Bovine magnets

Leon K,

A while back we got off onto something that bought up the magnets. I
use 'em to get my sawblades and ferrous filings separated from the
precious metal in my bench tray. I do not throw away the sawblades. I
put them into the “dirty” scrap bin, along with floor sweeps -
because there are small amounts of metal trapped in the teeth of the
blades.

I use a separate bench for platinum work. The new cobalt/platinum
findings that Stuller sells are slightly magnetic. The stuff costs
too much to be losing any - and platinum will get contaminated from
being sawn with a blade formerly used on another metal, or even by
being worked on the same bench pin as your other metals. Files & burrs
too, have to be dedicated to platinum only. Even with all of these
precautions - I pickle in 10% nitric acid after each operation on a
platinum piece.

You obviously know what the magnets look like - but one last time for
anyone who may have missed this - You can usually purchase them at a
feed store, they are used internally in cattle to collect the bits of
wire, staples and such that the animals pick up while grazing. It
comes to rest in the second stomach, and prevents the intestine from
being perforated. They are powerful little buggers. About half an
inch by 3 inches long, with rounded ends.

I take 'em for granted - but obviously they caused quite a bit of
amusement because their original intended use is so far away from the
jewelers bench… (Normally:)

Brian P. Marshall
Stockton Jewelry Arts School
704 W. Swain Rd.
Stockton, CA 95207
209-477-6731 Office/Fax
209-477-6535 Workshop/Classroom

    A while back we got off onto something that bought up the
magnets. I use 'em to get my sawblades and ferrous filings separated
from the precious metal in my bench tray. 

Quick tip:- when doing the magnetic separation (or picking up pins
off the floor(!!) hold a piece of tissue or thin plastic over the
magnet - makes it easier to separate the magnet from the iron

John Burgess; @John_Burgess2 of Mapua Nelson NZ