A different approact to using a magnet to collect filings

[boehme]

Many Tormek users place small super magnets in the water tray to collect metal filings which helps to keep the stone clean.  However cleaning the fine metal powder from the magnet is a messy and somewhat tough job because of the high strength of the magnets.  I use a slightly different approach in which I use one of the larger 3/4 inch super magnets glued to the bottom of the tray near the back edge as shown in the photo.  I used a product called "Goop" which does a good job of adhering to the plastic.  Other adhesives like epoxy and super glue have poor adhesion to the plastic.  After the Goop dried, I applied a thick coating of Goop over the magnet for two reasons.

• To make it easier to remove any metal particles from the outside
• To prevent the tray from grabbing the lower frame of the Tormek when the tray is removed to dump the water

After the second application of Goop cured, I used my belt sander to flatten it to about 3/32 inch thick (this can be seen in the inset to the picture).  This step isn't necessary, but it helps the water tray to sit more level without rocking when I lower it to get the stone out of the water, but don't plan to dump the water.

[Jeff Farris]

You'll have even less of a problem if you place the magnet on the vertical inside surface of the water tray (about 90 degrees from where you have it now).  It will sit perfectly flat, and won't try to grab the frame at all. Your "Goop" is pretty elegant, but duct tape (or gaffer's tape) works, too.

[boehme]

I tried the tape for a while, but I like to clean the tray outdoors with a high pressure nozzle on the garden hose and the tape just wasn't up to that sort of treatment.  I like this method because it is permanent and I have been using it this way for more than five years without any problem.

I actually like the magnet on the bottom with the arrangement that I have.  The thickness of the Goop "spacer" allows the tray to hold onto the frame, but with nowhere near the amount of grab that direct contact would have.  Just a few ounces of force is all that is needed to make it release.