Mag drill improvements/hacking

[Memmeddu]

Hi everyone
During our first lockdown on March 2020 , through Facebook groups I've acquired this magnetic base drill for just the shipping cost because it was broken.
I can't remember if I made any thread about.
Anyway it's on the shelf since the day I've finished to repair it maybe on June 2020.
I'm now looking to use it without going to buy very expensive annular cutters.
A drill chuck on Weldon adapter it's half of the solution.
Main problem I already have a chuck and it's not fitted on Jacob taper.
I've cleaned up this cordless drill Chuck and spindle.
Bearing journal measures 13.80mm X 20mm long.
Spindle bore (mag drill) measures 18.80 mm (rough measure)
My idea was to make a sleeve (heat, press ) fitted on the chuck spindle.
Then ground the flats for the set screws on the mag drill spindle.

That's one.
Once I manage to put a chuck on the mag drill ,the overall height wouldn't give enough clearance for both chuck and drill bit.
I've thought to screw an 8mm plate on the mag drill slide ,an make it adjustable height , I'll make some drawings later for better understanding.
And I would also change power cord and add a variable speed controller
I have various ideas to achieve the goals.
I'm seeking advice about to know how would you proceed

 

[DaveB]

Don't add the speed control to the main supply cord as it will effect the magnet performance.
Wire it on the cord from the magnet to the motor or add the speed control to the base unit.

Look inside your chuck, if there is a screw in there then the adapter on the back of the chuck can be changed.

But be aware that these magnetic base drills are not intended to be precision machines.
They are brilliant machines when used for heavy work with the broaching cutters, but if your hoping to do precision stuff with small diameter drills you'll be forever resetting the jib screws on the slide.

 

[Memmeddu]

Don't add the speed control to the main supply cord as it will effect the magnet performance.
Wire it on the cord from the magnet to the motor or add the speed control to the base unit.

Look inside your chuck, if there is a screw in there then the adapter on the back of the chuck can be changed.

But be aware that these magnetic base drills are not intended to be precision machines.
They are brilliant machines when used for heavy work with the broaching cutters, but if your hoping to do precision stuff with small diameter drills you'll be forever resetting the jib screws on the slide.

I'm aware that it wouldn't be a precision machine, it still a Chinese clone of the lowest end Fein one (which roughly costs 4 times more than this).
I'm not hoping to do some serious precision stuff, just want to be able to drill holes for fasteners (like for a bench vise) and use hole saws on thicker stuff without destroying my arms.
And seriously it's just to use it and not keeping it collecting dust on the shelf

About the speed controller I was aware about the magnet.
I'm going to put it right after the main drill switch , which cannot be switched on without having activated the magnet first.

About the adapter for the Chuck in the pictures .
I was thinking to just weld on the journal and once done grind to the desired diameter using a contraption to mount a grinder on a drill press and a screw for the feed (fine adjustment)
Then the final polish using abrasive tape.
I have to build up just 3mm to have space.
Distortion wouldn't be a problem because I'm going to use the threaded part for the Chuck as for reference.

 

[500e]

Just buy the angular cutters

 

[Agroshield]

The steel part will unscrew from the drill chuck. The chuck even has a hex on its nose for the correct spanner. Shrink fit (or even loctite) a 19mm dia. sleeve over this and file the Weldon flats on it. The inside of the sleeve could be stepped so it abuts the black body of the chuck, giving maximum headroom.

How is the black snot-welded part that holds the mag drill motor attached to the silver plate behind it that moves up and down? Move the black part up relative to the silver part to give more headroom. Potentially, you could take out the whole assembly, invert the motor in its collar and put it back

 

[MCKDAVID]

the proper cutters aren't that expensive given how long they last and how often you'll be using them. personally, I'd just go for the real ones.

 

[Memmeddu]

The steel part will unscrew from the drill chuck. The chuck even has a hex on its nose for the correct spanner. Shrink fit (or even loctite) a 19mm dia. sleeve over this and file the Weldon flats on it. The inside of the sleeve could be stepped so it abuts the black body of the chuck, giving maximum headroom.

