Introduction: Wood Blocks Upgraded With Magnets

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About: It all began with legos... And now, I'm a woodworking lover, and DIY passionate! -- Mackero por conviccion, Windowsero por obligacion, admirador de Unix, y amante de CMD

Hi everyone! I plan this project for my little daughter, who loves to play with colorfull things.

The original wood blocks, were a gift from my father around 25 years ago.

Back then, I struggle very often, cause the pieces won't stuck togheter, so I even glue a couple of them (be nice, i was around 3-5 years old).

Now., I'm older and wiser :)

So I decide, to add, a neodinium magnet on each face of the blocks, so they stick between themselves, and allow my daughter to play.

The goal for this project is recycle an old toy, upgraded the cheapest way possible and make the entire thing with tools around you.

Step 1: The Materials and Tools

Materials

I'm recycling a wood blocks that I allready have, but you can make your own with scrap wod strips. Just check they're around half inch, and 1 inh thick.

I blough 100 magnets, 6mm width, 2 mm thick on a chinese website, for less than 5 Dlls

http://www.dx.com/es/p/6-x-2mm-ndfeb-neodymium-magnet-circular-cylinder-diy-puzzle-set-silver-100-pcs-225645#.V2f5neOZLDd

Tools

A drill with a 5 mm drill bit

A hammer (it's no necessary, but will make the process easier)

Transparent super glue (this is optional)

Step 2: Making the Holes for the Magnets

Using the drill, make a hole on the center of each face of the block.

The 5 mm drill bit, give a tight fit when you insert the 6 mm magnet.

It's Important to prevent the magnet, to fall from the wood block.

That's pretty much this step...

Step 3: Adding the Magnets

To make sure that all the pieces work with each other, you must check that every oposite face of the block, has an oposite polarity.

I added a image from a cube, that you can print and fold, to get the correct idea, about how the magnets must be placed.

To add the magnets, first add a few drops of super-glue to the drill hole.

Place the magnet over the hole, turn it upside down, and press it against a flat surface, to fit in the magnet inside the hole.

The width differences, 5 mm for the drill bit, and 6 mm for the magnet, make a very tight connection to ensure it won't fall apart.

You can use a hammer, to press the wood block against the surface, to ensure a smooth finish (check the last photo)

Step 4: Finished!

And thats all.

Once the glue is dry, you can test it by placing a few blocks near each other, and whatch the magic that makes them stick togheter.

Using a neodinium magnet, give the connections more strenght.

Hope you like it!

Excuse my poor grammar, and i hope the pictures will help you to understand the process