Where to get tiny magnets?

[Vermonter73]

What's a good source of tiny magnets for adding a bump on the + end of my regulated 18650s?

 

[Carabidae]

have you looked at radio shack, ive seen some exactally what you describe there.

 

[MrAl]

HI,

In a word...

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/

 

[tomdooley62]

Dont know what sizes you guys are looking for but at the Dollar Tree they have in the toy section a type of toy that links together with tiny magnets so you can form geometric shapes. Easy to take the cheap plastic and break it and retreive the tiny magnets.

This toy is similar to the "Magnetics" that you see in Walmart but these are a whole lot cheaper and you wont feel bad about scavenging them.

 

[freeman4ever]

What's a good source of tiny magnets for adding a bump on the + end of my regulated 18650s?

Check Lighthound: http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=magnet&Page=1

 

[Veto]

I just ordered my first magnets online and, as others have already said, can only say good things about http://www.kjmagnetics.com/ They were low priced, arrived in good shape and prompt. What else can you ask for?

 

[Illum]

I usually check over to United Nuclear for everything...including uranium
http://www.unitednuclear.com/magnets.htm

 

[PhantomPhoton]

I usually check over to United Nuclear for everything...including uranium
http://www.unitednuclear.com/magnets.htm

Wow, there's a place I haven't come across yet... :huh:

I might add that if you have a shopping list at thinkgeek.com they have a "sample pack" assortment of magnets that suits my needs decently well. But for a small order of a couple, klmagnetics.com is a good site.

 

[Thujone]

I can not believe no one has mentioned WonderMagnet best place I have dealt with. Quick shipping, good customer service.

 

[LuxLuthor]

I got a ton of them that always came from AW with his batteries.

 

[Action]

Great resource thread! I have inadvertantly broken and lost more than a few of the thin magnets from AW and need some replacements. The kjmagnetics site has a really nice selection and seems to offer the really thin magnets that are often very useful when paired with AW's batteries (the really thin magnets that AW provides are not available from the Hound, his magnets are thicker, often too thick for some applications, but perfect for other applications). I love the thin AW magnets and this seems like a good source for replacements.

 

[AyeMayanor]

I recommend: http://www.gaussboys.com/

LOTS of sizes, great prices and service.

 

[vetkaw63]

Could I solder to the nickel plated magnets? Do they have good electrical conductivity?
Stupid questions, but I don't want to waste my time if they are not appropriate.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Gunner12]

Don't solder neodymium magnets, they start loosing their power above 80 Celsius. The coated kind should conduct well because they have a coating of Ni-Cu-Ni. The magnets them selves don't conduct much electricity, and they rust in contact with H2O.

There are no stupid questions, ask away.

 

[TOOCOOL]

Here ?

 

[knot]

If you have a dead hard drive you can salvage the rare earth magnet inside and make many of those spacers.

*edit - I'm not sure how conductive they are though.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Could I solder to the nickel plated magnets? Do they have good electrical conductivity?
Stupid questions, but I don't want to waste my time if they are not appropriate.
Thanks,
Mike

It's a good question...but depending on the cell, it is pretty easy to damage the battery...especially Li-Ion protection circuit. Heat also depolarizes the magnet which can happen with soldering if you are not careful.

One thing to consider is Arctic Silver Epoxy which holds it pretty well, and is conductive somewhat, or you can dab it around the edges of the magnet to hold it on...but be careful not to cover any vent holes. I use this in my SF-L2 for a rechargeable Li-Ion that works great.

 

[Curious_character]

It's a good question...but depending on the cell, it is pretty easy to damage the battery...especially Li-Ion protection circuit. Heat also depolarizes the magnet which can happen with soldering if you are not careful.

One thing to consider is Arctic Silver Epoxy which holds it pretty well, and is conductive somewhat, or you can dab it around the edges of the magnet to hold it on...but be careful not to cover any vent holes. I use this in my SF-L2 for a rechargeable Li-Ion that works great.

That's interesting. The manufacturer claims Arctic Silver is non-conductive, and I use it to mount Seoul LEDs when they have to be insulated from the header -- a thin layer the diameter of the LED is at least many thousand ohms. What kind of bulk conductivity are you seeing -- it would have to be very good to not cause a pretty serious drop in voltage at typical flashlight currents.

I just put a very small dab of super glue under the magnet and press down. The pressure is enough for the magnet to directly contact the metal of the battery, so it makes good contact.

I agree that you shouldn't solder directly to the battery.

c_c

 

[knot]

There are conductive glues and adhesives.

 

[savumaki]

LeeValley tools

http://www.leevalley.com/