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.

 

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.

 

yeah oh well good thing they werent very expensive!

 

They're a great tool and come in handy but remember they're not clamps.

 

it's all about distortion. even a clamp wont hold something square if it's not welded in the proper order.

 

i use magnets just for holding frames to check sizes squareness.
but i use clamps that work on dif sizes of box.

 

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 fun
Tom:jester:

 

When 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.

 

They work great for holding prints to the lid of my tool chest. That's about it.

 

i agree with tsor thats all i use em for, that and 100ft tapes

 

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.....

 

Here's what I have, BESSEY, not cheap but are awesome. Unobstructed working area allows free access for welding or assembly operations and through-ways for T joints
Two-way swivel mounted spindle automatically adjusts the clamping block to work pieces of different thicknesses
Holds work pieces at a 90-Degree angle
Ideal for plates, angle iron, square tubing, pipe, channel iron, etc



http://www.amazon.com/Bessey-WSM-9-7-Inch-Welders-Angle/dp/B0006694FA

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

ThorsHammer, can you explain more on the proper order of welding rect. tube?

 

Check his videos....One here

 

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?

 

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.

 

Tig welding but same principle: Butt & 45's.......
Butt ends....Butt here.
45's45's here.
Hope that helps explain drawing

 

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?

 

If you'll study the construction of the cheap magnets--the two sides will
shift around. Grinding the sizes will only temporarily put the edges parallel--until
the magnets are tapped, hit, moved, etc.

 

use for tacking only. Also the magnet can create wierd arc tendencies like arc blow, or pull.

 

I use them sometimes you must, but for mitering build or buy a clamp. Here is a pic of one I made:

View attachment IMG-20120223-00120.jpg

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.

 

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/products/magnets/msa45.html

 

I 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.

 

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/sthamagtabmf.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=productads

 

My credit card company thanks you.

 

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.