I bet the mass of the spinning plate is just too much for both the strength of the magnet and the quality of the bearing.
go to a hardware store and get a "cow magnet" hang it from a string centered on the magnet. Hold it out and wait a few seconds. There you have it, with a gentle touch you can read it pretty well without moving it, and it's only a few bucks. Of course you look like you're doing E ching or dousing for iron but what the heck, it may be better than being lost. Tom Fowle
