Magnetic mass for welding

Welding ground clamp, types of clamps for a welding machine, homemade terminal, holder,

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The list of basic devices required for manual electric arc welding includes the following items: electrode holder; welding cable to holder; return cable; ground terminal (ground clamp).

Quite often these components are not of high quality and require immediate replacement. There are times when the contractor will need a replacement after a short period of use.

Important! If the welding work clamp is faulty, this negatively affects the work process, its productivity, and most importantly, safety for the welder, the stability of the arc, and the quality of the connection.

The choice of any technical device or device requires a careful and attentive approach. A correctly selected ground terminal can protect the performer from electric shock and will guarantee a high-quality and reliable connection. To select the optimal welding work clamp, you should pay attention to the following important aspects .

1. You need to choose well-known and trusted brands , which will help you avoid purchasing counterfeit products. It is very difficult for a person who does not have sufficient experience to distinguish a fake from an original product. Therefore, you need to buy products only from specialized sellers and suppliers.
2. The ground clamp for the welding machine should be selected taking into account the maximum current that the unit produces.
3. Also, the clamp must confidently withstand the weight of the connected cable .
4. a spring acts as a compression mechanism , then its properties should be sufficient for reliable contact with the workpiece.
5. One of the main roles is played by the opening angle of the terminal, the value of which should be sufficient for reliable fastening to parts of various sizes.

Types of ground clamps

Ground clamps for welding machines, depending on the nature of the fixation, can be of several types. Next, we will look at the main types of clamps, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

crocodile clip (“clothespin”) for grounding , which is attached directly to the part.

Advantages:

• reliability of connection with the surface of the part;
• convenience and speed of use;
• minimum connection resistance;
• the ability to fix parts of various geometric shapes, including those with complex configurations;
• high degree of disclosure.

disadvantages should also be highlighted :

• low, compared to other types, level of strength of some components - spring;
• This type of clamp is used only in cases where it is possible to attach directly to the product.

The alligator clip should be selected based on general recommendations. Terminals of this type are available in three main modifications: ground clamp 300A, 200A and 500A. Depending on the model of the welding machine and the current it produces, you need to determine the optimal modification. To carry out work at a professional level, it is recommended to purchase a 400-500A clamp.

Important! It should be noted that the use of a clothespin clamp when welding large diameter pipes is impossible.

We recommend looking at tips on how to extend the life of the clothespin that came with the device and what to consider when buying a new one.

2. Magnetic mass for welding

Welders quite often use a magnetic ground clamp . This type has a whole range of advantages :

• the ability to attach the contact to any surface or structure, including pipes;
• simplicity of design ensures durability and trouble-free operation;
• the absence of springs and other mechanisms also contributes to long service life;
• a ground magnet for welding is able to withstand voltage surges and not burn out;
• successfully used in hard-to-reach places;
• The large contact area guarantees secure fastening.

Flaws:

• unreliable fastening of the contact to small-area parts , for example, fittings;
• impossibility of securing the clamp to products made of non-ferrous metals;
• the magnet must be periodically cleaned of contaminants , in particular metal shavings;
• Avoid overheating the magnet, otherwise it may demagnetize ; Overheating occurs if the terminal is attached to a dirty surface.

3. Clamp

Clamp -type welding clamps are used less frequently than the two types listed above. This type of terminals also has several advantages :

• high degree of fastening reliability, since fixation is carried out using a hex head screw;
• good contact with the workpiece ensures a smooth transition of current.

The disadvantages include the rather complex structure of the mechanism and the relatively large dimensions of the terminal.

4. Centralizer

In rare cases, experts select a centralizer-type clamp, designed for centering and tacking pipes previously located in the desired position. Can also be used to connect welding parts.

Advantages of this type:

• ensuring tight contact;
• guarantees welding accuracy;
• Suitable for pipes of various diameters.

Flaws:

• limited scope;
• high cost compared to other types of clamps.

We recommend watching the video, which contains recommendations on how to extend the life of the complete mass of the crocodile and which one is better to choose for purchase.

And another review from an experienced welder, which has some tricks.

Popular models

Consider popular welding ground clamps. The market for the sale of welding consumables offers a wide variety of work clamps, both domestic and foreign. Next we will look at the most popular models.

