How can I add a togglable magnets to my bicycle frame fixtures?

[Xyphota]

Basically what the title says. This style of bicycle frame fixturing I am using uses high-rise v-blocks that let you suspend your tubing above a 1:1 scale drawing of the frame you are fabricating. I am thinking that a future upgrade to this setup would be the addition of some sort of togglable magnetic indicator base to the high-rise blocks so they can be locked in place. I'm only half-way through my first frame and I am already getting frustrated with how often I need to keep readjusting the blocks as they get bumped around LOL.

One easy option might be to make a ~2"x2" cutout at the base of the high-rise blocks so that they can straddle a magnetic indicator base. Are there any other products out there that I'm not ware of that could also work?

MS-Paint re-design proposal:

 

[DavidR8]

What about these:

Mag-Jig Magnetic Clamps - Lee Valley Tools

Discover the Mag-Jig Magnetic Clamps. Buy this product now on our Lee Valley online store.

www.leevalley.com

Magswitch MagJig 60 - 8100818

Magnetic jig with a max breakaway of 55 lbs. Use for downward pressure clamping. Turn the magnetic on and off by twisting the knob. From welding to woodworking, make fences, jigs, fixtures, work supports or anything that makes your work faster, safer and easier.

magswitch.com

 

[Xyphota]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've done a little googling and it looks like most magnetic clamping products have the switch above the magnet. One extra benefit of the magnetic indicator bases is the switch is on the side so I think they would be easier to combine.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Do you have a 3d printer? I designed and printed a switchable magnet based on Andrew Kleins video

It works "ok", but that was mainly due to the poor printing of it. Machined from aluminum, like I plan to do "eventually" it would work much better. I want to make a few modular magnets for fixturing on the welding table, similar to what you're doing.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Here's some pics of the one I made. Obviously there are no provisions for mounting etc, as it was more of a quick and dirty proof of concept, than practical application, but it is the coolest fridge magnet I have

Conceptually it works great. But obviously the 3d printed assembly tolerances are the limiting factor. You could incorporate that mechanism into an aluminum or brass machined piece and gain a lot more functionality.

 

[Xyphota]

That's pretty neat! I'll admit that at present I'm looking more for something off the shelf I could purchase. Too many projects already on the list haha!

I found this article that explains toggling magnets a bit more. It looks like the serious switches all use steel enclosures so that the magnetic flux doesn't interfere with nearby components.

Magnets with an OFF Switch | K&J Magnetics Blog

Learn about the innovative Magswitch technology and its versatile applications in various industries.

www.kjmagnetics.com

 

[Dan Dubeau]

I hear you on the too many projects front. That's why the "fridge magnet" has never developed into anything other than that yet. It was a quick and easy "couch" project to see if it could work.

Thanks for the link. And also no thanks for the link, as It gave me more ideas to try lol.

 

[Tom O]

Here’s a neat one 3 D printed Polymagnets.