Magnets for small cabinets

Davidadew · 4 Jan 2011

I'm currently making some small cabinets and want to keep the doors closed using some small magnets that stick but aren't so sticky that it makes them difficult to open again. Shop bought magnetic catches are way too big, the cabinet in question is only 120mm high with 8mm thick wood.

So I've been trying to find ways to do it myself - and in one case looking for magnetic strips to use - have found the following links:

http://www.magnets2buy.com/acatalog/fle ... -tape.html
http://www.magnets2buy.com/acatalog/Steel_Tape.html

which in theory might do the trick but I wonder if anyone else has used these kinds of things - I want something that will really stick, and stick for ages, not fall off after a few years.

Am I asking too much though?

ProShop · 4 Jan 2011

Try some rare earth magnets and hide/built them into the cabinet, works everytime for me

Froggy · 4 Jan 2011

ProShop":r6df6vvg said:
Try some rare earth magnets and hide/built them into the cabinet, works everytime for me

I've just done that very thing with rare earth magnets on small cabinets and they work a treat. Strong enough to pull the door shut as themagnets get close, but not too strong to open them with ease. Bought them on eBay and there's a varity of sizes.

white_sw · 4 Jan 2011

if your not in a hurry for magnets, check out the link below from Hong Kong. shipping is included in the price and from past experience it takes between 5-10 days for delivery.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4248

they have different sizes too. just do a search for magnet.

cheers and happy new year,
sam

goldeneyedmonkey · 4 Jan 2011

+1 for rare earth magnets (neodymium?), you can get LOADS of different sizes on Ebay, as said above. I've bought some but not implemented them into any designs yet, but have heard good things about them.

Cheers _Dan.