Mag drills - recommendations?

[ELL]

I need to drill 5/8" holes, lots of them in 6mm mild steel. Surely all mag drills are not created equal. Same for the annular cutters too right? Thanks.

 

[Rrobson]

Two or three spring immediately to mind with mag drills

G&J Hall powerbor PB70 or PB100 (I think the PB100’s were a two speed motor, but both very capable)

Unibor EQ100.

Both are 110v, MT3 and variable speed with two speed gearbox. I haven’t used many annular cutters but both with twist drills up to 1-3/4” to drill large fasteners out of various items. Strong magnets and tight guides when looked after so accurate cutting is definitely achievable.
Neither are produced any more, so they are getting hard to come by. Rotabroach basically bought the market up a couple of years ago and ensured only their own drills were produced. It looks like Unibor are still selling drills but are just a rebadged rotabroach. Although rotabroach drills are decent, they were never as good in my opinion, and the equivalent rotabroach was always 50% larger in physical size. No good for getting into some of the tight spaces we worked in.

 

[fizzy]

Two or three spring immediately to mind with mag drills

G&J Hall powerbor PB70 or PB100 (I think the PB100’s were a two speed motor, but both very capable)

Unibor EQ100.

Both are 110v, MT3 and variable speed with two speed gearbox. I haven’t used many annular cutters but both with twist drills up to 1-3/4” to drill large fasteners out of various items. Strong magnets and tight guides when looked after so accurate cutting is definitely achievable.
Neither are produced any more, so they are getting hard to come by. Rotabroach basically bought the market up a couple of years ago and ensured only their own drills were produced. It looks like Unibor are still selling drills but are just a rebadged rotabroach. Although rotabroach drills are decent, they were never as good in my opinion, and the equivalent rotabroach was always 50% larger in physical size. No good for getting into some of the tight spaces we worked in.

Rotobroach are still a lot better than the EVO ones. And still British made.
I love my Panther. And the cutters made by rotobroach last for ages.
I wouldn't want anything heavier
I use soluble cutting fluid which really keeps the cutters nice and cool.

 

[finyuk2005]

I have an evolution brand one, good quality for the money,
Also for annular cutters, try searching ebay for "job lot mag drill cutters" or similar, i got a few boxes of random ones for cheap, from companies buying in plenty to do a job and having lots left over

 

[Munkul]

A 40mm class mag drill is about right for that job, if you go bigger it not only costs a lot more but it's a big heavy unwieldy thing.
My preference is rotabroach commando 40. They're good value for money. I've used them for nigh on 20 years. Its what I know and love.

 

[tom2207]

dont skip on the coolant / lube and most cutters will do well ,,,

 

[frank horton]

mines just a single speed cheapy, around £250....now 20 plus years old.....
Doing it again I'd buy one that can tap / thread holes as well.....
needed to tap 50-60 x 16mm holes in 20mm plate......did it by hand, what a pain.....
As for cutters, I have to buy what ever is available....no named brands without mail order, which is diff here....
have had good luck with Chinese cutters and yes use plenty of coolant....
mine has it thru the drill to the cutter but I prefer a squeeze bottle....

 

[Ton-up]

People tend to look down at the Evolution ones, but we have one that's done many thousands of holes, and a mates one that has done many and both abused too, still absolutely fine.