Why is it that when you clean off a work table it then becomes magnetic?

I spent a full day cleaning the junk off my work table to have room for a project. The project was completed and the work table somehow became magnetized. It attracted a spare 14 inch tire (donut), two decoration rims from around the headlights of a truck, a cat litter box (and cat by evidence in the litter box), and the list continues, including a small plow for laying out rows in a garden, and the neighbors light with broken glass, from his light post.

I am afraid that if I built another table, it would develop the same problem. Is there some way to de-magnetized a work table so as NOT to attract things?

'Work tables become non-magnetic when they in someone elses shop.....:)

you could always make two of the legs a little taller or shorter, kindof like a drafting table:D

If the table faces north south it can become magnetic ,same if there is a lot of welding done on it. you can try hitting it with a hammer "hard" or if you have a welder with long leads you can wrap 'em around and weld for a while if one direction don't work try another.Or the last option is heating it to nonmagnetic.Sorry

Rub W/ Bounce To Remove Static ?

an empty table is the sign of an idle blacksmith

If you hook chains around a couple of the table legs and flip it over with a chain hoist, tractor etc the magnetic force will instantly disappear. Unfortunately as soon as the table is set upright again the magnetism returns.

Strangely enough this magnetic phenomenon occurs even in tables that are 100% wood or plastic.

I also have marveled at this phenomenon... Mine even evolved into a "brass magnet" as about 50 lbs of spent shell casings somehow found there way onto my table, hmmmm

How about a sign placed on work table that says.......PLACE ITEMS FOR RUMMAGE SALE HERE!

I have a couple of wooden ones that do that...I don't understand how they become magnetic...must be the vices I have!

A clean work table is a sign of a diseased mind.

I have been trying to find a cure to that since the first fews days after I got married. when one of you guys finds a real solution to this magnetism problem, it's worth money to me

wife of pault17

i went through almost this entire thread thinking you were speaking of metal tables being actually magnetic. I was very confused and intruiged, and the whole flipping the table upside-down thing makes a lot of sense now.
so yeah, anyone anywhere near reality lately?
i blame the schools.
whew

Would have you read the thread if it was titled "No table room" ? (grin)

You know, Glenn I believe you are correct. Because, every time I go to find one of my welding magnets, it's NOT on the tabe. That would mean that the poles of the table and the magnet are facing the same way, thus repelling one another. Which would explain why I can find everything else on the table except them. HMMMMM.......

I Still Think Bounce Is The Answer!

Build another table. Maybe some of the items on your good table get attracted to the new one and will give you more room. :)

I think we are all missing the real culprit here--the cat! Everyone knows cats will take over any space they so see fit, in any fashion they see fit.

Killers, I tell ya, bloodthirsty, scheming, workspace taking killers!

Tame the feline down, teach it to weld/forge/etc. then do us a blueprint on it!
That would be cool.:cool:

I know who really is to blame....the apprentice.

If you don't believe me just ask Mike (yesteryearforge).......I "put things away" all the time that he has a VERY hard time finding. I thought it was a good place for it!!!! Doesn't that count for something????!!!???? LOL!

Peyton

Work table? Oh Yeah I saw it once it's under all the stuff!!!
Finnr

Across the top of your worktable, in bright orange paint, write "THIS IS NOT A SHELF." Clean off worktable two years later and marvel at the fact that said worktable is, in fact, a worktable and not a shelf...
-Aaron @ the SCF

We should send this over to Myth Busters or Brainiac. ..although I didn't like how they tested that exploding hammer myth. ..

one of you senior guys should go there and supervise them while they redo it

Well the problem persists, and in fact grows worse as I try to clean up the shop and organize like objects into groups. I have made use of 5 gallon plastic buckets to store pieces of stock BP0533 Stock Storage Ideas, and other buckets for items that can be grouped together.

During this sorting process, the work table has attracted all sorts of things to a depth of 3 feet or more, and approaches the appearance of one of the great pyramids. I can only guess that all the metal being rubbed together, in conjunction with the plastic buckets has generated some sort of static charge. Could it be that all the neighbors compasses are now pointing to my smithy, and that is somehow causing the problem?

Thank you for your assistance and suggestions.

I don't get it, are you guys being serious or kidding? I'm not all here right now, it being new year's eve and everything.....hehe....

you could always make two of the legs a little taller or shorter, kindof like a drafting table:D

Thats what i was going to say LOL