To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories.
To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Magnetic Sheet Metal Bender
At my house, I am the fix-it person for a number of reasons. I really like fixing things instead of throwing them out. Today's throw-away culture is not good for the environment and not good for the wallet. I also like to keep old tech around for possible uses in projects. When I have to get tools, or parts for Apple devices I always check iFixit.com to see what they have to help with the repair. They not only stock parts for repairs, they also host a repair guide site, which is a great source whether you are repairing an iPhone, a Nintendo DS or replacing the brake pads on a 2005 Ford Focus. The repair guide is a wiki format and constantly being updated so if you have some repair knowledge feel free to contribute.
Every repair job, or project I get myself involved in invariably has a host of tiny screws that need to be managed. Normally I would toss them into a plastic holder or tape them to a piece of paper so I could write a note next to the part. During my last visit to iFixit I found the solution I was looking for with the iFixit Magnetic Project Mat.
This mat is a handy addition to any work bench, especially if you have to wrangle small screws and components. The mat is, as its name suggests, magnetic, with enough pull to hold smaller parts in place and keep them from rolling off the bench and into another dimension. The website claims that the mat is safe for hard drives so I decided to put that to the test. I ran an error check on a laptop hard drive I had and then placed the hard drive on the mat for 48 hours. I scanned the drive for errors and none were found. That claim is confirmed.
The 8" by 10" surface has a grid printed on it so you can separate parts and you can write on it using a dry erase marker. You will also get a Staedtler Lumocolor marker: these markers won't smear once you write on the surface but will erase with a standard white board eraser. I like the pen so much I may start using them for my everyday notes.
There are two versions of the mat, a standard mat and a pro mat. The pro version of the mat also has a foam backing that has spaces for non-magnetic parts if you need them. I purchased the pro version because the foam backing also prevents slippage, and my workbench is a recycled table with porcelain tiles. The Lumocolor pens write on the tiles also, which allows me to write quick notes on my bench.
The Standard Magnetic Project Mat retails for $12.95 and the Pro Magnetic Project Mat is $19.95. You can pick one up at iFixit.com. I also urge you to read the Fix The Planet Page. I respect the company's philosophy and if you don't fix your own electronics, this video may change your mind.
48-Inch Press Brake © 2023 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices