Mag drills

[BrokenBiker]

So in new year I'll be after a plasma cutter, mag drills and a shrinker/stretcher...got a bead roller on the way as a Xmas present, which with the shrinker stretcher should allow me to easily make some parts for a bigger project I have planned to start next summer if all goes well.

The plasma and shrinker/stretchers aren't an issue, I know what I want but I know 10% of bugger all about mag drills so my questions are as follows

Do they need to be mounted on something as big or bigger than the mag base, or could they be used for example on some 50x50 box to punch a decent hole through both sides?

Does brand matter? It won't get a massive amount of use, but for large holes my pillar drill is too fast for anything bigger than about 12mm and it bogs down with a step drill above 20mm...plus getting a 4 meter length of box into a 3 meter long shed is a faff and this is the main reason for wanting a mag drill really, portability and easy of putting holes in the middle of long sections...I have maybe a meter 1 side if the drill and 2 meters the other side which limits me hugely for this sort of stuff.

Finally, can you use normal drill bits with them or is it just specific cutters? Not a deal breaker if it's only specific cutters, but potentially be nice to use my cobalt bits as well as possibly using hole saws

 

[Maker]

Finally, can you use normal drill bits with them or is it just specific cutters?

The one we've got at work came with a keyed chuck on a weldon shank, so it can be used with standard drills.

 

[BrokenBiker]

The one we've got at work came with a keyed chuck on a weldon shank, so it can be used with standard drills.

Ok that's good to know. Not the end of the word if it couldn't use a chuck but if they can then that's a bonus

 

[fizzy]

EVO aren't as good as people say. I love my Rotobroach Panther and they are British.

Commando is cheaper.

Rotabroach Commando 35 Magnetic Drill 230V

#html-body [data-pb-style=HV01PDU]{justify-content:flex-start;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background-position:left top;background-size:cover;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-attachment:scroll}The Rotabroach Commando 35 Magnetic Drill 230V features a powerful 1050W motor with an...

www.scottdirect.com

 

[tom2207]

50 x 50 isnt great for mag drills , not enough thickness you will end up making a jig for the 2x2 to sit in and clamping the jig to the steel then working from there ,, its painless enough and quick too , once you get going

 

[fizzy]

My mag drill will stick ok to 50x50 box or angle. Just don't use too hard a feed. And I don't find the chuck much use - not much height.

 

[BrokenBiker]

50 x 50 isnt great for mag drills , not enough thickness you will end up making a jig for the 2x2 to sit in and clamping the jig to the steel then working from there ,, its painless enough and quick too , once you get going

I don't mind making some sort of stand for it so it is effectively a portable pillar drill, while still being able to flick the magnet off and release the stand to then use as intended. My pillar drill is too big for being thrown about though.

In fact, a lot of the box section holes I drill could be done that way and be quicker than setting the drill up for every hole.

 

[BrokenBiker]

EVO aren't as good as people say. I love my Rotobroach Panther and they are British.

Commando is cheaper.

Rotabroach Commando 35 Magnetic Drill 230V

#html-body [data-pb-style=HV01PDU]{justify-content:flex-start;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background-position:left top;background-size:cover;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-attachment:scroll}The Rotabroach Commando 35 Magnetic Drill 230V features a powerful 1050W motor with an...

www.scottdirect.com

Cheers for that

 

[500e]

We have 3 Evolution single speed drills (came with chuck and coolant supply) in vans only used with Annular cutters , had trouble with one a cheap repair cant remember what the prob was.
They dont get heavy use but are there for that odd fu
Think Commando 40 is the model
Tried a DW Mag seemed weak

 

[tom2207]

My mag drill will stick ok to 50x50 box or angle. Just don't use too hard a feed. And I don't find the chuck much use - not much height.

I find it easier to use a jig ,,, but there are mag drills designed for thin wall stuff with permeant switchable magnets ,,, ive not tried one as they are really really expensive ,,,

 

[hotponyshoes]

You can attach them to stuff smaller than the base but you need a reasonable amount of metal under them for them to stick.
50mm box section at 3mm Thick is just about ok providing the walls of the box are flat. A lot of the time the box walls are slightly concave and the drill won't grip.
If it does grip you can't pull the leaver down too hard or it will come off.

