really nice tight fit and good alignment. Used Superglue to hold them in place. Of course the one I kept dropping got reversed…

I understand you shouldn't drill or cut REMs; regular drill bits are ineffective anyway IIRC.

What are my options?

I am thinking very small drill bit to drill all around the magnet, soak in acetone to soften glue, remove magnet, build up the gap and try again.

Alternatives?

Gracias,

Glenn

I would think you could "pop" the superglue. Use a small pin or file to get underneath it and apply a little pressure to pry or pop it out. I was able to do this when I had one of mine get reversed. Then using a dentist pick or other pointy object scrape out the remaining cured glue to clean the area.

The magnet has a very tight fit in the hole. There is no room to slip a tool alongside the cylinder magnet to get underneath thebase of the magnet.

I have used that technique for small disk magnets on airplane stands.

Gracias,

Glenn

Maybe get it loose with some superglue debonder? I had some micro turrets I had to get off and a bit of that helped before applying force.

I'll look for the debonder. Soaking the piece in the solution may allow it to soak into the hole.

Gracias,

Glenn

A good superglue debonder which does not dissolve the underlying material is what you need. I got SuperSolvent, TM, and it works great on everything I've tried it on so far. Also if it starts to debond, you may be able to use another rare earth magnet to "pull" out the one that got reversed.

Supposedly, freezing may work, since metals freeze at different temps.

Prying then may help shatter the bond.

A hot water bath, before, or after may help as well.

Good luck!

freeze it!

why shouldn't you drill/cut those magnets? what will happen?

Reminds me of the vague warnings we had about Superballs when I was a kid.

kjmagnetics.com/safety.asp

Neodymium Magnet Safety

The neodymium magnets we sell are extremely strong, and must be handled with care to avoid personal injury and damage to the magnets. Fingers and other body parts can get severely pinched between two attracting magnets. Neodymium magnets are brittle, and can peel, crack or shatter if allowed to slam together. Eye protection should be worn when handling these magnets, because shattering magnets can launch pieces at great speeds.

The strong magnetic fields of neodymium magnets can also damage magnetic media such as floppy disks, credit cards, magnetic I.D. cards, cassette tapes, video tapes or other such devices. They can also damage televisions, VCRs, computer monitors and other CRT displays. Never place neodymium magnets near electronic appliances.

Children should not be allowed to handle neodymium magnets as they can be dangerous. Small magnets pose a choking hazard and should never be swallowed or inserted into any part of the body.

Never allow neodymium magnets near a person with a pacemaker or similar medical aid. The strong magnetic fields of the magnet can affect the operation of such devices.

Neodymium magnets are brittle and prone to chipping and cracking. They do not take kindly to machining.

Neodymium magnets will lose their magnetic properties if heated above 175° F (80° C).

Neodymium magnets should never be burned, as burning them will create toxic fumes.

Like any tool or toy, neodymium magnets can be fun and useful, but must always be treated with care.

Gracias,

Glenn

<insert wikipedia warnings here>

link

Hazards

The greater force exerted by rare earth magnets creates hazards that are not seen with other types of magnet. Magnets larger than a few centimeters are strong enough to cause injuries to body parts pinched between two magnets, or a magnet and a metal surface, even causing broken bones.[2] Magnets allowed to get too near each other can strike each other with enough force to chip and shatter the brittle material, and the flying chips can cause injuries. There have even been cases where young children that have swallowed several magnets have had a fold of the digestive tract pinched between the magnets, causing injury or death.[3] The stronger magnetic fields can be hazardous also, and can erase magnetic media such as hard disks and credit cards, and magnetize the shadow masks of CRT type monitors at a significant distance.

Gracias,

Glenn

Rare earth magnets really, really, really stick to anything magnetic.

Having shavings or dust from them around is not good. (Also, think about using a steel tool on a rare earth magnet. Easy for it to get "sucked" out of the position that you want.)

link

see next to last lines…

Important Safety Warning!
<snip>

Under no circumstances should you try to cut, saw or drill the Neodymium magnets!

Not only would the magnet break, but the resulting dust from the magnet is very flammable.

Neodymium magnets should never be burned, as burning them will create toxic fumes.

