I have a couple of projects coming up that will require drilling relatively large holes (1/2" and up) in relatively thick material (3/8ths to 1/2" steel plate)

While I CAN do that with my 1/2" Makita, it's a struggle and accuracy suffers. Due to the size of the work and the placement of the holes, using my drill press is out. Also, there have been a number of times in the past when a mag drill would have simplified things immensely.

A "real" mag drill (ie, Hougen or Milwaukee) starts at $1000 and goes up rapidly from there. That's not going to happen.

I've seen some videos on Vevor stuff and it seems to be adequate for occasional use on reasonable sized projects. Prices are more in line with my budget (I'd like to stay under $400).

Reviews on Amazon are all over the place. I like to see 4/5 star reviews running about 80% but I also read the 1 star reviews because lemons happen. Consistent bitches about the Vevor units are that the Jacobs-style chuck (for ordinary twist drills) are crappy or don't work at all, and Customer Service is non-responsive to issues.

So, my question is, does anyone here have a Vevor mag drill specifically, or another brand in my price range? If so, how was your experience?

I've enquired about renting a Milwaukee, but given their $2500+ price tag, I suspect a couple of days rent would come close to buying my own unit.

Can you plasma the holes?

Have you looked to see if there any auctions of machine tools in your vicinity. Might be able to pick a quality one up at better than new retail prices from a shop or estate selling out. But, of course, you have to inspect the used stuff for excessive use/wear. Caveat Emptor.

Most Hougens I've seen for sale did not come with a jacobs type chuck, only the keyed socket for annular cutters. You have to buy the jacobs chuck and adapter separately and they're pretty spendy. Keep that in mind if you splurge on the top end brands.

Maybe the vevors come with the drill chuck but I don't doubt they leave a lot to be desired. I'd imagine the mag drill itself will do alright with light use.

Also check out project farm on YouTube. He does a review on annular cutter sets and if I recall one of the cheaper sets performed pretty well.

Used one (probably a Hougen) when working with a welder on a project. I don’t have enough jobs to justify owning one, but dang they are the frickin’ bomb! Absolutely an awesome tool.

Oh yeah, when drilling a *lot* of 7/8” holes through a couple of 3/8” thick pieces of steel (one piece of channel, one of plate), the annular cutters are the *only* way to go. No desire to use a drill bit in one whatsoever.

Sorry, yes, annular cutters are a given for the main project. However, I can see situations in which ordinary twist drills would be used if for no other reason than the expense of the cutters.

My goal is accuracy, both in placement and hole size, so using the plasma cutter is a no-go.

Have you Craigslist or the rental shop from Home Depot?
They may have one.

quote:

Originally posted by Captain Morgan:
Have you Craigslist or the rental shop from Home Depot?
They may have one.

I haven't, but I'll add that to my search.

I have the DeWalt mag drill. I think they are about $900 and come with the fixed Weldon chuck and accessory Jacobs. It is an extremely handy addition to the metal shop. It may be a weak point of the Dewalt specifically, but there is some wobble between the head and the base. You need to make sure it is centered and feeding properly before giving it much pressure. They may all do that, but I suspect a Hougen is probably tighter and better all around.

I really like using Weldon chuck bits. Much more solid attachment than Jacobs. I have Weldon twist drills 1/4-1/2 and they step up to annular.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I've enquired about renting a Milwaukee, but given their $2500+ price tag, I suspect a couple of days rent would come close to buying my own unit.

Depends on the rental shop’s history with them. When I asked the rental yard why they wanted about three times as much for their used man lift that they were selling as they did for their used chipper they were selling that rented for the same price, they explained that the chipper basically tear themselves apart so they have to charge a lot more rent for the cheaper machines.

quote:

magnetic drill press

?

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

magnetic drill press

?

Check it out!

I'm sensing fate at work:

1. I just got a B-day card with a Home Depot gift card in it.

2. HD sells the unit I like as linked above.

3. Between my 10% military discount and the gift card, my out-of-pocket cost will be <$75

4. It appears to use the standard Weldon-style chuck which really opens up the market for cutters.

Wouldn't a 10mm projectile blast right through that steel plate? Unfortunately, a decent 10mm pistol is going to be more expensive than a mag drill, but....

I borrowed my brother-in-law's Milwaukee mag drill when I drilled over 100 5/8" holes in my welding table to use for clamping. It was very precise & fast. Same bit lasted for the whole job, and was just as sharp when I finished, as it was when I started.

If I had to drill those type of holes on a regular basis, I would own one.

Still not sure what I'm looking at. The magnetic base of the tool attaches directly to the workpiece? It would have to be a mighty strong magnet to stay put under the pressure of the drill bit.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
Still not sure what I'm looking at. The magnetic base of the tool attaches directly to the workpiece? It would have to be a mighty strong magnet to stay put under the pressure of the drill bit.

Correct, and yes, the electromagnet is a beast! If you're in REALLY tough stuff, there's a "seat belt" you can use. Also handy if you're drilling up from underneath something, as a safety device.

That looks a like steal of deal even without the discounts. I wish I have need for one.
When using these, a few things-
You need a substantial area of the magnet covered for them to allow the motor to run.
The spoils from the annular cutters are like tiny jagged knife edges.
Cutting oil is cheap vs cutters, don’t overhead the bits.
If you’re using overhead, tie it to something to prevent it hitting the floor when it falls off.
Annular cutters are way better than twist drills.

quote:

Originally posted by jed7s9b:
Cutting oil is cheap vs cutters, don’t overhead the bits.

What do you recommend for lube? On the drill press with twist drills I usually just use engine oil.

^^^^^

I use Hougen RotaMagic. It’s water based, so cleans up easily. The fluid needs to be pretty thin to run from the tank and down through the cutter.

Pay someone with a high end and accurate setup to drill these for you? Probably way less than rental, and how many times are you going to need this, at your age?

You don't mention if this is 6 holes or 600.