I've got you covered here, reloader. How many pieces would you like?

This material is 1mm thick, sliding smoothly into the 19-ga slot on my gauge.

quote:

Originally posted by reloader-1:
I have a mini wood chess board that I am converting into a magnetic set, but to do so I need a small sheet (3.5” x 3.5”) ferrous metal. Any idea where I can find this? Seems super simple, but my search so far has been fruitless.

Edit: thanks so much for the recs everyone! My biggest problem is finding it cut to the right size, the nice woodworker helping me has no metal cutting tools so I need it to be 3.5” square already.

For cutting, some cheap tin snips will make quick work of anything up to about 18Ga. File or sand the edge/corners or recess the metal into the wood to keep it from cutting you. If you spend $20 on the sheet metal & snips, you went overboard.

How thick is the board? I think you will have a hard time getting magnets to stick with much of a gap between magnet & metal. Might be better to drill the back of each square & glue magnets into the board. You could get a closer gap & even more holding power if you reversed poles between board & piece. The glued magnets would help support the thin-section of the wood as well.

I just tested on a cast iron table with plastic spacers. Round 6x1.5mm neodymium magnets at 2mm separation are pretty weak, can just barely feel pull, wouldn't hold anything. At 3mm gap they didn't stick at all. With a magnet on each side, I was able to put 2 20x5mm hollow spacers together & they held, so I'd suggest doubling up or going with 3-5mm thick magnets. I think with these doubled magnets, the amount of hold I got with 10mm would hold a piece to the board with mild vibration/movement. I'd still try to get the gap as close as possible to increase the holding power.

Envelope on the way, sir!


As small magnets go, McMaster has been my source for recent projects.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/128/3833

Thanks so much vthoky! Shows there is still some affinity between Hokies and Hoos

I’ve got everything ready to rock, the little chess pieces came with magnets, all I need is a good piece of walnut for the back of the board and I’ll post the results as soon as it’s done!

Edit: snidera, you and I think alike! I didn’t mention, but I have TWO boards. One I’m drilling for little neodymium magnets for each square, the other will be routed out to as thin as possible, and the sheet that vthoky sent placed and glued. I’ll let you know which one works best!

Better get a second piece while you are at it.

In case you feel like playing checkers.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Better get a second piece while you are at it.

Hey, bendable! Keep it 'tween us, man, but I actually sent him two.

Sweet deal ,let the games begin