Diy Magnetic table with permanent magnets

[Philip MajorParticipant @philipmajor52482]

Hi, all help please. I wish to build a model magnetic table/chuck, just like the eclipse one on my surface grinder, but smaller, say 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 inch.

Searching the Internet has provided schematics of how tables should be constructed, but no precise drawings or construction notes listing material. I have acquired neodymium magnets, bright mild steel and brass insulation, but its just not working. The flux is just not strong enough to hold a work piece.

Should I be trying to get softer iron, or different magnets?

Advice and guidance greatly received. You might question why I want to do it, when I already have a table… well its just because I want to, and the more I am failing the more I want to meet the challenge

[Philip MajorParticipant @philipmajor52482]

Wish to make a working model mag table

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

The magnets should not be 'shorted' by any steel. The thickness of the brass blocks should be about the same as that of the magnets. The sliding steel pieces must be in good contact with the steel bars in the face of the table and the magnets.

[Philip MajorParticipant @philipmajor52482]

Hi Mark, thanks for this. I tried what I understood from your remarks, but I guess I am not quite understanding!

In an ally open box I have a steel base plate I have put rows of steel/ magnet etc, and I have made this slide under the top plate made with rows of steel/ brass etc. Keeping the steel above the same width as the magnet below?

From your comments I tried a different design of the moving magnet slab by having rows of brass / magnet/ brass / steel/ brass/ magnets/brass / steel etc. Is this what you mean by not shorting the magnets?

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

There was a home build mag table shown on t'internet a few years ago.

Regards Ian.

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

Posted by Mark Rand on 15/07/2022 18:09:46:

The magnets should not be 'shorted' by any steel. The thickness of the brass blocks should be about the same as that of the magnets. The sliding steel pieces must be in good contact with the steel bars in the face of the table and the magnets.

Do you mean the same as in this video

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Posted by Philip Major on 18/07/2022 08:55:01:

Hi Mark, thanks for this. I tried what I understood from your remarks, but I guess I am not quite understanding!

In an ally open box I have a steel base plate I have put rows of steel/ magnet etc, and I have made this slide under the top plate made with rows of steel/ brass etc. Keeping the steel above the same width as the magnet below?

From your comments I tried a different design of the moving magnet slab by having rows of brass / magnet/ brass / steel/ brass/ magnets/brass / steel etc. Is this what you mean by not shorting the magnets?

No, Ideally you want a non-steel base plate and the sliding part to be steel-magnet-steel etc. With the pitch of the steel-magnet being the same as the pitch of the steel-brass (steel ally, steel lead etc.) laminated top. Then the steel parts of the top should be fractionally wider than the magnets (so it'll turn off).

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