A great use for your Neodymium magnet from an old hard drive

OK, so you are like most of us nerds and you have a bajillion old computer hard drives just sitting around the house.  Pop it open and you'll find a set of Neodymium magnets over the drive heads. These are super strong "rare-earth" magnets that are not your normal magnets.  Oh boy! A new toy to play with!

So what can you do with them?  Use them on your refrigerator to stick your kids artwork to it?  You'll never get the magnet off again!  Did I mention they are hard to get off of metal surfaces?  And if your finger is in the way, it can pinch or crush them if the magnet is large enough or strong enough.  So what can you do with one?????  I know......

I recently moved into a new cube at work (complete with a window).  It's bigger and nicer - but has a limited number of available power outlets.  I added a power strip beside my desk, but it sits on the floor and is hard to reach when I need it.  To remedy this, I used one of my super-strong magnets.


1) Get a power strip and plug it into the wall.  Place it next to your desk with a metal frame or sides.

Step 1

2) Place the power strip on a flat surface and flip it over.  Center your Neodymium magnet on the back side of the strip.  This is where you are going to locate the magnet for sticking to your metal surfaces.

Step 2

3) Next, cut a few short strips of duct tape and place them over your magnet.  Make sure it's good and strong duct tape.  You will want to make sure the magnet isn't going anyplace.  And, the duct tape will cut down a little on the power of the magnet so you can remove it from where you place it.

Step 3

4) Finally, stick the power strip to the metal surface of your choice.  I stuck mine to the side of my desk.  It held in-place where it was convenient to reach.  I plugged my phone charger in and there ya go!  A power strip within my reach.  When I'm done, I can move the strip around so it's out of the way or just leave it in place.

Step 4

There are plenty of other uses for these magnets.  Be creative and have some fun with them.  But be sure to keep them from your kids.  These are so strong that they can hurt little fingers and hands. And you really don't want them being swallowed.  It's a for sure visit to the E.R. for some surgery.