School me on magnetic drills

[bdog]

I was going to buy a drill press for my shop. Then I got tho thinking a magnetic drill would be better because for most things it can do everything a drill press can do plus it is portable.

I never really drill holes bigger than 3/4" and most of the time am drilling 1/2" or less but I often find my self drilling through truck frames, machinery, etc. Not stuff super thick maybe 3/8" to 5/8" thick. Definitely enough to wear you out drilling a half dozen horizontal holes with a hand drill.

Some of what I am reading is these drills need thick metal (1"+) to stick to. I wouldn't think they would work on 11 gauge but will they stick to 1/4" plate?

What is the deal with the annular bits? Seems they all have this. I want one that just uses regular drill bits. Is than an option? I don't see why I would need the special bits for the size holes I drill.

 

[EMB5530]

You can get a chuck that will take any of your normal bits but it is usually an added option(which just translates into more money)
Other important things to look at would be variable speed and reversible.
They are pricey for nice units but can pay for themselves fairly quickly depending on what you are doing (or how you translate your time into money)
But I find they stick to 1/4 just fine as long as it is flat and if you don't have a flat surface you can get ingenious and clamp a plate of 1/4 to what you are drilling to get-er-done.

 

[arlen4720]

Most of the ones that I've used had a 3/4 inch chuck, and took regular bits. Thick metal is best, but 1/4 will be ok, if you don't bear down on it too much.

 

[Shield Arc]

I have a Milwaukee mag drill, and a Hougen, with a drill bit adapter.

 

[Reverser]

I have a Milwaukee mag drill, and a Hougen, with a drill bit adapter.

GOOD GRIEF!!!
Is there no end to your equipment inventory. :laughing:

 

[LD1]

Thicker is certainly better. You can attach to 1"+ and lay on the handle and it holds. 1/4", you have to use a light hand.

If you are talking truck frames like 1/2 and 3/4 ton, I wouldn't plan on using the mag drill. It won't hold. Plus they are heavy. It would wear you out more trying to use a mag vs a hand drill. But flat they are great.

The advantage if a press is the ability to.clamp and drill smaller things, like tubing, or round stock that the mag won't set on.

 

[bdog]

Thanks for the info. Yes I drill on some 3/4 ton truck frames but the one that was wearing me out was an international big truck. I have gone this long and never had a drill press so anything is better than what I have. I just built a half inch thick welding table so I was thinking I could stick the mag drill on it and get creative with some clamps if need be to hold things.

I have been looking at jancy, hougen and Milwaukee. All seem to be similar prices but I have not found any prices on the regular chucks.

 

[Arc weld]

Shield Arc has a better equipped shop than most of the shops I've ever worked in. Once he gets a little more experience, he'll need to expand his shop for all the new toy...tools he'll need. Near the top of my bucket list is going to play in his sand box.:cool2:

 

[4shorts]

Thicker is certainly better. You can attach to 1"+ and lay on the handle and it holds. 1/4", you have to use a light hand.

If you are talking truck frames like 1/2 and 3/4 ton, I wouldn't plan on using the mag drill. It won't hold. Plus they are heavy. It would wear you out more trying to use a mag vs a hand drill. But flat they are great.

The advantage if a press is the ability to.clamp and drill smaller things, like tubing, or round stock that the mag won't set on.

So very true. These mag drills are useless on thinner metal. The thicker the better is the law with a mag drill. I've had one for years and it don't get much use. If I am using it in a high area I'll make sure it's strapped on just in case I loose the power to it.

 

[ultrarunner]

Spent a couple of weeks with one...

Plus is not having to attempt many holes by hand and much more accurate.

Downside is you must be patient... very easy to overpower the magnet especially on thinner material.

Using the mag drill also let me use my other hand for cutting oil... something hard to do when drilling large holes with pistol and D handle drills.