What Type of Magnets Do You Need for Your DIY Project?

The right magnet for a DIY project depends on what you're making and how much holding force you need. Neodymium magnets are a good choice for compact, strong mounting hardware such as knife racks, cupboard catches and hidden closures. Ceramic (ferrite) magnets work well for lighter-duty jobs, while flexible magnetic sheet and strip are useful for signs, labels and crafts.

Here's what to consider when choosing a magnet, from material and shape to pull force, mounting method and coating.

Magnets for DIY Projects at a Glance

Choose the Right Magnet Material

Neodymium magnets offer very high magnetic strength for their size, making them useful when you need a strong hold from a relatively small magnet. They are brittle, need suitable protection against corrosion and are generally more sensitive to heat than ceramic magnets, so check the product specifications if temperature is a consideration.

Ceramic magnets are economical, naturally corrosion-resistant and a good option for lighter-duty applications. They are generally larger than neodymium magnets for a similar holding force, but can be a practical choice when space isn't as tight.

Flexible magnets, made from magnetic material bonded to rubber or another flexible material, can be cut to shape and are useful for signs, labels and other lighter-duty applications. Check the product's holding specifications for the job you're planning.

Alnico magnets are less common in everyday DIY projects and are generally better suited to more specialist applications.

Flexible magnetic sheet and strip are also used in commercial settings for applications such as changeable racking labels and light-duty attachments on steel.

Pick a Shape That Fits the Job

Discs and blocks are among the most common magnet shapes for DIY projects. They can be glued into drilled holes or routed recesses so the magnet sits flush with the surface.

Ring magnets have a hole through the centre and can be useful where a fastener needs to pass through the magnet. For screw mounting, choose a countersunk magnet or mounting assembly designed for the fastener so the screw head sits flush or below the surface.

Round base magnets, also known as pot or cup magnets, sit inside a steel cup and are available with mounting holes or threaded studs. The steel cup helps concentrate the magnetic field towards the exposed face, making these magnets useful for holding against flat steel surfaces.

They work best when the magnet is close to the steel. If wood or another material sits between the magnet and the surface, take that gap into account when choosing and testing the assembly.

How Strong Does Your Magnet Need to Be?

Pull force is the force needed to pull a magnet straight away from a thick, flat steel plate under test conditions. In a real DIY project, the available holding force is usually lower.

The direction of the load also makes a difference. A magnet can hold considerably more when the load pulls directly away from the steel than when it is trying to slide down a vertical surface, such as a hook attached to the side of a cabinet.

Paint, wood or fabric between the magnet and the metal can reduce the holding force, as can thin or uneven steel and any other air gap.

Before fixing the magnet permanently, test the complete assembly in the conditions where it will actually be used. Catalogue pull force figures shouldn't be treated as approval for overhead or safety-critical applications.

Not sure what you need? Contact Jobmaster Magnets with a description of your project and the team can help you work through the options.

How to Attach Magnets in Place

• Glue: Two-part epoxy can work well for recessed magnets, provided it is suitable for the magnet's coating and the surface you're bonding to. Check that paired magnets attract correctly before gluing.
• Screws: Use the specified screw size and tighten carefully. Neodymium magnets are brittle, so overtightening can cause them to crack.
• Self-adhesive magnets and tape: These can work well for lighter loads such as labels on smooth, clean and non-porous surfaces. Check both the adhesive bond and the magnetic hold for the load you intend to apply.
• Steel striker plates: If there is no suitable steel surface for the magnet to attach to, a steel striker plate can provide one. Ideally, the plate should be at least as wide as the magnet.

Coatings: Indoor, Outdoor and Wet Areas

Nickel plating is a common finish for neodymium magnets and is generally suited to dry indoor applications. For damp conditions, check the product's corrosion protection rather than choosing based on the coating name alone.

Rubber coatings or covers can also help protect surfaces from scratches. If a coating becomes chipped or damaged, the neodymium material underneath can be exposed to moisture and begin to corrode.

