Yes … If working to spec. they can be very useful

But yes … magnetic chucks can and do lose magnetism

MichaelG.

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Edit: I presume it’s similar to this:

https://www.eclipsemagnetics.com/na/ax12c-p-circular-premier-chuck.html

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 10/01/2020 11:51:23

Mark,

What price? I might like to experiment.

I'd love to have one. Get it if it's any good and the price is right. Sort of thing you don't use often but when you do need it, it's invaluable. Easier than supergluing to dummy faceplates etc.

There's a couple on ebay at the moment, one of which is in Hampshire, so maybe saving on the postage.

For small workpieces, I surround them with M12 thick repair washers; seem to hold well enough and with light cuts, things stay in place OK.

Bill

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Having discouraged you, Mark … I felt obliged to find some supporting evidence

This is a direct quote from the Eclipse ‘Ask The Expert’ page:

Longevity of magnets – how long will a permanent magnet stay magnetic?

How long any magnet retains its magnetism for will depend upon the application and the environment that magnet is placed in.

If a permanent magnet is well looked after, not damaged, kept at room temperature, kept in a dry environment away from moisture, corrosion risks, radiation and external magnetic fields, it will in theory remain magnetic indefinitely (i.e. it could outlast the product lifecycle). As a rough guide based on well looked after magnets over 10 years the drop in performance for high permeance coefficient magnets should be very low e.g. nearing 0% for NdFeB, nearing 0% for SmCo, under 2% for ferrite and under 3% for alnico. In practice the conditions are not ideal so the long term performance could well be worse (or far worse) than stated (so please do not use the guideline values as to be expected values – you could be disappointed).

MichaelG.

Speedy,

They will hold steel swarf in a machining operation for as long as they are energized. Remove the job(s) and 'switch' the magnetic chuck off again and the swarf will fall away of it's own accord

You might then find the swarf magnetic, it depends on the material, but that is hardly of much concern

Regards Brian

My guess is if you have to ask you don't need one!

Useless for Stainless Steel, Brass and Aluminium, I see magnetic chucks as good for holding thin steel workpieces that would otherwise have to be glued to a mandrel and boiled off after. Magnetic chucks save time if a lot of thin steel turning needs to be done, and I rarely do that. In my bumbling retired-amateur workshop, time and super-glue are excellent alternatives, especially as super-glue works on all metals, not just ferrous.

Needing to turn dozens of thin steel workpieces in a hurry, I'd consider a magnetic chuck, but as it is my money is better spent on other toys! I'd be delighted to be given one though…

Dave

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If your ‘use case’ if mostly thin workpieces, Dave … be sure to look at the technical information kindly provided by Eclipse

MichaelG.