welding magnets....

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I bought 8 welding magnet clamps to hold some 1/2 tubing together just fooling around making square boxes.... I cut the tubing with my new saw and joined the edges using the magnets to ensure a perfect 90. Everything looked good but when i checked with a square when i was done it was off. I saw some people using clamps but were more like vice grips. I just want to know what you guys think about those magnets.... Im sure they are great to fit everything before welding but they just dont seem to have enough to keep in place with distortion in all.Miller Diversion 165Rage 2 Chop saw
Reply:I have some and I do use them, they will come in handy from job to job. But you still need to use some kind of clamp most of the time.
Reply:99.999% of the time, they sit on the shelf.A good square is your best friend.I use my starrett square w/ the protractor for angles.Understanding that metal will draw when welded also, use this to your advantage.Edit: Search the site, one thread.....here.Last edited by skelley521; 09-19-2011 at 12:58 PM.Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:yeah oh well good thing they werent very expensive!Miller Diversion 165Rage 2 Chop saw
Reply:They're a great tool and come in handy but remember they're not clamps."These instructions are at our present level ofknowledge. Legal requirements do not exist.Technical issues subject to change."_________________________________________Lincoln MIG PAK 180Lincoln AC-225
Reply:it's all about distortion. even a clamp wont hold something square if it's not welded in the proper order.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:i use magnets just for holding frames to check sizes squareness.but i use clamps that work on dif sizes of box.
Reply:Try tacking it all around and recheck the square then weld.  The heat cool cycle can move the metal around.  Magnets are for picking up metal crumbs on the floor at clean-up time.have funTom
Reply:They work great for holding prints to the lid of my tool chest.  That's about it.ɹǝʌo ǝɯ lloɹ 'sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı
Reply:i agree with tsor thats all i use em for, that and 100ft tapes
Reply:It would make sense that a clamp would work better than a magnet when tacking/welding.  Is there a type or brand that is preferred?  Since I am starting to put together a small shop at home, maybe I can just buy right the first time.....
Reply:Willie, It's all going to depend on what you're trying to build.corner clamps work great if everything you're doing is right angles. but you're going to need something else entirely if you start doing projects with different angles. They make both adjustable clamps, and magnets to help account for this.If you're doing production work. Jigs will always be your best bet. and can be made with a good hardwood, or metal both. materials always need to be taken into account as well. Are you going to be working mostly with Aluminum? magnets are usless for you there. Knowing the proper order to weld up something is IMHO the most important part of assembly. your clamp might hold something square while it's clamped/in the jig. But if you're welding in the wrong order, once you pop that clamp off the metal is going to warp right to where it wants to be.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Hi all, I've used magnets for holding and tacking frames together, but always check the frame for squareness with a regular square before doing the final weld.Even with a clamp, you should release the clamp to let the frame spring after tacking and then adjust against the tack to bring it to square, but 10 to 1 the final heavier weld will make the angle move when the heat makes the tubing expand.Tubing is the worst material to work with, but the most usefull material to have...light, strong, cuts easy and don't cost a bomb.Ian.
Reply:I don't want them around. Everything gets magnatized enough as it is. Dingle berries & grinding dust & cutting tailings all over the dern things whenever you need them then it's on the piece you want to work with if you use them. About the only time they work is to hold a half ounce piece dead center of a 4'x8' sheet and by the time I remember I even have one I've already figured out another way of getting the job done. "The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:ThorsHammer, can you explain more on the proper order of welding rect. tube?
Reply:Check his videos....One hereSemper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Thanks Skelley I had seen that one before. Is there more to it? Of course he makes it look easy, any other tips for newbs?Last edited by chopnhack; 09-24-2011 at 10:18 PM.
Reply:Magnets probably have their place like most things.I find them useful for small home projects where the parts are small. But as mentioned, just tack it and then check it. Plus you also have to figure out the proper method that will not cause it to bend or distort, weld as lil as possible in many cases.Something I do use a lot to hold things, is lead bricks. Use them for all sorts of things. Some of my lead bricks are perfect squares and you can either wedge things in or clamp things to them or just cover it. Nothing moves much, gravity and weight are wonderful. Use them a lot in wood working projects too.The magnets have other uses tho. Put it on a string and swing it over the ground to find your water meter cover that got buried. Survey stakes too. Used them to work on the car / truck when another pair of hands where not available. I stuck some on the ground to catch small parts that get dropped. Keep my covered with plastic, makes cleaning possible. If you are making patterns out of paste board to see how something might work or look. Sticking tacks in it and holding it all into general shape with the magnets is a good method of quickly ball parking a potential small project without much expense or effort.Like most things in your shop, can you find it when needed. Can't have too many options.
