Will a magnet with a 10 lb pull force lift a 10 lb object?

Not necessarily. The pull test is a laboratory test under ideal lab conditions. It is the breakaway force required to separate a given magnet from a flat 1018 steel plate. See attached MDFA Pull Test Standard.

When lifting an object with a magnet, many factors can affect the ability of the magnet to lift a given weight. These factors include: surface finish of magnet & object, flatness of magnet & object, coating on either surface & acceleration of lifting motion. Consult our Technical Department for more information on lifting magnets.