Best Magnet? 14 Brands from $4 to $55, Let’s find out!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ค. 2023
- 14 Magnets: GearWrench, Matco, MacTools, Enbar, KapOD, NoCry, Craftsman, Ullman, Blue Point, MAG-MATE, Klein Tools, E-Z Red, Proto, Pittsburgh. Magnets compared for vertical pull strength, horizontal lift capacity, shaft strength, and magnetic shielding.
I purchased all of the magnets to ensure an unbiased review. So, thank you for supporting the channel.
➡ Thank you for supporting the channel through memberships:
/ @projectfarm
➡ Thank you very much for supporting the channel through Patreon: / projectfarm
➡ An easy way to find past videos along with products tested: bit.ly/2FCrBpk A big thanks to Jim for putting this together.
➡ Merch: project-farm.com
➡ Click here if you'd like to subscribe: / @projectfarm
➡ As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
Proto: amzn.to/3OcadZx
GearWrench: amzn.to/3NTA5bm
Enbar: amzn.to/3XMjfjf
KapOD: amzn.to/3NKU8IS
NoCry: amzn.to/3DbWc7P
Craftsman: amzn.to/3pEOHmV
Ullman: amzn.to/3Obc7bR
MAG-MATE: amzn.to/3rnxTkF
Klein Tools: amzn.to/3rvKaUs
E-Z Red: amzn.to/3rtfwep
Matco Tools: Available at the online Matco store
MacTools: Available at the online MacTools store
Pittsburgh: Available at Harbor Freight
Blue Point: Available at the online Snap on Store
Rolling Magnets
Master Magnetics: amzn.to/3NNzesF
Neiko: amzn.to/3DerdYI
Grip: amzn.to/3JVLTZx
Toolwiz: amzn.to/43q2gEk
Tuffiom: amzn.to/43jHFlj
Central Machinery: Available at Harbor Freight
Videography Equipment:
Sony DSC-RX10 III Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera: amzn.to/2YdXvPw
Canon 70D Camera: amzn.to/31b5Gy0
Azden Microphone: amzn.to/34d3DLE
Go Pro Bundle: amzn.to/3Ca0ZVN
This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
No man in existence makes better product comparisons than PF
Thank you very much!
@@ProjectFarmno prob my friend
Facts.
Although The Torque Test Channel is a relatively close second place.
@@deletdis6173ttc is great.
@@deletdis6173 For the products he specifically tests, and the parameters scientifically tested, TTC is far and above the best.
PF has the variety of products and test parameters though.
This man could make a 20 min video testing toothpicks and still make it interesting. Great work man.
Thank you very much!
"and the most expensive toothpicks we'll be testing today are made by Daneson. Daneson claim they are made with American northern white birch - we're gonna test that!"
And then he uses them to clean cousin Eddy's mouth lol
"Great video idea"
FP
I would like to see that video !!
Plastic toothpicks vs wood vs those handle floss things
Thank you very much @project farm. I’ve been wanting to buy a utility magnet, but didn’t know what to buy - now I do:-). I have tremendous respect and appreciation for all the work you do to develop and implement objective criteria and testing methodologies. And for purchasing the items yourself, With the variety of tests you document, I can decide which are the most important to me. Thanks again..
PS my donation is a small reflection of the value of your content to me.
Thank you very much for the kind comments, and for the very generous donation. It helps a lot!
@@ProjectFarm ✔️👍
👍
49.99 plus tax? 😂
@@grantcivytI'm not from the USA, but I'm guessing if it was exactly 50 bucks it would've gone up a bracket in taxes and pf would've actually recived less? Again, I'm just guessing
This man is put here doing the experiments we dream about in the aisle of the hardware store.
Thanks!
@@ProjectFarm I've tested this and thought up random stuff, and you've tested it!!!!! Love this channel
Digital Calipers would be really cool to see compared as well as impact socket sets!
Thanks for the suggestion.
Seconded
I would also like to see impact sockets. I recently bought a Pittsburgh set because the price was just too good, but I'm curious what I'm missing out on vs something like a Tekton or DeWalt set.
YES!
@@djgibbs7041 The HF sets are good to start out with or for a home-gamer but they will wear out quickly with regular use. I paid the money and bought Mac sockets for the sizes I use most often.
