Build Your Own Magnetic Clamping Table! This Magnetic Lifter Shop Hack Is A Game Changer for Grinding Or Sanding Sheet Metal!

December 31, 2025

Clamping stuff to the workbench so you can grind or sand on it is a pain sometimes. And if you are having to move and flip and rotate your part to grind on multiple surfaces, it can really take some time. It might not be a big deal if you are only grinding on one or two parts, but if you are doing lots of grinding then that wasted time can really add up. If you have looked for magnetic grinding tables or grinding chucks then you know these things are not cheap.

I’ve seen a few folks build their own, at varying levels of difficulty, but this video below is dead simple and really effective. It certainly makes me want to add something like this to my own welding table.

Using nothing but a magnetic lifting clamp, a couple pieces of scrap steel, and a few measuring tools, this couple has put together a really effective solution that easily could be scaled up to magnetize an even bigger area. Check it out.

Video Description:

Are you tired of constantly clamping metal parts while grinding, sanding, or polishing? In this video, I show you one of the best budget shop hacks we’ve added to our metal shop — using a magnetic lifter mounted under our welding table to securely hold sheet metal, signs, and CNC plasma-cut parts without clamps.

This magnet was not designed for this purpose, but it works incredibly well as a DIY magnetic solution for grinding and finishing metal. If you’re working with CNC plasma-cut signs, sheet metal, or custom metal art, this setup can save you time, improve safety, and make your workflow much smoother.

In this video you’ll learn:

How we repurposed a magnetic lifter for grinding work

How to mount the magnet under a metal table

Why this works better than clamps for flat parts

A budget-friendly alternative to expensive magnetic chucks

This is a great upgrade for metal shops, CNC plasma shops, sign makers, and fabricators who want a better option than clamps, without spending thousands on specialty equipment.

If you enjoy metal shop hacks, CNC plasma projects, and DIY fabrication upgrades, make sure to subscribe for more real-world shop solutions.

Disclosure: Some links or promo codes in this description may be affiliate links. If you use them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.