possible to cut VIM Mag rails?
- Thread starter cdoublejj
- Start date
fatfillup
Well-known member
I have cut many types of mag rails with a hacksaw. Always had good results
four.cycle
Well-known member
Just a note regarding this:
I don't know a thing about "VIM" magrails.
I do know that Nelson Bowers is dumping out all of his Mechanics Time Savers magnetic socket and bit rails below cost since the company has gone out of business. You might want to take a look.
I don't know a thing about "VIM" magrails.
I do know that Nelson Bowers is dumping out all of his Mechanics Time Savers magnetic socket and bit rails below cost since the company has gone out of business. You might want to take a look.
scooby074
Well-known member
MTS is going out of business???
four.cycle
Well-known member
Yes. That's why he's dumping the inventory. They were not able to compete with the Chinese-made knock-offs.
scooby074
Well-known member
That might be worthy of its own thread IMHO if you wanted to post it. I have Snapon MTS rails and I like them. If folks are looking for the genuine article or parts they might be interested.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ I posted it in the "Hot Deals" forum. I dont think they'll last long at those prices.
alinc100
Well-known member
Not 100% familiar with Vim Magrails. I'd assume a porta-band would easily cut them . If you bought an 8" rail you could get 2- 4" rails with a clean cut.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
This being Garage Journal, the correct answer is, if you want clean cuts, buy or fab a waterjet saw.
Here's a nice one, very reasonably priced at $9,999:
www.matterhackers.com
Here's a nice one, very reasonably priced at $9,999:
WAZER Desktop Waterjet Cutting Machine
WAZER Desktop delivers engineering-grade waterjet cutting for a fraction of the average industrial machine cost. Occupying a small 47"x27" spatial footprint, users achieve fabrication precision on metal, glass, stone, and more from any garage, workshop, or classroom. Accelerate prototype...
four.cycle
Well-known member
You sure you don't think he needs one of these?
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Pshaw! Lasers--so 1980s!
afazz
Well-known member
I have cut several of them.
Cutting the aluminum is easy, cutting the magnets is a lot more difficult. If you cut them in 2” increments (the length of each magnet segment) you can do it with just about anything. Trying to cut through the magnet itself with a portaband just destroys the blade. If you need a length that isn’t in 2” increments, use an abrasive cutting tool (dremel, cut off wheel, etc).
Cutting the aluminum is easy, cutting the magnets is a lot more difficult. If you cut them in 2” increments (the length of each magnet segment) you can do it with just about anything. Trying to cut through the magnet itself with a portaband just destroys the blade. If you need a length that isn’t in 2” increments, use an abrasive cutting tool (dremel, cut off wheel, etc).
It's best not to damage the nickel plating on the magnet. The plating protects the magnet. That's why all neodymium magnets are plated. I have seen salt get to an unplated neodymium magnet, it erupted to twice its size and flaked apart.
This is how to cut a Magrail.
Mark the rail exactly where you want to cut it. (needs to be at a magnet seam). The magnets are staked on the end of the rail so tap on the end of the magnet row with a small drift. The magnets will start to move out of the aluminum housing at the far end. When the magnets are 3/8 to 1/2" out, go to the top of the rail and at the magnet seam where you want to cut the rail, with a small drift (you will be doing this at an angle) tap the magnets back a little past their original position so they extend a little past the end of the rail. Now you can go to the location where you want to cut the rail. It will be clear of magnets. Mark the rail with a square where you want to cut so you have minimum metal loss and use a thin blade. You can clean the cut up on a disc sander with a 90 degree guide. Slide the magnets back into the rail and stake as necessary with a center punch. The magnets will extend slightly past the end of the rail due to the loss of metal with the cut but should be minimal. I do this all the time with no problem.
Hope this helps,
Ron
PS. If you take the magnets all the way out, be sure to reinstall them properly. the poles alternate north up, south up down the length of the rail. if the first magnet is north up the magnet across the "T" channel from it will be south up. Having the magnets installed properly keeps your sockets from being magnetized.