3D Print a Magnetic Switch, and how it works

[@Deaner3D]

I swear I've watched this video a dozen times over the years just to refresh my memory how these magical devices work. Best one on the internet, for sure. Cheers!

[@kschaub62]

I wasn't really up for making a plywood version but this I will definitely do. You really do have a talent for coming up with ideas and making them work

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Thanks Kyle!

[@carlosloko257]

@@AndrewKleinWW Can you please make a video of a magnet not sticking to a magnet I just want the opposite a way around So the magnet doesn't attract It rejects Because I want to make the floating ball But the problem with that is the Others size of the magnet Is gonna keep sticking to things please

[@OskarPuzzle]

Hi Andrew, Do you realise that you could have saved 50% of magnets, without losing any strength? Now each layers has six magnets in a start orientation. Instead, you could have used three magnets per layer, going around in a loop, 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6. That would also saved you the central steel pin, which could be a simple screw. Inspired by your video, I bought the steel and magnets, and confirmed this finding. Of course a new challenge is how to get the magnets in there. My trick is to have a pause in the gcode, put the magnets in, and then continue the print. Thanks again for the inspiration! Oskar

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Make a video if you build it!

[@OskarPuzzle]

@@AndrewKleinWW Hi Andrew, here are already some photos of the result (www.shapeways.com/product/DRAXY3BJG/magnet-unlock), with reference to your work. The video may take a while, but enjoy the photos! Oskar

[@AndrewKleinWW]

That is really a cool puzzle concept! But why am I coming up with 1296 configurations, not 144? Are you making all these yourself? I’m intrigued

[@OskarPuzzle]

@@AndrewKleinWW Thanks! Yes, I am designing and making all puzzles on my KZbin channel myself, including the colorful Magnet Unlock puzzle. I have been using my own 3D-printer for the last year. Where is your extra factor 9 coming from? The order of the three disks is immaterial to the solution, and so is the placement of the first disk. Once the first disk is in place, then there are 12 options for the second disk (6 rotations + 6 upside-down), and 12 for the third disk. So 12x12=144.

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Sorry, should have said I got 1728 configurations. That was with ordering included, since there are 6 ordering setups you divide 1728 by 6 to get 288 if ordering doesn’t matter (do you really eliminate all external field with the solution in any of the 6 orders?). So I’m still getting 288, not 144, because I was counting the flip of the first disk as well as flips and 60 degree rotations of the second two.

[@Bright8888]

Thanks Andrew, for the nice design for a mag switch and the clear explanation of the working principle. I am planning to make my first mag switch with plywood. I feel, there are advantages if you use cube magnets and steel rods with square cross section. - A 10x10x10mm cube magnet has 127% of the volume of a 10mm dia x 10mm high cylindrical magnet. - 8 cube magnets can be used instead of 12 cylindrical ones and the rotation angle will be 90 degrees. - Since there are no curved surfaces anywhere, the cube magnets will have a larger area in perfect contact with the square rod at the center as well as the peripheral rods, resulting in a stronger mag switch even though the number of magnets is reduced from 12 to 8. - Cube magnets and square rods are easily available. - If the device is going to be 3D printed, it's only a design change. However, if plywood is to be used, making a square hole may not be that easy. Looking forward to your comments. Thanks.

[@Bright8888]

After posting, I created the model in Sketchup and realized that the central rod has to be necessarily circular in order to rotate the top portion by 90 degrees. However, this issue can be resolved by making the central rod circular. This will of course introduce curved surfaces and may make the switch less powerful. Building the models and testing them will provide definitive answers.

[@robertbutler8004]

It is refreshing to watch a video that does not make out that he was the first person in the world to make this mag switch.So many people copy from other people and make out that they are the first to make different things.

[@bruce-le-smith]

this was awesome, thanks so much for sharing! love that you're reading old patents and then adapting the concepts for the contemporary diy culture!

[@dsp4392]

title: "magnetic switch"; video: "switchable magnet".

