When you receive magnets from us, the magnets will often get stuck to each other and your first task will be to take them apart before you can use them. This is rarely a problem, but we have a few tips to make it a little easier. First, two rules of thumb:
- Never try to break magnets apart. Often it will be almost impossible to break magnets apart and the result is typically that the magnets break into smaller pieces.
- Instead of breaking the magnets apart, they should “slide” apart. Read more about this below.
Small flat magnets
Small flat magnets with a height of 0.5 mm to about 3-4 mm are best separated by “sliding” the magnets apart using two fingers. So take the two magnets that are stuck together and place them between your thumb and forefinger and gently slide them apart. Be extra careful if the magnets are very thin and long as they can easily break.
Never try to break the magnets apart as they will definitely break. They should always slide apart.
Slightly larger magnets
Magnets that are too big to fit between two fingers still need to be slid apart. How you do this depends a lot on the size and shape of the magnets. For example, you can hold the magnets with your left hand, but you slide a magnet off with your right hand. Or you can put two magnets together on a piece of metal and slide the top magnet off.
Large magnets
If you need to separate two large magnets, it's probably because they have accidentally been attracted to each other. This is dangerous as it can damage both your fingers and magnets.
To separate two large magnets, you can use a table with a sharp edge. Place the magnets so that one magnet is on the table, while the other magnet sticks out over the edge. Then you press down on both magnets. And because one magnet is on the table, the other magnet should slide off and down the edge of the table. This requires caution, a little effort and preferably work gloves so you don't get hurt.
Very large magnets
If two magnets, each with a strength of 50 kg or more, are stuck together, they may not be able to be separated by hand alone. Often, a wedge made of tension is used instead. The wedge has a sharp edge that can be pressed between the two magnets. When pressed continuously, the wedge will slowly but surely push the magnets apart.
Should you find yourself in a situation where two very powerful magnets are stuck together, it may not be relevant to separate them at all, as the collision between the two magnets may well have caused damage. In that case, it's better to throw the magnets out, as over time they will break more or you may cut yourself on the sharp edges.
Summarizing
- Never strike magnets with tools of any kind as this will damage the magnet.
- Always separate magnets by sliding them apart. Do not break them apart.
- Wear gloves unless small magnets are involved.
- Be careful with thin magnets as they break easily.