Things You'll Need
Work gloves
Protective goggles
Face mask
Metal shears
Vise
Marker
Hacksaw
Diamond abrasive wheel
Dremel
Hammer
Chisel
If all you have is a large magnet and you need to cut down its size, there are many ways to do it. The technique you choose for magnet cutting should depend on the style and type of magnet that you are trying to cut. A flexible plastic magnet that sticks to a car, for instance, is a rubberized magnet that is easy to cut with shears. Ceramic and magnetite magnets are much harder and significantly more difficult to cut, requiring a diamond-plated blade.
Rubberized Magnets
Step 1: Use Protective Gear for Magnet Cutting Safety
Put on work gloves. Cutting a magnet, even a rubberized magnet, can result in shards that may cause splinters, which can cause injuries. Work gloves will also protect you from the metal shears you'll be using.
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Step 2: Mark for the Cut
Mark a line on the magnet wherever you want to make a cut, whether it's one place or several.
Step 3: Cut the Magnet
Cut the magnet with metal shears, following your line guide.
Ceramic and Magnetite Magnets
Step 1: Put On Your Protective Gear
Put on a protective nose and mouth mask, heavy duty gloves and protective goggles for magnet cutting. In addition to blade danger to the hands, cutting these magnets will send dust and filings into the air that are dangerous to inhale and that can fly into your eyes at a high velocity, causing great harm. Every cutting technique for these magnets requires protection.
Step 2: Use a Vise
Place your magnet in a vise. A vise helps you gain leverage while using a hacksaw. It also prevents your magnet from slipping around beneath your sawing, which is important in retaining its magnetic properties. Excessive vibration can dislodge the tiny magnetic electrons in the magnet, which are normally aligned in north and south directions, diminishing or removed their magnetic properties completely.
Step 3: Mark the Magent
Draw a line on your magnet with a marker at the point where you want to cut it.
Step 4: Cut the Magnet With a Hacksaw
Use a hacksaw to cut the magnet, following the line guide. If that doesn't work, move on and try another technique.
Step 5: Use the Diamond-Plated Wheel
Place your diamond-plated wheel on your Dremel, tighten it in place and turn on the device. While the wheel spins, place it directly on the marker guide you made on the magnet, pushing downward as you go. Make sure not to put an excessive amount of pressure on the Dremel or you may bend the wheel. If this doesn't work, you can try one more cutting technique.
Step 6: Cut the Magnet With Chisel and Hammer
Place a chisel along the guide mark on the magnet. Hold it in one hand and use a hammer to strike the handle of the chisel. This may work to break the magnet in two if cutting fails. This should be your last option, as it has the highest possibility of damaging the magnetic properties as earlier described.
Tip
Magnetite is the most magnetic material on this planet.
Magnet cutting is simple when customizing smaller ones such as those used for kitchen magnets. You can simply use your kitchen shears or other strong scissors for the task.
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