Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Applying a magnet
• Method 2 of 2: Using the battery
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need
• For the magnet method
• For the battery method

Of course, you are familiar with such a situation when your hand is simply not able to crawl into a narrow place that a screwdriver can barely reach, and a stubborn screw just strives to fall to the floor with a crash. Next time, try to save your own nerves and forces by pre-magnetizing a screwdriver!

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Applying a magnet

1. 1 Find a powerful bar magnet. The stronger the magnet, the easier it will be to magnetize a screwdriver with it. Ideally, it is best to take a neodymium or rare earth magnet with a holding force of at least 0.1 kilogram-force. These magnets can be found at hardware stores or ordered online.
   • If you have the ability to disassemble an old unnecessary hard drive, then you can also find two powerful magnets inside it.
2. 2 Wipe the screwdriver clean. Remove any dirt from the screwdriver. If you need to use a damp cloth, be sure to dry the instrument thoroughly afterwards.
3. 3 Run the magnet from the screwdriver handle to the tip. Place one end of the magnet on the metal screwdriver shaft next to the handle. Then slide the magnet along the bar all the way to the tip of the screwdriver. Due to this, the magnetic domains of the steel will line up in the direction of the magnetic fields.
   • If the screwdriver is large, magnetize only half of the shaft near the tip, not the whole.
4. 4 Repeat the same action in the same direction. Remove the magnet from the screwdriver, and then slide it back down the shaft from the handle to the tip. Repeat this step several times, always using the same end of the magnet.
   • Do not run the magnet from the tip of the screwdriver into the handle. This will destroy all your labors.
5. 5 Turn the screwdriver and repeat the above steps. Turn the screwdriver a quarter turn. Run the magnet over the screwdriver shaft again from the handle to the tip several times. Repeat the same steps for the third and fourth sides of the screwdriver.
6. 6 Check the screwdriver. If the screwdriver is still unable to magnetically hold the screw, repeat the magnetizing process. If you still can't get it even after cutting the screwdriver ten times on all sides, try a stronger magnet.
   • The hardened steel screwdriver is able to retain its magnetic properties for months.If you need to demagnetize the screwdriver, you can rub it backwards with the magnet, or knock it against the wall several times to disrupt the magnetic domains again.

Method 2 of 2: Using the battery

1. 1 Strip the electrical wire from both ends. Take a piece of electrical wire that is at least 0.9 m long, and then strip both ends of the insulation about 2.5 cm.
   • A wire that is too thin can overheat, while a wire that is too thick will be less effective. Try to take a wire with a core diameter of 0.6 to 1.3 mm.
   • Thinner wire insulation allows for stronger magnetism. Best results can be obtained with enamelled winding wire. To remove the enamel from the ends of the winding wire, rub them with 220-grit sandpaper.
2. 2 Wind the wire around the screwdriver. Wind 10-20 turns of wire tightly around the screwdriver shaft. You can even wind up in two layers if the screwdriver is too short, but just do not change the direction of the winding turns. For example, it is allowed to move on a screwdriver to the left, right and again to the left, but just not change the direction of winding clockwise. If necessary, secure the wire with electrical tape.
3. 3 Connect the ends of the wire to the battery. Connect the ends of the wire to the terminals of a 6 or 9 volt battery. Electricity entering the winding rings will create a magnetic field that will eventually magnetize the screwdriver.
   • It is not recommended to use more powerful batteries unless you are experienced in safe handling. Anything more powerful than 9 volts will only need to be connected to the wire for a fraction of a second to magnetize the screwdriver. Be sure to wear dielectric gloves to protect against electric shock and electric sparks.
4. 4 Disconnect the battery. A screwdriver with a wire wound around it and connected to the battery will acquire magnetic properties, but the wire itself and the battery contacts will very quickly heat up. Disconnect the battery after 30-60 seconds and then try to pick up the screw with a screwdriver. In most cases, the screwdriver will need to retain its magnetic properties even after disconnecting from the battery.
   • If the screwdriver loses its magnetic properties after disconnecting the battery, wind a few more turns of wire around it and try magnetizing it again.

Tips

• If you don't have a magnet or battery handy, you can magnetize the screwdriver weekly with a hammer! Secure the screwdriver with the tip pointing north. Hit the tip of the screwdriver with a hammer many times. This will be enough for the magnetic domains to line up in the direction of the earth's magnetic field.
• Over time, the screwdriver will demagnetize. If you drop or bump the screwdriver on something, it will demagnetize faster.

Warnings

• Some electronics can be damaged by magnets. Usually the strength of a magnetized screwdriver is not enough to cause any problem, however, use should be done at your own risk.
• Powerful neodymium magnets (including hard drive magnets) can pinch your fingers to the point of blood. Handle them carefully.
• Do not use bare wire to connect the screwdriver to the battery. Instead of creating a magnetic field, the current will simply run through the bare wire and hit anyone who touches it.

What do you need

For the magnet method

• Screwdriver
• Strong magnet (not less than 0.1 kilogram-force)

For the battery method

• Screwdriver
• Electrical wire with a core diameter of about 0.6-1.3 mm
• Wire stripper (or sandpaper for enamelled winding wire)
• Scotch
• 6 or 9 volt battery