Comments on: Using Rare Earth Magnets on Wild Gears

By: Brian Pemberton

Brian Pemberton — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 00:48:24 +0000

In reply to George.

Where from I’m in the Uk it’s a3 drawing board, what size and thickness of the steel place

Thanks Regards

Brian Pemberton

By: Brian Pemberton

Brian Pemberton — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 00:44:01 +0000

In reply to Jay. What size plate and thickness would you recommend for A3 drawing board for my Wild Gear spirograph

By: Heather

Heather — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 00:09:47 +0000

In reply to Brian Pemberton. That's what the article is about. You need a metallic surface, though. I've used the side of an old computer tower for a surface. However, I usually use putty.

By: Brian Pemberton

Brian Pemberton — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 20:48:28 +0000

Are these ideal for Wild gears spirograph?

By: George

George — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 21:45:13 +0000

I got a 12 x 17 steel sheet and a pack of 6 rare earth magnets at Home Depot for under $20 and use it for both Spirograph and for Wild Gears. It works like a charm. No more pins, and no more putty.

By: Suze

Suze — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 12:45:29 +0000

The magnets I bought are from AMF Magnetics in Sydney

https://magnet.com.au/neodymium-pot-threaded-hook-20mm-x-37mm.html
Neodymium Threaded Eyelet pull 9kg.

lol no wonder the magnets held the 40 x 40 acrylic to the wall whiteboard.

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 12:06:05 +0000

In reply to Aliya. Amazon listings variously give Gauss or weight holding capacity (for the ones with hooks), though the latter would depend on the surface it's attached to.

By: Aliya

Aliya — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 05:32:48 +0000

Any idea what the strength of the actual magnets is? Perhaps the Gauss value?

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 05:27:59 +0000

Interesting idea. There is a place I’ve dealt with many times over the years, K&J Magnetics, that sells many different shapes, sizes, and strengths of neodymium magnets. I would suggest rectangular ones. I believe you could get enough of the corner of the magnet between the outer ring teeth that three of them could trap the ring in place. When using one of the rings on a full sheet, a magnet on each side of the sheet should do the job, assuming your magnetic backing material is large enough. Pinning the ring between the magnets should need fewer magnets than clamping it to the table with them.

I typically use an artist sketch board made of hardboard that’s about 1/4″ thick. I’m fairly certain a steel plate under this would provide enough attraction for the magnets to hold through the sketch board, particularly with larger magnets or a couple smaller ones stacked. Though sheet steel that size might cost more than a commercial white board. Just a thought for anybody having trouble finding an appropriate white board.

For those not familiar with neodymium magnets, they are VERY powerful and surprisingly fragile. If you let them smash together, which they absolutely love to do, they will shatter. I’ve broken more of them than I should admit to. Be careful and keep them well separated.