# Magnetizing a Screwdriver **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [May 12, 2015, 7:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947 "2015-05-12T07:15:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 7:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/1 "2015-05-12T07:15:18Z")
I see the old 8 pages of discussion on how to magnetize a screwdriver that George started is closed. I noticed in the Handyman magazine this month that they featured a screwdriver magnetizer for about $5 at home stores. It was just a little 2" cube that you put the screwdriver in and walla, a magnetized tip. Haven’t seen one myself but suspect it needs to be plugged in. For the person that has most everything except space. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 8:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/2 "2015-05-12T08:30:06Z")
Another tip is to get a package of those strong 1/4" craft magnets from Hobby Lobby. They’re cheap, powerful, and stick well to the blade; especially on square blade screwdrivers like Craftsman. Also removeable if needed and can be used on wrenches or sockets to hold a nut in some awkward place. ---
**Author:** ![meanjoe75fan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meanjoe75fan/32/552_2.png) [@meanjoe75fan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meanjoe75fan)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 9:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/3 "2015-05-12T09:02:36Z")
As a scrapper, I have a lot of those “donut” shaped magnetron magnets. Brush a screwdriver tip actoss that, it’ll be good and magnetized. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/4 "2015-05-12T23:42:39Z")
@Bing That little cube has been around for years, I got mine from the Matco tools driver (free) about 20 years ago. And they do not need to be or get plugged into anything. I saw it in Handyman too, isn’t it amazing everything old becomes brand new again and again and again. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 12:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/5 "2015-05-13T00:04:06Z")
Most auto parts stores have them. Often you’ll find them in one of those big jars up by the register. Here’s a link to one you can buy online if you can’t find one locally: > **[MASTER MAGNETICS TV889025 Screwdriver Magnetizer - Screw Bits Set - Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Master-Magnetics-07224-Screwdriver-Magnetizer/dp/B0000DINHI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1431460990&sr=8-3&keywords=screwdriver+magnetizer)** > > Screwdriver Magnetizer/Demagnetizer, Magnetizes & Demagnetizes Screwdrivers, Taps, Nonrunners, Etc. Clamshell Packaging. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 1:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/6 "2015-05-13T01:04:36Z")
Yep, they’ve got those at Menards for about $3. I’ll have to take a look next trip. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/7 "2015-05-13T01:41:42Z")
Didn’t George start his post asking how to " magnify " a screwdriver? ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/8 "2015-05-13T03:23:10Z")
If you wish to magnify a screwdriver, and have a smart phone, free magnifying glass is awesome. I hijacked an old galaxy 3 and installed it for my mom with macular degeneration. She loves it. Light goes on and mag app lets you take a picture if you wish. Now I do not have a lot of apps on my phone but it is one I use regularly. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 7:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/9 "2015-05-13T07:49:40Z")
Yes, “how to magnify a screwdriver” seems to me to be more consistent language useage. For example “how to electrify the lamp” makes more sense than “how to electrifize the lamp”, right? … lol BTW, Soon after that long thread we had was completed, the same magazine had a helpful hint with the idea that gained the most acceptance here, where the easiest way is to simply attach a rare-earth magnet to the shaft of the screwdriver. So both Car Talk and the magazine agree, that’s the easiest way to magnify a screwdriver … 😉 ---
**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/10 "2015-05-13T14:28:25Z")
Neodymium (rare earth) magnets out of dead mechanical hard drives work great for this. They’re also good for a lot of other uses, such as refrigerator magnets if you need to stick a paperback book to your fridge 😄 ---
**Author:** ![wesw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wesw/32/2713_2.png) [@wesw](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wesw)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/11 "2015-05-13T15:30:20Z")
I got a couple of good donut magnets from old roadside flashing lights, the type used to warn of construction and such… my son ordered some really powerful rare earth mags a few years ago. he sold them after they hurt him a few times… ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/12 "2015-05-13T18:53:53Z")
I just bought one at Menards for $3. I really doubt I’ll ever use it though but it doesn’t take up much space and might bring something at auction. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 6:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magnetizing-a-screwdriver/89947/13 "2015-05-15T06:25:23Z")
Somebody in the prior magnetizing thread posted a tip that turned out to be quite useful to me later. “Before assuming your screwdriver magnetizing technique isn’t working, make sure the screw is made of a type of metal that sticks to a magnet.”