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
Feb 16, 2018 at 11:09 amI 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
Feb 16, 2018 at 11:37 amI 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
Feb 16, 2018 at 12:22 pmI 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
Feb 16, 2018 at 5:48 pmThat’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
Feb 16, 2018 at 12:41 pmHave to have at least a couple of these around the shop. This one looks good
fred says
Feb 16, 2018 at 1:55 pmFor 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
Feb 16, 2018 at 1:59 pmI 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
Feb 16, 2018 at 3:20 pmNoga 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
Feb 17, 2018 at 5:31 amNoga is based in Israel, not Japan.
Wayne says
Feb 17, 2018 at 10:58 amI 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
Feb 19, 2018 at 11:47 pmMaybe a larger one. But this one might be too small for a GoPro, unless maybe positioned right over the center.
Nate says
Feb 21, 2018 at 3:53 pmThe magnets sure aren’t as strong as advertised but maybe they’ll work for what I have a need for.