Abstract: An armored magnetic base of the present invention includes a magnet enclosed within a protective sleeve. The magnet may have an optional shielding casing substantially covering one face of the magnet. The protective sleeve may be a tube made of rubber, plastic, or shrink-wrap material or other expandable and/or contractible material. In one preferred embodiment, a mounting apparatus is interconnectable with the magnet. The mounting apparatus may be used for mounting the armored magnetic base to a convenient location such as a user's person, a tool, a flat surface, or a pole. The present invention also includes a method for making an armored magnetic base including the steps of inserting the magnet into a tubular protective sleeve and contracting the tubular protective sleeve to secure the magnet therein.