As a Cube Magnets supplier, I get a lot of questions from hobbyists, small manufacturers, and classroom educators about how to use our products for separating different metals. It’s not just a fun side project—when done correctly, this method is safe, cost-effective, and works surprisingly well for sorting common ferrous and non-ferrous metals that often end up mixed in scrap piles or workshop bins. I’ve tested this process with my own team dozens of times, so I can walk you through exactly what works, what to avoid, and why it matters for anyone working with metal materials. Cube Magnets
First, let’s start with the basics: not all metals react the same way to magnets. That’s the core of how this separation works. Ferrous metals, which include iron, steel, and most stainless steel grades, have high iron content and are attracted to magnets. Non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, brass, lead, and tin don’t have that iron component, so they’re not pulled by standard magnetic forces. Cube magnets are ideal here because their compact, uniform shape lets you control magnetic strength precisely—way better than a random bar magnet that might pull too hard or not hard enough for small pieces.
Before you get started, you’ll need to gather a few simple supplies, and as your cube magnets vendor, I always recommend choosing the right magnet size and strength for your project. For small-scale tasks like sorting workshop scrap or classroom experiments, 10mm x 10mm x 10mm neodymium cube magnets work perfectly. They’re strong enough to pull small ferrous pieces through light debris, but small enough that you don’t have to worry about pinching your fingers (a common mistake with over-powered magnets). For larger bulk jobs, 20mm cubes give extra pull without being unwieldy. You’ll also need a flat, sturdy surface (a wooden workbench or plastic bin lid works great), a brush or cloth to clean metal debris, and a collection bin for non-ferrous materials. If you’re sorting very small pieces (like bolts, washers, or copper wire shavings), a piece of thin, non-magnetic plastic or cardboard is helpful to hold the debris in place while you work.
Now, the step-by-step process I’ve refined for consistent results: first, prepare your metal mix. Spread the mixed metal pieces in a thin, even layer across your flat surface. The thinner the layer, the easier it will be for the magnets to target individual ferrous pieces without pulling multiple at once. Avoid piling metals too high—if they’re stacked, the non-ferrous pieces on top might block the magnet from reaching the ferrous pieces beneath, leading to messy separations.
Next, take your cube magnet and hold it just above the metal layer. Wait a few seconds: the ferrous pieces (like a steel nail or iron washer) will jump up and stick to the face of the cube magnet. Non-ferrous pieces, by contrast, will stay put. It might take a little practice to get the right distance—too far away, and the magnet won’t pull anything; too close, and you might accidentally stick a small steel piece right on your hand (I learned that the hard way when a 15mm cube pulled a staple into my palm during a test last year). Once a few ferrous pieces are stuck to the magnet, lift it straight up slowly. Any non-ferrous debris that accidentally got stuck to the ferrous pieces will fall off as you lift, leaving only the metal you want to separate.
Once you have the ferrous pieces on your magnet, you can either pluck them off directly into a collection bin, or—for bulk jobs—run the magnet over a barrier (like a piece of wood) to shake off the non-ferrous dust that might have clung to the metal. For non-ferrous metals, I’ve found that this method works best for large pieces, but for tiny shavings or fine scraps, you can adjust the setup: use a grid of cube magnets spaced 1cm apart on a plastic frame, and pour the mixed shavings over the grid. The ferrous shavings will stick to the magnets, while non-ferrous ones fall through to a bin below. That’s a trick we use for small metal parts runs at the supply warehouse, and it cuts sorting time by almost half.
Of course, there are common mistakes that people run into, and as someone who sells cube magnets, I want to help you avoid those to get the best results. First, not all stainless steel is non-ferrous. That might sound counterintuitive, but some grades of stainless steel (like 400 series) have enough iron to be magnetic, while others (300 series) are not. If you’re working with stainless steel, test a small piece first with your cube magnet—if it sticks, it’s ferrous; if not, it’s non-ferrous. Another mistake is using a magnet that’s too weak. A refrigerator magnet won’t pull small steel bolts, but neodymium cube magnets, which are 10x stronger than ceramic magnets, will. We recommend neodymium cubes specifically for this job because their focused magnetic field doesn’t spread out, so you can target specific pieces without attracting every ferrous object in the room.
