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DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

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Old 02-12-2009, 01:11 PM
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kp
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Default 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


Last edited by kp; 05-05-2009 at 08:03 AM.
Old 02-16-2009, 06:48 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

good write up. good info.
Old 02-16-2009, 08:49 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug


but isnt the oil filter for that purpose?
to capture and hold metal shavings
Old 02-16-2009, 09:41 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

nice DIY
Old 02-16-2009, 09:45 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Originally Posted by Unseen Racer

but isnt the oil filter for that purpose?
to capture and hold metal shavings
Only down to a certain particulate size.

If you're using the big orange can that means something about the size of a golfball.

/end sarcasm
Old 02-16-2009, 09:53 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Very Good Write up.
Old 02-16-2009, 11:40 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Originally Posted by paton5g
good write up. good info.
Originally Posted by ek4_b16a
nice DIY
Originally Posted by 1LowSol
Very Good Write up.
Thanks.
Old 03-30-2009, 07:06 PM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

good write up man
Old 03-30-2009, 07:13 PM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Good DIY write up bro...
Old 03-30-2009, 07:52 PM
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Default 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.
Old 04-01-2009, 10:24 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

you shuld get billy mayes to sell these for you, and show how strong they are lol
Old 04-01-2009, 10:31 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Originally Posted by prime-R
good write up man
Originally Posted by jdm inc
Good DIY write up bro...
Originally Posted by en00be
you shuld get billy mayes to sell these for you, and show how strong they are lol
Thanks guys.

And yeah, maybe I'll give Mr. Oxi a call. THEY'RE SO GAWD DAMN STRONG!
Old 04-01-2009, 10:33 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Originally Posted by Juan_Mitosis
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.
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.
Old 04-01-2009, 10:34 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Originally Posted by en00be
you shuld get billy mayes to sell these for you, and show how strong they are lol

Btw, nice sig. Haha. I thought someone would appreciate that one.
Old 04-02-2009, 07:01 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

nice write up but you should have used mighty putty to put the magnet in if you want it to be Billy Mays approved.
Old 04-02-2009, 08:55 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Originally Posted by jweller
nice write up but you should have used mighty putty to put the magnet in if you want it to be Billy Mays approved.
Haha, yeah maybe on the next one.
Old 04-09-2009, 07:09 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

725 Views and climbing....

Last edited by kp; 04-21-2009 at 06:41 AM.
Old 04-21-2009, 07:13 AM
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Default 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.
Old 04-21-2009, 07:45 AM
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Default 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.
Old 04-27-2009, 08:11 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Originally Posted by bmxmacdaddy
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.
Hmm, great idea. I just stuck a half dozen old harddrive magnets on my oil pan.
Old 04-27-2009, 08:57 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Im def going to try this, thanks
Old 05-05-2009, 07:54 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Originally Posted by bmxmacdaddy
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.
Umm...yeah....I'll understand if you just say you don't know how to use a drill press.

ps. magnets are attracted to metal so I don't think x parts will be moving around my block.
Old 05-05-2009, 07:55 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

Originally Posted by fakemike
Im def going to try this, thanks
Go for it dude, it's too easy not to try it.

Originally Posted by thumper64
Hmm, great idea. I just stuck a half dozen old harddrive magnets on my oil pan.
Half dozen? You're going to suck all your valves open! Bloody strong magnets for sure.
Old 05-13-2009, 08:28 AM
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Default Re: DIY Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

good stuff!
Old 05-13-2009, 08:32 AM
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Default 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.


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