How to Magnetize a Screwdriver Tip

There are always going to be occasions when you might wish your screwdriver tip was magnetic. Reaching into a tight corners or screwing upward can be a nuisance if the screw won’t sit in the head of the screwdriver properly. Also there are constant issues with getting a screw out of a deep drilled hole where the tip will reach in but you can’t grab it to pull the screw out. There are quite a few methods by which you can magnetize your own screwdriver at home quite safely. One is a wired version which incorporates the use of a battery and the other is by use of a simple magnet.

Step 1 – Preparing

You will need an extremely strong magnet to achieve a good adhesion so find the best and strongest magnet that you can. Set the magnet down somewhere, being careful not to place it near anything which will be affected by the presence of the magnet. Clean the screwdriver shaft and tip to make sure it is clean and dirt free. In order to get the best quality of magnetic adhesion the shaft should be wiped clean with a cloth and dried. Any loose particles which can affect the process need to be removed.

Step 2 – Testing

First, test to find out if there is any natural residue magnetizing already in the screw driver. You can do this by simply touching the screw driver tip to any small metal object (like a metal screw) and seeing if you get a ‘pulling’ feeling when it touches. If there is none, then your screw driver is completely demagnetized.

Step 3 – Magnetizing

Take the magnet in one hand and take the screw driver in the other hand. Start by placing the shaft end (near the handle) of the screw driver onto the magnet and run the length of the shaft along the magnet to the tip of the screw driver. Do this slowly but not extremely slowly. Come back and repeat the same motion four or five times.

Test again by touching the tip of the screw driver to the metal screw. If the metal screw responds by lifting up on the tip of the screwdriver you will have achieved a good level of magnetism. If there is a light lift but the screw doesn’t pick up on the tip, try running the screwdriver shaft along the strong magnet a few more times and then test again.

Step 4 – Time

Your screwdriver should stay magnetized for a quite some time after this procedure but if you wish to undo the process you can also demagnetize it after you are finished.

Step 5 – Demagnetizing

This is exactly the same process in reverse. Start by holding the tip of the screw driver against the magnet and then run the magnet up the shaft until it reaches the handle. Repeat this a few times to affect demagnetization.