How to erase a mag-stripe?
 

Just got my new driver's license. I'm not thrilled when someone (other than law-enforcement...who hasn't seen my license in 25+ yrs.), swipes my driver's license.

I usually protest, but I get the "we are required, blah, blah, blah" BS... There's no freakin' reason why the security guard at a gated community needs to swipe my D/L.

So...how do I erase the mag-stripe? Would a good ole' magnet do it? :confused:

When you go to Home Depot or wherever there's a 18-inch-square demagnetization pad at the checkout counter. It says "No not Place Credit Cards on this pad. DANGER." There you go!

It's most likely a high coercivirty strip which is a really dark color, most likely black.

Low coercivity strips are light brown and used in stuff with a short shelf life like hotel room cards.

The high coercivity cards are resistant to erasing my most consumer devices or things that you would normally encounter that has a magnetic field.

To erase it you are gonna need some type of industrial grade magnet.

There you go. Give it a whirl.

Or if you have a boneyard around with one of those big mofo magnets that they pick up cars with.

If you have access to hard drive magnets - the ones inside, they will erase a DL magnetic strip. I do it to every license of mine. LEO's are a bit annoyed at having to enter my info by hand. :D

Subwoofer speaker magnet

Correct a mundo! A hd magnet will wipe it clean as new snow!

OK, then! I have a buddy who deals in magnets. I'll ask him for the strongest he's got.

Thanks all.

Make sure you rub the DL on your balls as well. Every time you hand it over you'll have a funny smirk on your face.

LOL. I do rub it on my balls, but only for self-gratification...

I have a library card that looks a lot like a driver's license (photo/mag-stripe) and I always hand that over first. I make them work to get my driver's license. And, I have walked from more than one place that insists on swiping it. (The "coupon lady" at the mall needs my driver's license for what?!?)

I have a magnet charger. Send it to me, and it'll be totally wiped.:D

http://www.wolfetone.com/images/charger.jpg

Whatzat? :confused:

It's an electromagnet, used -usually- to make other magnets, such as guitar pick-ups.

It's also great for erasing VHS tapes or anything else that gets too close!

Are there any common household items I can use to erase mine?

Neodymium. Yes, the type they use in hard drives.

A head or tape demagnetizer might do it as well (for you guys that remember recording heads and tape.

Coil about 100' of 20 gauge insulated wire, then attach the bare ends of the coil onto the posts of a car battery. Instant electromagnet. Pass the card inside the coil.

Sherwood

It will also erase people with Pacemakers. :D

We don't keep any metal tools within three feet of it.

Check out the "Super Magnets" at Nuclear Supply:

http://www.unitednuclear.com/magnets.htm

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217918150.jpg

Above is the #42.

These are frighteningly strong, even the small ones!

You can also pick up uranium there, too, for your home enriching needs.

I wonder if the magnetic door locks found at many businesses would work?

LOL coffee out nose!

Toss it in the local MRI machine!

Why not just a simple lighter or candle flame?

I once couldn't use my credit card...no swipe. Why? A small scrape-off on the magnetic strip. Had to call the card company, get a new one...

OK, I'll bite. Why would you give anyone other than LEO you DL? Here in Georgia we don't have mag strips on ours and we don't have to use our social security number either. Don't have to give ss # if someone asks. If some one were to ask I may show it to confirm idenity but just a glance, no copies etc.

It's pretty much common in a lot of places I visit. Some of my residential clients are located within gated communities. You must show your D/L at the gate. A few of these communities swipe the license. If you don't agree, you don't get in. If I don't get in, I don't work... Also, a lot of commercial buildings require contractors to check in and they do the swipe.

Now the mall coupon lady is a different story. I told her where to stick it (and not my license...). She couldn't understand my reluctance to hand over my D/L for her to swipe (in order to redeem food-court coupons provided by the car show I entered). I explained that most victims of identity theft are elderly (this was a geezer mall) and she is aiding/abetting ID thieves. Blank stare. She had no clue. So, I paid for my food instead, complained to the car show organizers and never entered that show again.

