I had a brainstorm this morning. I want to make a jewerly box for my 4 year old granddaughter, but I want it to be a little "magical". To that end I want to use a steel ball in a track sandwiched between two thin sheets, the steel ball would be held at one end by a low power magnet and moved to the other end by a "magic wand" (stick with a magnet on the end"" where the steel ball would activate a magnetic  catch, allowing the lid to open.

Does anyone know where I can find low power magnets and low power magnetic catches. Or suppliers that list the power of the magnets involved. If I know how strong the catch magnet is I can get a strong rare earth magnet to put in the wand.

Thanks in advance.

 

The diameter and thickness pretty much determines the power. 

I'm thinking a metal pin in a hole and the rare earth magnet slides the pin back and forth.

Here's a site that provides the "pull" for various magnets. Maybe it will help

http://appliedmagnets.com/magnets-for-sale-c-10_80.html

Not much help on your question(s) Wichman, but looking forward to seeing this when done.

The concept is mighty cool and there will be one "little princess"  thinking her grandpa is awesome!

if you have a metal ball that is attracted to a magnet, and you have 2 magnets, one fixed, one moveable, then all you have to do to make sure the moveable one can take the ball away from the fixed magnet is to get the moveable magnet closer.  how?  wood thickness variation.

 

do a little mockup and see what dimensions work.

4 hours ago, DAB said:

if you have a metal ball that is attracted to a magnet, and you have 2 magnets, one fixed, one moveable, then all you have to do to make sure the moveable one can take the ball away from the fixed magnet is to get the moveable magnet closer.  how?  wood thickness variation.

 

do a little mockup and see what dimensions work.

YEAW & WHERE DOES THE BALLS GO AFTER ITS OPENED, GOOD LUCK.

I USE 3/4 BOTTOMS SO LIDS CAN BE OPENED WITHOUT BOX TILTING/COMING UP/ETC..