The magnetic closure on my new piece of furniture does not work properly. It is a simple problem, but I can't figure out a solution. Please help me fix it! [more inside]
posted by AtomicBee on Nov 15, 2009 - 11 answers

What contributes more to the attractive force between a magnet and a thin piece of metal - the magnet's surface area, or its thickness? [more inside]
posted by howling fantods on Nov 5, 2009 - 5 answers

I need to find this exact magnet, but my google-fu is failing me. [more inside]
posted by MaryDellamorte on Oct 6, 2009 - 6 answers

How can I replace my First Edition Obama/Biden magnet? Please hope me, Mefites!!! [more inside]
posted by dancinglamb on Aug 22, 2009 - 7 answers

I have an external hard drive that I'm sending back to the manufacturer due to an issue. I already have all of the data off of it, but (thankfully), a few days after I got the data, the thing is dead. The question: how do I erase all of the data off of it even if I can't boot it up? [more inside]
posted by SNWidget on Apr 6, 2009 - 10 answers

Ideas for picking up galvanized (aluminum?) roofing nails? [more inside]
posted by badger_flammable on Feb 8, 2009 - 7 answers

Where can I find a super low-friction wheel with a ring around it and also a little generator? I am making one of those silly home-brew perpetual motion machines with magnets. [more inside]
posted by brenton on Dec 7, 2008 - 3 answers

Where is the best place to buy strong magnets online? [more inside]
posted by Jimmie on Nov 23, 2008 - 12 answers

Do I have magnetic superpowers? [more inside]
posted by Alabaster on May 28, 2008 - 14 answers

How do you prevent a NYC metro card from magnet damage? [more inside]
posted by lookoutkitty on Apr 7, 2008 - 8 answers

I want to make glass marble magnets. Where can I find supplies in downtown Toronto? [more inside]
posted by heatherann on Nov 26, 2007 - 8 answers

Metal beams holding up the ceiling. Help us hang stuff from them with magnets! [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone on Nov 20, 2007 - 9 answers

Why does holding a strong magnet up to your brain not do anything bad? [more inside]
posted by zek on Aug 24, 2007 - 26 answers

How do I clean the data off these old hard drives without using software or a mallet? [more inside]
posted by jamaro on Aug 10, 2007 - 14 answers

My Bosch oven door has gradually stopped closing entirely, unless I prop it shut. I have dissected the spring hinges, and cannot figure out the cause of the problem. Propping the door shut takes hardly any pressure, so I've decided to fit magnets on the inside of the door so it will auto-close. There is space for magnets up to about 1cm deep each. Which magnets should I buy, taking into account cost, strength, heat stability, and possible toxicity?
posted by roofus on May 2, 2007 - 13 answers

I am a Mutant with an enlarged brain, Ive had a device implanted into my head but its very sensitive to electromagnetic fields.. please help me avoid them. [more inside]
posted by complience on Apr 5, 2007 - 23 answers

I found a magnet hiding under my PC yesterday. Now Windows is telling me that my second hard drive isn't formatted, but it's unable to format it when I try to do so. I don't care about the data on the drive, I just want a useable disk again! Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by billybunny on May 19, 2006 - 9 answers

I just bought a Sirius satellite radio Starmate receiver and I don't want to mount the magnetic antenna on the exterior of my car. [more inside]
posted by amro on Oct 14, 2005 - 8 answers

So Crazy It Just Might Work Dept.: I first heard about this solution to a magnet-defaced TV here on the green, and I'm wondering if anyone here has any firsthand experience with it. Any tips or tricks? Also, what kind of magnets should I be looking for, and where can I find them? The best CompUSA, Menards or the local hobby shop could offer were some tiny horseshoes that could live a couple of pounds. What kind of store would stock something like these? (I'm in Madison, WI.)
posted by blueshammer on Oct 6, 2004 - 14 answers