Measuring Magnet Strength Cheaply
by Greg Williams

How do you go about measuring a mags strength?

I once had access to a very sophisticated FW Bell gaussmeter that measure the gauss of the magnets.  If not properly maintained, calibrated and probe aligned properly it can be slightly misleading.  When I lost access to it I just took some bolts and added washers to it till the magnet could not lift the bolt.  I use the bolt with a specific number of washers on it, use the same ones each time, and see if the magnet will pick the bolt up.  After some time you will develop a "feel" for the how the magnets pick the bolt up.  I have doing this method for over 5 years now and it works pretty good.  The handheld gaussmeters which are bottom of the line cost over $300 nowadays.  Plus I've had several people zap and gauss my magnets.  Then the car didn't run as fast as I thought.  Check em with the bolts and I got a weak one.  Get a set matched with the bolts and viola! Instant fast!  You can get washers that are half the size of the main ones to break it down even finer.  I know it sounds geek but it works!  In fact a local racer gauss'd the "new" Tyco traction magnets coming with the new NASCARs and he said they were no stronger than the old ones.  My bolts say different.  They appear to be at least 5% stronger on the average.  So I stuck a set in.  TQ and a race win.  Nuff said!