OpenForge Tools: Magnetic Clamps
OpenForge Tools: Magnetic Clamps
3D
Published 2018-04-12T17:51:52+00:00
These magnetic clamps are designed so that you can glue perfect 90 degree angles. Since we so regularly need to glue parts in our hobby, I designed these after seeing them used on Terranscapes.
In order to ensure the resulting part is strong, it needs to be tuned to your specific printer. The reason is, we want the wall thickness to be an exact multiplier of the nozzle so that it creates a really strong wall. I strongly recommend you customize your prints if your nozzle is any size other then 0.4mm (which is my printer's nozzle, and thus the size on all the stls).
With stronger magnets you will probably want 3 walls of thickness, but with weaker ones you will do fine with 2. I've included a bunch of videos below testing the clamps at various strengths, and the original review that gave me the idea.
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Deciding on magnets
With an N42 1"x1/8"x1/8" magnet we are getting a bit over 2 lbs. At $0.74/piece, you can make this clamp for $2.96. These are a bit weak (but can still work) with tiles, but would be wonderful with thin strips of wood, or smaller parts like the docks construction kit pieces.
With an N42 1"x1/8"x1/4" magnet we are getting a bit over 2 lbs. At $1.26/piece, you can make this clamp for $5.04. I recommend this set for most tiles. They are strong and will hold the tile while you glue.
With an N42 1"x1/4"x1/4" magnet we can get a bit over 5 lbs. At $2.14/piece, you can make this clamp for $8.56. These monsters are great, but on normal tiles, they are so strong they repel each other so it makes them a little harder to use on something 2 inches x 2 inches like most tiles.
If you want to go even stronger, you can get N52 for $2.75/piece for $11/clamp. I estimate these should give about 6.25 lbs of clamping force.
Thing is, testing these with my tiles, I think even the cheapest option is still useful, but the stronger ones are even better. And if what you want to glue is thin wood, the lighter touch is probably preferable. I personally made two of each strength.
| Date published | 12/04/2018 |