If you’ve ever used a dial indicator or test indicator before, you know what this is – a magnetic base.
This one, by Noga, a good brand of dial indicator bases and positioning accessories, as well as excellent deburring tools, is small, but capable.
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It features 72 lbs of magnetic holding power, an on/off switch, and a 5mm threaded hole at the top. it has two magnetic surfaces – on the bottom, and at the rear.
Even though there’s an on/off switch, it’s not powered. Turning the dial mechanically rotates components within the magnetic base, from a null position to a holding position. There are no batteries to ever have to replace, it’s all mechanical.
Since it’s a magnetic base, it will only hold securely to ferrous surfaces. If you want to stick it someplace else, you might have success if you clamp down or secure a steel mounting plate.
This particular model, Noga NF0037, is small, measuring 1.58″ deep x 1.38″ tall x 1.18″ wide. There are larger ones.
You can buy cheaper ones, too. I bought this one for a sensor positioning task, where I just needed something small and reliable.
Price: $17.55
Buy Now(via Amazon)
I bought mine from Amazon, but paid a little less than it’s currently selling for.
Hilton says
I bought two of these low profile switchable magnets from Lee Valley to use in jigs.
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43455,65258&p=65258
Haven’t tried the Noga magnets yet.
Jonathan Graham says
I have many of these and have never found a brand that works better. They’re useful for far more than just holding a Best Test or a travel indicator. I use them in jigs and fixtures as well, and a multitude of other applications.
Joe says
I would think you would want them slightly less then 3/4”….so material could go over the top if needed, like the ones “ Hilton” has. But I’m sure these have their place also.
Never heard of these types of things, being a framer, but as a future shop guy I want some, thanks Stu
Stuart says
That’s what I had in mind. =)
Even if it’s not of immediate need, it’s good to know about tools that might someday be handy.
RCWARD says
Have to have at least a couple of these around the shop. This one looks good
fred says
For jigs, I’ve used several different sizes from an company called Magswitch:
https://www.amazon.com/Magswitch-MAGJIG-95-MagJig/dp/B003FWERRC/
Many of the one I have were made in Australia.
They also make feather boards, fences, welding magnets and lifting magnets
Hang Fire says
I use a magnetic base like this one doing brake jobs, usually mounted on the strut, to hold the jointed arm and dial indicator on the rotor when testing on-vehicle disc runout. Just about every factory service manual has instructions and specs on this, yet I have never seen done, or the specs reported back, on a dealer or garage brake job.
Since I started doing this, and using brake qualified grease on the pins, slides, ears and pad back, I have not gotten that “warped disc” feeling as my brake job gets older.
Alick says
Noga are a highly reputable Japanese brand in this field. Their range is massive and they make some beautiful jointed arms to fit their bases.
Eddie says
Noga is based in Israel, not Japan.
Wayne says
I don’t know how I’d put this to use in my life, but this is definitely a cool thing to know about.
Probably make a good GoPro mount?
Stuart says
Maybe a larger one. But this one might be too small for a GoPro, unless maybe positioned right over the center.
Nate says
The magnets sure aren’t as strong as advertised but maybe they’ll work for what I have a need for.