What's crazy is I don't even have or use tools. But I still watch every single video because of how great the testing methods are
LOL. I have no idea what it would be like to have no tools. In 3rd grade I carried an Eklind folding tool in my pocket.
Thanks for watching!
Right these testing rigs are very creative at providing useful data across many subjects. That kinda dedication to consistency is what makes this channel so great
I'm a woman, living in the middle of a big city, with a desk job ... and a ton of different tools, from a Gerber Shard on my key ring to a couple Systainers in my dining room.
That is crazy you don't have or use tools 😬
Back when I worked mostly on a ladder retrofitting fluorescent lights, the $4 Harbor Freight magnet was a life saver! Was always dropping screws and tools, and it was plenty strong. 💪
Thanks for sharing!
It's always appreciated when you're in the ceiling and need a screw, and the last guy kindly left some for you😊
@@Heizenberg32 You find the craziest things up there!
I've given you kudos before in the past for good reason, but I must say. I can't find any other channel with a comments section that is so incredibly positive! Not even anyone fighting over their preferred tool brand losing. You just plain and simple test things scientifically and without any possible bias. Mad respect.
Thanks so much!
And the man is super responsive to react to as many comments as possible.. very respectable
This guy ROCKS
I always found it best to keep a variety of magnetic and gripper retrieval tools because they all have their uses in different situations.
Thanks for the feedback.
A Telescoping magnet is an absolute essential item in my tool belt. I use it all the time and youll be amazed how many odd uses they have.
Same here! Runaway nuts and bolts always seem to settle in hard to reach areas
Yes, but lifting capacity is not a significant feature. The most important thing is reach and adaptability.
I am guaranteed to drop a few screws when on a ladder. It is law.
I carry two, so that I can pick up the one that I drop whilst picking up a dropped bolt.
Good point drop a bolt or a nut inside of a BMW or a Euro car a good Magnet or a multi flex head magnet is super helpful
Thank you so much for this comparison! A while back I bought a 4 pack from amazon that looked like many of the cheaper ones here. I had a couple break already; the sections separate and are a royal pain to reassembly. So build quality is the most important factor for me, so looks like I'll be grabbing a couple of the EZ Reds and the Ullman.
Looking forward to the next test!
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
I can't tell you how often I find myself in the aisles of Home Depot watching your videos before I decide to buy a sprcific brand. Your videos are a godsend.
Thanks!
It’s funny how you didn’t know that you needed a comparison of magnets! I work as a mobile equipment mechanic and carry a plethora of magnets because the worst thing for us is dropping a wrench, ratchet or a socket in the abyss of a bulldozer belly pan! Impressive!
Thanks!
Very timely for me, I recently lost my Craftsman magnet that was probably 30 years old, and I need to purchase a new one. It's sad losing an old tool that you've had for so many years but it looks like they are much improved. Thanks!
You are welcome! Glad the video was timely for you.
I'm sorry for your loss. we all know how that feels, the new stuff is never as good.
re- 'sad losing an old tool that you've had for so many years' How about having ALL your 50+yr old&newer ones =stolen= that were in the basement when there
was an upstairs kitchen fire [caused by a short in the ceiling fan] ...go figure,eh?
night of the fire, neighbor was screaming'Get yer tools out...they're gonna steal 'em like they did at Bob the engineer's house fire'
I bought a Central Machinery sweeper about 10-15 years ago. I got the widest they had 36"? I must say that sweeper is fantastic. I pulled old nails and roofing nails out of my driveway that I never had any idea they were there. It paid for itself in no flat tires. Now my driveway is dirt and gravel and it worked just fine on that. I even pulled metal and nails out of my lawn with it!
It is fantastic for cleanup after dismantling pallets also.
Thanks for sharing.
Matco guys: Let's create huge rip off profits by selling this Ullman thing for twice the price!
Proto guys: Hold our beer!
Thank you for everything you do sir! If you think it'd be a good idea I'd love to see your review of those walkie talkies that advertise 30 & 50 mile range. Loved the review of the winches and the non ethanol fuel review. All my engines with carburetors fire right up now even after setting for months! 🙏
Lmao. He can send Cousin Eddy out into the deep wild with a video camera.
Thank you for the video idea! I'll be testing kinetic recovery ropes soon, and I think you'll like that review too!