Earth clamp Ergus 300A Pro , manufacturer - Quattro Elementi (Italy). Characteristics : crocodile type; affordable price; high quality; light weight; supports current up to 300A, which is perfect for the home craftsman.

Ground clamp Skrab 27621 300A (in the picture), made in Italy. It is one of the best options for doing work at home.

Popular grounding terminals are models from the Russian manufacturer Kord . The Moscow company offers clamps with various types of mechanisms.

For welding work in industrial or production environments, it is recommended to select a mass clamp of 500A or more.

Elitech 500A mass clamp, made in China.

Important! It should be noted that almost all manufacturers and sellers of welding equipment also offer customers grounding terminals. Therefore, a wide selection of mechanisms is available to beginners and professional welders.

For those who want to create a clamp with their own hands and save money, we suggest that you read the instructions.

Magnetic mass for welding is, if not the most common, then the most desirable, so the process of its manufacture will be shown below.

The process is simple, you will need a minimum of tools, and the parts can be at hand.

The performer will need : a magnet; two washers the size of the magnet can be made from sheet metal; bolt and nut for clamping the welding cable.

The welding mass holder is assembled in several stages :

• At the washer, which will serve as a contact, a hole is drilled corresponding to the diameter of the bolt head;
• the top of the bolt must be ground down to the thickness of the washer;
• then this structure is welded and cleaned; you should get a mushroom-shaped part with a carved stem;
• the magnet is placed on the bolt, with a second washer on top;
• Lastly, the end of the cable is attached to the threaded rod, and the entire structure is tightened with a nut.

This homemade welding compound will be a good option for saving money and is suitable for home craftsmen. Although there are many critics. What to choose, a homemade product, a cheap product or an expensive professional tool, choose for yourself.

Where to buy electrodes of various brands

Choose manufacturers and sellers of welding electrodes by clicking on the link below to the page of our catalog of companies.

Select a company

Source: https://WeldElec.com/svarka/post/osnastka/zazhim-massy/

How to use magnetic mass? And is it worth buying it?

Reading time: 2 minutes

Magnetic terminal, magnet clamp, magnetic contact of welding cable This device has many names. But the essence is always the same: a magnet allows you to quickly and reliably attach it to the ground and start welding.

But what is it? What are the pros and cons of a magnetic ground terminal? How to use it and is it worth buying at all? You will find the answer to these and some other questions in our article.

What it is?

The magnetic contact of a welding cable is a device that is mounted on the surface to be welded (ground) using an active magnetic field. The device is necessary to form a closed electrical circuit. Without this, manual arc welding is impossible.

The magnetic ground clamp is very popular among both beginners and professional welders. Magnetic mass is also often used for DIY welding at home. It quickly and securely attaches to any surface, even curved ones.

Advantages and disadvantages

We have already mentioned several advantages of a magnetic terminal above. But the list does not end there. The magnetic terminal has a simple design, so it is extremely durable and lasts for many years. Simply put, it is a regular magnet with a switchable or permanent magnetic field. There are no springs or other mechanical elements that can fail.

The magnetic terminal tolerates temperature and voltage changes well. It rarely burns out and can work with most types of metals. Also, such a ground clamp is indispensable when welding in hard-to-reach places. Even if the part is bent, the magnet will still provide reliable fastening due to its large contact area.

But it was not without its drawbacks. So the magnetic terminal is not able to provide reliable fastening to small parts. For example, on fittings. To maintain an active magnetic field, the device must be constantly cleaned. Its operation is very badly affected by metal shavings.

Also, to use a magnet, preliminary cleaning of the metal is necessary. If you attach a magnet to uncleaned metal, the device will stop working.

Don't forget that there are metals that are not magnetic. These are most non-ferrous metals. You won't be able to use a magnetic terminal with them.

How to use?

There is nothing complicated about using a magnetic terminal. Most models have a special handle, turning which you turn on the magnetic field. By default, the magnet will not attach to metal.

