I have some magnets that came out of some old hard drives.Is there a way to know what kind or how strong they are. I mean there feel very strong?.

Quote from: 24hosting on December 08, 2009, 05:32:09 AM
I have some magnets that came out of some old hard drives.Is there a way to know what kind or how strong they are. I mean there feel very strong?.

They're probably strong neo magnets.

If there was two magnets attached to a piece of metal, then they're more than likely axially magnetized magnets (north pole on the heads side and south pole on the tails side, or vice versa).  If there was a single magnet attached to the piece of metal, then it is more likely a radial magnet ( north and south pole on both the heads and tails side).

You can always use either pole of another magnet to see how your hard drive magnets are magnetized.

use a magnetic rod and place it on the magnet, magnets are not magnetic in between poles so if it doesn't stick you have your "equator"

@GB, what did you think of the rod idea

Great . But I don't have one lol. But I appreciate the learning's.Thanks

Quote from: mr_bojangles on December 08, 2009, 02:10:47 PM
@GB, what did you think of the rod idea

My mind says it works and my little model says it may work.
If it doesn't work, then a few small additional modifications may be all is needed.  My best guess is no modifications is needed, but you never really know until it is tried.

It appears to be a very promising idea.