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Toaster Magnets

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:46 am
by teeder
Can the magnets in toasters be replaced? I need shorter poles for my '67 to be able to lower it enough.

Also, what type of magnets were originally used, Alnico II or V?

Thanks!

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 6:44 pm
by iiipopes
Not unheard of, but short magnets are rare as hen's teeth. But the risk of damage to the pickup popping them out and replacing them is a risk I know I would not want to take. Instead, you would be better off to have a qualified person rout the channel for the magnets a little deeper.

I did this to the top of my 320 to get the bridge pickup to the proper relative location to the bridge. The 320's of the 70's and 80's have 21 inch scales, not 20 3/4 as the '60's and reissue guitars do. The extra scale length was accomplished by moving the bridge towards the tail. But the same template was used to rout the top for the pickups. So my bridge pickup did not have all the bite in addition to the jangle as it should. So I routed the bridge pickup magnet channel in the top 1/4 inch towards the bridge, moved the pickup, moved the middle pickup to split the difference, and I was in business.

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:05 pm
by collin
Just cut a bit of the magnets protruding out. Done.

Directions below from Dale Fortune (posted on another forum some time ago):
It's pretty simple:
1st mark and measure the exsisting pole pieces at the bottom of the bobbin, I use a fine tip Sharpie. The magnets have to go back in the same way as they were removed in order to keep the polarity the same, this is easy if you cut the magnets 1 at a time as it will show the cutting marks. Use a pair of pliers to grip the magnets, then turn them as you pull up removing it from the bobbin. I leave the pickup together as I do this that way there is no chance of harming the coil. Once you have the magnet out place it in a machinist vise or one of the inexpensive ones from Harbor Freight. Secure the magnet in the vise with the end to be cut off protruding, then use a cutting blade in your drill press.

Set the blade depth to match the cutting line on the magnet, then use your hands on the vise to push the magnet into the rotation of the cutting blade. When finished the magnets can be pushed right back into the bobbin. They will be a nice tight compression fit and won't fall out, just be sure that they go back in polarity correct. If you have access to machinist tools such as a lathe then it makes it pretty simple to chuck the magnets up and use the cutter on the lathe. You can take it a step further and make a new aluminum plate that covers the bottom with only 2 holes in it like the 50s toaster pickups.

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 11:15 am
by teeder
Hmm, didn't think of cutting them.

Anyone know what type of magnets Rick uses?

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 6:38 pm
by soundmasterg
The magnets in the toasters are alnico 5 magnets, 1/4"wide. Be careful cutting alnico magnets as they like to shatter. It is better to order some new magnets of the desired length, take your existing ones out, and glue the new ones into your pickups. You can order new magnets unmagnetized, or magnetized. Many pickup makers may already have some that you can order, though the Ric size is a little uncommon so they may have to order them also. You can also try some suppliers like Mojo or Stewart-McDonald's. They aren't very expensive either way.

Greg

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 2:41 pm
by teeder
Cutting them is out. Just have to source the mags I want now.

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 11:37 am
by iiipopes
One item not mentioned is that if you cut or file on the magnets, you have to make sure you don't overheat them, as they will lose their gauss and not be rechargeable.

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 1:56 pm
by jps
iiipopes wrote:...you have to make sure you don't overheat them, as they will lose their gauss and not be rechargeable.
Hmm, another reason "global warming" isn't good for the planet. It will lose it magnetic pull. Looking forward to loosing some weight :mrgreen: .

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 11:59 pm
by rkbsound
I didn't know short poles were rare...I have one from a '66 sitting in a drawer waiting for a project.

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 12:40 am
by jps
rkbsound wrote:I didn't know short poles were rare...I have one from a '66 sitting in a drawer waiting for a project.
Well, Kevin's got that project you've been waining for........................ :wink:

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 10:44 am
by teeder
:lol:

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:04 am
by jps
That'd be waiting, not waining! :mrgreen:

I've been spending the past few months learning about and designing wainscoting. :mrgreen:

Stuff like this. For a project we are working on.
Wainscoting And Wall Color Combination 01.jpg
Plate Rail Support-B&B Wainscoting 08.jpg
Plate Rail Support-B&B Wainscoting 01.jpg
Plate Rail Support-B&B Wainscoting 07.jpg

Re: Toaster Magnets

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 1:49 pm
by teeder
I've found the waining is the hardest part to most projects.