Magnetic screwdrivers - yay or nay for building computers?

[Pudgygiant]

In my experience, the "screwdriver" part is more dangerous than the "magnetic" part.

 

[viivo]

Originally posted by: Hellbender
I've never had a problem using them. Just don't go stabbing your motherboard with one.

Oh the memories..

Once you go magnetic you never go back. I had so many screws rattling around in the crevices of cases and stuck in tight places before switching.

That didn't sound right.

 

[deathwalker]

I have been building custom systems, doing repairs and upgrades for 10 yrs..and I would never part with my magnetic tip screw driver...fears of this device are far overstated.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
http://www.dansdata.com/gz009.htm

http://www.dansdata.com/danletters092.htm

nice, thanks!

I think someone should do a serious study to see if magnetics really affect computer stuff and how much...some definitive, scientific answers

 

[DieHardware]

Screwdriver? Bah who uses those? Nailgun know that's the ticket!!

 

[Steven the Leech]

I always use them

 

[ChineseGuy]

I hate screw drivers that are not magnetic. So annoying.. Same thing with grounding straps.. who actaully use those, besides company's policies :-\

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Pudgygiant
In my experience, the "screwdriver" part is more dangerous than the "magnetic" part.

Hehe, so true!

 

[Cerb]

All of my nasty screwdriver problems have been with flatheads and cheap heatsinks.
I use only magnetized screwdrivers. If it's normal, I use a stout fridge magnet (the effect will usually last a few weeks).

The WORST I've ever done was I swiped it (accidentally) over the BIOS of my AK35GT2 once, and when it came back up, it gave the same error as when it is first booted or when the BIOS has been flashed (wrong CMOS checksum somethingrather). Go in, save, all was fine, and the board is still in use.

I personally would think all the screws dropping and screwdrivers slipping with normal ones would cause far more damage (definitely more irritation!) than having a magnetic screwdriver.

 

[MtnMan]

I worked on computers for over 30 years, starting with mainframes and converting to networking in the late 80's. I always magnetized every screwdriver I carried in my tool grip. The magnetic field from the screwdriver never effected any componet.

The protection it provides from droping screws onto circuit boards, etc. is a real hazard to computers and other electronics.

 

[awolkoff]

Just take a regular screwdriver and swipe it across a speaker magnet a couple of times. It will induce a magnetic field that is plenty strong enough for computer screws.

:thumbsup:

 

[Abhi]

Just use em..

 

[OJ]

Used em for years, no problems.