[@erichuff3135]

Thought the same but thought it was pretty cool anyways.

[@jasonstromberg]

Eyeroll

[@blackbeton3923]

I really enjoy how you transposed physical mecanisms and concepts rigth into a very useful everyday tool. And magnets have this very feature that it always seems remote and magical … really amazing work, and that’s very nice you even took time to explain the magnetic field involved.

[@rootsxrocks]

I simply can't stop seeing you as Charles "Trip" Tucker III, portrayed by Connor Trinneer one of my all time favorite star trek characters.

[@NoTimeForThatNow]

Enterprise was so sadly cut too short! It should have been allowed to run the 7 seasons it was planned for.

[@Dsoginventor]

I printed a small set and a big set. The magnets arrived yesterday. I’ll round up the rods and begin the assembly. Thanks for the STL files!!!!!!

[@AndrewKleinWW]

You bet, let me know how it goes and how you use them

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great that you learned Fusion 360 and created the STL files. Congrats! Awesome explanation too. Thanks! : )

[@barzalou]

Well, this is official.... You are doing good! As a former high school teacher, I see students start with the design in sketchup, understand the principals you explain here, understand the importants of tolerances in their design and then, 3D print this. Thank you for this!

[@AndrewKleinWW]

That is really great to hear, thanks for the comment, reminds me why I do this

[@orlando1a1]

Ingenious and simple - an elegant, original adaptation of an old theory. Well done Andrew!

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Thank you, glad you think so

[@orlando1a1]

My pleasure.

[@josephsmith601]

Subscribed, this is one of the most easy to understand explanation of this phenomenon I've seen. Thank you.

[@BlabberizeYT]

Watched the other video - was really excited to see this! Awesome job!

[@rickgordon8377]

Enjoy your adventures and enthusiasm in your work. Hope things continue working out for you. Don't know if you like teaching but you are a good teacher.

[@useracount8544]

Ok, this is clear where the magnets go and how they work with the rods and the centre post now, thanks. :D

[@MeatSim9]

Thank you so much! This is the perfect follow-up video! I'm not great with woodworking, but I do have access to a 3D printer, and I was very curious how the magnets worked.

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Glad the video hit the spot

[@keithruffner7168]

Andrew Klein that’s what she said 🤣 but I agree love the video and I’m buying the plans thanks man

[@ManCrafting]

I’m totally buying this file. I love magnets. Especially switchable.

[@pippanappleton2421]

Thank you for the visual explanation. Makes sense now

[@caffwa]

This is awesome! Bought the files, bought the magnets, can't wait to make it!

[@daretoreef]

Awesome video. You should do like a top 10 uses for a mag switch like yours.

[@CornerfieldShop]

All I need now is a 3D printer ;-). Cool invention once again Andrew. Nice!

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Thanks, they have gotten pretty cheap

[@NomenNescio99]

I can understand why some get a 3d-printer, but I much prefer a piece of a dead tree and some kind of tool to make it smaller. Even if I rarely end up with the same level of perfection as some of the youtube woodworkers - I still enjoy the time spent very much.

[@CornerfieldShop]

@@NomenNescio99 there is no replacement for working with dead trees ;-). However as an addition to the woodworking shop I would love to have a 3D printer. There simple are some things that you should print and not build.

[@CornerfieldShop]

@@AndrewKleinWW they did however I'm dealing with a space shortage in my shop... Who knows, when I have some more space :-)

[@NomenNescio99]

@@CornerfieldShop That's why you need to have a friend who has a good 3d-printer..... I regularly need to help out my 3d printing friend with some woodworking stuff and tools as well. And luckily, the both of us already found a third friend who can weld metals - otherwise we wouldn't have any good BBQ-equipment, and that would be a real tragedy.

[@aubreymarsh2309]

The whitening of your PLA is actually the fumes from the superglue. This occurs without activator as well. Painters tape may help

[@BruceAUlrich]

Great breakdown of how and why that works. Thanks, Andy!

