Honeycomb Pins vs Magnetic Hold Downs: Which One Should You Buy?

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Step 1: Identify your laser bed material and core type

A primary consideration in choosing workholding is whether your honeycomb table contains magnetic metal. Many laser tables use an aluminum core. Aluminum is non-ferrous and non-magnetic, meaning magnetic hold downs will not stick to the grid. A steel sheet beneath an aluminum grid catches stray beams, but cannot pull through the honeycomb depth. On an all-aluminum core, magnetic fixtures have nothing to grip.

Tables with steel cores allow magnetic clamps anywhere on the grid. If you are comparing beds, our honeycomb vs slat bed laser guide covers common options, while our honeycomb bed vs steel mesh bed article explains core differences. Honeycomb pins bypass this issue because they wedge mechanically into cell openings on aluminum or steel grids alike.

Step 2: Compare hold-down mechanics and grip strength

Honeycomb pins rely on mechanical friction to lock warped boards against the grid. Pressing a pin shank into a cell expands flexible fins or threads against the walls, while the head presses downward on the workpiece edge. The Queekay listing states a 1 mm thickness and a small head diameter of 7.5-8 mm (0.3-0.31 inches) with threaded ridges. The Tatuo listing specifies pins measuring 7.5-8 mm (0.3-0.31 inch) across the small head to fit 7.5-8 mm grids. The NyVoozy listing specifies plastic snap pins measuring 32mm x 46mm. The Juexica listing specifies acrylic pins measuring 25 mm (1 inch) in length and 5 mm in width. The BENECREAT listing states stainless steel retaining pins measuring 1.4×1.7inch with a bayonet profile.

Magnetic hold downs use magnetic attraction rather than cell friction. A magnet in a protective housing pulls toward the steel bed below, clamping the sheet flat. The Blulu listing specifies magnetic pins with a small head diameter of 1.18 inches (3 cm) combining magnets and plastic. The xTool listing specifies 6 pieces of material pins combining plastic and magnets for series machines such as the D1. On severely bowed plywood, pins provide positive mechanical retention that stops wood from springing upward. Magnets clamp downward firmly, but can shift sideways under heavy lateral pressure.

Step 3: Check laser head clearance and nozzle clearance

When your laser gantry moves across the work area, the air assist nozzle, focus cone and optical shroud must clear every clamp on the bed. Colliding with a tall pin can skip stepper motor steps, ruin alignment, or damage the lens assembly.

Fixtures vary in height and dimensions. The Queekay listing states a 1 mm thickness for its structure, while the Juexica listing states a height of 25 mm (1 inch). The Blulu listing specifies magnetic pins with a head diameter of 1.18 inches (3 cm). Verify that your focus leaves sufficient vertical clearance above all clamps. If you use air assist, our guide on air assist vs no air assist explains how nozzle extensions affect travel. Keep clamps outside the active cutting perimeter.

Step 4: Account for cell size and grid compatibility

Honeycomb pins require matching the pin shank to your cell dimensions. The Queekay and Tatuo listings specify pins sized for 7.5-8 mm (0.3-0.31 inches) honeycomb grids. Forcing a 7.5-8 mm pin into smaller cells can bend or tear the thin metal ribbon walls, while oversized cells leave pins loose and unable to flatten warped wood.

Magnetic hold downs eliminate cell sizing issues because the magnetic base spans across cells without wedging inside openings. As long as the bed contains steel, magnets clamp equally well on dense or wide grids. To compare table formats, see our honeycomb bed for laser cutter guide.

Step 5: Evaluate workpiece repositioning and setup speed

Batch production requires fast sheet changes. Honeycomb pins require locating open cells next to your material, pressing pins in, and prying them out when finished. Tight pins can slow down sheet swaps between runs.

Magnetic hold downs speed up high-volume work. You place magnets on the sheet edge and lift them off instantly without hunting for cell alignments. However, when cutting stubborn cupped boards from plywood sheets for laser cutting, mechanical pins deliver positive downward force where the bow peaks, holding edges flat where a magnet might lift.

Step 6: Prevent honeycomb damage and pin wear

Repeatedly inserting pins into delicate aluminum honeycomb can distort cell shapes over time. Plastic pins in the Queekay, Tatuo and NyVoozy listings offer flexibility that protects aluminum walls, though plastic can melt if struck by a beam. Stainless steel pins from the BENECREAT listing resist beam damage, but aggressive insertion can gouge soft aluminum cells.

