Rotabroach Magnet

[howardm]

Hi,
Anybody have experience of the expected magnet life.?
I have been drilling holes in UC's and UB's for 2 months of weekends and it will only grip one plate thickness now.!
It used to pull through 3 or 4 10mm plate packers when I bought it 2 months ago.
I read the manual, it does say the magnet is better used on 50 thick steel, for a better magnet life, but I didn't expect it to go so quickly.!
How much is a new magnet.?

Howard

 

[dickie bell]

although it been some time ago when i worked for a firm doing steel work we used a rotabroach a great deal and i cannot recall any problems with the magnet it is possibly faulty or perhaps check all your cable connections to see if any wires are damaged?
if you figure it out let us know ok

 

[Hitch]

The motors normally go long before the magnets on all of ours.

The Rotabroach magnets are very good,seem to grip much better than all the other makes ive used.

Sounds like your using it in a strange way mind.

 

[Tigman]

My Rotabroach is donkeys years old , not had any problems with the magnet !

 

[Welderpaul]

Magdrills are not very good if you try sticking them to loose plates which it sounds like what you are doing? - Trying to pack the drill up? I've never managed to get a drill to stick properly to a lamination of plates.
IIRC ours have 250kg of clamping force on 50mm plate, with a reduction in clamping strength as you go down through the plate thicknesses.

I have had a magdrill where one of the two magnets failed. The cost to replace the magnet was more than the drill was worth, so scrapped it.

Rotabroach magnets are about the best. The slug-ejecting springs are powerful too. One of the lads managed to chip a window 15m away from where he was drilling when one flew out

 

[eddie49]

I don't understand how the magnet can have a "lifespan" - isn't it an electro-magnet, which would grip at the same strength for ever, as long as power was on? Perhaps the pole-pieces have become "shorted" by swarf?

 

[awemawson]

I don't understand how the magnet can have a "lifespan" - isn't it an electro-magnet, which would grip at the same strength for ever, as long as power was on? Perhaps the pole-pieces have become "shorted" by swarf?

Well possibly it's an electro-magnet with a diode rectifier to stop it humming - mine is like that. If one of the diodes fails it will certainly hold less.

 

[howardm]

Thanks guys,
Maybe I am expecting too much, I have been using it as a "pillar" drill substitute being a tight yorkshireman. It has started humming, maybe that is a clue, I will investigate further.
I intend getting a bench pillar drill soon.

thx
Howard

 

[Hitch]

Have a look at the bottom, is there any burrs that might be stopping it sitting flat....