A magnetic base is often used to hold a dial indicator, however its versatility is only limited by the operator's ingenuity.

The vertical post, side arm (as shown in the image at right) and the dial indicator (not shown) are connected by two swivelling connectors. These connectors allow free movement of the arms so that the indicator can be presented to the work in a suitable orientation. The magnetic base may have a "V" cut into the bottom of the base or the back, this "V" allows the base to be attached to a round bar such as the column of a drill press.

The base is made from two blocks of iron, with a round cavity bored through the centre. The halves are joined together with a non magnetic material such as brass or aluminium, a round permanent magnet is inserted into the bored hole and a handle is attached to allow easy rotation of the magnet. This act of rotation changes the direction of the magnetic field so that it is either directed into the two halves, where the iron blocks act as keepers (off position), or directed so that the field traverses the non-magnetic material between the two halves (on position).
In this on position the field is effectively passing across an air gap where it can be made to do work, if this gap is bridged with another piece of iron (or steel in our case) it becomes part of the magnetic field's "circuit" and will be attracted with the full strength of the magnet, this is the work we want it to do — clamping.

A magnetic base can therefore be attached in a variety of positions to any attractive surface, allowing the base to be positioned in the best orientation for the part to be tested. Combine this with the flexibility of movement allowed by the arms gives the operator a large range of options in positioning the dail indicator.

An alternative to the post and swivelling connectors is an arrangement whereby a series of interconnecting swivels can be set in position by tightening or loosening a central member. This member may be made from wire rope as it has to be extremely flexible yet strong in tension, the possiblilities for positioning this type is probably no more than the two post type but its advantage lies in the fact that there is only one mechanism (screw) to loosen or tighten the arrangement making it easier to use, unlike the other where a third hand is often wished for.