(Question): How To Cut a Magnet in Half +Get my Quick Answer!
When I was organizing my refrigerator magnets this morning, I noticed that one of them was particularly bulky. Wishing that I could make it smaller somehow, I decided to do some research to find out if magnets can be manually separated. As a result, I put together a quick guide for how to cut a magnet in half.
How do you cut a magnet in half? In order to cut a magnet in half, you will need to get together a list of protective gear and tools that will help you keep the magnet in place safely. You will not want to use any kind of high powered tool, because you could demagnetize the magnet.
The actual cutting can be done with a hacksaw, but if this method does not work initially, you can move on to an alternative method of using a diamond-plated wheel or a chisel to complete the job.
Magnets are very versatile objects that can be used for a variety of projects and purposes. Just like almost any other material, they can also be manipulated to fit a specific shape or size by cutting into them. If you plan on doing any magnet cutting in the near future, use this quick and helpful guide to learn the proper technique.
How To Cut a Magnet In Half
If you have found yourself in a situation where you might need to cut a magnet in half for one reason or another, there is no need to worry. You can rest assured that it is possible to do this, with just a few simple steps as that.
As long as you follow the safety precautions and specific techniques as outlined in this section, you will have two magnets of equal size instead of one in no time.
What You Will Need:
- Protective gear (gloves, goggles, mask)
- Hacksaw
- Vise
- Marker/chalk
- Diamond abrasive wheel
- Dremel
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Metal shears
After gathering all of your materials, you will want to begin with the hacksaw method of cutting your magnet. This is the safest and least invasive option, and you will be more likely to come out with two clean halves when you are successful in this process. The other materials on this list are a second and third option if this method fails.
How To Cut a Magnet In Half With a Hacksaw:
- Put on protective gear and assemble your materials in a clean workspace
- Place magnet on a vise
- Draw a line where you would like to cut
- Use hacksaw to cut along the line you drew
To cut the magnet with the hacksaw, you will need to put on your protective gear and assemble your materials. Place the magnet on a vise to keep it in place, and draw a clean line where you would like to cut.
Simply use the hacksaw to make an even cut along the line you drew. If this is not effective, you can try using a diamond-plated wheel instead.
How To Cut a Magnet In Half With a Diamond Plated Wheel:
- Place the diamond-plated wheel on the Dremel and tighten it
- Turn on the device
- Place the spinning wheel on the line you marked, pushing down
To do this, place the diamond plated wheel on the Dremel and tighten it in place. Turn on the device,a nd simply place the spinning wheel on the line you marked, applying pressure downward.
How To Cut a Magnet In Half With a Chisel:
1. Place the chisel on the line you marked
2. Holding the chisel in one hand, use your hammer to force the chisel into the magnet
As an absolute last resort, you can move over to your hammer and chisel to cut the magnet, by holding the chisel along the line and hitting the top of it with your hammer. However, this is the least desirable option because your magnet will most likely break into several pieces.
How The Poles Are Affected When a Magnet Is Cut In Half
So, now that you’ve learned that it is possible to cut a magnet in half, what actually happens to a magnet when it is cut in half?
If you are familar with magnetism at all, you might have heard of the term polarity. Polarity is basically the differentiation between the directions of the magnetic fields. Also called “poles”, each magnet has one in a North and a South direction.
In other words, there is one pole, or magnetic field, that faces in the direction of North, while the other faces the South.
Additionally, when two magnets are brought together, opposites will attract in the terms of poles. So, the North Pole of the first magnet will be attracted, or connect to, the other magnet’s South Pole.
On the contrary, if two magnets are being held together with both of their North poles touching, you will probably have a hard time getting the two surfaces to touch. This is due to the fact that the same poles of two magnets will actually repel each other.
The concept of polarity is affected when a magnet is cut in half. Take a look at the quick list below to get an idea of how it will react after being cut, and keep reading through the rest of this section for a more detailed explanation.
When Magnets Are Cut In Half:
- Tiny magnetic domains inside the magnet are split
- Cut areas reverse their polarity
- Reactions of each side of the magnet are switched
Inside of a magnet, there are tons of tiny little individual magnets. Almost like particles, they are also known as “magnet domains” in the world of magnetism. Just like any other magnet, each of these little magnet domains have their own poles.
Try to imagine a simple bar magnet for the purposes of an example. If the right side is considered the north pole and the left side is the south pole, let’s pretend there is a line straight down the middle of this magnet separating the two directions.
On the right side of the line, the magnetic domains’ North poles will be facing outward, which will cause the entire bar magnet to attract other objects accordingly on that side. Similarly, the magnetic domains on the left side of the magnet will have all of their South poles facing outward in that direction as well.
Now, if the magnet is cut down the middle on the same imaginary line that we drew in the previous example, the magnetic domains will be severed down the middle as well. As a result, the polarity that they have will be completely reversed.
In other words, the reactions of each side of the magnet when it comes to other magnets and miscellaneous magnetic objects will be the opposite of what they were before in the area that they were cut.
To visualize this separation, think of a small circular particle that exists inside of the larger magnet. If it is cut down the middle and pulled apart, its properties will completely switch.
Related Questions
Can you reverse the polarity of a magnet?
To reverse the polarity of a magnet, you can either use a system of copper wires and a battery, or you can simply cut the entire thing in half to reverse the polarity on each side.
Can you drill into a magnet?
Magnets can be drilled into, but this can be dangerous and flammable. Besides, the magnet will likely break apart if you do this, which is why it is not recommended.
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