How-to Cut Ferrite Magnets: I Did My Best To Explain It Here!

When I was reading some more information about ferrite magnets recently, I couldn’t help but wonder how a material like this is cut through, if ever needed. So, I did some more reading on the topic to find out how to cut ferrite magnets. Follow along with this brief and detailed explanation of the process that goes into this kind of task.

How do you cut ferrite magnets? When it comes to cutting into ferrite magnets, you will want to be very careful, as the material is rather brittle and fragile, especially when the chemicals are disrupted. The best method to use for cutting ferrite magnets is to drill into the magnet and separate it accordingly.

Ferrite magnets, classified as “permanent magnets” produce a very strong magnetic field all on their own. Additionally, these types of magnets have the capacity to produce the same strength of magnetic pull for hundreds of years, if used and cared for correctly.

Cutting Ferrite Magnets

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to cut through or modify a ferrite magnet in any way, you will want to make sure that you are educated on all of the possibilities when it comes to this type of magnet.

Since ferrite magnets are extremely strong and durable, one of the strongest that exists in the entire world, the process of cutting through them will be anything but easy.

To give you a better idea of what you can expect when attempting the task of cutting through a ferrite magnet, take a look at the list down below that will describe the textural properties of this type of magnet.

Ferrite Magnet Properties When Cutting:

Brittle
Hard and fragile material
Can fall apart easily if not handled correctly

Ferrite magnets, in particular, are made up of very brittle material. In other words, the makeup of a ferrite magnet is very hard yet fragile and can be easily broken apart when a sharp or high-powered tool comes in contact with its surface.

This can be good and bad for the person who is trying to cut into the magnet because although it might be easy to make the initial cut, the magnet is likely to fall apart if it is not handled gently and with skill.

As you move on to the next sections in this article, you will find out in more detail the best ways to cut into ferrite magnets for the best results. With the properties of these types of magnets in mind, you should be able to carefully execute this task without damaging your magnet.

The Best Way To Cut Ferrite Magnets

Although cutting through a ferrite magnet might seem like a daunting task, there are a few ways to go about it that will make it much easier than it sounds.

While you should always keep in mind the fragile properties of the inside of a ferrite magnet that was outlined in the previous section, the next list in this section will let you know the methods you can use to cut into a permanent magnet.

Since there are multiple types of permanent magnets with very different chemical makeup and physical properties, these methods will not work for every single type. Later in this section, we will go more into detail of the best way to cut a ferrite magnet, in particular, using one of these methods.

Ways To Cut Into Permanent Magnets:

Cutting
Drilling
Welding
Soldering

With all of the different types of permanent magnets that exist, they also come with tons of methods to cut into them. These methods include cutting, drilling, welding, and soldering.

While some of these methods might work for other types of permanent magnets, the ferrite magnet specifically will require a more gentle process.

The safest and most ideal way to cut into a ferrite magnet is to use a drill. This way, you will be able to create an opening in the surface of the magnet to be able to gently separate the materials.

The magnet, however, must be handled very carefully. As mentioned before, it is very prone to crumble if it is not handled very gently and slowly.

How To Cut A Ferrite Magnet By Drilling:

Take frequent breaks in between drilling
Clean the holes in the magnet during these breaks
Use coolant to flush the holes
Drill from both ends of the magnet

For the most even an effective method of drilling a ferrite magnet, make sure to take frequent breaks in between drilling to give the material a break and prevent fracturing it.

Additionally, you should always clean these holes during the breaks, using some type of coolant to flush them out.

Lastly, you will want to drill from both ends of the magnet in order to achieve the most even and flawless cut, without making too much of a mess.

Should I Try To Cut a Ferrite Magnet?

If you are considering altering a ferrite magnet for any reason, or any type of permanent magnet for that matter, there are a lot of factors to think about. While this is certainly a task that can be done following the correct methods, you will probably want to consult with a professional to get the task completed correctly.

Since ferrite magnets are very brittle and likely to crumble when disrupted by cutting, there is a huge possibility that the entire object could be ruined during this process.

For this reason, it is a much more preferable option to purchase a custom-made ferrite magnet in the first place, to prevent the need for altering it in any way.

Ferrite magnets that are custom-made can be molded into any shape and size that you need them to be and will be able to carry out the specific purposes that you intend to use them for, without any problems of shape or size in the future.

This is the most ideal option because you will most likely never need to worry about changing the form of the chemicals that make up the magnet. If at all possible, this is the option you should go with before purchasing a ferrite magnet in the first place.

Ferrite magnets and all other types of permanent magnets contain magnetic chemicals, which can be fragile but also dangerous when they react with different types of tools that are digging or drilling into them.

However, if you must alter your ferrite magnet and there is no other way to get around this task, it will be best to gently drill into the magnet to break it apart effectively, without causing all of the materials to crumble and collapse.

A Quick Recap:

Permanent Magnets (including ferrite) should not be altered if possible
If you must alter a ferrite magnet - use the drilling method
Consult a professional for magnet cutting if possible
The best option is to purchase a custom ferrite magnet from the beginning

In conclusion, ferrite magnets are some of the strongest magnets that exist on the planet. With such solid chemical makeups and lasting durability, you can get a lot of things done with one of these objects.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where the size and shape of your ferrite magnet must be altered to fit your needs, you will want to consult a professional to help you do so safely.

The best option, however, would be to purchase a custom-made ferrite magnet, but when this is not possible, you will be able to drill into the magnet carefully for the best results.