i too have used hard drive magnets for years.

my work benches have several of the them epoxied to the upper portion of the work bench aproxamately every 4 feet or so.

we hang all the various tools from them.

this not only makes for easy access, it also keeps the tools magnetized as well.

i found it was easier to epoxy the magnets to the bench than it was to remove them from the metal backing.