Using tiny rare-earth magnets for the hood

[89AKurt]

I'm improving the hood on a previous build.  A pet peeve is how the hood loves to fall off and hit the hardest surface around, on the pointiest part. ?  Even if you don't make a hinge (in this case not operable but looks real), this trick will be an improvement.  Obviously if it's not a '50 Chevy, the placement will need to adapt.

Materials: K&J Magnetics (website on label), steel from something like a coffee can.  In this case, I used thick aluminum so it wouldn't be effected by the magnet.

Video demonstrates that I figured out how to make something work.

 

[NOBLNG]

Great idea Kurt. I put one magnet on the hood of my ‘57 Chevy pickup to keep it from sliding forward as it liked to do. Maybe I need another one at the front to keep the hood on when inverted.? I like that weathering job also.

[yh70]

looks great..i use them also..

[StevenGuthmiller]

I haven't used these magnets for holding the hood in place, but I have seen them used for this purpose.

 

I have used them on recent builds, (including my current project) for creating removable hood hinges.

Short of making actual operating hinges, this is a nice way to tackle the "hood prop" display issue.

It not only eliminates the need for a hood prop for display with the hood in the open position, but it also allows for removing those unrealistic slots in the firewall or fender wells where the kit provided hinges slip into the body.

An added benefit not afforded even by actual functioning hinges is that you now have 3 display options.

Hood on, hood open, and hood removed completely for more complete engine viewing.

 

The only drawback is the fact that this method requires that you keep track of your separate hinges when the hood is not displayed in the open position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

[89AKurt]

8 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

[...]

The only drawback is the fact that this method requires that you keep track of your separate hinges when the hood is not displayed in the open position.

[...]

Thank you for sharing that.  Yes, I have a few film containers somewhere, that will go into the kit box repurposed for transport.

13 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Great idea Kurt. I put one magnet on the hood of my ‘57 Chevy pickup to keep it from sliding forward as it liked to do. Maybe I need another one at the front to keep the hood on when inverted.? I like that weathering job also.

Thank you.

10 hours ago, yh70 said:

looks great..i use them also..

Thank you.

[peteski]

Yes, modelers use small strong magnets to hold model parts while still allowing them to be removable.  I believe Scale Master is one of those modelers.  it is a great idea which I will utilize in my future models.

[89AKurt]

I should follow up, and say the two on each side work with the opened hinges.

[Bills72sj]

I used this method for the front bulkhead of my flatbed trailer.

 

[vincen47]

I’ve used them to make sure big rig hoods behave. Sometimes they just don’t want to close properly or line up well with the cab, but a magnet or two will work wonders.

[OldNYJim]

An excellent video on the subject:

 

[89AKurt]

2 hours ago, CabDriver said:

An excellent video on the subject:

Thank you for posting this!  I left a comment on the video.