Gracias,

Glenn

And, finally…

link

Magnet safety
Small magnets, found in toys like building sets, games, puzzles and even dolls, can kill children if two or more or swallowed. Although magnets have been in toys for many years, manufacturers have recently started using "rare earth" magnets, which are approximately 10 times stronger than traditional magnets. Therefore, they are able to exert a powerful attraction, even through human tissue.

If two or more magnets are swallowed separately, they can attract each other through intestinal walls. This can trap the magnet in place, causing problems to the body including perforations, twisting or blocking of the intestines, and blood poisoning. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is aware of 33 cases of children being injured from swallowing magnets. There are things you can do to keep your child safe.

To help prevent serious injuries from swallowed magnets:

Do not allow children younger than 6 years old to play with toys that contain small magnets.
Avoid magnetic toys that function as jewelry such as earrings, tongue piercings, etc.
Keep current on product recalls. Register on at the Consumer Product Safety Commission's web site cpsc.gov to get all children's product recalls.
Make sure to look out for loose magnetic pieces. Remember that magnets can stick to places such as chair legs or the bottom of the refrigerator where babies have easy access.
Inspect your children's toys regularly.
Seek immediate medical attention if you think your child has swallowed a magnet.
Watch for suspect systems like nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and/or pain, especially if you think magnets may be involved.

Gracias,

Glenn

LOL, one more!

I promise no more after this.

link

This safety precaution must be brought to the attention of all personnel who may use, handle, or process magnet materials and magnet assemblies.

The extremely strong magnetic fields and strong mechanical forces developed by rare earth magnets may create hazards to personnel through chipping, shattering or pinching on impact. Make sure that magnetized rare earth magnets are under control when they come in contact with each other or ferromagnetic materials. Alnico magnets, Ceramic magnets, and magnetic assemblies, depending on size, can also create similar hazardous conditions. It is important to wear safety glasses and other appropriate protective gear when handling large magnets. Wearing gloves to protect one's hands is also recommended.

Keep ferromagnetic metals away from the work area. Be cautious when handling tools near permanent magnets and magnet assemblies. Be attentive when working with magnets. When handling large magnets, be cautious when under the influence of any drugs that can cause drowsiness. Do not work with magnetized magnets if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances.

Sensitive electronic instruments and devices may change calibration or be damaged by a powerful magnetic field. Always keep magnetized magnets a safe distance away from sensitive electronic instruments. Special caution should be exercised if one is wearing a pacemaker, because strong magnetic fields can damage the electronics inside pacemakers.

Rare earth magnets and magnetic materials may create sparks through contact in handling, especially when allowed to impact together. Never handle rare earth magnets in explosive atmospheres because sparking may ignite that atmosphere.

Rare earth powder is combustible; spontaneous combustion can occur when the powder is dry. If grinding, always wet grind magnets to avoid spontaneous combustion of the grinding swarf. Never dry grind. Make sure to have adequate ventilation when grinding magnets. Do not try to machine magnets using conventional tools, as this can produce chipping and shattering. Always wear safety glasses.

Always store rare earth powder or grinding swarf in water-filled containers or hermetically sealed inert atmospheres to prevent spontaneous combustion.

Always dispose of rare earth powder with care. Do not risk fires. Disposing magnetized magnets must be done as to prevent injury when handling.

For supplementary reference, refer to National Fire Protection Association Standard 654 entitled Dust Explosion Prevention-Industrial Plants, 1994. This publication is available from:

National Fire Protection Association
1 Battery March Park
P.O. Box 9101
Quincy, MA 02269-9101

Gracias,

Glenn

Okay, so where exactly does one purchase "hermetically sealed inert atmospheres"?

I don't recall seeing them in catalogues, on TV, in the stores, or even for sale on eBay.

LOL, it's a safety manual document written for lawyers!

No matter what you do, they are covered!

Common sense has a place… don't let the kids eat them (easier said than done perhaps,) don't burn them, and be aware that a dremel or a drill may cause bigger problems.

Gracias,

Glenn

"…Always store rare earth powder or grinding swarf in water-filled containers or hermetically sealed inert atmospheres to prevent spontaneous combustion…"

Better yet, at home, don't drill or saw them.

Yeah, that comment ignored the hobby use of the REMs fer sure!

Gracias,

Glenn

Holy carp Batman!
Reminds me of this:
kossan.se/happy_fun_ball.htm

Fer sure!

Gracias,

Glenn