DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
#1
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Thread Starter
DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
Yeah, before you start to flame all over the place let me first make clear that this is quite possibly the easiest little project to complete. I'd also like to say that you can probably buy a Magnetic Plug on eBay or something for $5. I made my own because I am cheap, I like using power tools, and I like making things myself instead of paying for them.
So, you'll need:
- A regular Honda oil drain plug
- A Neodymium magnet (strong as ****)
- Drill press (or a hand drill if you're feeling frisky)
- Some kind of adhesive (ex. JB weld)
- Vice/C-Clamp
- Drill bits
- Micrometer (or just a ruler)
So, you have your drain plug. You'll first want to clean it up real good. Next, you'll want to punch a mark right in the middle for your drill bit to center itself in. VVV
Next, grab your magnets. The ones I used are somewhat small. They came in a pack of 10 for about $5. VVV
I used a micrometer to measure the diameter of the magnet, you can use a ruler if you like. These magnets came out to .3155". VVV
Next, find a drill bit that is about the same size or slightly smaller. I found a 5/16" bit that was about .0045" smaller than the magnet. I figured this size difference wouldn't matter once the drill press started vibrating anyways. VVV
Next, set up your drill press (or hand drill) with your 5/16" bit. You'll want to really clamp it solid so you can get your hole as close to the middle as possible. VVV
PUT ON SOME EYE PROTECTION!
Drill away! You'll want your hole to be roughly the thickness of the magnet. This part isn't crucial, you can have your magnet sticking out of the plug slightly, or even sunken in a bit. I figure it's best to have it flush, or sticking out a bit. If the occasion ever arises for you to clear the metal debris off of the magnet, you'll want to be able to do it easily. VVV
Blow off all of the metal shavings from your newly drilled hole. Before I continue, these magnets are probably strong enough to hold themselves in the bolt, however it's never a bad thing to be too careful.
IF YOU WANT TO USE ADHESIVE, DO NOT TEST FIT YOUR MAGNET IN THE HOLE! YOU'LL NEVER GET IT OUT!
Next, grab your adhesive of choice. I used a marine-grade adhesive that is very resistant to heat, moisture, and frigid temperatures. You can use JB Weld, or a similiar product. VVV
Mix some up! Equal parts of both. VVV
Cram some in your hole. Too much is not a bad thing, the excess will come out when you press the magnet in. VVV
It's time to place the magnet in the hole. My hole turned out to be a bit too small for the magnet to slip in under it's own power, so I used a small vice to squeeze it in. If you don't have a vice, you can use a C-Clamp.VVV
DONE! Not too bad for 10 minutes. VVV
STRONG AS BULL! VVV
So, you'll need:
- A regular Honda oil drain plug
- A Neodymium magnet (strong as ****)
- Drill press (or a hand drill if you're feeling frisky)
- Some kind of adhesive (ex. JB weld)
- Vice/C-Clamp
- Drill bits
- Micrometer (or just a ruler)
So, you have your drain plug. You'll first want to clean it up real good. Next, you'll want to punch a mark right in the middle for your drill bit to center itself in. VVV
Next, grab your magnets. The ones I used are somewhat small. They came in a pack of 10 for about $5. VVV
I used a micrometer to measure the diameter of the magnet, you can use a ruler if you like. These magnets came out to .3155". VVV
Next, find a drill bit that is about the same size or slightly smaller. I found a 5/16" bit that was about .0045" smaller than the magnet. I figured this size difference wouldn't matter once the drill press started vibrating anyways. VVV
Next, set up your drill press (or hand drill) with your 5/16" bit. You'll want to really clamp it solid so you can get your hole as close to the middle as possible. VVV
PUT ON SOME EYE PROTECTION!
Drill away! You'll want your hole to be roughly the thickness of the magnet. This part isn't crucial, you can have your magnet sticking out of the plug slightly, or even sunken in a bit. I figure it's best to have it flush, or sticking out a bit. If the occasion ever arises for you to clear the metal debris off of the magnet, you'll want to be able to do it easily. VVV
Blow off all of the metal shavings from your newly drilled hole. Before I continue, these magnets are probably strong enough to hold themselves in the bolt, however it's never a bad thing to be too careful.
IF YOU WANT TO USE ADHESIVE, DO NOT TEST FIT YOUR MAGNET IN THE HOLE! YOU'LL NEVER GET IT OUT!
Next, grab your adhesive of choice. I used a marine-grade adhesive that is very resistant to heat, moisture, and frigid temperatures. You can use JB Weld, or a similiar product. VVV
Mix some up! Equal parts of both. VVV
Cram some in your hole. Too much is not a bad thing, the excess will come out when you press the magnet in. VVV
It's time to place the magnet in the hole. My hole turned out to be a bit too small for the magnet to slip in under it's own power, so I used a small vice to squeeze it in. If you don't have a vice, you can use a C-Clamp.VVV
DONE! Not too bad for 10 minutes. VVV
STRONG AS BULL! VVV
Last edited by kp; 05-05-2009 at 08:03 AM.
#5
#7
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#10
Junior Member
Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
Do you figure this to be more powerful than auto store magnetic plugs?
GREAT WRITE UP! If it's stronger.. .I'm probably gonna go for it.
GREAT WRITE UP! If it's stronger.. .I'm probably gonna go for it.
#12
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
#13
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
Those magnets are so strong it's crazy. They're half the size of a skittle and they can hold up a steel hammer. It's insane. I'm sure any strength of magnet will do the job but these are just overkill, no one ever complained of something doing it's job too well.
#14
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#16
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#18
Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
uuum....yeah...have you ever heard of just putting a magnet on the outside of your oil pan????? instead of this project...and you dont run the risk of x parts moving around your block (should they come loose)
good directions though.
good directions though.
#19
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Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
IF that magnet came loose, wouldnt it be attracted to the bolt anyways... and as you can see it is strong enough that its not going anywhere.
#20
Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
Hmm, great idea. I just stuck a half dozen old harddrive magnets on my oil pan.
#22
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
ps. magnets are attracted to metal so I don't think x parts will be moving around my block.
#23
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
Go for it dude, it's too easy not to try it.
Half dozen? You're going to suck all your valves open! Bloody strong magnets for sure.
Half dozen? You're going to suck all your valves open! Bloody strong magnets for sure.
#25
Honda-Tech Member
Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
Why not but one? I purchased one from the store and it has way more magnet than that. Also I don't have to worry about glue floating around in my oil. I think is was $4.