Switchable welding magnets

[Cord]

Looking to buy some switchable welding magnets. Been looking at the Magswitch mini 90 lb, but I致e seen some complaints that theyæ±*e not strong enough. The 400 is rather pricey, especially since I want to buy a pair. The Stronghand triangular ones are much cheaper, I知 like the Magswitch better. Looking for some users to share their experiences with these magnets.

 

[tomplum]

I have an assortment of the stronghand magnets including a pair of the triangular switchables. No complaints here. They are strong enough for set up for what I do which is plate usually to 1/2" . Vertical support of a heavy , taller, plate would be a common limitation. Tack and correct if that's the case. Never had much luck with their aluminum and copper magnets tho....

 

[Big Barn]

Those complaints stating 90 pound magnets “don’t hold” is akin to saying I love my 110 Volt mig but it struggles with one inch plate.

I have a pair of Magswitch 400s and really like them. (Yellow ones in photo). They work as intended.

Be aware that stronger magnets may create arc blow depending on how you have your pieces configured.





The Stronghand triangular ones have an extremely user friendly switch. Easy to use with one hand which in nice when doing a finicky setup.



Dollar store rubber mallet in photo is for tapping the magnet or pieces of the assembly into perfect alignment when magnet is energized.

 

[Cord]

the pull and shear strength of the squares is significantly higher than the multi angles. For holding plates in position, do you prefer the mag switches enough over the strong hands to justify the cost? This would be for standard light fab work. Mostly 1/8 - 1/4, occasionally up to 3/8.

 

[Big Barn]

the pull and shear strength of the squares is significantly higher than the multi angles. For holding plates in position, do you prefer the mag switches enough over the strong hands to justify the cost? This would be for standard light fab work. Mostly 1/8 - 1/4, occasionally up to 3/8.

The Magswitch would be my choice. You will find unimaginable alternative uses for them in addition to tack- weld setup.

The blocks have 10-24 tapped holes on the surfaces to enable making your own jigs, fences etc.

Subscribe to the Magswitch newsletter as they always seem to have some promotion in effect.

 

[yomax4]

I have a crap load of magnets of various brands. Some from the 80's. Then I ended up with about every kind their are when Magswitch was private labeling to Tweco. Also a large assortment of Magswitch switchable ground clamps up to 600 amp rating. All work as they should although I don't unstick them from the wall very often unless hanging Christmas decorations on the steel siding. Still the toughest magnets out there in my oppinion.

 

[dragoneggs]

The Magswitch would be my choice. You will find unimaginable alternative uses for them in addition to tack- weld setup.

The blocks have 10-24 tapped holes on the surfaces to enable making your own jigs, fences etc.

Subscribe to the Magswitch newsletter as they always seem to have some promotion in effect.

Terry, do you prefer the 'blocks' vs. the multi angle versions? I'm looking at the 400 and the 165lb rating versions.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007Q6YPV...olid=2IW1OIV4MFFZG&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007Q6YOJ...olid=2IW1OIV4MFFZG&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Big Barn]

Mark, I honestly don’t know the answer to that. I thought blocks would be handier so I bought them to try.

Oh and thanks for posting that Amazon link. I’d just gotten over feeling guilty spending that much on magnets until you reminded me......LOL

 

[dragoneggs]

Mark, I honestly don’t know the answer to that. I thought blocks would be handier so I bought them to try.

Oh and thanks for posting that Amazon link. I’d just gotten over feeling guilty spending that much on magnets until you reminded me......LOL

Yeah they aren't cheap and I want to go in the right direction. I know, I know... get them all. Like clamps, can never have enough. Also wondering if the 400's will cause much magnetic interference if nestled in a corner where you are welding. Seems the U tube videos show welding very close to the 165's and not so close for the 400s. But some people are also complaining the 165s don't have enough holding power.

 

[TMGT]

Harbor Freight sells a 90lb magnet that is clearly the same as the Stronghand under the Berger name, the 20% coupon work on the Berger stuff also.

I have a few stronghand magnets and clamps and really like them. The magswitch blocks look pretty handy also.

I dont use magnets as much anymore, especially with the tig, seems to screw with the arc too much to me.

 

[Big Barn]

I suppose my assessment of the Magswitch blocks is that they may be pricey and arguably overpriced but they ARE in a league of their own.

They are one of those things that once you own and use them you wonder how you ever did without. IMO of course.

 

[dragoneggs]

I suppose my assessment of the Magswitch blocks is that they may be pricey and arguably overpriced but they ARE in a league of their own.

They are one of those things that once you own and use them you wonder how you ever did without. IMO of course.

Dang it... another costly thread. I have a couple of the Magswitch mini angle p/n 8100351 along with a welding ground clamp that I have wanted for a long time... coming tomorrow from Amazon. I will report back findings.

