Fridge Magnets

[Hawk]

My Daughter is heading to college in a couple of months, so I figured I'd make her some fridge magnets for her apartment. My question is what kind of magnet would be best for that application? And would epoxy be enough to attach them? 

Chris

[OCtoolguy]

Not sure but if her fridge has stainless like so many do, magnets don't stick well. We gave up on them when we got an all stainless kitchen.

[Jim McDonald]

Depends on the size of the wood and the cutting.

When I make my state quarter magnets, I use 3/8" hardwood and since the quarter is 15/16", I always make the area where I place the magnet at leas th 1.5" to give me room to seat the quarter. 

On all but a few states. I am sinking a 1/4" rare earth magnet (from Lee Valley) into the back. I secure the magnet with a small pool of CA glue and it holds well. Some skinny states that become large tring to get the 1.5" require two magnets. I used to mix 5 minute epoxy, but have found CA works just as well.

 

Edited June 28, 2022 by Jim McDonald
Adding photos

[BadBob]

Neodymium magnets are by far the best. I would not be surprised if a 1/4-inch diameter neodymium magnet would hold a pound. I once hung a 15lb dumbbell from a neodymium magnet recovered from a hard drive. Avoid going too large, or you will have to pry them off.

I have some refrigerator magnets that are 4-5 inches long and 3/4-inch thick poplar that are held in place with 3/16-inch neodymium magnets I bought from Harbor Freight.

[kmmcrafts]

Some years ago I made frig. magnets out of the scraps of these tree ornaments. They sold way better than the actual ornaments did, LOL in fact I still have a lot of the tree ornaments but not a single magnet. I used those little magnets Bob talked about. Broke a couple of them just trying to get the magnet off the cookie sheet I displayed them on at the shows, LOL

[BadBob]

3 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

Broke a couple of them

They are very fragile. I like to recess the magnets flush with the surface or slightly below.

[BadBob]

These are in my kitchen. The largest is 4.5-inches long and they are all 3/4-inch thick. There is one magnet on each one that are less than 1/4-inch diameter. Magnets are mounted in a hole flush with the surface and as close to the balance point as I could get.

 

 

Edited June 29, 2022 by BadBob

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, BadBob said:

They are very fragile. I like to recess the magnets flush with the surface or slightly below.

Yeah, I mounted the magnet recess or flush.. Mine were 1/4" thick and just the waist area of making those ornaments..

[CharleyL]

How many and what size would you like? Amazon sells a lot of varieties.

amazon.com/s?k=neodymium+magnet&i=industrial&crid=1SDWP2AUNTYZX&sprefix=neod%2Cindustrial%2C108&ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_4_ts-doa-p

Charley

[preprius]

I treasure my magnets from my late father.

He had fun adding stuff around the house to make them more artsy.

[Edmantanar]

They're such a simple way to add some personality to your kitchen. I think they’re like little snapshots of memories. I’ve got all sorts on mine—some from trips, some funny quotes, and a few from old friends. It’s nice to glance at them and remember those little moments. I’ve also found that a good fridge magnet can be a perfect way to hold onto essential papers or notes—super handy. They’re like a quirky decoration that adds warmth to the place. I’d say fridge beats magnets are pretty awesome for both practicality and charm!

Edited December 23, 2024 by Edmantanar

[MarieC]

On 6/28/2022 at 6:43 PM, preprius said:

I treasure my magnets from my late father.

He had fun adding stuff around the house to make them more artsy.

Is that a worm in that piece of wood!? 

[ChelCass]

I make a lot of ornaments fo our stainless steel refrigerator.  I buy my magnets at Walmart. They have 3 different sizes.  I find all three sizes work depending on the weight of the ornament.

[John M]

I make a lot of fridge magnets 2 1/2" square. I use magnetic tape on the back from Amazon looks like a scotch tape dispenser self stick.