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  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Welding magnetic clamps

    After some recommendations for welding clamps,
    Similar to the link,
    I had a couple I brought when I lived in the UK and they were excellent in that the magnets were strong.
    But ,the labels have all worn off !!.
    I brought a couple a few years back, and there P week to say the least.
    But, I should have know better considering were I brought them.

    I don’t mind spending some money but ,I don’t want to go over the top either,
    They will be used for holding 40/50 mm square tube at ninety degrees.

    2 pc Magnetic Welding Holders Soldering Tools, Multi-angle 30°60°45°90° Welding Holder Jig with Center Hole for Soldering, Assembly, Welding, and Pipes Installation https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07F7Y6..._EeEuEbK0J7RX6



    Cheers Matt.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
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    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    Default

    Hi Matt, I've found that most of the magnetic "clamps" are useless, they fill up with metal very easily, trying to use them on heavy material, they don't hold well. Mind you the ones I'm referring to are the type from the big green shed.
    The ones you've linked to, are small only 59X50X12, how strong they are, who knows?
    Personally I'd make a couple of right angled squares, you could make them out of 25mm angle, that can be clamped on to what you're making. Have a couple of these at work, they're about 600X300 used 50X50X3mm angle and are so much better, in my opinion.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Default

    I have few budget mag clamps but tend to use them to temporarily hold stuf while I attach other more study clamps and right angled squares.

  4. #4
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    Default

    I have a couple of those cheaper magnetic clamps.

    Everything sticks to them which is a PITA. Luckily the magnets are sandwiched and recessed so cleaning the swarf off the contact surfaces is not too bad. However, the deal breaker is the fact that they are not close enough to 90 degrees even for low tollerance work!

    One day I will put them on the mill and skim a bit off. At least then i can make e a half way decent and accurate box or similar!

    I like the angle iron idea!

    Simon

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    Thank you for the replies guys,
    I feel I’m gently being pushed towards Kryn,s Igor Bobs ideas
    Which are not bad !

    I will try to find it on you tube an idea around using a plastic zip lock bag to keep them clean,
    But I can’t remember all the details.

    They are a Royal pain in the behind too attracting ever piece of metal swaff in a mile radius tho.

    Cheers Matt.

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Default

    I have one from these guys and it works alright -
    Magnetic welding clamps, Mag-Mate Magswitch equivalent products Australia, magnetic clamps and workholders, magnetic clamps for Welding & fixing, magnetic handles for steel sheet, drag-on magnetic handles put a handle on steel sheet, Mag-Mate Magneti

    But most of the time I don't use them, preferring hard clamping - the main reason is that a decent mag clamp will pull the arc if it is too close.

    Michael

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    I have one from these guys and it works alright -
    Magnetic welding clamps, Mag-Mate Magswitch equivalent products Australia, magnetic clamps and workholders, magnetic clamps for Welding & fixing, magnetic handles for steel sheet, drag-on magnetic handles put a handle on steel sheet, Mag-Mate Magneti

    But most of the time I don't use them, preferring hard clamping - the main reason is that a decent mag clamp will pull the arc if it is too close.

    Michael
    Thanks Micheal,
    Looking at them now !
    I won’t need to worry about the acr being pulled, tho that is interesting,I’m going old school with a gas torch Welding magnetic clamps.

    Cheers Matt.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Default

    I have a collection of the Stronghand equivalents but only use them for tacking up. To stop the swarf attaching I just wrap them in a single layer of glad-wrap. If I forget to do that then a decent blast of compressed air clears them nicely...

    Stronghand also make some extra strong fixed and adjustable magnetic squares but they are quite pricey.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
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    Default

    I've got a heap of the serpent and dove green welding magnets. They do fill with rubbish, but nothing an wire brush or a stiff bristled shop brush won't fix.
    I also have some of the mag switch units, but it's only a small one and not ideal for anything more than a small job.

    Most of the time I use a 600mm builders square, and I've just ground off the corner of the square so it fits flush with any fillet welds that might be there. Just be judicious with your tack placement and you can make it work with most things.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    I have one from these guys and it works alright -
    Magnetic welding clamps, Mag-Mate Magswitch equivalent products Australia, magnetic clamps and workholders, magnetic clamps for Welding & fixing, magnetic handles for steel sheet, drag-on magnetic handles put a handle on steel sheet, Mag-Mate Magneti

    But most of the time I don't use them, preferring hard clamping - the main reason is that a decent mag clamp will pull the arc if it is too close.

    Michael
    Hi Michael,
    I am a me too as regards to magnets. I have a few Eclipse models from when they were fair dinkum about making them. I have a square of zinc anneal on the wall and thats where they live. I too dislike the arc blow they cause.

    Grahame

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Commander_Keen View Post
    Most of the time I use a 600mm builders square, and I've just ground off the corner of the s.
    I've been through a few squares, from el cheapo to Eclipse, Stanley etc, CHECK that they are square!!!!! I've had a few that were about 3mm out on the long side, also keep it in the centre of your work, the APE rentice we used to have, used to hold them on an angle and call it square!!!!!

    I will try to find it on you tube an idea around using a plastic zip lock bag to keep them clean,
    But I can’t remember all the details.
    Just drop it into the Bag and zip it, that's all there is to it. That is also a handy way of picking up small nails, bolts nuts etc, when you drop the container on the floor. Have the magnet inside the bag, pick up "whatever", then turn the bag inside out with the magnet now outside, take it away and the "whatever" falls onto a bench or your V tray. I made a V tray from some thin sheet metal, with the sides bent up about 25mm and the bottom of the V narrow enough that it fits into the container that I dropped, usually use the peanut paste plastic jars.

    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

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