@@ProjectFarmOh yeah, an inside scoop from the man himself. That sounds like a fun video with a lot of potential 😏 🤠
@@travis.napier 1
walkie talkies would be really good to know, testing distance, usable time, and maybe distance after so much discharge would be super good to know
Fascinating! I'd never really thought about shielding, and how different shapes of shielding modifies the magnetic field's shape. Thanks for teaching me a new idea!
You are welcome!
I used to safety test for TUV. Your methods are reporting are clear, consistent as heck. You sir, are a national asset.
Thanks!
I am not in the market for magnets. But your videos are so good that I don’t even care ❤
I appreciate that!
Maybe you're not in the market for one. But, I bet you're kind of thinking about one now. 🤔
Great work as usual, Todd! I'd love to see some tests to determine the best Glasses cleaning cloths/solutions
Thank you for the video idea!
That's an interesting one
Water, preferably distilled water, with a drop of dish soap and about 20% alcohol added, in a small pump-spray bottle. Silicone eyeglass clothes are cheap, effective, washable and reusable.
1 part baby shampoo to 9 parts distilled water. Skip the alcohol. Can damage coatings.
I'm a professional airplane mechanic and I use magnetic pickup tools regularly. They are mostly used for starting a nut on hard to reach bolts and screws. For that purpose, it is important that the head swivels or otherwise articulates, and that the magnet is relatively weak. If the magnet is too strong, it doesn't work for this purpose. I use a really cheap, tiny Harbor freight magnet tool for this. I think it was around $3.
Thanks for sharing.
Your channel is unequivocally one of the most exceptional out there, and it undoubtedly merits the utmost support and admiration. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation for the considerable time, arduous effort, meticulousness, and selflessness that you have invested in producing such an outstanding content. Thank you.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Telescopic magnets are a fantastic pocket item as a mechanic. The flexible ones are great but just don’t fit in a pocket, but are perfect for getting around corners or tricky spots. Outstanding testing as usual
Thanks!
Or anyone with airpods lol
I have absolutely no use for these floor magnets but still, I find myself completely fascinated watching this video, LOL.
😂 Same... Even considering which one I'd buy.. But once again.. No use for it. 😂 Always luv me some project farm! ❤ He should go live when making these videos, then post his final video like this. I like watching his testing and talking about why he's using that method and thinking out loud and stuff. Awesome channel!!
I could see myself using it on those occasions I empty my spare bolts bucket on the floor looking for that one spring washer I swear I saw in there or perhaps losing something in the lawn.
Thanks!
Oh yeah! Finally a magnet video! This will help settle an arguement. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this.
You are welcome!
Great comparison, you came up with a few unique tests. When I pick out magnets on the tool truck or in hf, I always pick the stronger one, they seem to have a lot of variation. Love the test, but think you could have picked up a few of each to see if how much variation or maybe several of the top 3 winners to see the differences in the luck of the draw.
Would like to see you test the small 4 prong grabber pickup tools for small bolts/nuts. Another tool to get you out of trouble.
Thank you for the video idea!
Had no idea there was such a difference between telescopic magnets. Another great video Todd!
Thanks!
Had no idea there were so many brands...
Yeah i thought they were all exactly the same.
You my man are Honestly the only TH-camr I will stop whatever I am doing and watch your latest review.
Thank you very much! This means a lot to me!!
I have the Older Craftsman that came with a attachable mirror and the Blue Point. That Blue Point can get into some tight confined areas. Which normally seems to be where all the lost hardware goes to.
Thanks again brother for another great video. We honestly do appreciate everything you do and especially the unbiased testing.
Have a great day brother.
I've got that one also. It has been very handy for dropped things under the bed , and seeing into small places.👍.
After 24 years in an abrasive environment my old Craftsman was pretty much useless, no telescope grip so it would extend if held vertically. Bought some cheap ones and the end has come off of two of them (well, one complete end and the other was just the magnet), and the clips require a small nylon tie to stay on. I have an Ullman at home that has held up well, will probably get another for work from PF link but it's sold out ATM. The new Craftsman look different so I'm leery.
@@ensidfkgnur I'm sure 24 years of use will wear out any one of them. But if it lasts that long you definitely got your money's worth out of it.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
@@WiIdbiII
Mine spent their life in the top rt hand drawer, doing nothing until called upon.
