Roger Nolfe gave me the idea of using small magnets to hold wooden watch box lids shut. We discussed the effect these magnets would have on a watch in close proximity to it. Neither he or I were sure. So I am putting out the question to all of you on IHC185.
I was also thinking of using the small magnets to hold the door closed on the watch cabinet I just built.
The magnets are very small (1/8"x 1/8") but are very powerful for their size.
I could use a little help on this one, jump in!

That looks small enough to be a "rare earth" magnet, Ed, and those are very potent indeed. They differ somehow from manufactured magnets.

These are available in some of my woodworking magazines for door catches, etc, and the lifting capacity for these tiny things is impressive.

All magnets come in different types and strengths. A very good rule of thumb to follow around magnets of any type is and has been to keep them a minimum of 7 feet away from objects that can or could become magnetized

regards,
bb

When a magnetic "latch" is in "latched" position where a steel plate crosses over the north and south poles of the magnet there is little or no "leakage".

BUT when you "unlatch" the door or cover to open it, by breaking that shorted magnetic field, you will inject a significant area around it with a powerful magnetic pulse that is sure to leave a magnetic imprint. In short, use a hook, snap latch or some other non-magnetic device.

Thank you for your thoughts on this. I guess it would be better to safe than sorry at this point.
Ed