ADVICE ON MAGNETIC CATCHES

[niall Y]

I have to get some magnetic catches to hold small panels in place in a frame, My experience with these, relates to the older type, that I used to use on kitchen cabinets. I was never really impressed with them , as there seemed to be too many variables, that stopped them working at their full strength.

I now see that there are newer, slimmer versions available, that claim to have a 10Kg pull to them, as apposed to the 6Kg quoted for the older type. So, my question is - are they indeed any better, or is it just hype? Bearing in mind, I have to come up with a neat and workable solution for the job I am doing at the moment, any feed-back would be greatly appreciated, before I 'splash the cash'

 

[ChaiLatte]

They may be totally incorrect for your application, but do you know of the button fix system?

https://button-fix.com/

 

[baldkev]

Button fix is great ..... you need to be very accurate though. Theres different types for different situations.

Theres some good hafele mag catches, in stainless, that have a good strength to them.

 

[Bingy man]

I’ve just made a small cabinet for a friends v w van . The door is attached via butterfly hinges and is held in place by rare earth magnets and small metal plates . The magnets are counter sunk into the plywood and glued into place with epoxy but left slightly proud . Small metal brackets were then fitted inside the cabinet. Very surprised at how strong they were ( approx 5 mm diameter) I also did a under stairs compartment for storage and used the type you describe with no issues ( strong enough to pull a slightly bowed plywood door fully tight to both magnets. No reason why the type you described won’t work either.

 

[pe2dave]

Try this site. Enough range to meet most needs. If round, make sure you have / can buy a drill to sink them in.

 

[Doug71]

I have never used them but doctor Bob used to recommend these, the leather buffer is a nice touch

https://e-magnetsuk.com/product-category/magnetic-catches/elite-catches/

 

[Spectric]

You need strong handles if you use some of these rare earth magnets, they have incredable holding power. With the button fix they do a jig that makes the job easier and this shows how the system works.

https://skill-builder.uk/button-fix-hidden-fixings-product-test

 

[niall Y]

Thanks, one and all. for your responses, there are some interesting leads here.

Button fix look to be a pretty good solution - though I do take onboard the need for accuracy. And, cost-wise, they seem to be a slightly cheaper option, as I will be needing 16 to 20 of them.

Most of the panels I need to fix are quite small, approx. 300 x 200 mm, so no great weight here. Also, coincidentally, they are for a camper-van conversion. They give access to various cubby-holes, that would otherwise be wasted space, and where hinges would be impractical.

Will mull over all the options, including cost, durability and ease of fitting, Have had mixed success using neodymium magnets in the past ,as these have easily shattered, but glued in position, they might be more stable.

 

[Spectric]

Also, coincidentally, they are for a camper-van

You will need something strong enough so that if you hit a bump or pothole then they all remain closed otherwise you will have stuff going everywhere.

Have you considered these, 1/4 turn fasteners used in many applications where a panel needs to be removable for access, aircraft, motorsport and electrical / electronics.

https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/black...xw3ZghmLNQRQKzzOfMWYqfam9ge1UTK8aArbxEALw_wcB
https://southco.com/en_gb_int/faste...-to-close-turn-to-open-quarter-turn-fasteners

 

[niall Y]

You will need something strong enough so that if you hit a bump or pothole then they all remain closed otherwise you will have stuff going everywhere.

Have you considered these, 1/4 turn fasteners used in many applications where a panel needs to be removable for access, aircraft, motorsport and electrical / electronics.

https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/black...xw3ZghmLNQRQKzzOfMWYqfam9ge1UTK8aArbxEALw_wcB
https://southco.com/en_gb_int/faste...-to-close-turn-to-open-quarter-turn-fasteners

These look to be a great idea. but so far I can't seem to see any that will cope with a 15mm thick panel. My thinking, at this stage, is that i might use a mixture of methods, as customer won't need regular access behind a couple of the larger panels, but with the smaller ones , they will.

 

[Spectric]

Does the panel need to be that thick in a van, you could use sheet aluminium panels rather than wood.

 

[niall Y]

Does the panel need to be that thick in a van, you could use sheet aluminium panels rather than wood.

The construction is all. light-weight, 15 mm, faced and finished ply, supplied by the customer, with the PVC edging, usual for this sort of build, applied to some of the edges. The rest are stained and varnished to match.

 

[pe2dave]

These look to be a great idea. but so far I can't seem to see any that will cope with a 15mm thick panel. My thinking, at this stage, is that i might use a mixture of methods, as customer won't need regular access behind a couple of the larger panels, but with the smaller ones , they will.

I'll suggest you need to prove it to yourself? Small magnet, let into the door, with tens of kG pull?
If it doesn't, your hinge design needs attention IMHO?

 

[niall Y]

I'll suggest you need to prove it to yourself? Small magnet, let into the door, with tens of kG pull?
If it doesn't, your hinge design needs attention IMHO?

Going to use a mixture of methods - Button fix for the large panels and magnetic catches for the small panels over the wheel arches.
Only one pair of hinges in the whole design, and these are on a folding table.