Even then the most that ever happened was getting a little grease on them which was immediately wiped off and put back away. The Blue Point is over 40 years old. Another smaller snap on pocket extending magnet was carried in my shirt pocket for a couple months but never used. Until I put it away then within a couple days, yep, dropped a dang nut. I also have a 24" Spring style with a magnet on each end, one red cover, one black cover and of course the push to open 24" expanding gripper. That double ended magnet is another Craftsman that was probably bought in the late 70s. It is definitely a little worse for wear. That one was one that even if you didn't see the item you just shoved it into the area, moved and twisted it around in hopes of it finding the lost hardware.
To those who didn't know: in the powersports industry, often times flywheel (rotor) magnets are held in with screws. Remove one from a discarded engine, solder a solid battery lug onto a 4 ga battery wire, and bolt the magnet to the end. Works great for retrieving that 10 mm socket that you dropped inside the jetski hull. Thanks again PF!
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
I remember when you started out doing this, thought to myself, man, this guys going somewhere with this.
Youve become the go to for tool reviews IMO.
Thanks for your hard work and keep it up!!
Thanks, will do!
Do everyone who lives in Florida a favor and test those pressure washer surface cleaner attachments. The entire state will be grateful
Thank you for the video idea!
I picked up the Pittsburg magnetic tool at $3.99 a couple years ago and for its performance and lift I don't think it is beatable. Note that I am always dropping things vertically and primarily using it nearly straight up and down and it works perfect for my use case. I have never had a need to grab something horizontally so I never noticed it had that much sag. If there was a price per lift performance chart this thing would win by a landslide. Thanks for the video!
You are welcome! Thanks for the feedback.
It's interesting that so many of these seem to just be rebranded generic items. At first, I was sort of confused when seeing multiple tools in these reviews that are clearly just rebranded. Like, why bother? But I started realizing it's a good way to call out companies and brands on being lazy with the products they put their name on. The low cost, low effort, and generally, low quality rebrands help make the products that have had some care put into the design really stand out! Great work, as always.
Thanks!
You're a star for this video. Very informative stuff! As somebody who uses magnets for modelling, I find reviewing magnets to be a very polarising experience.
Thanks and you are welcome!
I love when you review things I'm currently in the market for, happens often!
I end up taking notes and pausing the video often. If possible, could you add the country of origin in the graphs? A simple US or CH next to the tool names would help out a lot. I exclude most foreign tools in my final decision with obvious exceptions for Japanese, German, and other proven high quality sources. But I try to buy American when I can.
I went with the Ullman in this case. Will be here by Wednesday.
Thanks for the feedback.
Great testing criteria! I have never actually shopped specifically for a telescoping magnet. All my magnet purchases have been add on purchases over the years ie clip-stripped or merchandised near something I was actually purchasing. I do have a craftsman set (Sears) that I purchased 5-6 years ago that are my go to telescoping magnets and I keep them in a very accessible place near my workbench. I can’t imagine paying more than $10 for one however! As usual great video from PF!
Thanks and you are welcome!
One of the things that's interesting to me about your tool reviews is how, when we can see all these tools in one category side-by-side, some of them are just the same thing with a different brand name on them, and it's not always even the cheap junk - in this case, the the Ullman and the Matco (and maybe the proto?)
Thanks for the feedback.
Lifetime replacement warranty is a must on these!
Yes, great point!!
After buying a few different brands of these, I've discovered the failure point is consistently the collapsible antenna separating. Better off with a wooden dowel with the head assembly epoxied to one end. ✌
Exactly what I’ve notice with the couple I’ve had over the years. I’ve only had cheap ones though but I can’t see spending more than 15 dollars or so on one.
Thanks for the feedback.
The timing couldn't have been better! I was using a telescopic magnet yesterday to pick out metal from a fire pit, wishing I had a larger magnet! Thanks for your awesome reviews!
You are welcome! Glad to hear it was perfect timing!
Always a pleasure and educational to watch you and what you come up with for tests!
Thanks so much!
I don't normally care for Craftsman anymore, but you had me at $13, for the one that had the light in the center. It picked up a lot of weight and I could see what I was picking up. Good Job as always Todd!
Thanks!
I had a light up one from another manufacturer years ago.