Source: https://svarkaed.ru/oborudovanie-dlya-svarki/detali-i-prisposobleniya/kak-ispolzovat-magnitnuyu-massu-i-stoit-li-pokupat-ee.html

Types of magnetic holders for welding

Special welding magnets (corners) are used to secure the steel parts being processed, ensuring convenience and comfort in handling them during the welding process. Most often, magnetic corners are used when welding pipes of arbitrary cross-section, as well as sheet or strip blanks, various profiles and other metal products.

Squares

One of the varieties of magnets for welding includes special angles that completely replace bulky clamps and provide fixation of parts at angles of 45, 90, 135 degrees.

There are many designs and variants of such magnets produced by different manufacturers. They differ not only in their working dimensions and mounting angles, but also in their adhesion strength.

The magnetic clamp or welding angle can have a variety of configurations, providing the ability to set the required mounting angle. Such magnets can have the following designs:

• ordinary squares, through which it is possible to set fixed angles determined by the profile of the workpieces;
• clamp-type fasteners with the ability to adjust the angle of fixation, ensuring their universal use as welding elements on structures of any degree of complexity;
• modern samples of squares with several fixed angles, also related to multifunctional tools and used in organizing complex welding work;
• angles with different clamping forces, designed for both massive elements of welded structures and small (compact) parts.

In addition to all of the above, a permanent or switchable magnet can be built into the fastening samples, allowing you to remove the product without any noticeable effort.

The cost of each magnet model is formed taking into account a number of indicators relating to the design used (the ability to set different angles, their adjustment and magnet power). It ranges from 300-400 rubles for a standard sample (800-900 rubles for a set of standard corners) to 3000-5000 rubles for special professional models.

Each magnetic welding holder has its own performance characteristics that determine its sales price. However, for those who are not “fixated” on branded products and want to save money on purchases, the option of making them yourself is always possible.

Advantages of magnetic mass holders

The principle of operation of the holder in the form of a magnet also extends to the so-called “ground”, which is directly connected to the workpiece during welding. Its use during electric welding work is quite justified, since it provides the welder with tangible benefits, expressed in the following:

• due to the use of a reliable, compact and quickly established contact, the operator’s freedom of action is noticeably increased;
• The magnetic corner weight holder is attached before welding begins, so that its installation does not require any outside assistance;
• the possibility of reliable and stable connection with almost any serviced surface;
• simplicity of the magnet design, which does not contain any complex built-in elements;
• the ability to withstand loads and stresses over a wide range of mechanical influences, which ensures sufficient fastening strength of metal structures;
• and, finally, a significant contact area with the workpiece, guaranteeing reliable closure with it during welding.

However, the method of fixing mass has its drawbacks. The main one is that it is inconvenient to install a magnet on small metal parts (on a rod or fittings, for example).

Another disadvantage of these undoubtedly convenient devices is the impossibility of using them when welding non-ferrous metals, because the magnet does not stick to them.

To all that has been said, it should be added that during welding, small metal shavings and other waste stick to the magnet, which are recommended to be cleaned off with a wire brush.

Taking into account these inconveniences, the use of such a mass is generally justified, since it gives concrete and tangible results.

Homemade magnetic clamps

You can make a magnetic angle for welding with your own hands; it is not difficult, especially since there is more than enough information on the order of the operations performed.

Design

A magnetic fixture or device is typically made from two separate parts. First, there is the contact or point where the lead cable is secured to the holder. Secondly, it is the magnet itself, which can have different shapes and dimensions.

The two parts of the prefabricated product for welding are connected by means of a special fastening, ensuring their reliable coupling. In this case, special attention is paid to the total weight, which should not exceed a certain value.

Thus, magnetic welding triangles from ESAB have a total weight of about 850 grams and guarantee ease of handling.

Taking into account the design features of welding magnets, you can begin to directly assemble them.

Self-production

You will need a fairly “strong” magnet, which can be used as the base of a powerful speaker that has become unusable. Next, you will need to find two sets of thick washers that fit them in size.

And finally, you should stock up on additional fasteners (bolt and nut) necessary to connect the welded cable clamp. When assembling the system, first drill a hole for the bolt in one of the washers (which will serve as a contact pad). After this, it is inserted into the workpiece and welded.

The head of the fastening bolt is ground down with a file to the thickness of the washer itself (flush with the contact plane).

