Looking for a Mag Drill

[WeldCrazyDude]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a mag drill for custom fabrication. I'll be using this mainly for drilling large holes in plate steel that my current drill press seems to struggle with, or awkward pieces I can't get under the drill press. I have a 3/4" thick welding table so no issues getting the drill to "stick" while drilling. I plan on utilizing both annular cutters and drill bits depending on the application and size of hole required. I've narrowed my search down to the Hougen HMD904, Milwaukee 4272-21 or CS Unitec MABasic 450. Let me know your thoughts on these as the Hougen seems to have a good reputation on this forum, but this version is only one speed while the others are two speed. The Hougen also has the smallest drilling diameter, although I doubt I'll have to drill a hole over 1.5". The other brands also include a drill chuck while the Hougen requires separate purchase ($190) which eliminates it's price advantage. They all seem to be relatively similarly priced so looking for opinions on durability and performance.


Hougen HMD 904 - $845
https://www.hougen.com/mag_drills/HM...mag_drill.html


Milwaukee 4272-21 - $1,100
https://milwaukeetool.com/Products/P...Drills/4272-21


CS Unitec MABasic 450 - $990
https://www.csunitec.com/drills/port...magnetic-drill

[M J D]

I have the DeWalt 1622, works great with annular cutters. For less than 800$ I believe it's the best deal. The problem with it and many others is when using a Chuck for twist drills. They all have limited travel and tend to wander, A LOT. For twist drills the Milwaukee models made specific for that purpose work best.

[Lis2323]

I’m partial to the Hougens.


The 904 is a good size for fabrication work.

[JayWal]

I have the cordless version of the Milwaukee drill. The only gripe I have with it is their "tool free chuck". Standard chucks with Allen screws to lock in the cutters are much more rigid, the cutters have a slight bit of looseness in that Milwaukee chuck. Which obviously gets worse the longer the bit. 1" deep cutters it's barely noticable, I bought a 2" set because i do a lot of 2" tubing and it's a lot trickier to get perfectly placed holes. Now with the twist drill chuck adapter you essentially have a 10" long bit, you can wiggle the tip of the bit almost a 1/4" back and forth. Definetly not what I expected for a $2k drill.

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

[idacal]

I have a milwaukee compact. the version before that one and have worn it out, slides are shot and have also used the 904, liked the milwaukee because you could cheat the safety easer but also shattered a few bits while doing it, When things moved. that new milwaukee doesnt look to have enough travel to run regular jobber bits and 730 rpm is prety fast for most things. Im most likely going to break down and buy a new 904s

[Welder Dave]

Fein is another brand you could look at. They bought Jancy (slugger) as well. Walter also has high end mag drills.

https://fein.com/en_us/tools/magnetic-base-drilling/

https://www.walter.com/products/powe...setLocale=true

[downsizingnow48]

I have the Haugen HMD917. Two speed, comes with a arbor and chuck for twist drills, and adjustable base. Very solid and versatile machine. A bit heavy with the two speed gearbox.

[tapwelder]

I have the 904 the base swivels on mine. No complaints. However, if you desire to use a chuck, I don't think I would select the 904 because of its compact size. Just my though, after considering purchasing one it also does not reverse so tapping would not work. Hougen has install directions on their sight, might be work checking out.

If weight is a major concern then... they're all heavy. Especially when holding horizontal, the swivel does come in handy.

[farmersammm]

I have the 904 the base swivels on mine. No complaints. However, if you desire to use a chuck, I don't think I would select the 904 because of its compact size. Just my though, after considering purchasing one it also does not reverse so tapping would not work. Hougen has install directions on their sight, might be work checking out.

If weight is a major concern then... they're all heavy. Especially when holding horizontal, the swivel does come in handy.

I agree on using the drill chuck. Not a lot of clearance for jobber bits on my 904. A guy would do well to use stub drill bits with this machine.

[scsmith42]

I have a Hougen 904 and like it a lot. Previously used the Milwaukee, but found the Hougen much better.

In ten years I've used the drill chuck option one time. The rotary broaches are much better, unless you're drilling small (less than 3/4") holes. Then the drill chuck with a standard drill bit is a better option (the small rotary broaches will break easily).

