Hard drive magnets

[Nostradamus2]

To get conventional magnets, you would have to saw them in half

To cut neodymium magnets you need diamond cutting instruments, for example dremel with diamond cutting wheel, but be careful, the dust is explosive and toxic, I better suggest simple break it in two halfs, they are quite brittle.

[Paul-R]

I have 16 NIB hard drive magnets in the shape of rainbows and the backplates still attached.  (any advice how to get them off)? 

Try a sharp knife. It worked for me.
Paul.

[wattsup]

I just got 10 of them and started removing the mags with a good knife edge and small hammer. Most will break and the coating will tear off.

[khabe]

I told you:
A.) put this magnet on your hand (free hand - not on the table!) back iron up - beat once and focused with small hammer on to the middle of back iron 
B.) use vise, keep back iron from one end with vise and bend it from another end with good pincers. Bending direction must to be out from magnets of course
Both methods takes few seconds for me,
Damaged versus Good .... 1/100
cheers,
khabe