How to Magnetize a Screwdriver: A Simple DIY Guide
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Dropping a screw into a wall cavity or engine bay wastes time on every job. A magnetized screwdriver holds the screw on the tip, so you can start it one-handed in tight spots.
You can magnetize most screwdrivers at home in under a minute. This guide covers four methods, which steels hold a charge, how long it lasts and how to reverse it.
Quick answer: stroke a strong magnet along the shaft from handle to tip, in one direction only, 20 to 30 times. A cheap magnetizer and demagnetizer block does the same job in seconds and lets you undo it.
Will Your Screwdriver Hold a Magnetic Charge?
Magnetizing only works on ferromagnetic steel, the kind a fridge magnet sticks to. Most screwdriver shafts are chrome vanadium or S2 tool steel, and both take and hold a charge well. Hardened steel holds magnetism longer than soft steel.
Some stainless steel shafts barely respond, because common stainless grades are only weakly magnetic. Do a quick check first: if a magnet does not stick firmly to the shaft, none of these methods will work well.
| Shaft material | Takes a charge? | Holds it? |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome vanadium (Cr-V) | Yes | Well |
| S2 tool steel | Yes | Very well |
| Carbon steel | Yes | Fairly well |
| Most stainless steel | Weakly or not at all | Poorly |
Method 1: Use a Permanent Magnet (Best for Most People)
This is the quickest and most reliable home method. A neodymium magnet works best, but a strong speaker or fridge magnet also works with more strokes.
- Hold the screwdriver firmly by the handle.
- Place the magnet on the shaft near the handle.
- Slide it along the shaft to the tip, then lift it well away from the tool.
- Bring it back to the handle end through the air, not along the shaft.
- Repeat 20 to 30 times, always in the same direction.
- Test it by picking up a small screw.
The direction matters because each stroke lines up tiny magnetic regions inside the steel, called domains. Rubbing back and forth scrambles them again, which is why the charge seems to vanish.
Method 2: Use a Magnetizer and Demagnetizer Block
A magnetizer block is a small plastic case with a strong magnet inside and two slots. Pull the screwdriver through the magnetize slot a few times and it is done. Pull it through the demagnetize slot slowly to remove the charge.
These blocks cost very little and suit anyone with a full set of drivers or bits. Look for a screwdriver magnetizer and demagnetizer with slots large enough for your thickest shafts.
Method 3: Use Another Magnetized Tool
If you already own a magnetized screwdriver or bit holder, it can pass some of its charge on. Stroke it along the second shaft from handle to tip, 30 or more times, in one direction.
This gives a weaker result than a real magnet, because the source tool is only lightly magnetized. Treat it as a quick fix on a job site when nothing else is to hand.
Method 4: Make a Simple Electromagnet (Use With Care)
A coil of wire carrying current creates a magnetic field, and the steel inside it becomes magnetized. I suggest this only if you are comfortable with basic circuits, because the coil acts almost like a short circuit.
- Wrap insulated copper wire tightly around the shaft, 50 to 100 turns.
- Use a single 1.5 volt D or AA cell, never mains power or a car battery.
- Touch the wire ends to the cell terminals for 2 to 3 seconds only.
- Disconnect, wait, and repeat two or three times.
- Unwrap the wire and test the tip.
The wire and cell can get hot quickly, so keep the contact brief and hold the wire by its insulation. Never connect a coil to a wall outlet, a battery charger or a lithium pack.
How Long Does It Last?
A well magnetized hardened shaft can stay useful for months. The charge fades faster if the tool is dropped, struck, heated or stored loose among other tools.
Recharging takes seconds, so there is no need to worry about it. Many people simply give their most used drivers a few strokes every few weeks.
How to Demagnetize a Screwdriver
You may want to remove the charge when working on watches, compasses or delicate instruments, or when metal filings keep sticking to the tip. The easiest way is the demagnetize slot on a magnetizer block.
Without a block, stroking a magnet along the shaft in random directions weakens the charge. Avoid heating the shaft to remove magnetism, because high heat can ruin the temper of the steel.
Is It Safe Near Electronics?
A magnetized screwdriver is far too weak to harm modern phones, laptops or solid state drives. It can affect a compass, a mechanical watch or old magnetic media such as floppy disks.
For electronics repair, a magnetic tip is usually a help, because tiny screws stay put. Our JOREST precision screwdriver set review covers a kit with magnetic bits built for that work.
Tips for a Stronger, Longer Charge
- Use the strongest magnet you have, since a stronger field gives a stronger charge.
- Clean rust and grease off the shaft first.
- Store magnetized tools in a case or rack, not loose in a drawer.
- Recharge after a hard drop or after using the tool near heat.
- For electrical work, magnetize only the tip area so the shaft does not pick up filings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you magnetize an insulated screwdriver?
Yes. The steel tip is still exposed, so a magnet or magnetizer works the same way, and the shaft insulation is not affected. See our guide on how to choose insulated screwdrivers for panel work.
Why does my screwdriver lose its magnetism?
Drops, knocks and heat jumble the magnetic domains in the steel. Soft or stainless shafts also lose a charge faster than hardened tool steel.
Is it better to buy a magnetic screwdriver?
Many quality sets come with magnetic tips from the factory, and they hold a charge well. Our best screwdriver sets guide notes which sets include them.
Can I magnetize a drill bit or bit holder?
Yes, the same methods work on steel driver bits and bit holders. Most bit holders already have a small magnet inside.
Final Word
For most people, a few strokes of a strong magnet are all it takes. If you magnetize tools often, a magnetizer block is the fastest and lets you reverse it in seconds.
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