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Geek Culture / please help - how to flatten soft magnet for fridge?

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mr Handy
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Posted: 29th Jul 2014 12:12
Hi guys, I have some shaped soft magnets with a printed (glued paper) image on it like this example below. But they are not flat, they like ) . Me upset a little, they poorly stick to the fridge. Magnets are 2 mm thick. What I can do to make them flat | (forever)?


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Van B
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Posted: 29th Jul 2014 12:24
I'd try some hot water, like leave them in a bowl of really hot tap water for a bit, then stick them onto something flat but not magnetic to cool down.

I'm thinking that softening the rubber will let them return to their flat shape, let them cool down slowly - if you try and speed up the cool down part it might damage the rubber.

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swissolo
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Posted: 30th Jul 2014 03:03
Quote: "I'd try some hot water, like leave them in a bowl of really hot tap water for a bit, then stick them onto something flat but not magnetic to cool down."

Seems like a good plan. I'd only add that you should probably press them in between 2 non-magnetic surfaces with some mass to make sure they stay flat

wattywatts
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Posted: 30th Jul 2014 04:06
Well I guess I'm a bit less scientific, I'd just bend them the opposite way and hold them with a rubber band for a while.
The above suggestion sounds like it might produce much better results though.
mr Handy
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Posted: 30th Jul 2014 16:44
Thanks for ideas. Magnets already were under the press for a month with no results.

May the hot water damage paper stickers on them?

Rubber band... maybe put on rubber and put in freezer?

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Van B
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Posted: 30th Jul 2014 17:43
Probably... most fridge magnets I have are printed on rubber, if there's any paper or glue then the hot water will just destroy it.

Maybe there's a way to get heat into them without getting them wet - like stick them on the side of a kettle and let it boil, then peel them off and lay them flat. I think getting the rubber hot will help the shape, like let them bend back in shape properly without cracking and with less resistance.

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 30th Jul 2014 22:54
Wouldn't heat damage the magnetic structure?



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easter bunny
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 03:18
Quote: "Wouldn't heat damage the magnetic structure?"

That's what I was thinking, if I recall correctly, heat will destroy magnets.

Google says yes


Quote: "Rubber band... maybe put on rubber and put in freezer?"

And doesn't the freezer destroy rubber bands?


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Phaelax
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 08:20
Let a heavy book sit on them over night

easter bunny
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 10:38
Quote: "Let a heavy book sit on them over night"

+1 Worked fixing an old deck of cards for me


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mr Handy
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 12:23
Umm, as I said before, magnets were under the over 20 heavy encyclopedias for a month. The result | was loosed to ) in a few days after.

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Van B
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 12:55
I think it depends on the temperatures involved, also I'm not sure what difference it makes to have the magnet mixed with rubber. Really I'm just thinking hot enough to encourage the rubber to bend back into shape without breaking.

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mr Handy
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 15:02
I am afraid paper layer will spoil.

So does freezer damage soft magnet? Isn't it some kind of rubber?

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swissolo
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 20:32
Quote: "So does freezer damage soft magnet? Isn't it some kind of rubber?"

I'm pretty sure a freezer would help the magnets keep their undesirable shape. The material might even contract and bend even more. I really don't think you'd damage a magnet with slightly raised temperatures, but what do I know maybe make up some sort of contraption to heat the magnets without water. Water underneath a pan perhaps?

Looks like this is the temperature you don't want to be above "Curie point—about 570° C (1,060° F)." You'll probably be okay Another source said 310° C. I'm sure it varies with materials, but they all look like quite high values to me.

Green Gandalf
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 20:47
It might be easier to bash a few dents in the fridge door to match the magnets ...



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Seditious
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 22:27
If you're really that in love with the magnets why not just superglue them to the fridge door?
mr Handy
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Posted: 31st Jul 2014 22:50 Edited at: 31st Jul 2014 22:51
Those magnets are from game collector editions. I try then rubber band with freeze, post results later.

p.s. and the freezer is table freezer for drinks

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easter bunny
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Posted: 1st Aug 2014 01:04
Bluetack


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Dark Java Dude 64
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Posted: 1st Aug 2014 01:27
Get some really fine (and stiff) metal skewers, and insert them up the length of the magnet. Not sure that would work too well...

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 1st Aug 2014 19:17
Quote: "Get some really fine (and stiff) metal skewers, and insert them up the length of the magnet."


Works well for floppy kebabs too.



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Libervurto
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Posted: 8th Aug 2014 05:12
The temperatures needed to demagnetise a magnet are pretty high, I wouldn't worry about damaging them with a bit of heat.

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TheComet
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Posted: 8th Aug 2014 06:40
Dark Java Dude 64
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Posted: 8th Aug 2014 09:06
Would there be any way to somehow put a somewhat thick (thick enough to be stiff) and yet still transparent coating of plastic on the front of the magnet?

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mr Handy
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Posted: 10th Aug 2014 11:34
Freeze failed. Magnet got flat for one day only than went back to ).

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easter bunny
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Posted: 11th Aug 2014 01:54
I repeat, Bluetack


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Van B
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Posted: 11th Aug 2014 09:53
Maybe it's time to give up, and just stick them into a photo frame, at least that way you'll still be able to appreciate them - plus if you ever sold them, the buyer needn't know they're all bendy

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mr Handy
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Posted: 11th Aug 2014 16:28
Yep, I think I should just deal with it. Using glue for collectibles or other modifications will ruin the "collectible status" of items.

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