[Podman]

I recently got a mag drill from eBay for around $200 bucks and have drilled over 20 holes so far and it has done a good job.
It’s from China of course but for the money it’s been good. But I don’t need one of the expensive ones for my purposes.
You might check them out if you think they might work for you.

[WeldCrazyDude]

Thanks a lot for the advice guys! One of the reasons I'm looking at picking up a mag drill (on top of needing to drill large holes in thick steel) is I'd like to have a backup for my old 1950s delta DP220 drill press that seems to be on it's way out. With the limited stroke, would i still be able to use a mag drill as a drill press? I hear Lis2323 made some kind of stand that I'm curious to hear about. Maybe he and others can chime in...

[Welder Dave]

You can get a chuck adapter for most of them. You could always tack a piece of tubing with a plate on top on a table to raise the mag drill higher.

[downsizingnow48]

I made a table for my mag drill. With various adjustments it can handle quite a lot of different size workpieces that are too small to mount the drill directly.

[WeldCrazyDude]

Interesting. I don't quite understand how you adjust the drill press though. Do you simply stack more or less steel under the mag drill to adjust the height (if for instance you had to drill into square tubing of different sizes) or is it pretty much fixed height and the stand is more about clamping thinner plate you other wise couldn't use the magnet on? In either case it looks cool. If you really can use a mag drill like a drill press that sounds great as I might be able to kill two birds with one stone when/if my drill press dies.

[Lis2323]

Here’s another way to consider. It can easily double as an on site drill press.

Receiver mounted in top picture.

[MetalMan23]

Here’s another way to consider. It can easily double as an on site drill press.

Why is your shop so clean!???!

Rhats an awesome idea though, is that a custom drill press stand?

[downsizingnow48]

The setup can accomodate up to 4" square tubing by adding 1" metal spacers under the mounting plate. It could do bigger but I have no need. The throat allows for drilling to the middle of a 10" plate which is more than needed. For bigger pieces the drill can be mounted directly. I made the table to use the mag drill rather than buy an industrial quality drill press.

[downsizingnow48]

The Lis2323 setup is awesome.

[Lis2323]

Rhats an awesome idea though, is that a custom drill press stand?

Nope. It was a $10 garage sale POS Ryobi drill press. I just removed the drill head assembly, chopped the column and built a little base for the mag drill.


Oh and it’s easy to keep the shop clean when you’re retired and have nothin’ else to do.

[WeldCrazyDude]

Cool stuff! These stands are envious. I see most people running mag drills have the bigger 'beefier' versions relative what I've been looking into. Any reason I should be looking at the Hougen HMD 905 (or similar) versus the 904? The 904 maxes out at 1.5" holes which I think is a pretty massive hole. Anything I'm missing as far as why you might need to drill holes larger than that every now and again? Thanks for all the comments!

[Woznme]

I've used the 905 in a shop I worked out of last year. It's a beast. If you're lookin to do lots of big holes, this is the one for you. It's gonna outlast the others I recon.

I myself have a $500 Indian pos because I wouldn't bone up big bux for a real one. It's got a stoopid fluid application system that got ripped off by a swarf birds nest the first time I used it so I just use a spray bottle now. It's got a good strong magnet on it and no run out so it performs well. Drilled over 500 holes with it so far 16mm-32mm max, stood up to it ok but you get that funky smell every so often so I wouldn't be surprised to see smoke sometime soon.

[MetalMan23]

Evolution makes an amazing drill, cheap and tough, can't go wrong

[idacal]

If you do much sideways work you will want the lightest one possible. trying to set a 905 in place on a truck frame is not my idea of fun also the safty strap is also for a reason i snagged the cord on my milwaukee they dont bounce well on dirt probably would have done real damadge on concrete

[WeldCrazyDude]

Hi Guys.Thanks for all of the advice. I decided to go with the hougen hmd 904. Hopefully it's the right choice, but time will tell. I also purchased the Milwaukee annular cutter set and a drill chuck adapter for twist bits as well. This was a lot of $$$ to throw down but hoping to get good use out this tool. It'll be put through it's paces right away as i have a number of projects i plan on using this for.

https://www.amazon.com/Hougen-HMD904...7349344&sr=8-2

https://www.zoro.com/milwaukee-annul...4aAh_dEALw_wcB

https://www.amazon.com/HOUGEN-ADAPTE...gen+dri&sr=8-3