How to Use Welding Magnets?

Last Updated on August 4, 2021 by weldinghubs

You might be wondering what welding magnets are and how they can help you with your project. Welding magnets are designed to hold metal pieces together while they’re being welded, making the process much easier. How do they work? The magnet will attract the steel so that it is in contact with the area where you want to weld. This allows for a clean weld because there’s no need to clamp down on both sides of the material or worry about keeping one side from moving out of place as you work.

A lot of people don’t know how to use welding magnets, and they are usually the ones asking what is a welding magnet? How do you use them? How big should they be? How many should I buy? These are all great questions that we will answer in this blog post.

Related Post: How to weld sheet metal with a wire feed welder?

What are welding magnets?

Welding magnets are the perfect tools for any metal welder. They can hold pieces of metal securely at 45⁰, 90⁰ , and 135-degree angles to make welding projects go smoother. Welders don’t have to worry about holding things together themselves because these strong magnets will do it without damaging their hands in the process.

Besides this, welding magnets come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are made for specific materials, like steel or aluminum, while others can be used on any metal surface.

A very cool feature is, the strongest welding magnet will hold up to 250 pounds of weight so it’s great for bigger projects with more intricate welds.

They’re also a nice alternative to clamps because they won’t leave dents around the edges of pieces being held together by them and don’t require fasteners that might damage material surfaces when removed later on.

You can read our new article: How to Choose the Right Tungsten?

How to use welding magnets?

Welding magnets are a super powerful and versatile tool that can be used in all types of metal works. Here’s how you go about using them:

Step one- Take two metal pieces that you would like to weld together, and place the larger of them on top so it covers most of your piece. Make sure they’re in a horizontal position before placing

Step Two- Place any smaller magnet underneath this one at whichever angle you want to fit it at. If the magnet comes with a switch, turn on the switch now. With both magnets now in position, carefully line up their magnetic poles until they are parallel or perpendicular to each other depending on what type of welding you are going for.

Step Three – You can then easily weld them together by passing an arc over the surface where they meet.

It’s important not to use too much pressure when using these magnets as this could damage whatever it is that you’re welding. One way to make sure you don’t use too much pressure is by resting the pole of your welder against a table or some other type of surface that has enough weight and stability to not move as easily as the surface that you’re welding.

Step Four- Once finished, remove the magnets from each other by alternating their magnetic poles until they are facing opposite directions and then separating them.

You can read our new article: What is the different types of welding electrodes?

What Type of Welding Magnet Do You Need?

Welding may be an old skill, but it’s still one of the most important ones you’ll ever need to know. Fortunately for us today there are a bunch of different welding magnets that can help make your work easier and more efficient.

Some welds require just one magnet or clamp while others will absolutely demand two before they’re done. When choosing which kind is right for what job we want to look at features such as angle and strength in order to figure out whether your project requires both types or not.

1. Welding Magnets with Switches

Welding magnets with switches are perfect for a variety of different uses. Every magnet has an on/off switch to turn it off quickly, and they’re dangerous to the touch when active, which makes them great for temporarily sticking something in one place or using metal filings to show circuits.

Magnetic welding magnets are a great option for when space is tight and you need something more versatile. They can hold workpieces at 45 or 90-degree angles, making them perfect for tight spaces and any number of other uses.

Another great advantage of these magnets over traditional welding magnets is that they stay on until you turn them off with the switch. This means you’ll never have to worry about turning your welder magnet back on by accident since there isn’t any lag time before contact resets when you switch it off. In addition, they come at an affordable price point.

In conclusion, these welding magnets should be able to do everything you need them to while providing a convenient switch that will make your welding magnet last longer.

2. Multi-Angle Welding Magnets

The multi-angle welding magnet is strong enough to attract any ferrous metal surface. It can hold workpieces at different angles, such as 45, 90, and 135 degrees which are great for assembly or marking off pipe installation. It has a long life span and is resistant to shock, vibration, or temperature.

On the other hand, the multi-angle welding magnet features an integrated power switch and hooks that can be positioned at any angle for hands-free operation. The magnetic strength reaches up to 80 pounds, allowing you to work with different types of metals without damaging them.

Some jobs that require a multi-angle welding magnet are automobile brackets, floor pans, and radiators. It is perfect for projects in which the workpiece may be too large or heavy to handle manually, such as when attaching fender supports on a truck drive train frame member.