[@valveman12]

Purchased your design and printed the smaller Mag Switch. Printed very nice! Now gotta cut up some rods and work on accuracy. It's a fun project.

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Awesome, send pictures when it’s finished

[@valveman12]

@@AndrewKleinWW Will do! Planning to cut the metal on the weekend using my bandsaw. Also ordered the magnets, so just waiting for those to arrive. In the meantime, here is a photo of the finished print. It turned out very good. photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOzy93X6-DuEPnqldTak-VSFJYCODTwiODPSZGO

[@iamkaioken]

Very cool! I know what I'll be printing this weekend. Thanks for sharing.

[@derekpeterson8005]

Thank you for sharing your time and talent.

[@stabfellow]

baking soda works for activator for CA glue as well

[@dreamkiss4u]

baking soda leaves far worse looking residue to just activate it on the plastic.

[@TheRealFOSFOR]

@@dreamkiss4u I was actually going to suggest to fill up those holes with ca glue and baking soda. Then just sand it smooth.

[@GM-dc8vr]

My favourite youtube video this year.

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Wow, thanks!

[@GM-dc8vr]

Also I enjoyed your unnecessarily formal pdf letter. Regards, G M.

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Dear G M, I am pleased you appreciate the formality of my correspondence, I trust this reply is also to your liking. Sincerely, Andrew Klein

[@GM-dc8vr]

@@AndrewKleinWW Sir/Madam, This was greatly appreciated and inspired a brief episode of mild gladness in an otherwise delightfully formal day. Solemnly, Master G M

[@kaecycorbin6399]

Just bought these plans, and will be ordering the magnets soon. Just have to decide how many of each size I'm going to make. But I don't know how much steel rod I need to order -- cut lengths for the 1/2", 3/4", and 1" steel rod would be FANTASTIC! Right now I'm going to have to print the parts so I can measure them before I can order my steel rods.

[@gatekeeper84]

I find your complaint valid, plans should come with directions. You can however open the file in your preferred viewer software and get your measurements from there.

[@suomi35]

This is so cool. Magnets; how do they eeven work?! 😎

[@dougc78]

Brilliant explanation to a question I’ve had for sometime now. Thanx.

[@bityard]

when the magnet is in the off position, no flux given

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Yes, zero flux given

[@NavinBetamax]

@@AndrewKleinWW .........then.......No = Zero ! Yeah ....! Lol ! ....as far as Flux is concerned here !

[@chloemcholoe3280]

@@AndrewKleinWW xD

[@jennieanddavis]

Andy, the whiteboard explanation was very helpful! Love this little invention. Originally I thought the top section had magnetized metal rods and rotating the tool aligned the lower (normal) metal rods with the upper magnets. Now I see you have a much more interesting and stronger design! Davis

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Thanks, glad this video cleared up the way it works

[@vs77mail]

Well explained theory. Reminded me my college days. Thanks for sharing.

[@ceving865]

Great illustration! Thank you!

[@AlexanderEresov]

Thanks for explanation! I'm building a locking mechanism and I'll try this principle

[@hesgrant]

Thanks so much for this, these are so cool. Printing mine this weekend!

[@jamess7178]

Andrew, can you please post a link to the magnets that have the right dimension to fit into the 3D print as well as letting us know the gage rod you used?

[@firstnamelastname3468]

Great application of good idea into useful product, thank you

[@paulbehrens5842]

Great. Just purchased. Upgraded my Anet A8 with an MKS Gen L and MKS TFT24 today and fully calibrated it. I was looking for an stl file worth printing and I have been looking for a printable mag switch for ages - stl file found. Cheers!

[@hansangb]

@7:49...how could you *not* use that! Love you videos/projects/explanations. Well done as usual.

[@matthewh6424]

Awesome content, great presentation and didn't take any more time than you needed too

[@exponentialvoid]

Thanks for sharing. Well worth $5 This allowed me to connect a bunch of dots from smarter every day’s polymagnet video that your design could lead to a number of other mechanics - something I think you could get ahead of and also sell

[@ve2zzz]

...and also, keep your "switched magnets' in the OFF (no attraction) mode or ON with two steel plates on them when not in use. Magnets like to have their magnetic fluxes set to their maximum and leaving these switches to their ON position without any steel on them will have their fields in less than optimal condition.

