While there are a few different magnetic switches on the market, this article will be centered around my experience with the Magswitch brand... you could probably consider this a 5* review.
It may be a philosophical debate whether mag switches are a clamp... I am being a sophy Phil and insist they are, as I use them to clamp timber/bases/jigs to metal surfaces.
Naturally you’ll need to customise your subject to accept the mag switch, but often all it requires is a 30mm or 40mm hole (depending on the switch’s size) and a screw to anchor it to the timber,
or some glued crescent(s) to slip it into the hole (easily removable) ,
both designed to stop the switch from rotating when the knob is turned on/off.
The simplest anchor point for a mag switch is a countersunk fender washer (recessed if you want it flush),
to attach to a jig to a base,
Years ago I used to have a 3.175mm thick metal plate
attached to one of my workbenches so I could position mag switches anywhere on the surface and I had a 19mm MDF skin I could lay on top,
held down by 3 mag switches,
Before I surrendered to my MFT style workbenches, I faked my own,
and attached it to another workbench top using recessed fender washers as anchors,
held down by mag switches,
Before I graduated to the MJ Splitter on my tablesaw and abandoned my blade-guard/splitter, I made a jig,
held down by mag switches,
to perfectly align the attachment with the right side of the blade,
I also attached featherboards with built inmag switches (bought circa 2008) to a metal plate on my tablesaw fence,
The jointer also shared the use of some square mag switches used as guides,
and was eventually promoted to use some shop made featherboards
The router table did not evade the mag switch invasion, and it still sports a removable metal plate,
for use with featherboards,
Other uses for the mag switches:-
This jig clamped onto the bandsaw (?),
can’t remember what it was used for, but I’ve still kept it… may have been a circle cutter's "stop block".
Guides for my scroll saw,
I’m a bad scroller... especially straight lines, circles and other cuts.
Tabletop hold down onto my milling table,
The magnets were/are strong enough that I could carry the 35kg milling table while just holding the timber tabletop.
Clamp my disc sander with self contained dust collection to my lathe's bed,
Any Sketchup aficionado (or pretender) can download the Magswitch models from the 3DW to pretty up your design.
40mm,
30mm,
If you have metal tabletops or plates… you have an excuse to buy some mag switches!
I haven;t tried to do any custom stuff with just the switches, but have a "Mag Switch" brand feather board. Only dislike is it can't get close enough to the TS blade when trimming narrow parts, trying a sim cut to make every part the same width. The throat plate (non-magnetic) happens to lie directly under one of the feather boards magnets.
I do save oddball RE magnets from deal hard drives, excellent guides/stops for the bandsaw, they can be slid off by hand when done and stuck to the frame or table side so I don't loose them.
I started with the HDD mags, however, I bought a load of mag switches before they became popular and costly... so I have enough for convenience and no manual knuckle skinning magnet manipulation... just gotta keep fingers from under the switches if placing while turned on.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
I’m a big fan of mag switches as well. Don’t have a ton as they’re costly, but the ones I have I love. A couple feather boards and a few other odds and ends. 👍🏼
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
I notice you keep your tools and equipment in pristine condition, which shows a real appreciation of the capital outlay and and benefits of enjoying them all
RobsCastle commented about 2 hours ago I notice you keep your tools and equipment in pristine condition, which shows a real appreciation of the capital outlay and and benefits of enjoying them all
I'm like a bowerbird... like collecting shiny stuff... never use them.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Dutchy ..... On my table saw I use a non switchable one. Made for welding activities.
You're comment reminded me I have a couple of those magnets... bought long before I knew about Magswitch.
I can easily lift those up off the tabletop with one hand and little effort. I could not lift the smaller mag switch with both hands without risking a hernia. I could push the smaller one sideways, but I was fully aware that it took some effort... naturally the larger one (40mm) was much. much harder (to push sideways).... forget lifting. Warning:- The danger with them is that if you have them "turned on" when putting down on the tabletop and have fingers under them... you can remove, not skin, but flesh!... always turn on after placement.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