Some people have commented that the mini's are 'underpowered' but they were under $40 and the next size up means three figures. I can get these under the the better half's radar... sort of.

 

[Cord]

Please post back because that’s my exact dilemma

 

[Big Barn]

Dang it... another costly thread. I have a couple of the Magswitch mini angle p/n 8100351 along with a welding ground clamp that I have wanted for a long time... coming tomorrow from Amazon. I will report back findings.

Some people have commented that the mini's are 'underpowered' but they were under $40 and the next size up means three figures. I can get these under the the better half's radar... sort of.

Mark

My blocks were also purchased from Amazon.ca to avoid border crossing problems. The switchable ground clamp has almost doubled in price from when I bought it six years ago!

My bigger clamps came directly from Magswitch during their Black Friday sale. (half price plus shipping into Canada)

I too will be interested in your opinion of the minis. I’m certain they will do as designed. The rest will depend on your expectations.

Magswitch is a good example of a quality Made in China product.

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay Cord, Terry,

My initial assessment of the magswitches.... Cool! :thumbsup: I bought two of the mini mag angles and they are indeed small and aren't so aggressive that I can't break the hold while 'on' but I think they will be great for light fab work. I easily held up vertically a 2ft section of 2in square thick wall tube to my weld table. The angles will make it easy to tack on the inside of T's and L's right next to the magnet.

The width of the block is about 1 3/4in so these would not be very handy if your work piece is narrower than that. In that case the cube style might be a better choice and I might get a couple of those too! I can see that for large plate and beam work the next size up would likely be necessary but as I mentioned before, now you are over $100ea.



These can also double as a ground clamp rated at 300amp at 50% duty/ I just don't think I would want my ground wire that close to my weld area due to the clutter factor.

I also bought the dedicated mag ground clamp. Now this thing has some serious holding power! My only quibble with this is that the bolt to connect to the ground wire looks to be a 7/16 diameter and I will need to replace the smaller ring connector on my existing ground lead to my MIG welder. I also noticed that my Hypertherm plasma cutter has an integrated ground clamp, meaning I would have to cut it off to replace it with a mag switch ground so I probably won't be getting a second one. That said, I really like the build quality and I think I will really enjoy using this... no more trying to figure out where/how I am going attach my ground clamp.

 

[Big Barn]

I also bought the dedicated mag ground clamp. Now this thing has some serious holding power! My only quibble with this is that the bolt to connect to the ground wire looks to be a 7/16 diameter and I will need to replace the smaller ring connector on my existing ground lead to my MIG welder. I also noticed that my Hypertherm plasma cutter has an integrated ground clamp, meaning I would have to cut it off to replace it with a mag switch ground so I probably won't be getting a second one. ]

If you don’t get it fixed before then, throw it in your suitcase and I’ll look after it on your next sales call to the island.

 

[newbury]

Harbor Freight sells a 90lb magnet that is clearly the same as the Stronghand under the Berger name, the 20% coupon work on the Berger stuff also.
<snip>

Harbor Freight 90lb magnet before discount is $27.99 4-3/4 in. Heavy Duty On/Off Large Welding Magnet

Strong hand Tools MSA46 is $29.99 with prime. https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Tools-MSA46-HD-4-375-Inch-3-75-Inch/dp/B000VH8040

Of note to me is that Amazon sells a 2 pack for $123.92, a 3 pack for $185.88 or a 4 pack for $247.84, why do they cost twice as much if you buy in quantity?
/edit - to clarify the Amazon prices were on the Stronghand

 

[FredH]

Harbor Freight 90lb magnet before discount is $27.99 4-3/4 in. Heavy Duty On/Off Large Welding Magnet

Strong hand Tools MSA46 is $29.99 with prime. https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Tools-MSA46-HD-4-375-Inch-3-75-Inch/dp/B000VH8040

Of note to me is that Amazon sells a 2 pack for $123.92, a 3 pack for $185.88 or a 4 pack for $247.84, why do they cost twice as much if you buy in quantity?
/edit - to clarify the Amazon prices were on the Stronghand

I was following this thread and had to look at Your Amazon link to see what You were talking about . That is Odd to say the least . If You place 4 orders of 1 each order , You would get 4 for their price of the 2 set ??????? But not sure Who the seller is of the multiple sets . Did not see PRIME on those , so could be someone other than Amazon .

Fred H.

 

[BukitCase]

I had the same "Huh??!?" on the pricing on several different items, most recent being some shoring equipment (needed 4 of one item) - if you click on the different quantity boxes, you'll notice that the "pack of one" is the ONLY one shipped/sold by Amazon; all the others are by a different seller.

My solution worked, I just chose the "pack of one", then said "gimme FOUR of those" - the price then came up as (in the magnet example) 4 times $29.95.

I've also done that on Vestil roller stands and a couple other similar items with the same price disparity... Steve

 

[Big Barn]

A pair of Magswitch squares at work today.