After welding, the mushroom-shaped structure is carefully cleaned with a file, and then a magnet from the speaker is threaded onto it. To complete the work, a second washer is attached to the protruding threaded rod and the end of the cable is secured here, and then the entire structure is tightened with a nut.

At the end of the review, let us draw your attention to the fact that, despite the significant savings when making a welding holder yourself, branded magnets are still more reliable and durable.

Source: https://svaring.com/welding/prinadlezhnosti/magnity-dlja-svarki

How to make magnetic mass for a welding machine at home?

Magnetic mass for welding is a special device that provides reliable fixation on metal surfaces. This allows you to comfortably perform welding work on complex surfaces where the use of classic alligator clips is impossible.

There are many design options that depend on the work conditions. The structure of this device is not particularly complicated. For this reason, some craftsmen prefer to use homemade magnets for welding.

What's happened?

This device is mounted on the working plane of the workpiece . Thanks to the active magnetic field, a strong fastening is achieved, creating a closed electrical circuit - the main condition for the formation of an electric welding arc.

The tool is especially popular among novice welders - it will take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the principles of the work. Experienced specialists use magnetic mass for welding machines for critical work - welding large-diameter pipes or connecting load-bearing units made of profile materials.

Design of magnetic contact and its characteristics

Consists of two nodes:

1. Cable holder . The ground cable of the welding equipment is attached to it using a bolted connection.
2. Magnetic node . The size of the magnet depends on the design features. Some models are equipped with a mechanism that regulates the pressure of the magnet on the working plane. Professional devices have switches.

The parts are connected to each other by a rigid fastening. The main characteristics of the devices are:

1. Dimensions and weight. Depends on the manufacturer and specific model. The average weight is 1-1.2 kg.
2. The force of attraction to the surface. Varies in the range from 2 to 50 kg.
3. Welding current strength. The maximum value of the parameter is measured in amperes. For entry-level models, it does not exceed 200 A. An advanced tool is capable of operating at 400-500 A.
4. Execution type. They produce special clamps for corners with gap adjustment.

Is it worth buying?

The answer to this question can only be given by the master performing the work. For a novice welder who has just started his professional career, this device can make life significantly easier.

If a specialist works primarily with non-ferrous metals, a magnetic clamp will most likely not be useful.

Experienced workers have a set of various clamps for all occasions, including this device.

The cost of the device is quite high. If you have knowledge in the field of electrical engineering, you can try to make it yourself. The technology and manufacturing process will be discussed below.

How to do it yourself?

Experienced craftsmen try to reduce all costs for the purchase of auxiliary and working equipment to a minimum. Due to the simplicity of the design, no special equipment or complex tools are needed for manufacturing .

To assemble a homemade device, you should prepare the following equipment:

1. Magnet . The working part of the unit. It must have sufficient power to securely attach to metal. Magnets from old car speakers with a power of 10-15 W are ideal for this purpose.
2. Two washers . Their size must correspond to the diameter of the magnet.

1. A set of hardware for fixing the welding cable.

Algorithm for performing the work:

1. One of the washers will make contact with the working plane. It is necessary to make a hole in it corresponding to the size of the bolt head.
2. The cap is cut to the thickness of the washer.
3. After preliminary preparation, the structure is connected by welding. The product should resemble a mushroom, in which the threaded part of the bolt plays the role of a leg.
4. A magnet is placed on the mushroom. Place a second washer on the reverse side.
5. A welding tip is attached to the thread, and the entire structure is secured with nuts.

Functionality testing is performed only in the field. The quality criterion will be the correct functioning of the welding machine.

Do-it-yourself welding machine compound is a great way to save money, as well as a means to test your DIY construction skills.

A properly assembled device will last no less than the factory clamp.

Conclusion

Magnetic mass is a useful invention that can make life easier for both beginners and experienced welders. The device has many advantages that justify the rather high cost.

The need to have this device in the arsenal depends only on the specific master. Having the appropriate skills, you can assemble a magnetic clamp yourself, using available materials.

Source: https://svarka.guru/oborudovanie/rashodniki-i-kompletuyushie/kak-sdelat-magnitnuyu-massu.html