Gunsmithing Do magnets harm any precision tools?

[jasonk]

This is kind of a reloading question, but I know you gunsmithers here are anal about your precision tools and thought this would be a better place to ask.

I want to hang one of those magnetic strips for holding tools above my bench and use it for sticking up my calipers and some other random things. My question is will it harm digital calipers? I'm not sure how they work, I'm not worried about my dial ones, that shouldn't be an issue. I thought there was something in the digital ones that being exposed to a large magnet might cause it harm.

And besides the calipers, anything else I'm not thinking of?

 

[cvedrick]

Re: Do magnets harm any precision tools?

I would be careful with things that have little springs and gears, sector gears and such like dial indicators, as far as the digital calipers go, I would not think so, but you never can tell.

If you have gage blocks around, you can check.

20 years ago, I was an IM2 in a Navy type III calibration lab (MIRCS) and dealt with this stuff all the time. Your simpler stuff like micrometers and calipers (even electronic ones) probably won't be affected, but if it was me, I would get or make a mechanical hanger for my instruments. I can just see what would happen if you magnetize the jaws of your calipers and get them near iron filings, shavings or small parts.....

 

[jasonk]

Re: Do magnets harm any precision tools?

Hmmm....hadn't even thought of the pain in the ass it could be if I magnetized them, good point about little bits sticking to them all the time.

 

[LRI]

Re: Do magnets harm any precision tools?

Precision tools belong on a small assortment of surfaces:

Granite
Felt
Wood
Steel

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Do magnets harm any precision tools?

Cvedrick and Chad both have it right. I don't even use the magnet strips for holding knives. Messages, sure. But that's about it.

Also, putting a fridge door-gasket magnet along the top of a coolant tank baffle also helps to keep some of the debris out of pump bay.