A couple of ways around it are to tape a bit of 40x6 (or something) to a pole/bar and slide it up the box section so the magnet has a bit more to grip too.
Or, if you have lots to do, make up a U shape from 6mm that sits over the box and clamps into place then stick the Mag drill to that.

You'll also have a travel issue if you try to do both holes at the same time. Ie, a lot of Mag Drills have 50mm of travel which will work if you can stick the base directly to the box but not if you need to add a spacer on the outside to get the grip.

 

[tom2207]

I don't mind making some sort of stand for it so it is effectively a portable pillar drill, while still being able to flick the magnet off and release the stand to then use as intended. My pillar drill is too big for being thrown about though.

In fact, a lot of the box section holes I drill could be done that way and be quicker than setting the drill up for every hole.

then you will be grand ,,, as mentioned make sure you get a drill with good depth reach ,,, once you do get set up you will breeze along happily ,, Ive a mini beast and its grand ,,, Ill second the vote that evo are not the best out there ,, cheap and cheerful though.

 

[Richiew]

Toolden on Ebay have a 20% off up to £75 offer running at the moment. I ordered a Rotabroach Commando 40/3 last night. Came to £337.46. Seemed a good price after looking around online. I'd checked the prices a few weeks prior and waited for the offer to come around again.

 

[BrokenBiker]

You can attach them to stuff smaller than the base but you need a reasonable amount of metal under them for them to stick.
50mm box section at 3mm Thick is just about ok providing the walls of the box are flat. A lot of the time the box walls are slightly concave and the drill won't grip.
If it does grip you can't pull the leaver down too hard or it will come off.

A couple of ways around it are to tape a bit of 40x6 (or something) to a pole/bar and slide it up the box section so the magnet has a bit more to grip too.
Or, if you have lots to do, make up a U shape from 6mm that sits over the box and clamps into place then stick the Mag drill to that.

You'll also have a travel issue if you try to do both holes at the same time. Ie, a lot of Mag Drills have 50mm of travel which will work if you can stick the base directly to the box but not if you need to add a spacer on the outside to get the grip.

With regards to the travel, ice seen a few now that advertised max bore depth of 50mm, but max travel of 180mm...I assume this is from the drill head sliding up and down on the base?

Would that mean I could pop the hole in the top then slide the drill head down and go again providing the cutter was long enough?

 

[tom2207]

With regards to the travel, ice seen a few now that advertised max bore depth of 50mm, but max travel of 180mm...I assume this is from the drill head sliding up and down on the base?

Would that mean I could pop the hole in the top then slide the drill head down and go again providing the cutter was long enough?

its to do with how far under the mag base the cutter will travel ,,, the max travel lets you clamp to something and get the cutter in or out , or up to another layer of plate , think I beam ends as an example

 

[BrokenBiker]

Cheers all, seems a mag drill will do what I want it to and looks like it will be a good addition to the tool list...I'm also a fan of being able to just chuck it in the boot and use it elsewhere on a stand as a mini pillar drill. Will scout around and see what's what ready to buy in new year when I'm going to need one

 

[tom2207]

I use mine on lorry chassis a bit ,,, sometimes you have to get a bit imaginative with them , but once you get a way of working you wouldnt be without one ,,, dont skimp on lube though and the cutters will last for ages

 

[BrokenBiker]

I use mine on lorry chassis a bit ,,, sometimes you have to get a bit imaginative with them , but once you get a way of working you wouldnt be without one ,,, dont skimp on lube though and the cutters will last for ages

I've always got at least a litre of cutting oil on hand for the pillar drill, lathe and hand drilling, and I've got coolant available too.

 

[tom2207]

Cheers all, seems a mag drill will do what I want it to and looks like it will be a good addition to the tool list...I'm also a fan of being able to just chuck it in the boot and use it elsewhere on a stand as a mini pillar drill. Will scout around and see what's what ready to buy in new year when I'm going to need one

in some situations it would take a big pillar drill to do what a mag can ,,, granted though , its not a magic bullet , they have their limitations ,,,

 

[BrokenBiker]

in some situations it would take a big pillar drill to do what a mag can ,,, granted though , its not a magic bullet , they have their limitations ,,,

Most of the time the limitations is me