easy pickup for loose screws

Most of you probably already know this tip, but I figured I'd mention it as it's extremely handy for the lazy or those with aching backs (like me).

If you have a lot of loose small steel scrap on your garage floor and have toys with tires like me (dirt bikes, quads, etc) that don't want holes in them, here's an easy way to clean that stuff up with a lazy man's magnet.

I took an electrical knockout, and drilled a few holes in it, and bolted a few hard drive magnets to it. I then drilled a hole through the center, and screwed it to an old broom handle. When I need to pickup random screws that have managed to go loose, I just walk around the barn waving it around. Works pretty well. I may make something a bit bigger than an electrical knockout in the future to cover more surface area, but it works pretty well.

At the factory I used to work at, they had what was basically a push mower without the mower but instead a magnetic strip along the wheel axle for picking up all the little screws and metal bits left out by the dumpster. I want to make one this winter with a bunch of magnets I've saved up.

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Originally Posted by AdmiralAluminum

At the factory I used to work at, they had what was basically a push mower without the mower but instead a magnetic strip along the wheel axle for picking up all the little screws and metal bits left out by the dumpster. I want to make one this winter with a bunch of magnets I've saved up.

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funny this comes up. I was thinking about trying to make something similar to this but making an electromagnet. Be nice to have something with a switch. Click it off and it just drops everything. Maybe something to screw around with this winter.

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Originally Posted by phred59

funny this comes up. I was thinking about trying to make something similar to this but making an electromagnet. Be nice to have something with a switch. Click it off and it just drops everything. Maybe something to screw around with this winter.

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I noticed one time while poking around that there is some videos about making electromagnets.

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Originally Posted by Mechanic688

I noticed one time while poking around that there is some videos about making electromagnets.

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oh I have made an electromagnet before. It's been a while but it's really not that hard. I'd just want to fabricate some sort of 2 wheel cart with a handle and a power switch. I'm sure I could do it, just need to... well... stop talking about it and start building it. lol

there are magnets for roofers to pick up nails with. its an aluminum box with wheels on it. a magnet inside with a handle to pull the magnet up and release the nails

http://www.harborfreight.com/22-inch...ase-98399.html

Second most effective means of finding sharps in gavel or grass. (The average pneumatic tire being the first.)

You guys are nuts. Electromagnets take wound copper. Copper is money. Think like scrappers here, come on. LOL

Keep it simple. ;)