Must-Have Equipment: I just replaced the tiny circuit board in a cell phone - the one that has the charging port on it. The seven screws were tiny. The longer ones were about 3 mm...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I just replaced the tiny circuit board in a cell phone - the one that has the charging port on it. The seven screws were tiny. The longer ones were about 3 mm long, and the shorter ones were even smaller. They were too small to pick up with tweezers. The kit came with several small screwdrivers, although I used my own to disassemble it. Magnetic tips would have come in handy, but I was able to put them in place with thumb and forefinger.

I would not have been able to do this job without the magnifiers linked below. It's one of those things that you might use once a year, but there's no alternative. The one below comes with several lenses, but mine has only one pair.

The next step will be removing and replacing the cracked screen. You can find almost anything on eBay. It cost me about $30 for the parts.

https://smile.amazon.com/Headband-Magnifier-Head-Mounted-Binocular-Magnification-1-5X/dp/B07M7H3P95/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?crid=1UNI5HEPL3UMS&keywords=close-up%2Bglasses&qid=1672678739&sprefix=close-up%2Bglasses%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-13-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMFVJOEpFNUZCMlVPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDYwMDM2UldRSVhSUlhXMzM2JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1MjU0NzlCWDVVS1VDVFVKSVUmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I’ve had some success with doing this. Wrap a wire (I use braided) around the end of a metal screwdriver and attach to a d cell for a minute. It will often temporarily magnetize the screwdriver long enough to finish a small job.
A little experimentation might be needed.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BassmanBruce wrote:

I’ve had some success with doing this. Wrap a wire (I use braided) around the end of a metal screwdriver and attach to a d cell for a minute. It will often temporarily magnetize the screwdriver long enough to finish a small job.
A little experimentation might be needed.

Interesting. Another technique I've used is to place a small magnet on the shaft of the screwdriver. I have a bunch of them about the size of a pencil eraser, and they will turn any screwdriver into a magnet. I just didn't feel like getting up and going out to the garage.

BebuLamar

I used to use a DC coil for a valve solenoid to magnetize my screw driver but this thing from Klein works quite well
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Magnetizer-Demagnetizer-MAG2/303234133?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D27-027_011_TOOLS_ACC-NA-NA-NA-SMART-2997116-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PL3_Live&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D27-027_011_TOOLS_ACC-NA-NA-NA-SMART-2997116-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PL3_Live-71700000093390745-58700007789602705-92700070740571205&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnsqdBhCGARIsAAyjYjRefDIi53dnM2Gi0KG35uEL3GAqX2mQn1hIeAqH6OaGe1yhLTGoJnsaAkZ9EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

I used to use a DC coil for a valve solenoid to ma... (show quote)

I have something like that. It magnetizes and demagnetizes. Again, it was out in the garage. I'll have to move my tools inside the house.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

jerryc41 wrote:

I have something like that. It magnetizes and demagnetizes. Again, it was out in the garage. I'll have to move my tools inside the house.

I’ve used one of these since the early 90’s. It works well, quickly and it’s inexpensive.
From Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-360-Magnetizer-Demagnetizer/dp/B00004T7UQ/ref=sr_1_31?keywords=screwdriver+magnetizer+demagnetizer&qid=1672723139&sr=8-31

otter creek

I've used Optivisors for 30 years or more for tying trout flies, wrapping guides on bamboo fly rods, etc. Real glass, not plastic. Couldn't do without them. Nothing else comes close for comfort and sharpness.

jkm757 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

BassmanBruce wrote:

I’ve had some success with doing this. Wrap a wire (I use braided) around the end of a metal screwdriver and attach to a d cell for a minute. It will often temporarily magnetize the screwdriver long enough to finish a small job.
A little experimentation might be needed.

You can get the same result faster and easier by rubbing the tip of the screwdriver on a magnet.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

I too, have a Optivisor, but my preferred magnifier is a 30x binocular microscope! Use it very frequently for removing splinters, and untying knots. Using a double goose-neck high intensity light, needle nose tweezers, and a hypodermic needle, even the youngest of our grand-kids have learned to trust me to remove splinters! Better than the Optivisor!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jkm757 wrote:

You can get the same result faster and easier by rubbing the tip of the screwdriver on a magnet.

If I had a magnet handy, I would have stuck it on the shaft of the screwdriver. : )

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Never done it but read that stroking your screwdriver shaft several times in one direction with a magnet will magnetize it, too.

Stan

otter creek

Well, I work with a Zeiss 100x compound microscope and up to 49x dissecting scope for my research, but I can't wear them on my head during normal shop work! 🙄

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

jerryc41 wrote:

Interesting. Another technique I've used is to place a small magnet on the shaft of the screwdriver. I have a bunch of them about the size of a pencil eraser, and they will turn any screwdriver into a magnet. I just didn't feel like getting up and going out to the garage.

Dave, Here is a tip from an old bench tech.
I worked on magnetic tape recorders, both audio & video for many years.
We could not use magnetized tools as it could damage the tape.
The trick is to keep a little block of beeswax handy.
Lightly wipe the screwdriver tip across it, then mount the screw onto the driver.

M1911 Loc: DFW Metromess

You can also use a weller soldering iron. Put the tool between the soldering tip leads, turn it on and pull the tool out. to de magnetize reverse the process.

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

jerryc41 wrote:

Interesting. Another technique I've used is to place a small magnet on the shaft of the screwdriver. I have a bunch of them about the size of a pencil eraser, and they will turn any screwdriver into a magnet. I just didn't feel like getting up and going out to the garage.

That's a fantastic idea. I've got a bunch of little magnets (from old electric toothbrush heads) that would be perfect for that!