For outdoor or wet applications, look at the complete assembly rather than the magnet coating alone. The housing, fasteners, adhesive and other materials all need to be suitable for the environment.

Tips Before You Buy

• Measure the available space and check whether the surface you're attaching the magnet to is magnetic.
• Note any wood, paint, fabric or other material that will sit between the magnet and the steel.
• Check the specifications for size, grade, coating and test conditions.
• Consider buying the striker plates or fasteners you need at the same time.
• Test the complete assembly before making the final mount.

Magnet Safety for DIYers

• Keep small magnets away from children and pets: Health Canada warns that swallowing more than one small, powerful magnet can cause serious internal injury, and symptoms may not appear for several days. Seek immediate medical attention if someone has swallowed, or may have swallowed, a magnet, even if they have no symptoms.
• Watch your fingers: Larger neodymium magnets can snap together with considerable force, which can pinch skin or cause the magnets to chip or shatter. Slide them apart rather than pulling them straight apart.
• Keep strong magnets away from pacemakers and other implanted devices: Follow the device manufacturer's guidance and keep magnets away from bank cards and sensitive electronics.
• Don't drill, cut or heat neodymium magnets: They are brittle, and drilling or cutting can damage the protective coating. Heat can also affect their magnetic performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of magnet is best for DIY projects?

Neodymium magnets are a popular choice for DIY projects because they offer a strong hold from a relatively small magnet. This makes them useful for compact or hidden mounting attachments.

For lighter-duty projects, ceramic magnets can be a more economical option, while flexible magnetic sheets and strips are useful for signs, labels, and crafts. The best choice depends on the size, surface and holding force your project needs.

How strong a magnet do I need?

Start with the stated pull force, then consider the direction of the load, any gap between the magnet and steel, and the thickness and condition of the steel.

A sliding load generally needs more holding force than a straight pull. If you're unsure, test the complete assembly before relying on it or ask the Jobmaster team for advice.

What glue should I use on magnets?

Two-part epoxy is suitable for many recessed magnet applications, provided it is compatible with the magnet's coating and the surface you're bonding to. Loctite's Epoxy Plastic data sheet, for example, excludes polyethylene, polypropylene and continuously wet areas.

Superglue can also work for small, light-duty applications. Before bonding, clean and degrease both surfaces and allow the adhesive to fully cure before putting the magnet under load.

Can I drill or cut a neodymium magnet?

No. Neodymium magnets are brittle and can crack or shatter if drilled or cut. Doing so can also damage the protective coating and leave the magnet vulnerable to corrosion.

Heat can affect the magnet's performance, while dust produced during machining can present a fire risk. If you need a hole or a particular shape, it's better to choose a magnet that has already been manufactured for that purpose, such as a countersunk, ring or round base magnet.

Are neodymium magnets safe for crafts?

Neodymium magnets can be used for adult craft projects when they are handled carefully and secured so they cannot work loose.

Keep small, powerful magnets away from children and pets. For children's activities, use products designed for the appropriate age group and follow the manufacturer's safety instructions rather than adding loose magnets to homemade toys.

Will magnets stick to stainless steel?

Sometimes. Some types of stainless steel attract magnets strongly, while others have little or no magnetic response.

The British Stainless Steel Association explains that both the grade and processing of stainless steel can affect its magnetic properties. If you're unsure, test the actual surface with a magnet before choosing your fastener, or use a steel striker plate.

Can I use magnets outdoors?

Yes, but the magnet and the rest of the assembly need to be suitable for outdoor conditions.

Ceramic magnets have good natural corrosion resistance. Neodymium magnets with epoxy or rubber protection can offer better resistance to moisture than standard nickel-plated finishes, but the coating alone doesn't make an assembly weatherproof.

Consider the housing, fasteners and adhesive as well as the magnet itself when choosing a solution for outdoor use.

Shop Magnets for Your Next DIY Project

Once you know the size, holding force and conditions your magnet needs to handle, choosing the right type becomes much easier.

If you need a size, shape or assembly that isn't available as a standard product, ask Jobmaster Magnets Canada about custom magnet solutions and tell us what you're building.