The head was too heavy for the thin shaft and broke off.😠👎👎
@@BA-gn3qb, Most illuminated telescoping magnets use coin batteries, which I detest because they're expensive and they tend to leak. The design often sucks because the battery is inside the magnet head along with the LED, making the magnet head large and unwieldy. It would be better to use a pen light battery built into the handle, although this could get tricky design wise for a telescoping magnet. If the magnet was on the end of a goose neck then it would be pretty simple to run a wire up the middle of it to power the LED. Or perhaps use of a fiber-optic light pipe?
I bought a socket set from Sears some 30 years ago. I don't use tools as much or often as most guys, but I must admit they really do a good job. My father, a tool and die maker for GM, swore by this brand back in the day and I still have some of his tools. These days with everybody producing Chinese trash, I would hesitate to purchase a Craftsmen ANYTHING.
The last craftsman magnet I got at Lowe's was in a three piece kit a grabbing tool,mirror &the magnet for around 2 dollars more than the magnet alone.
I've been amazed by the Pittsdburg magnet. The one tested is their higher priced model, and I bought it thinking it had an LED light in it, as previous ones that size I've owned had. First time I tested it out, I discovered it didn't but was amazed how strong the magnet was, to the point I now own at least 3 of them.
Thanks for sharing.
I appreciate you doing the roller magnet tests! I regularly build decks and inevitably nails and screws end up in a customer's lawn, so I always do a final thorough sweep of the project with one of these large magnetic sweepers, works great! I always like to have the best tool for the job though, so I might invest in that Neiko for the width or Master Magnetics for it's unique and effective design.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Always need to get that bolt from an awkward place or pull that socket out from where you've dropped it into the engine bay
I'm sure I've used it for other things too 🤣
Great point!
I'm not sure how many would be interested, but I'd appreciate a review of 18350 batteries.
Always enjoy your content.
Thank you for the video idea!
At the manufacturing plant I work at, we use the Master magnetics sweeper solemnly for the ergonomics. no bending down to release the metal scraps, just a pull of the lever.
Thanks for sharing.
Nice one, Todd. I've seen these rolling floor magnets and never tried one. I don't usually have a mess like that, but have had a few screws, washers and stuff where one would have been handy, especially for finding them in grass, but they would be better if the gap to the floor would be adjustable for various applications. Your video will be helpful if I ever want one. I have an OEM Industrial brand fixed 21" reach magnet that also has a pushrod for four little gripper fingers and a battery case for 2 AAA alkaline for an On/Off LED at the end. What I use more in the house is a 36 inch "Pick-Up & Reach Tool" with 2 long, arched, 1/2" wide grip fingers. It was interesting which of the two types were better at various things. Thank you!
Thanks and you are welcome!
Good topic! I would love to see which magnetic sweeper pickup the most deck screws and nails from a grassy yard after someone did renovations, or performed demolition work above an area where people and pets walk and play.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Three years after some roofing work and construction of a new entryway porch, I still fund the occasional nail or pick up one the hard way in a tire, ugh.....😖
@@goodun2974 Yes - another good example. Roofers leave those galvanized broad headed nails.
@@gkcamden9050 , Copper nails are often preferred for roofing, and stainless steel nails for siding, and the problem with those is that neither will be picked up by a magnetic sweeper.
I use compact telescoping flexible magnets fairly often. A review on smaller magnets would be nice.
Thanks for the suggestion.
gravity fed water systems like Berkey, AlexaPure, Gravity Well, JoyPur, ProPur/ProOne, PureWell, WaterDrop, ZenWater, Outback Water, AquaRain , AquaCera, British Berkefeld and The original Doulton . i'd love to see testing on these (systems & filters), as many claim to have NSF certifications (which some don't) and many don't filter up to their claims.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Suggestion for future test:
-Electrician’s Multi-pliers.
Of all the jobs I do as a handyman, nothing requires juggling more hand tools in rapid succession than electrical work(often on a ladder). I have the larger Husky version that has all the features I want and also replaced my 8” needle nose in my Everyday-Carry tote for non-electrical tasks; however, the wire stripper section of this particular tool has seemed quite dull since it was new out-of-the-package.
Thanks for the suggestion.
You should test compression testers for accuracy, bc I can’t find anything online about a good compression tester to buy.
Thank you for the video idea!
I've had my Pittsburgh for several years now, you really can't beat the price. Thanks for doing what you do. Can you add 4in1 soil meters to your to do list? I was just watching another video and it would be great to see how accurate those things are.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Thank you Todd. Your comparisons and testings are second to none!