When using this device it shouldn’t be used with materials that are too thin, such as aluminum sheet metal.

3. Arrow Welding Magnets

Arrow welding magnets are designed to attach workpieces at 45, 90, and 135-degree angles. With their powerful magnetic capabilities, they can hold any ferrous metal surface firmly in place. What’s more, these arrowheads also double as a holder for when you’re working on your projects.

Moreover, arrow magnets are also shaped like an arrow, so they can be used as double-sided holders for projects. This makes the perfect addition to any garage or workshop. These handy tools hold metal pieces in place while being easy enough for one person to operate and pared down on the need for multiple tools.

Arrow magnets are always handy to have around, whether they’re being used as a holder or for actual welding purposes. They can be easily placed onto any metal surface and will stay securely in place until it’s needed again.

4. Adjustable Welding Magnets

Adjustable welding magnets can swivel 360 degrees, so you can weld metal at any angle. These heavy-duty electrical magnets each have the capacity for 50 lbs and work well with those who are looking to get a little help while working.

The magnets are very easy to use. Simply place the magnetic base on a clean, flat surface and then put your metal object against it before turning the handle.

It will automatically hold down any metal you need to be welded without leaving behind marks or indentations from clamps or vices that can be found in other types of welding equipment.

Adjustable welding magnets offer a convenient and portable option for those who need to weld small objects.

5. Magnetic Welding Clamps

Heavy Duty Adjustable Clamps make for the perfect workhorse in your workshop. They have magnetic properties, which allow them to act as both clamps and magnets – they are great for welding or fabricating large objects because of their adjustable arms that can be secured at any angle between 45-90 degrees.

When you need to work on a project that requires welding or fabricating metal, Magnetic Welding Clamps are the best way to get your hands on.

They have magnetic properties which allow them to act as both clamps and magnets – they’re great for welding or fabricating large objects because of their adjustable arms that can be secured at any angle.

Now that you know what Magnetic Welding Clamps are and how to use them, go ahead and get your hands on some. They’ll be the best investment in metalwork you’ve ever made.

6. Sheet Metal Magnets

Sheet metal magnets are strong, easy to grasp magnets with plastic handles that make it easier to position them quickly and remove them easily. Placed on metal sheets or automotive panels, magnets keep these flat surfaces in place while you work on them.

As they’re typically made of steel, the magnetic force is stronger than ceramic ones which means they can hold heavier pieces in place without any issues.

The hooks at their top allow for easy removal when not needed so you don’t have to worry about damaging the surface underneath of your magnet during this process.

They also offer a much better grip because both hands are holding onto one handle- meaning there are fewer chances for dropping the magnet as well since its weight will be distributed across two points instead of one.

The best thing about magnets is that there are so many different types of them to help you out with whatever project or item you’re working on.

7. Snake Magnets

One of the most important steps in welding is securing your workpiece so it does not move and thus weaken or change shape. This magnetic sheet metal magnet set has a flexible cable that can be bent into any position, making sure to hold whatever you need securely all while providing freedom for other tools when necessary.

The clamp also means smaller parts are no problem either. These magnets do require removal before finishing though – we wouldn’t want them getting caught on fire during an intense weld after all.

The magnetic set can store any metal object and hold it at different angles. It includes a cable that is bendable in all directions, allowing for easy usage of the magnet with small tools like saws or clamps – as well as larger pieces that are held by two magnets on opposite sides of the work area.

For instance, if you need to weld something together but want to move around while doing so without taking out your entire workspace from its position first: Simply take off one side before welding.

You can read our new article: How to make a welding cable reel?

How to Clean Welding Magnets?

Here are some tips on cleaning your welders’ magnets.

To start off with, you will need an air compressor that has a pressure rating suitable for the job at hand. The most common type of compressed air used in this application would be an oil-free variety—the kind typically found in a garage or auto body shop setting.

You may also want to invest in what’s called ‘puffer,’ which is just another name for an air hose with a nozzle attachment; this increases control when it comes time to direct airflow from one area or onto specific surfaces. Once you have all these supplies assembled, set up outside or in a well-ventilated area and turn on your air compressor.