Magnetic hold downs exert downward compression without wedging sideways, preserving grid shape. Keep all fixtures away from cut paths. For workshop safety, cutting synthetic materials like vinyl releases toxic, corrosive fumes that destroy grids: check our guide on materials you should never laser cut. Always run ventilation and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

Step 7: Decide between pins and magnets for your workflow

Choose honeycomb pins if you have an aluminum honeycomb bed with no magnetic attraction, or if you cut warped plywood requiring mechanical wedging. Packs of 50 pieces from Queekay or 150 pieces from Tatuo let you clamp multiple points along large sheets economically.

Choose magnetic hold downs if your bed features a steel honeycomb core and you want rapid blank changeovers. Magnets protect cell ribbon from distortion and clamp flat blanks with minimal effort. For other essential workshop additions, explore our laser engraver accessories for beginners guide.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Purchasing magnetic hold downs for an all-aluminum honeycomb bed that lacks magnetic attraction.
• Forcing oversized pin shanks into smaller honeycomb cells, permanently bending the thin metal ribbon walls.
• Positioning tall pins or magnetic housings directly in the travel path of the laser head or air assist nozzle.
• Failing to clamp bowed plywood along both edges and corners, resulting in inconsistent laser focus across the cut.
• Using rigid metal pins on aluminum honeycomb beds with excessive force, causing gouges and premature grid wear.

Honeycomb pins vs magnetic hold downs: the short version

1. Check your bed core: magnetic hold downs require steel honeycomb grids, whereas honeycomb pins function on both aluminum and steel beds.
2. Evaluate board curvature: mechanical pins provide positive wedging retention for stubborn warped plywood sheets.
3. Verify head clearance: confirm your laser nozzle and focus cone clear all clamp heights before starting a job.
4. Match grid dimensions: select pins sized to fit your honeycomb cell openings without deforming the cell walls.
5. Consider turnaround speed: magnets allow quicker sheet swaps for production batches than friction pins.
6. Protect your table: avoid excessive wedging force or prying that can bend and distort honeycomb cells.

Matching your workholding method to your laser bed material and project needs keeps warped sheets flat, preserving crisp focus and producing clean cut edges on every project.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Can I use magnetic hold downs on an aluminum honeycomb bed?

No, magnetic hold downs will not grip an aluminum honeycomb bed because aluminum is non-magnetic. Magnetic fixtures require a steel honeycomb grid to provide pull. A steel sheet beneath an aluminum honeycomb catches stray beams, but cannot pull through the depth of the cells. On an aluminum core, honeycomb pins are the appropriate choice.

Do honeycomb pins damage the laser bed over time?

Pins can distort thin aluminum cells if forced into undersized openings or pried out sideways. Flexible plastic pins with moderate thickness, such as the 1 mm thickness noted in the Queekay listing, minimize cell wear. Magnetic hold downs do not enter cell openings, preventing mechanical cell distortion entirely.

Will my laser head collide with hold-down hardware?

Collisions occur if pins or magnets extend above the clearance of your laser module or air assist nozzle. Check fixture heights against your focal distance before running jobs, and place clamps outside the active cutting boundary.

How many hold-downs do I need to flatten a warped board?

It depends on sheet size and warp. Clamping corners and high points of bowed edges is typically sufficient. Sets of 50 pieces or 150 pieces provide ample spares to clamp multiple workpieces across a full bed.

Can honeycomb pins hold materials other than plywood?

Yes. Honeycomb pins hold down paper, cardboard, thin acrylic and leather blanks. They prevent air assist airflow and exhaust draughts from shifting lightweight blanks during cutting.

Which workholding style is faster for production batches?

Magnetic hold downs are quicker for production runs because they lift and drop instantly without prying or cell alignment. On steel beds with reasonably flat stock, magnets provide the quickest turnaround between jobs.

Related: the laser accessories hub, honeycomb bed for laser cutter and honeycomb bed vs blade table. Also see our guides on best plywood for laser cutting, how to prevent burn marks when laser cutting wood, and laser engraver accessories for beginners.