Thanks and you are welcome!
Project Idea: Tile thin sets; Does it really matter if it's modified or unmodified? Can different types (glass/porcelain/stone and sizes of tiles work just fine? Horizontal only or vertical applications? How well does it hold up the weight of the tile on the wall will it slide? Does it crack or provide movement? How water-resistant/proof are they? Maybe include grout tests as well? Brands such as Bostik, Mapei vs more general home improvement store brands? How fine is the sand mixture? Can it bond well to a wall does it have to be pained or sealed? What about Antifracture membranes? Does the paint membrane really do anything or is it a gimmick?
This is very needed
Thanks for the suggestion.
Right on time!!
Thank you and hope you enjoy the video!
thanks for another video. if you were to do this again it would be interesting to see if the extending shafts could get tested. i went through many extending magnets and all of them had to get replaced due to the shafts failing.
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Thank you!
You are welcome!
I'd like to see you do a review of the various magnetic sweepers out there. Pick up strength, capacity, ease of use in grassy areas, quick release function, etc.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Great video as always! I would love to see a video on nitrile gloves if possible. Test stretch, puncture resistance, chemical resistance etc. I have had so many "toughest strength" gloves snap on me and honestly im ready to find and stick with the "best" brand
Thanks! Thanks for the video idea.
as always, an awesome video. I make my own from selfie sticks and the magnets from old desktop hard drives.
Thank you!
I use the Pittsburgh magnet nearly daily. I have one in every toolbox, and my toolbox at work. They do tend to break around the handle after a few months but at 4 bucks, i cant complain. It picks up everything i ask it to, plus, save the broken ones for when maybe you need one to "bend" lol!
Thanks for sharing.
For the DIYers, a great way to make a magnet sweeper is to recover the “donut” magnet from a broken speaker (subwoofers especially) and sticking it under a steel tamper/old rake/hoe etc :) thanks once again Todd!
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Awesome!! Most accurate meat thermometer!!
Thank you for the video idea!
You're the best! Love seeing every video. Made my purchase choices 10x easier :)
Thank you! This means a lot to me. All the time and effort that goes into these reviews and this positive feedback is what is most rewarding.
I never thought I'd watch a 13 minute video about telescoping magnets and be entertained, but here I am lol. It wouldn't be cheap since you buy all the products yourself but if you ever can I'd love to see a comparison of rotary tools. I've never had them let me down but I still want to know how good Dremel's are compared to the competition and you're hands down the best reviewer on the site!
Thanks for watching! Thanks for the video idea.
thanks again for the great video! i just bought a few Mac Tools magnets for work based on your recommendation.
one suggestion i have for a future video would be lock de-icer. i recently had to get a padlock lock unstuck on an access panel and it was a royal pain until i bought and used better de-icer. the stuff i used was Blaster brand, by the way, and it worked quickly and easily with just a small amount, so it would definitely be worth testing.
Nice! Thanks for the suggestion.
I like the craftsman with the light on the end with the magnet......Many a time have I tried to fish a bolt out after it falls in a tight dark place on the engine and cant find it...
Great point! The light is a great feature!!
Fantastic content. Thank you. I very much wish that we had access to these spreadsheets to more comprehensively weigh the results for our own uses. Is that something that could be possible?
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
I would have thought that most of the products tested were going to be close in range; however, after watch this test, it really proved that some products are engineered better and far superior than others! Thank you Project Farm!
You are welcome!
Good video as always, but there's a style of magnetic pickup tool that I vastly prefer to the kind you tested. You can find it under a couple of names, but Mag Mate seems to be the most common. Instead of a telescoping wand, it's a long piece of copper wire with a slim magnet at the end. The one downside is that you can't collapse it short. I see that downside as negligible. The benefits? The copper wire can be bent into any custom shape you want, making it possible to navigate into complicated little areas under an engine. It holds its shape perfectly. The magnet is quite strong, and doesn't distort much under the sort of load you'll usually be grabbing.
The slimness of the tool also makes it much more useful in an engine bay than the tools you looked at. I don't think even the slimmest of those tools is small enough to get small screws and fasteners out of a really tight spot, say, between a manifold and subframe. And while the length of those tools is adjustable, you can't put a custom bend in them, so you can't get past obstacles.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Tod, I absolutely love these videos, as someone who's getting into the habbit of working on their own car, you've been a great help when it comes to helping me decide which brands are worth spending the extra money on. I was wondering if theres any way you could do some testing for other parts like oil filters or brake pads.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestions.
