An apparatus (10) for removing and replacing small batteries in electronic devices such as hearing aids or handling small magnetic parts has a housing (15, 35) in which a reciprocating shaft (55) is placed having a magnet at one end. When the reciprocating shaft is extended, the magnet is brought into contact with the battery or other magnetic object. Once in contact with the object, the object is placed where it is to be left and the reciprocating shaft may be moved to a retracted position, thereby weakening the magnetic field holding the battery to the end of the apparatus. The reciprocating shaft is moved and locked into its extended and retracted positions with a rotating ratchet mechanism (53). A non-magnetic shield member (72) surrounding the magnet at the tip effectively blocks the lateral attraction force so that only the object desired is picked up without disturbing surrounding objects.
