Where to get strong magnets for free?
Neodymium and other types of magnets can be found in many electronic devices in the home. This way you can get strong magnets for experiments or other purposes almost for free.
Hard disk
If you have an old HDD, you can remove two very strong arc-shaped neodymium magnets from it. Hard drives are often the source of the strongest magnets you will find in your home. They are approximately 5 cm long and can have a breakaway force of up to 7 kg.
The video was created by the Czech YouTuber DiodeGoneWild.
CD/DVD drive
In the CD or DVD drive you will find slightly smaller magnets in the shape of a cube.
The video was created by the Czech YouTuber DiodeGoneWild.
Loudspeakers
The bigger the speaker, the bigger the magnet. In newer speakers you will mostly find neodymium, and in older ones rather AlNiCo magnets. They are a bit weaker than neodymium ones, but they tend to be bigger.
The video was created by YouTuber Make Build Modify.
Headphones
The bigger the headphones, the bigger the magnets. You will almost always find only neodymium magnets in headphones, as there is limited space in them and these magnets have the greatest force/volume ratio.
Larger headphones:
The video was created by YouTuber Twoman twocan.
Microwave oven
It contains ferrite (weakest) but very large magnets:
The video was created by YouTuber Phil Crockett.
A few words of advice at the end
When removing them from the device, be careful that the neodymium magnets are not attracted to each other at high speed. They are brittle and can break upon collisions.
Do not place magnets near credit cards. They can also damage some types of watches, headphones, speakers and other electronic devices.
If you have an implanted pacemaker, you should avoid handling magnets.
And of course, don’t get electrocuted. This applies especially when disassembling microwaves, speakers and other larger devices.
Buy new magnets
If you could not find the magnet you need, you can choose from our offer of neodymium, ferrite or other magnets.
