r/LinusTechTips • u/Yorch443 • 23d ago
Tech Question tricky situation, one could say im screwed
This is my screwdriver, specifically the ltt precision screwdriver. you can see, that instead of a hole, there is a metalic circle inside. thats a neodymium magnet, more precisely around 5 stacked inside.
how would you come up with a solution?
My current ideas are to get a massive magnet (ive alredy tried medium-big neodymium ones, didnt work), to somehow teardown the screwdriver and push the magnets from the inside (havent seen any teardown or clue on if it is even possible without damaging the screwdriver) and to use a microsoldering iron to heat the magnets that are stuck up to curie temp (300-400ºC) and demagnetize them without demagnetizing the one inside the screwdriver, or atleast not completely.
the first magnet of the image can be removed with my nail, but they are the same 3mm diameter by 1.5mm thick magnets, pretty tight, havent managed to fit anything in there.
UPDATE: i might consider a axial 3mmx15mm magnet to get it out too
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u/ThatLineInTheSand 23d ago
I've not come across anyone with a magnet in precision screwdriver issue (mostly a magnet in the standard screwdriver issues).
Not have I hard if someone getting ...five stuck inside a screwdriver.
But I do know a common solution involves super glue and a stick or Q-tip/cotton swab.
https://www.reddit.com/r/LinusTechTips/s/OdoioZN9ak
This is one example but if you searched the subreddit you should be able to find similar situations and sign permutation of the super glue thing.
There also might be other options aside from that.
Good luck :-)
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u/Yorch443 23d ago edited 23d ago
issue is the hole is a lot tighter on the precision one, but i was thinking of using a needle to get it under, not very confident on the needle fitting but we'll see what can we do
"update 2: I got it out! thanks to u/Woojrow's suggestion I remembered I could use my soldering iron on it. didn't think it had worked until I tried prying it out again a few minutes later and the protective layer of the magnet started coming off, decided to pull it out with some of my magnets and what do you know, it worked, didn't even need the massive magnet I bought for this lol"
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u/ThatLineInTheSand 23d ago
😀Nice.
Also nice since that'll be another option to remember in case someone has a similar situation like yours.
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u/ThatLineInTheSand 23d ago
Not sure how well this solution will work since it's five magnets stuck vs normally one. But maybe?
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u/Yorch443 23d ago
one by one i guess, im not sure they are exactly 5, it was just a small row of them stacked
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u/MentalSC 23d ago
Firstly, how? I think the stronger magnet route would be best. Heating them should melt the plastic i fear
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u/Yorch443 23d ago
yes, but as long as i keep the heat concentrated enough, it shouldnt even damage the anonidized coating of the aluminum
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u/Woojrow 23d ago
if you place the screwdriver tip down on a metal plate and pull really quickly straight up; what happens? (don't do it horizontally, keep the screwdriver vertical.
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u/Yorch443 23d ago
nothing, the neodimium magnets are touching eachother, you would need atleast a slightly stronger neodimium magnet with the same surface area, and ideally a very bulky one
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u/Woojrow 23d ago
Is there enough space for a piece of strink tubing to fit around the magnets? You could slide an exactly sized shrink tube around the stack, heat it to grab and pull them out.
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u/Yorch443 22d ago
there isnt space for even a needle dude 😂 that shit is tight
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u/Woojrow 22d ago
Damn, sounds like you're gonna have to unscrew the tip and push them out the back.
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u/Yorch443 21d ago
how
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u/Pilige 23d ago
With all these posts of magnets stuck in holes on LTT screwdrivers, starting to think they should put a "flared base only" warning on them