Magical Magnets Make Terrific Tools - And Toys

Magical Magnets Make Terrific Tools - And Toys FARM HOME Toys/Games 31-1-17 You won't believe what you can do with rare earth magnets. Called Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnets and made with rare minerals, these super powerful magnets seem almost magical in many ways. They transformed Dan Bartmann from a guy selling magnets on eBay into an enterprise called Forcefield that sells magnets to everyone from magicians to major international corporations like Boeing. "We started selling surplus magnets, expanded into recycling computers for magnets, and now buy direct from the manufacturers," says Bartmann. "We are one of the few companies who keep a large assortment of all kinds of magnets in stock." Bartmann had become familiar with NdFeB magnets when he used them as components for wind turbine alternators. His website now offers page after page of technical and non-technical information on the magnets and their uses. Available magnets range from miniature ones only 1/16 by 1/32-in. to as big as 2 in. square. While that may not seem large, it is the power that counts. Prices vary according to size and strength. "Two inch square magnets can be quite dangerous," says Bartmann. "They weigh about a pound. If two of them come within about 6 in. of each other and your fingers get in the way, they would smash together with enough force to break a finger." While magicians looking for tools for their magic acts are regular customers, others are interested in magnets for more unique uses, including water treatment and magnetic therapy. "We don't promote either as there is not evidence to support them," says Bartmann. "Another big group of customers is people trying to build perpetual motion machines. We have a whole thing on the website that says why it is impossible, but we still appreciate their business." An entire section on Forcefield's website deals with safety. It notes that pacemakers and defibrillators are sensitive to strong magnets. It also warns that they can fly into each other or into steel or iron with such force as to shatter, sending out shrapnel-like particles. Magnets should also be kept at least 24 in. away from cassette tapes, floppy discs, credit cards, video tapes and computer hard drives. The company also warns against drilling or machining Neodymium magnets as they can shatter or even ignite, giving off toxic fumes and burning like magnesium. Among the novel uses for the magnets mentioned are hundreds of ideas from customers. They include keeping freezer doors shut, improving a model train engine's ability to hug the track, and holding written directions to a motorcycle gas tank so they don't fly off when driving 100 mph. Cleaning up spilled or dropped nails is a common use. Company personnel describe attaching magnets to rake fingers as a great way to sweep through gravel to get any fallen nails. As nails gather, simply rub them off into a pail. Some uses make equally good sense, such as holding pieces of sheet metal together for welding, or holding tools. And, of course, there is always the obviousàstick big things (like FARM SHOW!) to the fridge. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Forcefield, 2606 W. Vine Dr., Fort Collins, Colo. 80521 (ph 970 484-7257; toll free 877 944-6247; ff@wondermagnet.com; www. wondermagnet.com; www.otherpower.com).

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