[@JustinDepew]

Really cool job! I like the 3d printed version. Great application for printing.

[@baburaospeaks2429]

Thanks for the nice explanation...your way of implementing this is really good....keep up the good work...thanks again

[@fonwoolridge]

Very good, thanks!

[@scubasteve159753]

Really cool! Always been impressed by the commercially available magnetic fences and feather boards, but turned off by the price. I'll definitely make a few of these when I finally get a 3D printer. Curious to see how big and how small you could make these...

[@sdunca4864]

Bravo Andrew! A good accelerator for CA is simple baking soda. As well the only UPside I see to the plywood versus this is the wood not scoring or being less likely to scratch your surfaces- but then again- Meh- put it on a washcloth! Have you tested the lift/hold/pull of this model? Love it- Thank you!

[@waynoswaynos]

damn Brian Adams song stuck in my head now

[@bagusnaga01]

Now this is the video i've been waiting from this guy (even thought i still didn't get that) and 5 bucks for that design?! that's worth every penny of it!!

[@KyleVeatch]

I don't feel like I would ever use this or very often but I feel like I owe you the $5 anyways!

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Haha, not at all, someday I may post a plan you think you would actually build, wait till then

[@phillipstai7204]

Same. Thanks explaining this, Andrew!

[@TheKencmh]

Wish your website worked Love to have the stl files

[@wilbertpino8234]

Thank you so much for the explanation and great video! Order placed!

[@AndrewKleinWW]

you bet, thanks for your order

[@chrysigabriel543]

When drawing the magnetic lines it's better to use arrows to indicate the flow of them From N to S Sometimes you draw them from S to N confusing me so I had to Google to make sure Other than that great video! 👍👍

[@PizzaSphrapnel]

I dont know about the magnets, but heat up the steel road and push into place.. It makes the material retain some of it's strength

[@Gmodman1337]

Can't do it with magnets. Excessive heat de-magnetizes them.

[@mr2octavio]

I want to thank you for sharing this, you're great.

[@beaconofwierd1883]

Look into halbach arrays, you can basically contain all the field lines on one side of the magnet using those, that way your pulling force is basically doubled for the same number of magnets :)

[@zorozed8309]

Thanks I loaned something new because of you

[@caseykittel]

awesome follow up and lesson on how it actually works. now I have to get someone to print it for me. it's interesting that the smaller switchable magnet bases machinists use for attaching dial gages etc use one magnet and a few strips of aluminum in a steel case also works, but with only one magnet. I guess the aluminum blocks the flux when aligned with the pole (since the pole is like the "opening" to the flux). are you considering an updated design based on what OskarPuzzle said? I would buy that plan too! thanks!

[@mm-hl7gh]

wow! this is a great channel ! glad to have found it

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Welcome!

[@TechsScience]

I was waiting for this video Thanks for this information

[@AndrewKleinWW]

You bet, hope it’s useful

[@ShopTherapy623]

a 3D printer is on my wish list. I'm a Chiropractor, and a woodworker/maker in my spare time. I'm trying to design an incremental locking hinge for a Chiropractic cervical chair. A hinge that allows the backrest to be set at different angles, and then also fold all the way to the floor out of the way, when not needed (google "gonstead cervical chair"). Its been difficult, but have a few ideas - just need to get them printed out and see if my ideas would hold up. Great project, by the way - I will purchase the plans once I get my 3D printer!

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Thanks, that sounds like an interesting and challenging projcet

[@ShopTherapy623]

@@AndrewKleinWW feel free to help me design a hinge in your spare time. lol :) :) (j/k.............)

