Can you put a magnet on your screwdriver?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Ok so I was going to do maintenance and I don't have any magnetic screwdriver. Wanted to remove MOBO. Now my dad uses a strong little magnet I could use, for testing jewlery, if it's sterling or not. So yeah, can I stick on the side of my screwdriver while putting it near my MOBO and stuff?

[Jobbe03]

I wouldn't. 

[Lingering]

Yes... maybe.... hard to say for sure, the factors are:

 

• Touching other components due to size
• Effecting other components due to magnet strength

I think it will be fine but only you can make the final choice, I don't think i would.

[WoodenMarker]

You don't need to worry about magnets (unless they're dumbstrong) being near your components--just don't jab your motherboard with a screwdriver. 

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

You don't need to worry about magnets (unless they're dumbstrong) being near your components--just don't jab your motherboard with a screwdriver. 

 

Yeah well it is kinda strong.... stick pretty hard and stuff.

[WoodenMarker]

Yeah well it is kinda strong.... stick pretty hard and stuff.

I meant like an industrial magnet. 

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Yes... maybe.... hard to say for sure, the factors are:

 

• Touching other components due to size
• Effecting other components due to magnet strength

I think it will be fine but only you can make the final choice, I don't think i would.

 

Yeah... but I think if I don't use any magnet I won't be able to pull the screw out lol.

[ShadowCaptain]

If its SUPER strong, I would avoid it

 

magnetised screwdrivers are generally not that strong, though it should not be an issue unless your are sticking around your mechanical hard drives

[sheriffsparks]

Instead of attaching the magnet to the screwdriver, try stroking the screwdriver with the magnet a few times. Make all your strokes in the same direction. This has worked for me to temporarily magnetize a screwdriver

[A.D.A.M]

well you can try to magnetism the screwdriver.http://www.wikihow.com/Magnetize-Metal

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Instead of attaching the magnet to the screwdriver, try stroking the screwdriver with the magnet a few times. Make all your strokes in the same direction. This has worked for me to temporarily magnetize a screwdriver

 

The magnet is really small. It's like the size of a pea, without the sphere, if you know what I mean.

[CostcoSamples]

I'm not an electical engineer or anything, but I think if you are careful not to touch any bits on the mobo, you should be OK.  if you think there is some risk, put some tape (electrical tape if you have any) on top of components near the screw first.

[Pofi]

Why would you do that in the first place? almost all screwdrivers are magnetized already and they will keep the screws stuck on them..... it's a really uncomfortable thing to do
but no, you would not damage anything as long as it's turned off and the magnet is not made for lifting cars. Magnetic fields are all over your computer anyways when it's powered. Don't worry about that.