Q: Using a Magnetised Screwdriver on a Motherboard

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eyman
  • Start date Start date
E

Eyman

Hi,

Im about to remove my A7N8X Deluxe motherboard from my computer case to
install a heatsink fan.

Ive typically been using a standard non magnetised screwdriver in the past,
but am thinking about using a magnetised screwdriver to remove and install
the motherboard in and out of the case.

I know static electricity is a danger but will the manget effect of the
screwdriver stuff up my A7N8X Delkuxe?

thanks in advance

Eyman
 
Not a good idea, and neither are electric screwdrivers.

I've been trying to find a set of the early design screwdrivers that have
the little clip for holding the screw head, but they seem to have
disappeared from the market. Anyone know a source? Thanks.
 
I've never used anything but a magnetized screwdriver, and I've built so
many machines I've lost count. No problems, ever. And I've even used this
same screwdriver to mount hard drives. The tip does not have a very strong
magnetic field though.

Regards,

Margaret
 
I use only magnetized screwdrivers and have been using them for 39 years on
every computer and peripheral that I have ever worked on and those number in
the thousands, and I've never had a problem. The only time I don't use one
is when the screws are stainless steel and then I use special screw
starters. They won't harm a hard drive when you are just installing it.
Someday take an old bad hard drive apart and you would be surprised at the
magnets inside some of them and how strong they are.
 
That's why I build my own. As I said, not a good idea - and the reason so
many commercially assembled assembled systems get returned for repairs so
soon after purchase.
 
The reason electric screwdrivers and magnetic screwdrivers are used at tech
support departments and at computer assembly companies is because managers
insist on it. Why? Because repairs and assemblies go faster that way, and if
the tools cause a problem - then the repair or assembly can be done over
again (using replacement parts, if necessary).

The OP is a computer owner. He/she does not have the luxury of taking such
risks, and why should she/he? It only takes a few minutes longer to use the
RIGHT tools.
 
Papa wrote:
:: The reason electric screwdrivers and magnetic screwdrivers are used
:: at tech support departments and at computer assembly companies is
:: because managers insist on it. Why? Because repairs and assemblies
:: go faster that way, and if the tools cause a problem - then the
:: repair or assembly can be done over again (using replacement parts,
:: if necessary).
::
:: The OP is a computer owner. He/she does not have the luxury of
:: taking such risks, and why should she/he? It only takes a few
:: minutes longer to use the RIGHT tools.
::

You don't state a single good reason why one cannot use these tools
successfully with just a little care. Please.



:: ::: :::: Not a good idea, and neither are electric screwdrivers.
:::
::: Both are fine. I'm an IT Technician by trade, and we use both at
::: work. Never had a problem.
 
Same here. You can secure hard drive screws with a magnetic screwdriver
with no trouble; I've done it hundreds of times.
 
Hi,
With variable speed.
Tony

* * Chas said:
Almost all commercially assembled computers are put together
with electric screwdrivers using magnetic bits... IBM, HP,
SUN, Dell and all of the others.
--
Chas. (e-mail address removed) (Drop spamski to E-mail
me)

t...


screwdrivers that have


to have
Click to expand...
 
Eyman said:
Hi,

Im about to remove my A7N8X Deluxe motherboard from my computer case to
install a heatsink fan.

Ive typically been using a standard non magnetised screwdriver in the past,
but am thinking about using a magnetised screwdriver to remove and install
the motherboard in and out of the case.

I know static electricity is a danger but will the manget effect of the
screwdriver stuff up my A7N8X Delkuxe?

thanks in advance

Eyman
Click to expand...
Back in the old days (1981-1982) we didn't use magnetic screwdrivers
when working on computers because of all the diskettes. That was of
course when repairing them at the desk of the user. I can't imagine that
if you only touched the screws with it and didn't lay it on the
motherboard there would be any problem. The idea of the screwdriver with
the fingers that held onto the screw would be fantastic. The number of
times I've had to chase after screws that dropped down into the case
when installing things is quite huge. I sure wish the people who design
computers would pay more attention to the effort it takes to assemble
them because of their choices in securing things.
 
The single good reason is RISK. Why take it? A regular screwdriver does the
job easily, and with NO risk.

As for electric screwdrivers, I wouldn't use them even if there was no risk.
They are too bulky for the tight places inside a PC, and if you drop it -
the mobo or whatever is going to suffer.
 
The reason electric screwdrivers and magnetic screwdrivers are used at
tech
support departments and at computer assembly companies is because managers
insist on it. Why? Because repairs and assemblies go faster that way, and if
the tools cause a problem - then the repair or assembly can be done over
again (using replacement parts, if necessary).

The OP is a computer owner. He/she does not have the luxury of taking such
risks, and why should she/he? It only takes a few minutes longer to use the
RIGHT tools.
Click to expand...

What's better, Dropping the screw and picking it up off of the board with
your fingers
or using a magnetic screwdriver
I dont use them myself (god bless the correct size screwdrivers, did you
know the screws will hold if you have the correct size)..
but I cant see any reason why it would harm anyhting on the computer, I
mean.... How can it harm anything?
 
Papa said:
Obviously your vocabulary as about as low as your intelligence.
Click to expand...

Rebut, or stop whining. Simply stating there's "risk" without defining
or justifying the statement is proof by assertion.

Or in layman's terms, "pulling it out of your ass".
 
You obviously missed my other post. Here it is again.

"The single good reason is RISK. Why take it? A regular screwdriver does the
job easily, and with NO risk."

If you don't understand such a basic attribute of electronics, get a clue
and look it up. I don't intend to be your teacher.

Other than that, YOU are the one doing the whining - and you are whining
because you can't handle the truth - made even clearer by your resorting to
low level language. Do you always do that when you whine? Tsk. Tsk.
 
A little OT, but...
I couldn't find magnetized screwdrivers at HomeDepot, but I did find a
nifty little gadget that will both magnetized a screwdriver tip and
demagnitize it.

It's made by General Tools Mfg (NYC, NY) and sells for about $3.00.
After using a driver, I demagnitize it so I don't inadvertently grab a
magnetized one when I shouldn't be using it.

For anyone interested in how it works: It is about a one inch cube
with a hole through the middle. Magnitize by inserting the tip of the
driver and withdrawing it. To demag pull the driver blade back and
forth several times in the grooves on the top of the cube.

Works for me.

Ted
 
I have used a lightly magnetized screwdriver for building PC's since 1991
without ever a problem. Use one of the cubes you mentioned to magnetize it.
Just as an experiment I waved it all over a 3+1/2 floppy, then ran Norton Disk
Doctor with a full surface scan and found no problems.
 
Papa said:
You obviously missed my other post. Here it is again.

"The single good reason is RISK. Why take it? A regular screwdriver does the
job easily, and with NO risk."
Click to expand...

This does not constitute proof that a magnetic screwdriver is a
problem. I'm still waiting...
If you don't understand such a basic attribute of electronics, get a clue
and look it up. I don't intend to be your teacher.
Click to expand...

DOSTranslation: I still can't prove it, sez Papa.
Other than that, YOU are the one doing the whining - and you are whining
because you can't handle the truth - made even clearer by your resorting to
low level language. Do you always do that when you whine? Tsk. Tsk.
Click to expand...


I'll say it again: put up or shutup. Otherwise, you're *still* pulling
it from your ass.
 
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