New Project - need help - electromagnet?

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Got access to a new shop with a little land, but it used to be a pallet refurb site, so there are old pallets that have been burned all over the place.  That means nails, banding, etc. everywhere.  I need to pick this stuff up, so stupid question - is there a way to build a small electromagnet or similiar thing?  Anyone have ideas?Thanks.Last edited by Linepipe; 01-02-2012 at 11:29 AM.
Reply:I would recommend just do a quick google search for rolling magnetic sweeper. That seems to be what contractors use to do what you are trying to accomplish. Hope that helps!
Reply:Sorry, I wasn't detailed enough:  6' banding, nails, and full bandsaw blades acattered across 6 acres in grass.  Ill try to get pics up later today.  It is a bigger mess than a magnetic sweeper can handle.
Reply:Good ol' Harbor Freight!  My son has one from there he uses all the time.
Reply:Cut the top foot of dirt out with a track loader or bury it under a foot or more of clean fill with said loader.I know the guy we used with a tub grinder had a magnet on the unit for cleaning up metal out of pallets he'd grind, so does the concrete crusher for separating out wire and steel bar. Not sure if someone with a screen will have a magnet on the unit or not. If so you could hire some one with a screen to screen all the dirt you cut out.If nothing else dig a big hole and push all the bad dirt in the hole, compact and spread all the material from the hole over the area and seed. There's almost no problem you can't solve in site work that you can't handle with a big enough piece of equipment! What's you final plans for the use of the area?.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:DSW - I will contiue to use the shop for welding projects and storage.  The land was used by the original owner for cattle and horse hay production, which is risky with all the junk on it.  Got to get it cleaned up, but will probably never use it for hay production again.
Reply:depending on existing grades, fill might be an option. Around here pool guys are always looking for places where they can dispose of fill dirt. Contractors also often have excess fill they need to dispose of. Depending on the job, frequently they will be willing to truck it for free if you will take it. when we did concrete work, we had a few farmers who would take fill. we'd dump it and then when things were slow come back and push off the pies for the. around here it's hard to find places that will take clean dirt. Most that do want a fortune to take it, or simply won't take it at all.Asphalt millings are a good option for parking areas. You may be able to get these free also if they are milling roads in your area. The old shop I worked at years ago got quite a few truckloads of millings for free when they milled the road in front of the shop. The company even supplied a loader to help push off the piles so they could truck in more material. It was cheaper for them than trucking it back to the yard and stock piling it for sale to someone else. they only needed like 4 trucks to make the trip down the block and back rather than a fleet to run loads back to the yard..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:We build elctromagnets, but probably MUCH too large for what you are doing.  Do you have a tractor and if so, what kind of weight will the 3pts of bucket hold?  Where do you live at? Originally Posted by SundownIIIDon't get me wrong.  They are just as ill informed about politics as they are about welding, they just post more on that subject.
Reply:I think DSW is on the right track.  When I worked at the scrap yard, even the big magnets (5' or 6')  couldn't clean up all the little pieces in the dirt yard.  Might be easiest to walk it off picking up the big pieces and then fill with 6" or so to hide the nails.My name's not Jim....
Reply:If you cap it, cap it deep or the crap will work it's way to the surface over time with freeze/thaw cycles.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Look up "FOD Boss" http://www.airport-technology.com/co...erosweep1.html that's what we use to police up the flight line.
Reply:Six acres in grass huh ?Wait until late summer and burn off the grass, then at least you can see what you are doing.The electromagnet sounds like a great idea, but it will need some power, probably a fair bit of power. So it is not just the bare electromagnet you need, but something a bit more complicated.How about seeking some quotes ?There must be people out there with the right equipment to do this job, and it may work out cheaper than doing it yourself.  Or maybe not.  But at least you may be able to find out how THEY would go about it, and get a few more ideas.Cheers,  Tony._________________________________Transmig 310 + Argoshield LightOxy acetyleneOxy propanePrehistoric stick welder_________________________________
Reply:I think heavy grass will make that item ineffective..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by tnjindIf you cap it, cap it deep or the crap will work it's way to the surface over time with freeze/thaw cycles.
Reply:Would a rock rake on a bobcat do you any good? Never used one saw one used looked like it did good a job even with smaller objects."Liberalism is a mental disorder" Dr. Savage
Reply:I have the same problem with my little yard next to my fab shop.   Its been a welding shop since the 50's.    so basically 60 years of nails, wire stubs, punch slugs, drill shavings, rotabroach slugs, tie wire, nails and about a ton and a half of grinding grits.I tried to clear a bit of the yard about 10 years ago with a rented yard magnet.   I couldn't make it 5 feet before i had to stop and clear the magnet of debris.     it was a pointless endeavor.i agree with the above posters that your best bet is to clear it all to the side and put another foot of base over the top of whatevers left.    by the time the rest of it makes it way back to the surface it should be rusted up and disintegrated.  I also agree that your not going accomplish a damn thing with the grass on the lotVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.