how to Magnetize alnico magnet without magnetizer?

[hsmagnet2023]

Hi Dears,
How you magnetize alnico magnet without magnetizer usually?
To samll handwound pickup makers,maybe dont have a magnetizer.Then what will they do if they buy the magnets thats are unmagnetized.

 

[pmjennin]

I'm sure someone can explain it better, but if you move the magnet between two strong rare earth magnets, the magnetic field is strong enough to impart magnetism. I've used this method to magnetize a couple alnico bar magnets for a P90 I put together some years ago. You don't need a dedicated magnetizer.

 

[Rob DiStefano]

Easy peasy ... https://www.tdpri.com/threads/flip-a-pickups-top-magnetic-polarity.853731/

 

[mandoloony]

I just keep a rare-earth magnet around for this kind of work. It only cost a few dollars and works fine. I keep it stuck to the back of my couch (I'm pretty sure it's attracted to a screw in there).

 

[archetype]

American Science and Surplus has lots of neodymium magnets. I have one of these for magnetizing Fender singles, one pole at a time. $2.95 USD, plus shipping.

COLUMN-SHAPED NEODYMIUM MAGNET

We're liking this little plated N45 neodymium magnet because it will stand on end and stick out very prettily on the ice box. Measures 1" tall x 1/4" square with a hefty, for its size, 3-1/2 lb pull, 13,800 gauss. (Will also lie down on its side, of course, because everybody does.)

sciplus.com

 

[old wrench]

This is the rig I use for magnetizing the hand-wound pickups which I build-



It's one of my old Versa-Vises with good sized Neo bar magnets stuck to the jaws.

I use two bar magnets per jaw - the smaller magnets are 2" X 1" X 3/8" - the larger ones are 3" X 1-1/4" X 1/4"

Using the mass of the cast steel vise increases the strength of the magnetic field



When I magnetize the pickups, I stick them in a "holder" made from a piece of folded cardboard, which I then slide between the the jaws a couple or three times -



I slide the pickups through the magnetic field in an up-and-down manner - kind of like "dipping" them between the jaws.

Using the cardboard "holder" lets me adjust the jaws just far apart enough for the pickup to slide between them - the cardboard keeps the pickup from getting damaged or scraped-up, because this rig develops a very strong magnetic field - it will fully charge any of the Alnico magnets that we use for pickups.


.

 

[hamerfan]

Thanks George for your explanation. I have a similar rig with a vise loaded with neobars, but my technique is different. Next time i try your cardboard up and down method.

 

[Rob DiStefano]

For any and all rod AlNiCx magnets, just get an 8 buck stack of neos from HD or Lowes and magnetize on or off the guitar.

For production pickup work, a pair of N52 neo bars in a drill press vice gets the job done in seconds and without the need for rod magnet protection.

 

[trev333]

N52 neo magnets... finger pinchers...

got to keep 'em separated....

 

[Rob DiStefano]

When N52 bars are self attached to any manner of vise, the only concern is to keep them well apart when no pickup is introduced between them.

I do this with a block of wood.

 

[Ronkirn]

just a thought.. for those that are contemplating using larger rare earth magnets.... be careful.. NEVER let your fingers or fleshy parts of whatever is part of you get between two magnets that are attracted to each other.... the results can be painful....

 

[hsmagnet2023]

N52 neo magnets... finger pinchers...

got to keep 'em separated....

View attachment 1198056

oh,be careful with your hands.

 

[hsmagnet2023]

This is the rig I use for magnetizing the hand-wound pickups which I build-

View attachment 1197441

It's one of my old Versa-Vises with good sized Neo bar magnets stuck to the jaws.

I use two bar magnets per jaw - the smaller magnets are 2" X 1" X 3/8" - the larger ones are 3" X 1-1/4" X 1/4"

Using the mass of the cast steel vise increases the strength of the magnetic field



When I magnetize the pickups, I stick them in a "holder" made from a piece of folded cardboard, which I then slide between the the jaws a couple or three times -

View attachment 1197442

I slide the pickups through the magnetic field in an up-and-down manner - kind of like "dipping" them between the jaws.

Using the cardboard "holder" lets me adjust the jaws just far apart enough for the pickup to slide between them - the cardboard keeps the pickup from getting damaged or scraped-up, because this rig develops a very strong magnetic field - it will fully charge any of the Alnico magnets that we use for pickups.

You do hand made pickups?