Lifting Magnets

[sbosecker]

I've done the best search I could do on Garage Journal and either I'm doing something wrong or this topic hasn't been addressed in any detail in the past.

I pondered for a few minutes as to where the appropriate place to post this topic would be. This seemed like the best place.

There seems to be some relatively economical Asian units and then there are known, reputable brands that are comparatively expensive. The Asian units are sold on a variety of web sites with feedback provided. The feedback tends to be fairly binary; either they're swell or they're dangerous. The negative feedback also tends to be brief leaving one to wonder if the rather specific operating envelope of these devices have been misunderstood - or ignored - by the operator.

Anyway, what say you regarding Lifting Magnets?

Actual product feedback particularly appreciated.


Scott

 

[Bronson]

Never heard of a lifting magnet?

 

[jw3]

Try the Welding Web forum. I've seen them discussed there. Also YouTube Chuckie2009, I seem to recall seeing one of his videos with them as well.


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[sbosecker]

Never heard of a lifting magnet?

The question is unclear to me...

Are you indicating that you've never heard of a lifting magnet or you think I've never heard of a lifting magnet?

If you're unfamiliar, here's a short YouTube video...

Best regards,

Scott

 

[Matt Matt]

Lifting magnets are a great little tool. I can pretty much say I couldn’t live without one but I’ve been without one for about two years now. They are great for lifting ground plate and diameter. The diameter rating is usually about half. There is a lot of rules on proper lifting. I’ve been trying to pick one up at auctions in the last six months, but they usually sell for 3 to $400.

The one in your picture is probably rated for about 6 to 700 pounds.

 

[Bronson]

The question is unclear to me...

Are you indicating that you've never heard of a lifting magnet or you think I've never heard of a lifting magnet?

If you're unfamiliar, here's a short YouTube video...

Best regards,

Scott

Sorry, I meant that I have never heard of a lifting magnet. What is the specific use?
Why does it have the handle on the side?
Edit. Ok I just watched the vid, thanks!

 

[fnieto]

Can be used for loading plate (flat) vs plate clamps (vertical) or other type of stock. Been around a long time but pricey.

 

[Thumper68]

I've been looking for one for a few years as well, Now that I have a jib crane in the shop the want is becoming a need.

 

[James-W]

I had not heard of one like that. I have seen the electro-magnetic ones like they use in a junk yard to pick up scrap metal and drop it into a truck. That is actually pretty cool.

 

[Bellaireroad]

I had not heard of one like that. I have seen the electro-magnetic ones like they use in a junk yard to pick up scrap metal and drop it into a truck. That is actually pretty cool.

As on Breaking Bad[emoji57]


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[sbosecker]

I think - based upon internet research - that the electromagnets induce some residual magnetism into the objects that have been picked up. Apparently this can sometimes be a significant amount of magnetism. Probably not a big deal if your goal is to put scrap into a melting furnace.

Scott

 

[sbosecker]

Here's another video that shows how these things work.

It has a cautionary tale at about the 5:35 point. Ha!

I'm still hoping someone will chime in at some point with real world experience using the relatively inexpensive Asian Lifting Magnets.

Scott

 

[sbosecker]

Lifting magnets are a great little tool. I can pretty much say I couldn’t live without one but I’ve been without one for about two years now. They are great for lifting ground plate and diameter. The diameter rating is usually about half. There is a lot of rules on proper lifting. I’ve been trying to pick one up at auctions in the last six months, but they usually sell for 3 to $400.

The one in your picture is probably rated for about 6 to 700 pounds.

Matt Matt,

Do you recall the brand you were using previously?

Best regards,

Scott

 

[Matt Matt]

Eclipse

https://www.eclipsemagnetics.com/na/product-range/lifting-handling.html/


https://www.eclipsemagnetics.com/na/product-range/lifting-handling/ul0125-ultralift-plus.html

 

[dr_clyde]

My buddy has a couple for loading plates on the water jet. His are good for 3000 lbs? I think? I don't know the brand off hand. But they are very nice industrial grade tools. I do recall he saying they are expensive. I've used them, and they are indeed slick.

They are fussy, however. The surface must be clean, no chips or dirt. Any slight space between the magnet and the load greatly reduces the capacity. They obviously are only good for steel, so they are not as versatile.

I think they certainly have their place in industry, but I think they would be of limited use in a home shop setting. Slings, chains and other typical rigging equipment would be a better use of your money, imo.

If you routinely are lifting 1/2" plate or better, maybe it's worth a look. But personally I'd pass.

 

[6PTsocket]

Sorry, I meant that I have never heard of a lifting magnet. What is the specific use?
Why does it have the handle on the side?
Edit. Ok I just watched the vid, thanks!

Ever see a base for a dial indicator? The lever "turns off" the magnet. I would think the name and the big ring on top would be self explanatory. It picks up big pieces of ferris metal when attached to some form of hoist. Woodworkers use much smaller versions to hold accessories on saw tables. The handle is attached to a magnet that moves in relation to a fixed magnet. Depending on the position of the lever they either cancel each other out, "off" or work together for maximum magnetism,"on".

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[6PTsocket]

I have a question. I always assumed that those scrap yard magnets were electromagnets. Now I am starting to suspect they are giant lifting magnets with some sort of solenoid to operate the lever. That makes more sense than having to supply a lot of electricity through the whole lift. I saw a lifting magnet rated 10,000 lbs so they are made really big.

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[dr_clyde]

Scrapyard magnets are electromagnets.

 

[tlmartin84]

Not of any value to the posters comments...........sorry, but our crews use them for TEMPORARY tie offs during inspection and bridge work.

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[scooby074]

We used Eriez magnets at work for moving heavy finished steel pieces. Handy for that job, but in a home shop, Im not sure. We were all set up with jib cranes, trolleys, gantrys and the like that covered almost all the square footage. Unless your shop is "fully craned" their usefullness is limited IMHO. Even in a fully covered shop, many times it was far quicker to just grab the piece and move it by hand, even if it was against health and safety rules.

 

[6PTsocket]

Scrapyard magnets are electromagnets.

Thanks.

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[sbosecker]

We've had a couple of brands mentioned but it looked like they were the pricey industrial versions... Here's an example of what I would like to see comments on regarding some real world experiences - if possible.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KZI1E9M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Price around $300 vs. $2K-$3K for this amount of lift in a "reputable" industrial supplier.

Scott

 

[Shopteacher]

Not of any value to the posters comments...........sorry, but our crews use them for TEMPORARY tie offs during inspection and bridge work.

No way would I tie off temporarily to anything at that height, better yet God made me short and fat for a reason, and that was to keep me close to mother earth...