when i built my first pc back in december 2004, the first screw i put in was different from all the rest, finding that out after i put the other 8 in. when i went to take the mobo out, i could not get this screw out of its place, i needed to screw out, and lift up at the same time, because of its location on the mobo , it was quite difficult. So that night i bought a magnetic screwdriver and a magnetizer. i didnt, afterall, actually use these new tools to take the screw out, because my mobo was already in there, and i didnt plan on taking it out anytime soon. Anyway......that leads me to building my next pc. a few nights ago, i thought that it would be so much easier to use the magnetic screwdriver to put in the 9 screws for the mobo, a very reliable source close to me told me there is no harm done in using a magnetic screwdriver to install screws on the mobo. for all 9 screws i used a magnetic screwdriver, even though i was also using a motherboard tray. what is your guys take on this? was it safe for me to use a magnetized screwdriver? thx
Yeah, I agree... I have taken out several screws in my chassis, mobo, and elsewhere using a magnetic screwdriver and have yet to see any problems. Just important to *be careful* of couse. Especially around your HDD.
I've been tinkering with PC's for years, and magnetic screw drivers have never caused a problem. Yes, they do have a magnetic charge, but it's not enough to bork your hard drive or other sensitive devices. Now, if you took a speaker magnet, then I could see a can of worms opening, but not for a magnetic screw driver.
I rarely use magnetic screwdrivers for close up on mobos. Theres probably no risk really but I always prefer yo use the thin, single screwdriver things. The field made by it shouldn't cause a problem, unless you used something which had a lot stronger field than the screwdriver, as the em-field it would create would induce an electric current which have the capability of damaging some chips. But thats only for speaker/fridge magnet type fields.
I use magnetic screwdriver at all times when working with hardware, got annoyed with screws falling behind the panels and other unreachable places - forcing me to shake my PC above my head. So i say YES to magnetic screwdrivers - and I never had a problem with them. :good:
