Magnetic Screwdriver, why not ???

[jasonflorida1]

The poll today showed that 41% of techs don't use magnetic screwdrivers, I'm wondering why not? Unless newbies think that magnetic rays will erase hard drives or floppies, but guess what newbies it won't, if you don't believe me try it. You need a pretty strong magnet to destroy a floppy. Magnetic screwdrivers are major time and headache savers. Poor newbies

[jasonflorida1]

Magnetics cannot ruin a chip, I don't now where you where educated in electronics, but magnetics have no effect on chips. No offense by the way.

[klenard]

Ok I don't know where you heard that a magnetic tip won't screw up your system or any chips. How do you think they put all that info on the chips and how do you think information is stored on your hard drive, granted the polarity is probably not strong enough to ruin a hard drive, but it is possible for it to ruin the less shielded chips on your board. In order for a chip to have its information inputted onto it, it is MAGNETICALLY put there. I used to put together circuit boards for Missiles and the number 2 no-no was using a magnet anywhere near the board you were building (number 1 being ESD.) If you have been using a magnetic tip on your board, you are very lucky for not having ruined it.

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To have Knowledge is to understand you are not alone.

[jhutto]

Now now.. Magnets CAN effect EPROM EEPROM Flash, disks, and drives.

BUT

The VERY weak power my screwdriver has is unlikely to cause any damage to anything. The Hard drives ALL have 2 VERY strong magnets. (Place a screw over the top, and throught the shielding they will sometimes stick.)

The power of a magnetic screwdriver is less than that of the speaker on some modems.



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Jon Hutto

[Sowulo]

Not to mention the large magnet on the back of the case speakers...

[Indigo]

Magnetic screwdriver=Good.

[jasonflorida1]

thankyou for the support, that was the basis of my argument, you can't even destroy floppy data with a magnetized screwdriver let alone IC's.

[jmlozan]

magnetic screwdriver = very, very, very good!

[AnyTwo]

It looks like there isn't very much electronic repair experience in this thread.
Magnetic tools are a no-no to the experienced electronics tech. It may be different with computer repair techs though -no offense intended.
I've been repairing electronic equipment for 20+ years (equipment being circa 1965-1995). You just don't take chances with magnetic fields of any strength around electronic components.

I understand the arguement about the other magnets inside a computer's case, however, those magnets rarely come in contact with the pins on the chips on the motherboard. If (when) your screwdriver slips from your fingers and bounces across the motherboard, pray that the tip does not touch the pins on the EEPROMs. It may not cause damage every time, but it's fairly simple and inexpensive to prevent it from ever causing damage.

A better solution is to lightly dip the non-magnetized screwdriver tip in paste solder flux once every couple of days. It works just as well as a magnetized screwdriver and has zero effect on any components. If you drop a screw and need to retrieve it, use a pickup tool made for the job. If you're still buying your tools from Wal-Mart, get a Jensen Tools catalog and drool for awhile. Hey, you're a professional, go get the right tools for the job! It drives my wife nuts, but she can't argue when I say "I need this for work".

Just my two cents....

[shawnMt]

No offense AnyTwo but Jensen is just about the most overpriced tool provider I have ever seen. I bought my screwdriver at Wal-Mart and it's been with me for a number of years. No, you can't get everything there - but I can find most tools that Jensen has elsewhere for cheaper.

PC repair is not electronics repair. That is why I don't work on microwaves, stereos, or VCRs. I don't get down to component level repair - if a $15 modem is bad - I replace it. I'm a tech and a damn good one. I've been using a magnetic screwdriver for 5 years and have never had a problem.

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Cannot find REALITY.SYS. Universe halted

Paint your old laptop!

[This message has been edited by shawnMt (edited August 30, 2000).]

[Sowulo]

I agree with you shawnMt. There's no way I'm going inside real electronics like the inside of monitors--I subcontract those jobs. I've been a full time self-employed tech for 15 years and never lost a patient yet (that wasn't already dead before I got there). I remember being at a trade show once and to the absolute horror of the sales rep picked up a HD without hooking up to a grounding strap. Geeze, I know better than to add/remove components from a running system but PC components just aren't that sensitive. I remember when the first IDE drives came out...my vendor took one out of a bench system, threw it across the room bouncing it off the baseboard, retrieved it, reattached it and booted clean with no problems (not recommended at home). Those who used to work with ESDI, MFM, & RLL can breathe again now. HD's can be very sensitive to damage when disturbed while spinning but unpowered components are pretty darn sturdy--be careful with your work but don't be paranoid.

[ledrichard]

I wonder if the guys that use magnetic screwdrivers have an RMA dept?

You think?

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[ReBoot]

Like any tool, it's only as good as the tradesman using it.
In computer repair, a magnetic screwdriver can be indispensible, but in the wrong hands, it can also screw things royally.
For some things, I use them, for some I don't.
Depends on what you're working on.
FYI, I've never had an RMA due to any magnetic field damage.

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Who needs a life, I have Internet!
Jim & Sue's Free Files | Jim's Modems

[AnyTwo]

I know I'm barking at the moon here, but like the old physicians motto: "first, do no harm"; I don't see the sense in taking a chance when using the right tool can prevent an expensive mistake.

And... even though spraying windex through the air slots on an operating monitor may not blow it up, I don't think that's a good idea either.

But, to each his own. Your use of a magnetic screwdriver does not seem to have caused you problems thus far, and I sincerely wish you continued good luck.

Oops, that's four cents worth, I better stop now!

[This message has been edited by AnyTwo (edited August 31, 2000).]

[jhutto]

EEPROM's are not in computers anymore. not in at least 5 years anyway. Before that they were the Bios Chips.

Magnetic Screwdrivers HAVE NOT DAMAGED ANYTHING I have worked on. (6 years bench tech, and 3 years phone support)

Example of how Makers of computers feel:
Toshiba's offical screwdrivers is magnetic Compaq's also. HP if I remember right reccamends magnetic screwdrivers on there printers.
IBM's are not magnetic (old school).