Styrofoam Panel With Magnets

This instructable briefly describes how to turn a styrofoam panel into a panel that can be fixed to a metal surface through magnetic attraction.

N°1 styrofoam panel; dimensions and thickness will depend from the use You will do of the panel.

N°4 wood screws, carbon steel type, with length shorter than the panel thickness (those in the picture were already available).

N°4 neodymium magnets having width bigger than the size of the screw heads (those in the picture were already available).

N°1 super glue applicator.

N°1 steel surface where to install the panel.

Remarks:

The magnets should be neodymium type; they should be bigger than the head of the screw to provide adequate attraction force. The size depends from the use that will be done of the panel; the bigger the weight loaded on the panel, the bigger the magnets to sustain the weight.

Flat head wood screws (steel type) can be screwed into a styrofoam panel near corners with the right screwdriver; actual position can be approximately 5÷10 cm far from the edge (see also the picture of next step for an example of the position of screws).

The thicker the panel, the longer the screw that can be inserted.

A drop of crazy glue, or similar glue, between magnet and screw head will allow the two to stay together in case the panel is moved from its position.

It is advisable to clean the surfaces to be glued with alcohol before gluing them, to improve the effect of the glue.

You can add a drop of glue to each screw head and then You can put the magnet on the head.

If the magnet is not perfectly on the center of the head, You can use something of plastic or wood to move slightly the magnet in position.

According to the glue it is advisable to let the glue dry for some hours to obtain its maximum effect.

The styrofoam box in the picture can be used as a small shelf.

Styrofoam panel with magnets can be attached on surfaces with steel elements (EG: freezers or fridges with metal cover; lockers or closets with metal cover).

In case of surfaces not made of steel (EG: wood, brick or concrete) a flat steel element may be added to the surface to allow the installation of the panel with magnets.

Panels may be used as decoration, as insulating elements, as a board for pinned memo notes; You may find out other uses according to Your needs.

You can easily shift the panel in another position; if You want to remove the panel You just have to detach it from the surface.

Hope this project can be useful for You.

Thanks for reading and Good work.