Magnet Scraper

[Peppie]

First off I have to thank TJL (Todd) for his generosity.

I was at his place admiring his new build when he brought out some strong magnets he had picked up on line to use on his probe holders. After I drooled allover them he kindly offered me enough to build my own Algae magnet scraper.

Thanks Todd.

After a couple of tests on some 3/4'' acrylic it was obvious I needed more power. So I dug around the shop and found some more magnets to add to the build, still not enough. I remembered I had bought a small Aquagon Magnet scraper that could be donated to this build. Here is what is left of the donated scraper.

I will reuse the black rectangular plastic with the 2 magnets attached for the dry side of the scraper

Todd gave me the 4 of the thick ones, I had 4 of the thin black ones

A test hole to figure out the depth

I will inset the wet side in a piece of 3/4'' black acrylic, and cap it with a piece of 1/2 acrylic.
I cut out a pattern in a piece of 1/4 plywood. This will be a guide for the router equipped with a collar

That is all for now. I think I have a piece of pretty wood for the dry side. LOL

 

[Guerry]

cool prodject look forward to see how it turns out

 

[DolphinLVR]

Cant wait too see this all come together Dave!

 

[Peppie]

Thanks guys,
I am trying to work out in my head, the best way to make the wet side float, yet be as narrow as possible.
I think the total thickness to the mags on the wet side is 3/4''. I would like to keep the overall thickness of the wet side to 1 1/4''. I am not sure if that is a large enough void/airpocket. to keep it afloat.

 

[BCT182]

What if you filled it with styrofoam or spray foam?

Or helium? Jk

 

[Peppie]

I thought about filling the void with foam but, wouldnt just air in that void be better than the foam? What is lighter than air?

Oh yea, Helium!!! LOL

I really dont want to weld this together to find out I should have made it 1 1/2'' to 1 5/8'' overall thickness for a larger void.
I guess if I keep all the rock work and such 2'' away from the sides I would be alright to make the scraper thicker.
I rather it be skinny.

 

[Somethings Fishy]

The silver magnets look like neodymium-they are amazing, you have to slide them apart!

 

[Peppie]

I am not sure if they are but I do know that you need to be very very careful. I have pinched my fingers a couple of times already.
You must be aware at all times of where you place them and what you place next to them, and how far apart they are when you set them down.

 

[TJL]

Hey Dave, I just knew you would have some fun with those Neo Mags. You definitely need to be aware of any other magnets or metal within about 8" of those lil beasts, gave me a couple of blood blisters on fingers figuring out just how far thier magnetic pull really is :shock: :Cry: :scared:


Cheers, Todd

 

[mercenary-grunt]

sounds like you wont need to worry about floating. they wont separate so no worries.

 

[Peppie]

They are for sure something to be aware of on the bench!!

So I got some work done on the wet side today.
I hogged out the majority of the waste at the drill press.

I used double backed tape to hold the jig in place.

A top and a bottom

Mixed up some epoxy to keep the magnets in place

Set the puppy down in there. Magnet side down

Mixed up some more epoxy and covered the entire thing

 

[Peppie]

Now I need to weld the top and bottom together.

That should be plenty of goop!!

A little bit of squeeze out

A little snug pressure

I will let that sit for a day before I cut away some of the waste.

 

[Peppie]

Did a wet test for the wet side,, It Sunk Like A Rock !!!!! LOL

 

[eww]

Tie a helium balloon to it :flypig:

 

[Peppie]

I am afraid the line would get caught in a powerhead!!

 

[user 2204]

Nice work Dave. Tagging along with ya on this. I am in the shop this week modifing a aquafuge filter, making a probe holder and evben making a cool cleaner mag like your doing here.

And like everyones mentioned, those neo-mags are some strong suckers. I have to remember to keep them away from metal objects. Trying to router them was super fun with the metal bit and the magnets. :lol:

Cheers,
Alex

 

[Peppie]

Thanks Alex,
What are you going to use the A-filter for? What size tank is the cleaner for 3/8 ?
How do you plan on keeping yours afloat? I cut some more waste off mine hoping it will float on the next test.
As you can see in the pic, I left a small nub on each end so I can grab it with some pinchers when it sinks to the bottom.

I used a glue gun to secure the Velcro to the wet side

Found a nice piece of Quilted maple for a part of the dry side

I will dig around for a dark wood to highlight the maple.

 

[user 2204]

Thanks Alex,
What are you going to use the A-filter for? What size tank is the cleaner for 3/8 ?
How do you plan on keeping yours afloat?

I am using the AC filter for my nanos. I will upload a photo when I get the chance. I am in the design and development phase at the moment. Made a piece of acrylic look like swiss cheese. *lol* You'll understand when you see the photos.

Cleaner mag I am working on is for nano sized tanks. I do plan on making a few larger sized later. Way to make them float is to make them as hollow as possible. I will probably work on that later this week. Finishing up the AC filter mod and sweet looking probe holder.

Cheers,
Alex