<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: [CAUT] magnetized screwdriver</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> Chris, Screwdrivers, and ferrous magnets, are magnetic because the polarity of the= individual atoms are aligned in the same direction, thus multiplying the ef= fect.  Dropping something, whether magnetized or not, causes the atoms = to become aligned in a more random fashion, and thus will decrease the magne= tic strength and eventually demagnetize the tool, if dropped repeatedly. A non-magnetic object can become magnetized in only one way: exposure to a = strong electrical or magnetic field.  I have an old magnetic screwdrive= r that was my dad’s.  Needless to say, by the time I was using it= it was getting pretty weak.  A number of years ago I used it to insert= my temperament strip in a Baldwin Electropiano, right by the pickups. &nbsp= ;It has been almost good as new ever since. So, been working in the power plant, have you? Ken Z. On 1/11/06 2:46 PM, "Christopher Purdy" <purdy@ohio.edu> wr= ote: <BLOCKQUOTE>This is a bit off topic but an interesting question about tools.  I= recently have found a couple of my screwdrivers had voluntarily become magn= etized somehow.  I couldn't figure out why but my student says that dro= pping the tool can do it somehow.  He can't defend his theory but says = that either denting or the impact realigns the polarity somehow. Is this true?  Can someone confirm or deny this and explain how in ter= ms a dummy like me can understand? If this is true, is it possible to de-magnetize something?  How would = you do it, drop it again?  How do you undrop something? Chris Christopher D. Purdy R.P.T. School of Music, Ohio University Rm. 311, Robt. Glidden Hall Athens, OH  45701 Office (740) 593-1656 Cell    (740) 590-3842 fax      (740) 593-1429 <a href="http://www.ohiou.edu/music">http:= //www.ohiou.edu/music</a> </BLOCKQUOTE> -- Ken Zahringer, RPT Piano Technician MU School of Music 297 Fine Arts 882-1202 cell 489-7529 </BODY> </HTML>