Magnet pole finder and insertion tool - single-color and multi-color

Magnetic pole finder inspired by Clough24's video on YouTube. A magnet is inserted into the tool during or after print (see versions) and the tool can from then on be used to easily determine the poles of any magnet you're using. It can also be used to press the magnets into recesses. It comes in four versions:

• for multi-color printers with magnet insertion during print

• for multi-color printers with magnet insertion after print and glue together (split version)

• engraved for single-color printers with magnet insertion during print

• engraved for single-color printers with magnet insertion after print and glue together (split version)

You need one cylindrical magnet 10x2 mm or 8x2 mm or 6x2 mm.

Preparation

To ensure that the tool can be used properly, you must determine the magnetic poles of the magnet to be inserted into the tool once. I found, there are two practical options without the need for a compass or more sophisticated equipment.

1. Use a magnetic pole finder app with your smartphone, that's what I did. A few examples, there are others too:

   1. iOS: Pole Detector https://apps.apple.com/de/app/pole-detector/id1445904845

   2. Android: N / S-Pol Bestimmung https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.oxdb.MagnetSN

2. Use Earth's magnetic field: Take a thin string, such as dental floss, tape one end to one side of the magnet, and let the magnet hang down. The magnet will align itself so that its south pole points south and its north pole points north. That's actually the method I like better but didn't think of first. You can check that it works by rotating around your own axis while the magnet is hanging downward. It will maintain its orientation.

Once you have identified the poles of the magnet, label them with a marker.

Printing

The instructions are for 0.2mm layer height. This is important if you pause the print for inserting the magnet or changing colors.

The specimen in the pictures is the single-color printer non-split version.

BEFORE printing: To avoid stress during the print make sure to lay down the magnet in the correct orientation next to your printer: The non-split model is oriented north down so lay the magnet's north pole down.

If you prefer the non-split no glue version, pause the print for magnet insertion at 3.8mm (layer 19). Be aware that this is the first layer on top of the magnet. PrusaSlicer always pauses BEFORE the print of the respective layer starts.

If you have a multi-color printer, select the colors for the two parts of the model (base and markings) and print.

If you have a single-color printer and want to have different colors for better reading of the markings as in my specimen, you need to add filament changes to the print.

• Split version: add color changes at 0.6mm and 1mm (layers 3 and 5).

• Non-split version: add color changes at 0.6mm, 1mm, 4.4mm, and 4.8mm (layers 3, 5, 22, and 24).

You can also avoid the color changes and just print the tool in one color and mark the engravings with a sharpie.

My print settings:

• 0.2mm layer BALANCED

• 3 perimeters

• 5 bottom and top perimeters

• 25% gyroid infill

Updates

• 2026-09-07: added versions for 8x2 mm and 6x2 mm magnets

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