rare earth magnets for bag closure

[esantoro]

I was cruising ebay looking at bags and got the idea to incorporate two 1" by 1/8" circular rare earth magnets into the bag flap and face panel as a flap closure, but no lock. These magnets have about 58 lbs of pulling power.

I was looking through the OTB catalog ans saw that their closure magnets cost about $3.50 apiece and I bet they have nowhere near the pulling power of these rare earth magnets that can be had for maybe $.75 to 1.50 apiece.

I'm not sure if this would detract from the masculine features of the bag, but I do like the idea that the Maverick would be incorporating some unseen ubiquitous force.

Do you think the size of the magnets should be larger or smaller.? there is the issue of magnetic sensitive electronics people carry in their bags, but I think there are ways to obviate any problems.

I'll post links to bags and magnets later.

Ed

Edited February 18, 2008 by esantoro

[leatheroo]

ed, i was just looking at ebay regarding the magnets, on one site they said that the magnets should be kept at least 1 foot from electronics including credit cards. looking forward to see how this pans out.

[esantoro]

ed, i was just looking at ebay regarding the magnets, on one site they said that the magnets should be kept at least 1 foot from electronics including credit cards. looking forward to see how this pans out.

credit cards, uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhh!

But what about if there is 4/5 oz of leather between the magnet and anything else? That would certain lessen the force. There also might be some kind of material I could put between the back of the magnet and the leather covering.

I should test this out on a credit card I no longer use. stitch it into some leather, run the card across it 200 times about five inches away. Then go to taco bell and see if I can purchase a bean burrito with the card. If I get my bean burrito, then i'll swipe the card directly over the leather, return to Taco Bell and see if this time I can buy a burrito supreme. If I end up damaging the magnetic strip on the card, I'll have the bank issue me a new card, or I'll just cancel the account -- always looking to do R&D on the cheap.

Ed, who never "seems" to tire of experimentation and certainly is never bored but sometimes a bit hungry

[esantoro]

just though of something as i was heading out the door. you don't need two magnets, though that would make for a stronger closure. You just need one magnet and one piece of metal. The metal can be placed on the bag face. the magnet on the bag flap, which would lessen the chance of a magnetic force damaging anything electronic or magnetic inside the bag. Additional material can still be placed behind the metal plate for insurance.

The only risk now is from incidental contact between the magnet in the flap and contents of the bag. But again material can be placed between the magnet in the flap and the outside surface of the flap, so that the strongest magnetic surface is on the inside of the flap to allow contact with a metal disc on the front panel.

However, I'm still making the run for the border.

Ed

[Andy]

These closures have messed up MANY PDA's and Cell phones. In fact Apple is warning folks not to use anything with a magnet near the iPhone as it will make it inoperable. (I am an Iphone user and follow these things) Apparently a company came out with a nifty case for them with magnets, then had to buy it's customers new phones when they died. Bad bad bad.

My 2 cents, .00000927 cents after taxes,

Andy

just though of something as i was heading out the door. you don't need two magnets, though that would make for a stronger closure. You just need one magnet and one piece of metal. The metal can be placed on the bag face. the magnet on the bag flap, which would lessen the chance of a magnetic force damaging anything electronic or magnetic inside the bag. Additional material can still be placed behind the metal plate for insurance.

The only risk now is from incidental contact between the magnet in the flap and contents of the bag. But again material can be placed between the magnet in the flap and the outside surface of the flap, so that the strongest magnetic surface is on the inside of the flap to allow contact with a metal disc on the front panel.

However, I'm still making the run for the border.

Ed

[esantoro]

These closures have messed up MANY PDA's and Cell phones. In fact Apple is warning folks not to use anything with a magnet near the iPhone as it will make it inoperable. (I am an Iphone user and follow these things) Apparently a company came out with a nifty case for them with magnets, then had to buy it's customers new phones when they died. Bad bad bad.

My 2 cents, .00000927 cents after taxes,

Andy

That's enough for me. R&D is over and the magnet idea is now in the trash bin. I'll have to find some other excuse to go to taco bell.

By the way, anyone interested in going in on 600 nickel plated flap closures. OTB has a cool one on its catalog back cover. They can tool a similar one but minimum order is 600 at 4.50 per piece. Just though i'd ask, since the magnet idea is a no go. I hope I don't win the auction for 10 magnets.

Thanks, Andy, for putting the idea to rest.

ed

[esantoro]

Well, the magnetic closure idea is out. Thankfully, too, as there were loads of problems just waiting to happen.

I went ahead and bought a bunch of the 3/4" and 1" magnets anyway to put up all over the shop to hold my tools wherever and whenever I want to hang them on my steel shelves.

Ed

[Hoyden]

Oh boy, did this ever set me giggling up a storm.

I had a 'brilliant' idea to use rare earth magnets to hold mantling onto the helmets of a few Knights that I make arming clothes for.

I was told that the Knight lost his stainless steel helmet off his head when he went under a low I-beam.

That idea was canned fast.

[esantoro]

I'm back onto this magnetic closure idea, but for a case for files and documents.

I've got a good method for stitching the 1/8" by 3/4" magnetic disc into place but was thinking that instead of using two magnets I should use one magnet and one metal disc that the magnet can attract.

Is it possible to by metal discs of specified sizes?

Thanks,

ed

[celticleather]

You could try your local motor mechanic, and see if he has 'core plugs' or 'freeze plugs'. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but are mostly concave steel discs.