How to make a MagnaRack® by Rex Rothing

The ultimate refrigerator magnet; U.S. Patent # 6,318,569

To build a MagnaRack® you need some thin wood or plastic material, epoxy glue, some special magnets and steel parts, a foam rubber insulation stick-on strip, a collection of tools and clamps, some skills, and the time to follow these directions. You also need the permission of the patent owner: I give permission to build to anyone for their own personal use, but if you plan to sell any we need to talk about that first. 

You should know before you begin that if you build the MagnaRack out of wood and epoxy glue that it should be put in use and removed for cleaning and refilling very carefully. You will find the magnets will be stronger than the glue and your product will sometimes break apart or the magnets will come out when removing from the refrigerator. After building protoytpes 25 times out of wood, I discovered the secret to locking the magnets into an injection molded ABS plastic MagnaRack®. The magnets are put into a steel cup especially made so they would be permanently fixed in the plastic when it is molded.

You will need three disk shaped NdFeB rare earth magnets 3mm thick and 26mm in diameter. These should be zinc plated and rated N35 or better. The neodymium is mined in China and combined with iron and boron to make these magnets very strong. This size magnet is available in some woodworker's supply catalogs and some magnet companies on the internet. They cost about $1.75 to $2.00 each depending how many you buy. Then, you really do need 3 steel magnet "cups" or flat washers to fit the magnets. The cups are about $1.10 to $1.50 each plus the shipping and handling. Washers or flat disks about 2mm thick and one inch diameter can be found in hardware stores much cheaper, but surrounding the magnet in a cup is really a better way.

The two part epoxy should be the five minute variety or regular wood glue can be used if you have more time to build this project. You need several clamps adjustable to at least 18 inches. While you are at the harware store look for the foam rubber peel & stick insulation strip: you need the size that is 3/4" wide and 1/4' thick; it comes in packages on a roll of 25 feet or so, for several dollars.

Your wood should be lightweight like cypress or spruce and cut down to 1/8 and 1/4 inch thickness. You can make your own dimensions to fit your space but if you get too big or thick or heavy, you might need another magnet, depending on what you put in it and how thick the metal and paint is of the surface you will stick it to. The bottom should measure about 1/8 x  3 x 16.5 inches. The two ends should be 1/8 x 3 x 3.75 inches. The front measures 1/8 x 2 x 16.75 inches and the back is 1/4 x 3.75 x 16.75 inches.

On the backside of the back piece drill 3 holes; one on center and up 3 inches from the bottom and one hole 6" to each side from the center hole. These holes are flat bottom (forstner bit) holes only 3/16" deep, not all the way thru! If you have cups the holes should be 1.125 inch, if you use washers, one inch.

Glue both ends outside the ends of the bottom piece first. Then glue front and back pieces to the assembly with the holes facing back. Then epoxy the cups or washers into the holes. When the glue sets up, sand and clear coat the MagnaRack®. Next, place the rubber strip across the bottom of the backside of the rack. The final step is to place the magnets in the holes with the washers or in the steel cups.

Now you can put your magnetic storage shelf in use by first tilting the top edge where you want it to be, and then lowering the unit down, keeping your fingers out of the way! Making a home built magnetic spice rack or vitamin and medication storage shelf can be a rewarding project. It makes a great gift idea for most people can use a little kitchen or shop organization. This kitchen gadget is a real space saver. It can be painted or decorated to fit any kitchen or home decor. 

To see pictures and read more about the MagnaRack® Brand magnetic storage products please visit www.MagnaRack.com. You will find these products very reasonably priced, permanently assembled, and nearly indestructable. Guaranteed.

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