Helpful info as always! Might be fun in future to test strap-on LED wearable portable lights (what folks use for camping, outdoors, etc)....the few I've tried are highly variable in performance, construction and cost.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
I have one of the rolling magnets from Harbor Freight. This thing pulled tiny bolts and roofing nails along with some larger pieces of metal that was buried in several inches of large gravel. Impressed with the strength.
Thanks for sharing!
Never really thought about the extension magnets. Worked for both AAP and AZ. Always purchased the magnets sold near the counter. They’re about equal to the Pittsburgh brand.
Thanks for the feedback.
Notification SQUAD! Have a nice weekend!🔥🔥🔥
Thank you very much and I wish you a great weekend too!!
Which ice cream is the best?
Does pineapples belong on pizza?
What tires do the best burn out?....(The burnout is made in china!!).. Okay, I'm fired
lol. Thank you for the suggestions! Now I'm hungry for pizza and ice cream!
Let's see the ice cream challenge.
If I’m in a bad mood I watch a video of PF. Always makes me smile by the end! Thank you and thank you for great honest journalism.
Thanks and you are welcome!
From what i can see the Enbar is a great budget magnet. I don't care much about the shielding when im reaching for a magnet, I want the strength. For 8$ I don't mind the weak shaft either, if it doesn't last, mount that head on shape-able car antenna.
Pro-tip- Wrap some electrical tape around your strong magnet to provide shielding if needed.
Thanks for sharing!
Great video, but I think a weighted score base of price would really help. The $50 magnet that won didn’t seem to be 10x better than Pittsburgh brand but the price is. Pricing here being dramatically exponential probably needs to have weighted scores
I agree. I got my harbor freight magnet for $2 and is one of my most important tools. Not that I always need it, but when I need it, it's indispensable.
And I wouldn't even consider buying one for 10x the price. Probably not even double.
Great review. I work in construction building tilt style buildings like warehouses. Since the panels that will be the walls are formed in a horizontal position and poured like that before being lifted into place by a crane, they need to be thoroughly cleaned out, so we use a lot of magnets to get out the residual tie wire and other metals detritus. Now I know which magnet is the best for my money, so thank you for that.
An idea for a future video would be paint rollers used with epoxy and polyester resins and epoxy based paints. I do a lot of fiberglass work on the side and have found Red Tree 4" foam rollers to be the best for this. What I'm looking for is a smooth application over an entire boat hull, something in the 20 foot range, without expanding or falling apart.
Thanks!!
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
That magnetic shielding can be super important. At a powerhouse shutdown I was working, a millwright dropped an oil cap into a turbine as the job was wrapping up. After the turbine had been put back together. Then the magnet he used to try to fish the cap out with got stuck on something else and broke off. 😂
The plant was not happy about having to do a partial teardown to remove those two items.
Thanks for sharing.
I was a machinist for 40 years. I was always using a magnet to pick up small parts. I owned 2 harbor freight Pittsburgh magnets. They were very strong but after a short time the magnet itself would start cracking the pieces would start falling out.
Thanks for the feedback.
If you're mechanic, you have probably at least 3 different magnets. The small thin telescoping one for bolts in small nooks and crevices. Regular one for a dropped tool or something, and a long flexible one for impossible places.
Thanks for the feedback.
Before I buy anything I look for a Project Farm test first. This guy is a American treasure. 👍
Thanks!
I know you have done some 1/4 impact drivers before but milwaukee has the surge it uses hydraulics instead of a hammer so it is alot quieter it would be interesting to see how it compares to the regular m12 and others, great videos I'm sure everyone appreciates all the work and time you put into them. Keep it up!
Thanks for the suggestion.
One of the most interesting aspects of these tests is seeing the tools that are obviously made in the same factory (Ullman, Matco and Proto), but which vary wildly in price ($16, $32 and $55). It's sad to see "premium" US brands like Matco and Proto buying white label tools in China, but it demonstrates the HUGE value in this channel's testing!
Thanks for sharing!
I don’t think Matco makes anything. They just rebrand and sell at a higher price.