[@robertorzech8922]

when I was in high school shop class we had a surface grinder that had a switchable magnetic table to hold down the item to be ground. I'm sure that machine was as old as that school shop which means it had to be a minimum of ten years old in 1970 which brings it to 1960 when it was new but it could easily be built in 1950 !

[@user-cq3hr5op5q]

Thank you, dude. Very good explanation.

[@cthulpiss]

Would you consider adding the model file to the purchase? It's kinda tricky to convert STL's to normal metric measurements...

[@davidprock904]

He literally told you the schematics, just know everything is symmetrical.

[@cjformis]

Thanks for the detailed explanation.

[@AndrewKleinWW]

you bet

[@breadbutt]

great video! I'd love to see what the magnetic fields look like from the top down. specifically how they line up within the central steel rod.

[@juliusdelacruz5395]

Thank you!! Smart guy and great teacher!!

[@bostonlives2007]

Andrew I purchased the 3D files, but wanted to know what settings you used. Layer height, % of infill, Material PLA or ABS and does this need support option. Also would you be able to provide the 3d model from your previous bowl gouge holder video for purchase on your sight.

[@robertgoff6479]

It might be interesting to experiment with material with higher magnetic permeability than steel, like cast iron.

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Let me know how it goes

[@billqqq]

Now I need to get my 3d printer to print properly... I need these.

[@douglasthomson4861]

Nice work, both for Andrew and the following comments. 👍🏻😁 Even though one part is named as the base the assembled unit indeed seems to have a double sided or obverse functionality. Could you indeed save another step by making the top and bottom pieces identical so that the 2 holding screws in the exterior rotation enabler/limiter be inverse to each other. One up and one down. I’m guessing that it still should rotate and reset just as easily? 🤔

[@TheKencmh]

Wished your website worked. I would love to have these stl. Files. Trying to make a magnetic base for my power feeder.

[@AndrewKleinWW]

It’s working for some folks, what browser you using?

[@jacksawyer3626]

Nice Andrew! Thanks!

[@kissoonbilaal4902]

Thanks for the explanation.

[@robertorzech8922]

My dial indicator for my lathe has a switchable magnet also !

[@briankohrman6469]

This is awesome! How strong are these? Do they compare to a retail magnetic switch in strength?

[@darrenconway8117]

Hex section steel will work better than round.

[@SeanFoushee]

Excellent job! Order placed, and I can't wait to start printing these. Also, thanks for including resources for the magnets.

[@blitzjon]

That was an easy 5 bucks of worthy goodness!

[@TokenRing1024]

Great Explanation

[@drakez1983]

i never thought that magnets in opposite pair would dissipate the magnetic fields

[@woodworkingskillwithsagar8802]

Nice information thanks

[@ROBOROBOROBOROBO]

What is the clamping force? For example how much of a weight can it carry placed to a metal surface

[@Teo_Pan]

Great video my friend 😍🤩👍

[@caliguladeux]

thank you very much for the explenation

[@scottydntno]

How strong is it compared to the Original Magswitches?

[@swtorseneca]

very cool!

[@quadcamera]

I didn't see it anywhere. What's the approximate holding strength?

[@dhammer5645]

nice Brian Adams plug

[@Sam-ch4jh]

Good idea, thanks

[@wmwalkerco]

you're definitely the smartest person I know! Any input into your print settings/temps/infill density etc?

[@AndrewKleinWW]

not so sure about that first part, but for my printer I use a 210 temp on the extruder, 60 on the platform, and 20% infill, that seems to be plenty.

[@BearJoyner]

How do the 2 sets interact if not fastened together? Could you place one layer onto a magnetic wall and then use the 2nd layer to get it back off?

[@BrandonGraham]

I'm here because of a recent Oskar Puzzle video.

[@edreusser4741]

I wonder if you could make a very simple arrangement with 2 pieces of steel and 2 rare earth magnets. Then if you use strong magnets, it works exactly as the much more complex arrangement does.

[@TJSWOODWORKINGSHOP]

Hey my brother I like it awesome idea to I will see you later :)

[@NomadFella]

And where are the sources of magnets and rods?