Help sizing magnets

[Reefs and Geeks]

I'm interested in 3D printing a glass scraper similar to the flipper. I want to be able to use it on 3/4-1" thick glass, but I'm not sure what size magnet I'd need. I will also need to account for the thickness of the felt pad, plastic housing, and a 1mm gap on the wet side similar to the flipper scrubber.

Anyone have suggestions on what size magnet I'd need (plan on using 2-3 magnets on each side)?

 

[mta_morrow]

I'm interested in 3D printing a glass scraper similar to the flipper. I want to be able to use it on 3/4-1" thick glass, but I'm not sure what size magnet I'd need. I will also need to account for the thickness of the felt pad, plastic housing, and a 1mm gap on the wet side similar to the flipper scrubber.

Anyone have suggestions on what size magnet I'd need (plan on using 2-3 magnets on each side)?

Check out Octo Aquatics. He cuts his own magnets for his custom pieces which by the way are fantastic.

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

The Octo Aquatics stuff does look very nice. I can't tell how big the magnets are for them though.

I found these one Amazon. I could line them up side by side and do 10 on the inside and 10 on the outside. Would that be enough for 3/4"-1" glass? I'm not too worried about it being too strong since I can always put a thicker felt on the dry side to reduce the force.

 

[mta_morrow]

The Octo Aquatics stuff does look very nice. I can't tell how big the magnets are for them though.

I found these one Amazon. I could line them up side by side and do 10 on the inside and 10 on the outside. Would that be enough for 3/4"-1" glass? I'm not too worried about it being too strong since I can always put a thicker felt on the dry side to reduce the force.

Just sayin Matt can cut to size.

 

[mta_morrow]

@cromag27 is the man!

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

Just sayin Matt can cut to size.

I'll reach out to him and see what size he'd recommend and how much that would cost to get from him. I am trying to do on a budget, but also don't want to build something that won't work well. I have the medium sized flipper now, but it just doesn't pull hard enough on the thick glass to scrape suborn algae away, even with a new blade. What I'm planning on doing is printing something custom that will use blades from the Kent scraper since they are economical, and incorporate it into a magnetic cleaner body similar to the flipper body. That way I can replace blades as often as needed without spending $10 every time.

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

@cromag27 is the man!

Thanks for tagging him in!

@cromag27 Please let me know what you'd suggest or if you have something available that would work well. Your stuff on your website looks great! I think you just went to the top of my list for frag racks. I'll probably order one from you once I get my frag tank up and running.

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

Anyone else ever make anything DIY that held onto thicker glass 3/4"+ that would have any insight? I currently have 3/4" glass, but would prefer to have a strong hold that would be strong enough to scrap 1" thick glass. If going that strong is unrealistic, than something that would just work well on 3/4" glass would be okay. I'd hate to buy a set of magnets for $20-30 only to find they aren't strong enough for my glass.

I like the idea of making my own scraper for a few reasons. First, I think I can make a good one cheaper than buying a flipper max or equivalent scraper made for thick glass, assuming the required magnets aren't ungodly expensive. I'm planning on designing the scraper to use Kent scraper blades, which I can get for just over a buck instead of flipper blades which are closer to $10/each. Also, I'm thinking I will actually make it a double edged scraper, with a blade on both sides rather than one blade on one side, and plastic nubs on the other. Might as well get twice the scraping action, and if the blades are only a buck or so, than won't be bad to replace two at once.