Love these videos! Thanks so much for the work you put in. If you're looking for more ideas, here's a few: Breaker bars (not just the long ones, but the shorter ones as well; I had a need for an 8" one the other day!) from brands such as GearWrench, Duratech, Pittsburg, AutoZone, etc. Mechanic Lights (the thin, long kind like the Harbor Freight one). Rachel Extensions.
Sorry if you've already done some or all of these. Have a great week!
Thanks! Thanks for the video ideas.
I've had a couple of telescoping magnets over the years, but I prefer the springy type stalk. They'd all fail half your tests here (you think of everything!), but I've had very little trouble with them. I'll have to upgrade to the Pittsburgh magnet, though. It's a lot better than my old non-neodymium mag. For larger, heavy-duty work, I string up a microwave magnetron magnet with a baggie around it. The bag keeps metal splinters away from it and makes it =way= easier to clean. I also use a grabber, with the 4 bent metal fingers and springy stalk, for getting things out of tight spaces. It's my Aluminum Magnet. ;) Oh, and I recently picked up a bendable stalk magnet with neo mag, for specific needs.
Thanks for sharing.
Would love to see you test different brands of concrete. Love the videos best part of my week. Keep up the great content!
Thank you for the video idea!
I worked for Industrial Magnetics Inc. about 14 years ago. They own the MagMate product line. Good company based in Michigan.
Thanks for sharing!
I have the Pittsburgh magnet. For only 4 or 5 bucks it’s hard to argue against. If I either break it or lose it, it’s not a big loss.
Thank you for sharing!
I have this magnet, but there is another one that may be even better. It is on a flexible, aluminum wire, much like a thermocouple wire for your furnace. It’s about 20 inches long, and you can form it into whatever position it needs to be shaped to reach down and around things…
I had to pull the Balance shaft off of the primary drive side of my KLR 650 motorcycle, to upgrade the balance shaft chain tensioner. When I pulled, I think it was the flywheel off of the crankshaft end, a small keyway fell off and into a hole inside the transmission opening.. sort of like having it fall down into the intake manifold of a car once you remove the carburetor. It was in there somewhere. I was able to fish around with my magnet on the very flexible shaft, and luckily, I was able to pick up the keyway, which I could not see, it was not a straight shot to the keyway that fell in there. So a straight shaft, holding a magnet would not have done the job…
this magnet I found either online or at a parts store came inside a plastic cover on cardboard coiled up like a furnace thermocouple… it saved me a few times getting at things I could not see where they went. Except for one time. I was working on my Moto Guzzi, changing the air filter. One of the air filter box screws fell down between the cylinders of that V twin engine, and. I could not see it. What made matters worse was, it was made of stainless steel, which is not magnetic… of course, it was hiding between two of the cylinder fins. It took me several hours after removing a lot of parts to get a mirror in position, and a piece of solid, stainless wire to pick it.loose And pick it up with a piece of warmed chewed bubblegum on the end of a stiff wire using a mirror to guide me..
Thanks for sharing.
Great vid.
In all honesty, I kinda feel like the roller things are a waste. Take a 2x4, slap some wheels on the side or make a caster set, slap in some rare-earth magnets from your preferred local tool store, and you're pretty good to go in terms of cleaning things up. Heck, you can put plastic wrap over the magnets and just throw away the wrap to keep things cleaner. Made one myself for when I need to clean up after cutting things. (Block of 2x4 with some mags glued into it with a piece of bamboo as a handle. Kinda flimsy, but it gets the job done)
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
Just yesterday I dropped a nut down into the supercharger inlet on my MR2. No way to easily extract it without removing the entire supercharger and all the accessories around it. Extendable magnets couldn't make the 90° bend of the inlet to reach the loose nut around the corner. A magnet on a long string stuck to the sidewalls of the inlet tube and couldn't reach it either. I eventually got it out by sealing a shop-vac over the hole. What would have been really handy in this particular situation would be some sort of really flexible magnet wand like the Klein Tools, but longer, and proper shielding on the sides to prevent it from stickling to the walls. Seems like the perfect tool might not exist yet, short of making your own. It be interesting to see someone make an electro-magnet device too that can be snaked into really tight and zig-zagged areas before being magnetized by a switch.
Thanks for the feedback.
I’m a machinist and these magnets on a stick are a must have for when you drop stuff into the machine
Thanks for the feedback.
PF: The incomparable king of comparisons.
Thanks!