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Using a screwdriver is not an easy task to perform, especially if your other hand is not free to hold down the screw. Therefore we assume that all screwdrivers should be magnetized. However, very few of them are. Luckily magnetizing a screwdriver is very easy, and there are multiple ways to do it without even breaking a sweat.
So how do we magnetize a screwdriver and what are the best methods of doing so.
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Table of Contents
Highly-Rated Screwdriver
GEARWRENCH 80066
Safety Precautions:
Your safety should always be your number one priority, and to be honest, magnetizing a screwdriver is not that hazardous or dangerous. However, there are some safety precautions and steps that you must abide by as you will be working with batteries and wires. These steps are:
- Always wear safety goggles
- Wear safety gloves to protect your fingers
- Remove any jewelry that you are wearing like necklaces or watches
The Two Main Methods
There are two main methods of magnetizing a screwdriver. They are both simple and straight to the point. These two methods are:
- Using a Battery
- Using a Magnet
We will talk about each one of them separately while highlighting the main steps.
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Using a Battery
1. Remove the Insulation From the Wire’s Two Ends
Before cutting the wire and removing the insulation, you must, first of all, choose the right wire, as thin wires can overheat while thick wires will be way less effective. A16-22 AWG wire (which has a 0.6mm diameter) should be perfect for this job.
You should use an insulation cutter to remove about 2.5 cm of insulation from both ends of the wire.
2. Wrap the Wire around the Screwdriver
You should then proceed to tightly wrap the wire around the screwdriver. You must wrap the wire in one direction, either from left to right or from right to left. You must never change direction mid-way. You can also tape your wire if you still feel that your wire is a bit loose.
3. Attach the Wire to the Battery
You should not attach the two parts of the wire that their insulation has been removed to the battery. A 6V or 9V (volts) battery would be a perfect fit. As batteries that have a higher voltage will magnetize a screwdriver almost instantaneously, so they require more experienced and seasoned hands.
The current that flows through the coil will create a magnetic field around the screwdriver magnetizing it. It is vital that you wear insulated safety gloves when performing this step to protect your hands.
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4. Disconnect and Remove the Battery
This is the final step that you have to do. As long as the battery is connected to the screwdriver through the wires, then the screwdriver will remain magnetized. However, as long as they are both connected, they will both heat up and at a rapid pace.
You should leave the battery, and the screwdriver connected for about 30 to 60 seconds. If your screwdriver cannot still pickup screws, then you must repeat the whole process two or three times again.
Using a Magnet
1. Choosing the Right Magnet
Before beginning the process of magnetization, you first need to choose the appropriate magnet. You need to find a neodymium magnet that has a pull force of no less than ¼ pound. This type of magnets is available in almost every hardware store and online.
2. Clean your Screwdriver
This is very important to do, and you have to make sure that your screwdriver is clean as it can be, you can even use a wet cloth to wipe your screwdriver and then proceed to dry it completely.
3. Move the Magnet Across the Screwdriver
You must move the magnet in one direction only either from top to bottom or from bottom to top. This means that you should make smooth lines using your magnet. They either start at the screwdriver’s handle and end at its top or vice versa.
If your screwdriver is large and tall, then you should only magnetize it from the middle to the tip. The motion of sliding your magnet across the screwdriver should be repeated multiple times to ensure that you get the best results.
4. Rotate your Screwdriver
You will need to repeat the process of sliding your magnet along your screwdriver up to at least four times, one time for every side of the screwdriver. After doing each side, you are good to go, and your screwdriver should be capable of picking up almost every screw.
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Extra Tips:
- If you are in a hurry and don’t have the time to magnetize your screw, then you simply put a small magnet near your screwdriver’s tip, and it will be capable of picking up screws.
- If you want to demagnetize your screwdriver, then all you need to do is just to run the magnet in the opposite direction. Meaning that if you initially moved the magnet from top to bottom, then you need to slide it from bottom to top in order to demagnetize your screwdriver.
Highly-Rated Screwdriver
GEARWRENCH 80066
Final Thoughts
Finally, it is safe to say that having a magnetized screwdriver is an amazing addition as it will definitely save you both time and effort. Moreover, the process of magnetizing your screwdriver is very easy to do, whether you magnetize your screwdriver using a battery or a magnet. It cannot be any easier.
