Magnetic Handlers | Mag-Mate Sheet & Load Control Magnets
Move steel sheets and parts safely without direct hand contact. Holloway Houston supplies Mag-Mate magnetic handlers, including compact sheet handlers and heavy-capacity load control magnets with telescoping handles. Available with Working Load Limits from 50 lbs to 1,000 lbs for efficient manual material positioning in fabrication shops and warehouses.
Magnetic Handlers (Sheet & Load Control)
Handling thin steel sheets, plates, and small ferrous components manually poses severe cut and pinch hazards. Magnetic handlers provide a practical grip on metal surfaces using permanent magnetic force, eliminating the need for direct hand contact or awkward mechanical clamping.
Holloway Houston Inc. stocks the Mag-Mate line of magnetic hand tools. Our inventory spans from lightweight sheet handlers to 1,000-lb load control magnets, streamlining material movement in metalworking, laser cutting, and welding environments while keeping your facility aligned with OSHA manual material handling guidelines.
The Magnetic Handler Ecosystem
1. Sheet Handler Lift Magnets (Mag-Mate B Series)
Designed for fast sorting and pulling of light-gauge steel.
- Mechanism : A flat magnetic face attaches instantly to ferrous surfaces on contact. The operator uses leverage to release the grip.
- Application : Used for lifting, sliding, and separating thin steel sheets from stacks. Keeps hands away from sharp, freshly cut edges or oily surfaces.
- Capacities : Available in 50 lbs, 125 lbs, 200 lbs, and 300 lbs WLL (Models B100, B250, B400, B600).
2. Load Control Magnets (Mag-Mate LCM Series)
Designed for heavier materials requiring precise placement and manual release.
- Mechanism : High-capacity permanent magnets featuring a manual release lever mechanism to quickly disengage the magnetic hold.
- Application : Used on flat or slightly curved surfaces. Excellent for transferring heavier parts between plasma tables, cutting stations, or positioning workpieces on welding jigs.
- Capacities : Available in 150 lbs, 450 lbs, and 1,000 lbs WLL.
3. Telescoping Handle Models
- Feature : Extended, adjustable handles integrated directly into the LCM series (e.g., LCM0150-02, LCM1000-02).
- Advantage : Provides greater reach and leverage. Operators can retrieve, position, or clear metal items without bending, stepping over obstacles, or leaning over hot materials and cutting beds.
Usage & Application Guidelines
1. Maximize Surface Contact
Magnetic holding force depends heavily on the condition of the contact area. Keep the magnet face and the material surface clean, flat, and free from heavy rust, scale, or metal shavings. Angled contact weakens the holding force significantly.
2. Managing Thin Layers
When handling thin-gauge steel sheets from a stack, the magnetic field may penetrate and attract multiple layers simultaneously. Operators must peel or slide the top sheet to separate it from the stack before lifting to avoid dropping hidden layers.
3. Capacity Matching & Upgrades
Match the tool's Working Load Limit to the workpiece. These handlers are designed strictly for manual, hand-guided movement. For repetitive overhead lifting above 1,000 lbs, or for suspended loads requiring a safety lock under ASME B30.20 standards, transition to heavier hardware.
Alternate Products for Material Handling
If magnetic hand tools do not fit your specific material handling requirements, explore our other industrial lifting solutions:
- Overhead Lifting : For suspended loads requiring mechanical locking or overhead crane attachment, view our Permanent Lifting Magnets.
- Non-Ferrous Lifting : If handling aluminum, brass, or stainless steel (which are not magnetic), utilize our Lifting Clamps.
- Rigging Connections : Connect heavy-duty magnets to hoist blocks using our certified Rigging Hooks & Attachments.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Both the B-Series Sheet Handlers and the LCM-Series Load Control magnets utilize rare-earth permanent magnets. They require no external power, batteries, or air lines to generate their magnetic field.
Sheet handlers (B-Series) use simple mechanical leverage—the operator tilts the handle to break the magnetic bond. Load Control Magnets (LCM-Series) feature a manual release lever that disengages the magnetic field internally, allowing the magnet to drop away from the material effortlessly.
You can, but the holding capacity will drop. Paint, rust, scale, and dirt create an "air gap" between the magnet face and the raw steel. This gap interrupts the magnetic flux and drastically reduces the Working Load Limit. Always wipe the surface clean before lifting.
Magnetic hand tools are designed for manual dragging, sliding, and short hand-lifts. For true overhead lifting with a hoist or crane, you must use a below-the-hook lifting device compliant with ASME B30.20, such as our permanent or electromagnetic lifters.
Technical Specifications
- Capacities (WLL): 50 lbs to 1,000 lbs.
- Manufacturer: Mag-Mate.
- Power Source: Permanent magnets (no external power required).
- Models: B-Series (Sheet Handlers), LCM-Series (Load Control).
- Handle Options: Fixed standard handles and adjustable telescoping handles.
- Compliance: Operates in alignment with general OSHA manual material handling safety practices.
Browse our inventory below to filter by Model Series, Handle Type, and Working Load Limit.