How is the black snot-welded part that holds the mag drill motor attached to the silver plate behind it that moves up and down? Move the black part up relative to the silver part to give more headroom. Potentially, you could take out the whole assembly, invert the motor in its collar and put it back

The chuck spindle does unscrew from the chuck.
It has an 1/2" 20unf thread

The black welded part has been built to Keep the gear housing together.
I've got the drill for free because of this problem (it was destroyed)
It's attached to the dovetail via 4 M4 screws.

I still have to make drawings to better explain my idea.
I've had no time yet unfortunately.

 

[Memmeddu]

Annular cutters are only really for cutting large diameter holes. Ordinary (non-annular) drills will fit just the same? Slot drills will cut holes OK. I’m fairly sure you don’t need to modify it to use it - you just need to buy the appropriate drills for the job. There is not much need for a mag drill unless drilling larger holes (otherwise use a pistol drill) or need to fix a heavy drill in position (is there a safety chain on the drill for ‘magging’ it underneath a beam, for instance?).

TBH I don't even need a mag drill , but since I have one , I'd like to make it usable for my needs.
Like drilling through pretty thick steel once in awhile without destroying my arms .
It didn't come with a safety chain.
Just a pretty long and not trusty nylon rope which I've even forgot where I throw it.
Because there's no way I will use it.
I was thinking about using a ratchet strap , combined with a safety rope.
If I'll ever need to use it other than on flat position or somewhere it might fall down.
I'm programming to use it in a future project (with anular cutters)
But also to drill 10 or 12mm holes on a bench for a vise .

 

[Memmeddu]

the proper cutters aren't that expensive given how long they last and how often you'll be using them. personally, I'd just go for the real ones.

In a perfect world it would be my opinion too.
But since I will need it for just few times year and probably whenever I would not expect too.
And since anular cutters are pretty uncommon and hard to find in my area ,I would like be able to use twist drills and hole saws with it.
In name of flexibility.

 

[Munkul]

Just buy the angular cutters

this

You only need 11, 14, 18, and 22 for just about any job you'll need a mag drill for. Buy a set of cutters and look after them with plenty lubricant etc, they'll last literally hundreds of holes...

 

[bricol]

Pardon our interruption...

To gain some headroom back, could you not fit a thick spacer between the magnet and the main drill body?

Or when you get get rich: https://www.trick-tools.com/03845-Twist-Drill-Adapter-Kit-for-Hougen-Mag-Drills-14988

 

[Munkul]

Or when you get get rich: https://www.trick-tools.com/03845-Twist-Drill-Adapter-Kit-for-Hougen-Mag-Drills-14988

I like that idea... very cool. Anyone with a lathe and a file could make a few similar collars for individual sizes. You'd still struggle with length on standard jobber bit sizes though.

 

[tom-madbiker]

I have the same mag drill it cheap yes but it works fine I machined up a chuck adaptor and a few drill adaptors for mine

 

[AndersK]

You know there are chuck adaptors available?
This one is about 40€

Euroboor IBK.14 - Adapter 19,05 mm Weldon (UNF Outer)

Euroboor IBK.14 is an Adapter 19,05 mm Weldon with an UNF Outer ✔️ Get your IBK.14 Adapter at Euroboor Premium Portable Powertools

euroboor.com

 

[hotponyshoes]

I have got a surplus mag drill chuck if you want one

 

[Memmeddu]

I have got a surplus mag drill chuck if you want one

Would be great
PM me and tell me how much

 

[Memmeddu]

You know there are chuck adaptors available?
This one is about 40€

Euroboor IBK.14 - Adapter 19,05 mm Weldon (UNF Outer)

Euroboor IBK.14 is an Adapter 19,05 mm Weldon with an UNF Outer ✔️ Get your IBK.14 Adapter at Euroboor Premium Portable Powertools

euroboor.com

Yes I did but they usually have really expensive shipping costs (remember I'm not in UK )

 

[AndersK]

remember I'm not in UK

Neither am I
and that's why I linked to Euroboor. They are from Netherlands but likely to be found locally.
Price mentioned was from a swedish distributor.