- Thread starter ukracer
- Start date
Google them and select UK results only. Loads of sources.
Personally i HATE magnetic clamps... they mess with arc stability if the parts small so you have to weld anywhere near 'em and are useless on austenitic stainless, aluminium, copper alloys, titanium and magnesium. Basically all the things i weld more often than carbon steel
ETA might not apply to all brands but when it comes to holding larger pieces in position they're often not even close to powerful enough to hold much more than their own weight
Personally i HATE magnetic clamps... they mess with arc stability if the parts small so you have to weld anywhere near 'em and are useless on austenitic stainless, aluminium, copper alloys, titanium and magnesium. Basically all the things i weld more often than carbon steel
ETA might not apply to all brands but when it comes to holding larger pieces in position they're often not even close to powerful enough to hold much more than their own weight
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A lot of these 'aids' take more messing about than just holding a plate on a line, tacking, then tapping into line if needs be.
Not every mortal thing needs clamping whilst tacking..
Not every mortal thing needs clamping whilst tacking..
I am not a welder but tend to find that too. I thought it was me just being cheap...lol
That said those tabs I saw a couple of uses that might be useful.
gordon stephenson
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A firm called weldingtables.co.uk claim to be the sole importers and distributers in the uk.
I am guessing all their products are stupidly expensive as they dont list any prices. lol
norlander
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http://magswitch.com.au/product-category/welding/ you should be able to get magswitch products in the uk if thats any use to you. I have a stronghand mag clamp or two which I got from migtigarc in Portsmouth.
As has been said, they can mess up the arc, but generally, for tackiing up I find its ok. I have some bits of m/s plate/flat/angle etc which I sometimes attach to the magclamps and then clamp up ally and stainless to the m/s bits.
DC TIG arc definitely does not like the mag current, but AC less so.
They are expensive. But, being switcheable, you can clean off filings and grinding dust easily-although the magtabs in your link are unlikely to be switched.
One feature of my stronghand clamps is that they will take tube as well-but of course if its SS tube, you have to get inventive to hold it, and you would be on DC for SS and would probably struggle with the arc.
If I did a lot of it, I would get a bloke with a shaper/spindle moulder to knock me up some oak jigs, I'd screw m/s sheet to the back and bung em on the magclamp then use springclamps/hoseclamps to hold whilst tacking.
But, having said all that- I would not be without mine-they earn their place in my kit-the most part for MIG jobs -MMA (DC) sometimes does not like the mags either.
As has been said, they can mess up the arc, but generally, for tackiing up I find its ok. I have some bits of m/s plate/flat/angle etc which I sometimes attach to the magclamps and then clamp up ally and stainless to the m/s bits.
DC TIG arc definitely does not like the mag current, but AC less so.
They are expensive. But, being switcheable, you can clean off filings and grinding dust easily-although the magtabs in your link are unlikely to be switched.
One feature of my stronghand clamps is that they will take tube as well-but of course if its SS tube, you have to get inventive to hold it, and you would be on DC for SS and would probably struggle with the arc.
If I did a lot of it, I would get a bloke with a shaper/spindle moulder to knock me up some oak jigs, I'd screw m/s sheet to the back and bung em on the magclamp then use springclamps/hoseclamps to hold whilst tacking.
But, having said all that- I would not be without mine-they earn their place in my kit-the most part for MIG jobs -MMA (DC) sometimes does not like the mags either.
can see some of the strong hand range mate but not the ones I was interested in lol. I will ask anyway.
cheers
langy
langys rodshop
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I have a pair of these somewhere.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-50lb-...279?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ed2a78bcf
I find them a pain to set up and use and then they always move when you're about to start welding. I prefer a piece of scrap angle or plate and 2 g-clamps.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-50lb-...279?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ed2a78bcf
I find them a pain to set up and use and then they always move when you're about to start welding. I prefer a piece of scrap angle or plate and 2 g-clamps.