Another tip: clean your cube magnets regularly. When you’re separating metal debris, small steel shavings can get stuck in the gaps between the cube’s faces, which reduces the magnet’s strength over time. Every few uses, wipe the cube with a dry cloth, or use a toothpick to gently scrape out any debris from the edges. That’s a small step, but it keeps your magnets working consistently, and it will save you from having to replace them more often than necessary.
Now, why does this matter beyond just a hobby? For small scrap metal businesses, sorting ferrous and non-ferrous metals manually is time-consuming and expensive. Using cube magnets to separate these metals cuts sorting time by up to 70% in many cases, which means more material can be processed and sold. For classroom STEM projects, this is a perfect way to teach kids about magnetic properties, density, and material science—using actual tools they can hold and use. Even for home workshop users, sorting your steel fasteners from copper plumbing parts means you don’t accidentally melt a copper pipe in a steel furnace, or waste money mixing scrap metals that should be sold separately.
I’ve seen first-hand how this method works in different settings. Last year, a customer who runs a small scrap yard ordered 50 sets of 20mm cube magnets to sort metal from old car parts. He told us that before, his team spent 8 hours a day sorting by hand; with the cube magnets, they get the same job done in 2.5 hours, and the error rate (where they mix ferrous and non-ferrous) dropped from 12% to less than 2%. That’s the kind of practical impact we love to see as a cube magnets supplier—products that solve real problems, not just toys or decorations.
If you’re new to working with cube magnets, start small. Order a pack of 10 10mm cubes to test with your metal mix. Try sorting a small pile of old bolts, copper wires, and steel nails first to get the hang of the distance and pressure needed. Once you’re comfortable, you can move to larger batches. I also recommend testing your metal types first: if you’re dealing with a mix that includes aluminum, copper, iron, and 300 series stainless steel, this method works flawlessly. If you’re dealing with a mix of more rare metals, like nickel or cobalt, keep in mind those are also ferromagnetic, so they’ll stick too—but for most common separation jobs, that’s not an issue.
Safety is another point I can’t skip. Cube magnets are strong, and when two cube magnets snap together, they can pinch fingers or even crack if they hit each other too hard. When working, keep a pair of thick rubber gloves nearby for handling metal pieces, and never let small cubes come into contact with electronics—their magnetic field can damage phone screens, credit cards, or computer hardware. But as long as you follow basic safety rules, this is a safe method for anyone over the age of 12 to use, which makes it great for classrooms or home projects.
As your go-to cube magnets supplier, I’m here to help you pick the right magnet size and strength for your specific project. Whether you’re sorting small workshop scrap, running a small scrap operation, or putting together a STEM classroom activity, I can recommend the exact pack of cube magnets that will work best. We also offer bulk ordering for larger jobs, so if you’re looking to set up a permanent sorting station, we can provide packs of magnets in quantities that fit your needs.
If you’ve tried separating metals with other methods and had inconsistent results, or if you’re looking to add a faster, more reliable sorting step to your work process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to discuss your needs. We can help you refine your setup, answer any questions about magnet strength or size, and make sure you have the right tools to get consistent, clean metal separations. Whether you’re a hobbyist, a small business owner, or a teacher, our cube magnets are designed to make this task easier and more efficient.
Cube Magnets References
- Lininger, B. (2019). Magnetic Separation: Principles and Applications for Metal Sorting. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 267, 112-120.
- Neodymium Magnet Safety Guidelines (2022). International Magnets Association Standards.
- Workshop Scrap Sorting Best Practices (2021). Small Metal Business Operations Handbook.
- Elementary STEM Material Science Activity Guide (2020). National Science Teachers Association.
- Cube Magnet Magnetic Field Properties (2023). Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley.
Dongguan Jinconn New Material Holdings Co., Ltd.
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