Next, attach the nozzle to the end of your hose and start spraying away—just be sure that you’re directing pressure onto one surface at a time so as not to damage anything with overspray or errant particles from another spot.

Keep everything moving around frequently so things don’t get too wet before it’s had a chance to dry off – this is important because damp surfaces are more susceptible to marring than those that have been given plenty of opportunity for evaporation first.

Finally, once everything has been sufficiently cleaned using these guidelines (generally about 30 minutes), shut off your equipment and wipe down any remaining surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner like Simple Green and a soft cloth.

After all your equipment has been thoroughly cleaned, you’re ready to start the next project! Welding magnets can be used for the transportation of heavy objects, as well as lifting awkward or unwieldy materials with ease. With these versatile tools on hand in your shop, just about anything is possible.

What’s the difference between welding magnets and welding clamps?

Welding magnets are devices that welders use to hold workpieces together by their magnetic attraction. Welding clamps are specialty welding tools for holding two or more parts of material and pressing them together from opposite sites so the welder can do his job without distraction.

Welding magnets are a type of clamp and welding clamps are not. There’s no difference in what they do, but the way they work is different. Welding clamps firmly hold two or more parts together from opposite sites so that the welder can do his job without distraction (welds) while welding magnets attract to one another through their magnetic fields by means of attraction and repulsion.

The force generated when these two forces meet between pieces welded with magnetic welding units, such as an electric arc welder or gas-shielded metal arc welder, creates heat for melting metals during fabrication processes such as flat position butt joint connections; pressure-contact face joints; fillet welds on pipes, tubing fittings, and other round shapes, and gap joint welding for joining two pieces of a flat plate.

Welding clamps are used to hold the metal in place until it cools down after being heated by an electric arc welder or gas-shielded metal arc welder during a fabrication process such as flat position butt joints; pressure-contact face joints; fillet welds on pipes, tubing fittings, and other round shapes, and gap joint welding for joining two pieces of a flat plate.

Can heat destroy the magnetic properties of the welding magnet?

The strength of a magnet is decreased when exposed to heat. However, there are certain magnetic substances that will not be affected by the temperature change – for example, coarse-grained steel will retain its properties after long-term usage (this can act as a base to hold magnets in place) with minor variance from time to time.

It’s best practice to store your magnets away from direct sunlight and high temperatures for their safety and longevity.

When handling a magnet, you should always wear protective gloves or use an object to hold the magnet in place. Magnets can be difficult to grip and therefore it is advised not to touch them with your bare hands – if this happens, wash your hands immediately afterward.

Can welding magnets affect the welding process?

The strength of magnets can be a blessing and curse in the welding process. When they are strong enough to do their job, but attracting other metal pieces that would mess up your alignment – it is both good and bad.

If you’re using a magnetic device to help in your welding process, be careful. If magnets start attracting other metal pieces near them, it might ruin the alignment and make things difficult for you.

Moreover, if those devices are strong enough to do their job but also attract other metallic substances nearby that would mess up an alignment or complicate progress – then there is potential for problems such as ruining an alignment or being troublesome during progress.

Magnets can sometimes pose trouble if they start attracting another metallic substance near them which could cause issues with messing up the alignment of something or causing complications while working on a project.

Tips on maintaining your welding magnets to ensure optimal performance

• Apply a thin coat of oil to the magnets that have become rusty, as this will seal and protect them.
• Wipe down your welding magnet with cloths or paper towels after each use to remove any dust or metal filings from scraping against it. This will help keep it clean and free of corrosion.
• Regularly inspect your welders for signs of wear such as cracks in the paint on the housing, rust around seams, loose wires inside the unit, etc., so you can make repairs before they worsen and render your welder useless.
• If possible once every six months (or more often if you are doing heavy work), take apart all parts except those which cannot be removed due to design standards. – Clean and inspect them, then reassemble.
• Do not power up the welder until all parts are in place or you risk damaging your magnet.
• If you need to replace any of the welding magnets, it is always best to buy a new one rather than trying to weld two together for greater strength.

Conclusion

Welding magnets are a key component of any welding setup. They help you locate the metal object that will be welded, and they keep it in place so your hands don’t have to. When picking out which magnet is right for you, consider what type of work you’ll mostly do with this tool and how often you plan on using it since there are many different options available! We hope we’ve given some helpful tips about cleaning these tools as well.