Reply:Tig welding but same principle: Butt & 45's.......Butt ends.....45'sHope that helps explain drawingSemper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:I didn't want to start another thread. I ordered a set of 4 3" welding magnets the red arrow type. Why are they not level? One side of the plate sticks out more than the other plate. Its like the arrows on both sides aren't the same shape or it was riveted crooked. Should i grind them down flat?Lincoln 140 HD
Reply:Originally Posted by toycoma98I didn't want to start another thread. I ordered a set of 4 3" welding magnets the red arrow type. Why are they not level? One side of the plate sticks out more than the other plate. Its like the arrows on both sides aren't the same shape or it was riveted crooked. Should i grind them down flat?
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie WaxIt would make sense that a clamp would work better than a magnet when tacking/welding.  Is there a type or brand that is preferred?  Since I am starting to put together a small shop at home, maybe I can just buy right the first time.....
Reply:use for tacking only.  Also the magnet can create wierd arc tendencies like arc blow, or pull.
Reply:I use them sometimes you must, but for mitering build or buy a clamp. Here is a pic of one I made:I built it as I wanted to be able to do 6" stock, and I got absolute sticker shock when I priced out a 6' miter clamp.I need to finish up number 2, and apply some lessons learned when assembling it, stock it cut I just haven't had time to get on the mill and finish it up.
Reply:I loath the cheap junk magnets that are weak and always covered in filings. Waste of time and money. We really need a sticky on the dumb things. Worthless! The cause of many a new welders' failure. There should be a warning in the manuals... instead they often come bundled with all the 110 migs. That said... I have a few on/off magnets a friend gave me to try. I must admit I like them and use them more than I thought I would. They have their place and limitations.For boxes or miters you really need clamps as others suggested.http://www.stronghandtools.com/produ...ets/msa45.htmlI have a cheapy right angle magnet. I use it when tacking a few things at once and I'm out of hands to hold the stuff with. I always check with a square right after though.IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:Originally Posted by acourtjesterTry tacking it all around and recheck the square then weld.  The heat cool cycle can move the metal around.  Magnets are for picking up metal crumbs on the floor at clean-up time.have funTom
Reply:Here's a Strong Hand mag tab . I think this may have been posted  sometime ago.  I didn't buy it yet but thinking about it.   Any body use this ??http://store.cyberweld.com/sthamagta...rce=productads
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1When using for clean up I place magnet in those grocery plastic bags. All the chips stick to bag.  Best way I found to clean off magnet is to use a STAINLESS STEEL wire brush.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Here's a Strong Hand mag tab . I think this may have been posted  sometime ago.  I didn't buy it yet but thinking about it.   Any body use this ??http://store.cyberweld.com/sthamagta...rce=productads
Reply:Originally Posted by RhymesWithBobMy credit card company thanks you.
Reply:A couple of other guys have said the same thing but stay away from the chinese junk.  If we keep buying this crap they are going to keep stocking it.  I only use Bessy magnets but always double check with a square.  A good tack will still pull material out of square even being held by the strongest magnet.  If you are serious about welding even as a hobby buy quality tools and consumables first rather then this Chinese garbage.  I have to sift through this cheap crap at my LWS and Praxair store to find name brand consumables and tools or I have to order them because all they have stocked is junk.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1How many did you order ??   Did you order me one ?? : Please review it for us.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120Sheesh.....If you guys really want to use magnets, you won't do better than the ones I've mentioned.Empirewelding hit the nail on the head.....leave the crap alone.You have several US distrbutors of Magswitch products....here's but one.....http://www.mag-tools.com/categories/Welding
Reply:http://www.stronghandtools.com/pdf_ctlg/10_magnets.pdfThese Strong Hand Tools 90 degree corner magnets helped me, but what others have shown above seem to be very substantial for doing a lot of repeated work, though.  I originally bought them for holding pieces to close up square tubing for tables and equipment stands to make the look more finished. But, I have made some metal boxes, also. This is weekend stuff, not industrial work.TxDoc's Photos Lincoln SP175 PlusLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln 250 LX Spool Gun Lincoln Precision Tig 225 Hypertherm 600 KMG 2x72 Belt GrinderBaldor 812RE Grinder
Reply:I agree, it is just another aid in making something easier to do. I got them on my drill press to hold the chuck key and some frequently used bits.  There handy too for hardware too. Sometimes there isn't room for one of those magnetic parts tray. You can't beat the price when HF has the small ones for $.99 and the large for $ 1.99.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120Good on ya....For setting up and tacking, they're the ducks guts.Money well spent in my opinion.
Reply:I ordered the one you linked to, plus the magsquare 150.
Reply:Apparently Milwaukee Tools Europe has paid and relabeled, or has licensed their version of the magswitch: TxDoc's Photos Lincoln SP175 PlusLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln 250 LX Spool Gun Lincoln Precision Tig 225 Hypertherm 600 KMG 2x72 Belt GrinderBaldor 812RE Grinder
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120Yeah mate, mine are the lil the 150's.40mm square, I use them constantly for set up work....real time savers....they've copped a beating too.
Reply:Originally Posted by TxDocApparently Milwaukee Tools Europe has paid and relabeled, or has licensed their version of the magswitch:
Reply:Vice grip c clamps.  dozens of them.  Mac