STOP IT! I gotta get some of these!

"
THESE ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT TOYS AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS! KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN!
THESE MAGNETS CAN EASILY CRUSH FINGERS!
WE WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURY OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY THESE POWERFUL MAGNETS.
THESE MAGNETS ARE SOLD TO ADULTS ONLY AND REQUIRE
AN ADULT SIGNATURE UPON DELIVERY.

If you really need unbelievably powerful magnets, here they are.
Uses include magnetic steering of nuclear particles in accelerators, levitation devices, magnetic beam amplifiers, scrap iron separators, etc.

Beware - you must think ahead when moving these magnets.

If carrying one into another room, carefully plan the route you will be taking. Sensitive instruments like computers & monitors will be affected in an entire room. Loose metallic objects and other magnets may become airborne and fly at great speed to attach themselves to these magnets. If you get caught in between the two, you can be severely injured. These magnets will crush bones in the blink of an eye.
Two of these magnets close together can create an almost unbelievable magnetic field that can be incredibly dangerous.
Of all the unique items we offer for sale, we consider these items the most dangerous of all. Our normal packing & shipping personnel refuse to package these magnets - our engineers have to do it. This is no joke or exaggeration - and we cannot stress it strongly enough. You must be extremely careful - and know what you're doing with these magnets.
Two Supermagnets can very easily get out of control, crush fingers and instantly break ribs or even your arm if opposing poles fly at each other.
A small child recently lost his hand when his father left two # 31 supermagnets unattended. The child picked one up and when he approached the other magnet on a nearby table,
it became airborne and obliterated his small hand.

NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN NEAR ANY OF THESE MAGNETS!

If working with multiple Supermagnets, always handle one magnet at a time, secure it, then proceed to the next magnet. "

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball!

:D

How does the UPS driver get these off the floor of his truck?

Errr. Sort of overkill isn't this? A 1/4" diameter Neodymium magnet or most of the home remedy's suggested will do all the mag stripe damage you want.

Sherwood

This is PPOT.
Overkill is our middle name....

You know that.

Glad to see I am not the only sicko thinking that.

Order placed. :)

Order one of these and get two Neodymium magnets to boot. Main purpose; to trash all mag stripe cards. Not exactly a 10 foot pole, but you get the idea.

BTW, also useful as a trunk lid prop. :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217974110.jpg

Sherwood
SeineSystems.com
(Ultimate Strut: Shop at Pelican)

Bag O' Broken Glass?
Mainway Toys!

HAPPY FUN BALL!!!

Warning::

Pregnant women, the elderly and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to Happy Fun Ball.

Caution: Happy Fun Ball may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.

Happy Fun Ball Contains a liquid core, which, if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.

Do not use Happy Fun Ball on concrete.

Discontinue use of Happy Fun Ball if any of the following occurs: Itching, Vertigo, Dizziness, Tingling in extremities, Loss of balance or coordination, Slurred speech,Temporary Blindness,
Profuse sweating, Heart Palpitations.
If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.

Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types of skin.

When not in use, Happy Fun Ball should be returned to its special container and kept under refrigeration... Failure to do so relieves the makers of Happy Fun Ball, Wacky Products Incorporated, and its parent company Global Chemical Unlimited, of any and all liability.

If Happy Fun Ball should become soiled, wipe gently with a soft cloth moistened with sulfuric acid.

Ingredients of Happy Fun Ball include an unknown glowing substance which fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.

Happy Fun Ball has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is also being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.

Happy Fun Ball comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Happy Fun Ball. ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!

Dont rub that huge magnet on yer balls!! you might erase....hey....go ahead try it.

Little Johnny Bag o' Glass.
Second only to Little Johnny Human Torch.

Irwin Mainway ROCKS!