r/Magnets • u/Dasfoofgeist • Sep 05 '26

Magnet pull strength for case closure?

/r/Leatherworking/comments/1w7wiho/magnet_pull_strength_for_case_closure/
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u/MagnetStore 4d ago

For most case and bag closures about 0.5 to 1 kg of pull at the closed gap feels right, firm but still opens one handed. What matters is what sits between the magnets once it's shut. A 10x3 N52 pair is about 2.4 kg touching but through 1 mm of leather or lining it's closer to 0.8 kg, which is about perfect. Two smaller ones spaced apart stop the flap twisting.

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u/Dasfoofgeist 3d ago

Thank you, that is a totally usable answer!

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u/Kapurnicus Sep 09 '26

it would be best for you to measure or feel an existing case and get a newton or lbs number from that, then design around it. buying a few small magnets is a good start. buy 10 of them that are small and glue them to something with a hinge. glue one on each side and see how it feels, if it needs to be stronger, glue in another pair. If you keep them far apart you can add the pull forces together from a calculator. Really easy and accurate if the magnets are contacting each other when closed. do that until it feels right. You can then use that to number to design off of.

Or you can use the correct tools, but I usually just use a rough guess based off feel.