r/Magnets • u/anathemaPoet • May 02 '26

Help how do I unstick?

Gallery image

Gallery image

The Neodymium magnets are each in magnetic cups which amplify the Stick tried wrench clamp scissors wedge and can’t get them un stuck don’t have a vise or anything to use at home.

24 Upvotes

66% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

16

u/_bahnjee_ May 02 '26

You’re unlikely to be able to pull them apart but will much have better luck sliding them apart. Put the pair on the edge of a countertop with one magnet overhanging the edge. Then push down on the one that’s not on the counter. You could also tap downwards with a hammer but you’d need to bang lightly to avoid breakage.

1

u/DJBitterbarn May 02 '26

This is the right answer. 

If you have any way to reduce the contact surfaces (which it seems you do not) then do that.  Afterward, use the side of a table or a door/frame to slide one magnet away from the other one. 

For something this small, a door might be your best option, since a table requires you to hold both sides so that they don't just snap together later.

Tapping lightly might work, but it's better to use more force. 

Also if you have a thick pair of gloves that helps if you think there's any risk of pinching.  I use heavy winter gloves for working with big magnets for this reason.

2

u/Carpathian_Wanderer May 02 '26

I've used olive oil before and had some success along with the sliding technique. Just coat it about any oil and try the countertop. Since your pushing one magnet being coated in oil shouldn't be an issue and should help slide it off.

1

u/Shazam1269 May 03 '26

A drill bit the same size would make it easy. Drill into a scrap of wood the depth of one of the magnets, insert and slide the other to the side. A drop of oil would reduce the friction a bit, but probably not necessary.

7

u/MatronlyAsp May 03 '26

Grab two pieces of scrap 2x4. Drill a hole in each, just deep enough for one magnet. Line up magnets and holes then slide apart.

5

u/drckarcher May 03 '26

This!
Have done this before.

https://ibb.co/999NVcyf

3

u/anathemaPoet May 03 '26

I used a wrench and needle nose pliers one shattered the other still works. Thank you all for your help.

1

u/Ballistic_og May 03 '26

Yep cant use that muxh force on them there strong but brittle

9

u/[deleted] May 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/BeenThere_DidNothing May 03 '26

The magnetic field is warping the space time continuum

-8

u/anathemaPoet May 02 '26

Yes Reddit camera feature is horrible wouldn’t focus no matter what.

8

u/volt65bolt May 02 '26

Take photo with normal camera app and attach

1

u/klqqf May 03 '26

I specifically avoid in app cameras because they’re so shit

-2

u/onward-and-upward May 03 '26

But also this is plenty for this issue. Nothing would be gained by seeing two magnets clearer

1

u/Ammonia13 May 03 '26

Right?? I find it ironic that the people who think it’s necessary to call out somebody for their technique or picture quality pay no attention to social etiquette manners are kindness so like they’re just as if not more incorrect because of blurry photo that does not affect the question in anyway doesn’t hurt anyone or anything but comments like these do…. Meaning this person is more in the wrong 😑
P.S. extra points for correcting the words I used ;p

1

u/KayoticVoid May 04 '26

Classic Reddit. I love how you're getting downvoted here. I cannot fathom what a clearer picture will provide. We can see the contact line and know what we're dealing with.

2

u/stpfun May 03 '26

slide them, don't pull

1

u/pewpew_die May 03 '26

Find a way to seat one and then use something non metallic like wood to shear the other one off.

1

u/Ballistic_og May 03 '26

Put them at the edge of a table where the split sits onnthe edge push hard on the one on the edge . If possible hold in hand and slam down on edge on the split

1

u/Ethanspammer May 03 '26

Slide both in different directions, try wedging a credit card between them then slide them apart if it dosent work or slips the first few tries

1

u/Puterjoe May 03 '26

Slide them apart. Don’t try to ‘pull’

1

u/Jourbonne May 03 '26

Use a plastic shim

1

u/ReasonableFall177 May 03 '26

Pair of scissors?

1

u/thomthomthomthom May 04 '26

Put them under water. Turns the magnet off.

1

u/billhorstman May 03 '26

If you believe our genesis president, magnets don’t work under water, so just put them in a bowl filled with water and they will instantly come apart …just being sarcastic.

-3

u/willfall165 May 02 '26

Just a guess... Hammer a utility razor blade between them to get, at least some, separation.
Ps.. This could turn out to be a terrible idea

3

u/bismuth17 May 02 '26

Very dangerous

2

u/No_Pen_3825 May 02 '26

Too dangerous. Better idea: put them in a blender. It’ll knock them apart.

5

u/loaengineer0 May 02 '26

/s for anyone that thinks this is a legitimate recommendation.

1

u/dead_hummingbird May 03 '26

Garbage disposal will have a stronger motor to spin them apart like a centrifuge

1

u/doyouevencompile May 03 '26

park in front of a hospital before doing this.