Magnetic tools

  • Thread starter Thread starter JohnO
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J

JohnO

How many of you use magnetized tools? Specifically, I'm talking about
screwdrivers. Given the fact that very few computer components are affested
by small magnets, is there still any reason to avoid magnetized
screwdrivers?

(IMO the concern was way overblown in the first place...I once sat a heavily
magnetized screwdriver on top of a floppy for the weekend, and the data was
fine.)

-John O
 
Have always used them, you are correct in that the issue was way overblown.
I had a customer freak out once because I laid my magnetic screwdriver down
next to their Windows XP CD, and then they wondered why I looked at them
like they were a complete idiot.
 
A 'popular certification exam that was just updated' has a question about
this. If I drop a screw onto the mobo, should I use needlenose, plastic
tweezers, magnet, screwdriver to pick it up. There's absolutely no way to
know what they're really looking for, practical or theory, so to whomever
takes this exam I say good luck on that one.

That's pretty funny about the CD. <g>
 
I would consider avoiding wiring trace damage as the leading problem in
that instance(plastic tweezer), but scan the certification traing text
for the "correct answer".
 
scan the certification traing text for the "correct answer".

I agree, avoiding trace damage is the key. And maybe avoiding magnets around
computers is the subkey. But, there is no official text in this case.
However...the screw will jump up off the board onto a magnetized tool with
no physical contact...and I suspect that a lot of the hardware fixer-people
out there would use a magnet as well. And given the practical side of
magnets in computers today, I don't think they are wrong. :-)

As another example, do you blow out dust with high pressure or vacuum it?
IMO the answer depends on the location...in the user's office you vacuum, in
the depot center you vacuum then blow. This situational stuff is tough to
deal with.

Anyway, I'm writing one of the unofficial training texts. I'm not really
looking for the answer to the question, but rather what most pros are doing.
I'll write both the theory and the real-world and their implications.

-John O
 
Easy answer=plastic tweezers when you have them. Any of the other answers
provide a much greater risk of damage. Another answer=your fingertips.
Gene K
 
Exactly. I have actually used two toothpicks [the fairly substantial round
ones-the others are very fragile].
Gene K
 
Gene said:
Easy answer=plastic tweezers when you have them. Any of the other answers
provide a much greater risk of damage. Another answer=your fingertips.
Gene K
Click to expand...

Or a single toothpick, tipped by a small piece of double-sided
tape. Great for extremely tight spots where parts will go but
also impossible for most anything else.
 
Aside from the hard drive platters and the magnetic media in
floppies or tapes, I wouldn't worry about a magnetic pick-up
tool. If you use plastic, be sure it is anti-static, that
is a hazard to the chips which are no effected by the
magnet.
Many small parts used are brass and won't be picked up by a
magnet.


|
| Gene K wrote:
| > Easy answer=plastic tweezers when you have them. Any of
the other answers
| > provide a much greater risk of damage. Another
answer=your fingertips.
| > Gene K
| >
| >
|
| Or a single toothpick, tipped by a small piece of
double-sided
| tape. Great for extremely tight spots where parts will go
but
| also impossible for most anything else.
 
One of my favorites, flip the computer over and shake vigorously... This is
usually the time you find out you forgot to screw the hard drives down!
 
None of those answers are correct. Turn the case over and cause the screw
to fall out is the correct answer. A magnet is the next best answer if it
does not make contact with anything and the screw is ferrous iron in nature.
If initially hung up someplace, yes, you have to use some kind of tool.
Whether a wooden/plastic blunted toothpick or plastic tweezers or similar to
pry it loose. Common hand tools are used for making mechanical connections
secure or loosening same such as a screwdriver. Should not be used as
recovery tools. Find it rare to use a pair of needlenosed pliers anywhere
in PC assembly. The total picture is to minimize physical contact with the
internals. My two cents on that question.
 
IME, having a magnetized screwdriver makes installing screws SIGNIFICANTLY
easier, because it only takes one hand. Once you have it in your
hand....Turning it upside down occurred to me when I saw the question.
Likely be the best way when you can't see the screw.

I've also used those three-prong grabbers. They have saved my butt lots of
times.

Thanks for the input guys.

-John O
 
"I've also used those three-prong grabbers. They have saved my butt lots
of times."

I can't imagine what you were doing to your butt with a three-prong
grabber...but I'll bet it's an interesting story.
 
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