5 Best Mag Drills of 2024 and How to Choose the Right one
Magnetic drills are useful in boring through heavy metals that would pose a significant challenge to handheld drills. The electromagnetic part, usually at the base helps to achieve a steady drilling action, without the metal dislodging from the bottom.
There are several mag drill models that can help make your projects a success. This review examines some of the five best mag drills to help you make the right buying decision.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Choose the Right Mag Drill
My first mag drill was a serious underperformer despite that it cost me an arm and a leg. It would huff and puff as I tried to burrow through thick metal. This machine always had me working extra hours and having to put up with low-quality drills.
I knew I had to find me a reliable machine for the quality of my work depended on it.
I devoted my time to research about the best qualities to look for in a mag drill. I was able to make the right buying choice after that.
More power means a higher cutting capacity
There are mag drills that will whine in the face of thick and hardy metals. If you look closely, these tools have a low cutting capacity (depth and diameter) because they run on a small powered engine.
It would be ideal to choose a high powered mag drill of 10 amps motor or more. These are bigger and deliver professional results in thick and dense metal plates.
The motor should be able to work optimally
One quick feature to look for here is the coolant system. Without cooling, overheating might eventually damage your drill’s motor. In addition to that, some mag drills feature overload protection for the engine.
These inclusions are necessary, especially if you are going to put your drill under intensive use.
A powerful magnet is an added advantage
The strength behind the operation of a mag drill is not just from the motor but also from its magnetic pull. The magnetic force helps to achieve precision by stabilizing the material. It would help to have a powerful magnet so that your drill can stay on point. The magnetic pull is measured in pounds (lbs.) and the higher the figure, the more the power and drilling accuracy you get.
In some models, the magnet only starts working when the motor starts running. That could help extend the life of the device.
The device should be portable
Mag drills should be maneuverable, for you can’t tell where your next project will be. Be that as it may, by being lightweight a mag drill shouldn’t compromise on sturdiness. Find the model that balances between compactness and sturdiness.
Also, choose a model that comes with inbuilt handles for unencumbered portability.
The mag drill should be easy to use
Find a mag drill that has an ergonomic design. The control features and the handles should be easy to reach and adjust. Limit your search to mag drills that come with interchangeable handles for left and right-handed individuals.
Choose the mag drill types that use button controls for changing speed and other settings.
The Best Mag Drills Review
1. Hougen HMD904 Magnetic Drill Press – The Runner-up
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When working with hardy metals, you will often need a mag drill with a larger boring capacity. With the Hougen HMD904, the drilling capacity is to 1-1/2 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep. That’s acceptable for a fast-paced job, one can say.
What makes this mag drill stand out, if you will, is its lightweight nature. The contraption weighs about 35 pounds — that, coupled with its ergonomic design aids in maneuverability.
Another notable quality here is the two-stage magnet. The magnet comes to full power only when the machine is running, a feature that could potentially extend the drill’s magnetic life.
Beyond that, there is an included pilot light for visibility in low light condition. This inclusion could ultimately enhance your drilling accuracy.
You might also find that the Hougen HMD904 is user-friendly. The swivel base, in particular, makes it comfortable to use on overhead and horizontal jobs.
Driving this mag drill is a 7.2 Amp motor. This motor strength has the potential to deliver acceptable results on heavy-duty and industrial applications. There is also an integrated coolant system to keep the motor working optimally—this could extend the life of the engine.
What’s more, the manufacturers have included a Slot Drive arbor. This architecture can help to drill accurate slots.
Hougen HMD904 Magnetic Pros & Cons
Pros
- It features a reliable and sturdy build
- There is a pilot light for visibility in dim conditions
- Two-stage magnet delivers more power (2300 lbs pull force)
- Easily adaptable for horizontal and overhead use
Cons
- No versatile speed settings
2. Evolution Power Tools EVO28 Magnetic Drilling System
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Evolution Power Tools mag drill features a paradoxical compact yet heavy-duty design. Together with its 10 Amp motor, you could expect unrelenting performance even on hardy metal types.
The burrowing depth is not any different from what you get with the Hougen HMD904 mag drill. It is 2 inches deep and up to 1-1/8″ wide. Remember though that this mag drill is way more affordable, going at almost half the price of the Hougen HMD904.
The magnet integrated is heavy-duty, according to the manufacturer. The device includes right and left handles for flexibility and ease of use. They take care of lefties and righties.
One thing I like about this mag drill is that it comes with a ½ inch key adapter for easy swapping of chucks.
Just like the Hougen HMD904 drill mag, there is an included coolant system as well. The cooling might keep your engine working in good condition for long.
The device weighs 38 pounds with a dimension of 19x19x13. This mag drill, therefore, is highly portable depending on the way you handle it. We can say the same about storing or working with it in awkwardly tight spaces.
What is the ease of use with the EVO28 Mag Drill?
Well, as mentioned before, the mag drill has both right and left handles to cater for all types of operators. There is a set of operating buttons on the left side of the machine beneath the three-spoke wheel.
These features, one can say significantly help with the user-friendliness of the EVO28 Mag Drill.
Evolution Power Tools EVO28 Magnetic Drilling System Pros & Cons
Pros
- Chuck and adapter deliver flexibility with mini-cutters and step drills
- The mag drill has a sturdy heavy-duty construction
- It is lightweight and has dimensions that aid in portability
- There is an integrated cooling system
- Versatile handles for lefties and righties
- More magnetic power ( 2860lbs ) than the Hougen HMD904
Cons
- The coolant attachment might quickly come loose
- Limited use on hard metals
3. Milwaukee 4270-21 Mag Drill
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Milwaukee 4270-21 is the next model to enter this mag drill battle royale. It brings aboard a 9 amp motor that is much higher than the 7.2 amps motor of the Hougen HMD904. Still, the EVO28 mag drill towers over these two with its ten amps engine.
One unique feature with the Milwaukee 4270-21 mag drill is that it uses a 2-coil magnet just like the Hougen drill. You get more magnetic power in this case, which could be useful for your industrial applications.
The machine is much lighter than the above two models, weighing just 27 lbs. You could be in luck here if portability is of prime importance to you.
Also, you will likely find its carrying handle to be a comfortable feature when you need to carry it around.
Beware though that this mag drill is a bit larger than the EVO28. It measures 24″ x 17.5″ x 8, a size that directly impacts its portability.
Just like the EVO 28, the Milwaukee 4270-21 has a two-button control panel – this is where you get to change the speed and other settings. Its simplicity and ease of use, we can say, is not any different from the EVO 28 mag drill.
The drill capacity, in this case, is ½ inch in diameter and about the same depth as with the earlier models in this review. This drilling capacity might hold well in many DIY and professional applications.
Just like the previous models in this review, you can place the feeding handles on the right or left side of the drill. This design enhances versatility and ease of use.
One futuristic feature I found with the Milwaukee 4270-21 Mag Drill is the safety turn off button. This feature can come in handy when you accidentally get your finger caught up on the drilling end of the machine, heaven forbid.
The Milwaukee has impressive features much like the EVO28 mag drill, but please beware that all that comes at a higher price point. You might find it even costlier than the Hougen HMD904.
Milwaukee 4270-21 Mag Drill Pros & Cons
Pros
- It’s lightweight and portable
- It’s easy to use
- It uses a powerful motor and magnet
- Considerable magnetic pull force—2300 lbs
Cons
- Quality control issues
- Might not be ideal for budget-conscious contractors
4. BLACK BLUEROCK BRM-35A
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nothing can stop you if you have a powerful mag drill that is well designed for your applications. The BLACK BLUEROCK BRM-35A tries to deliver that high efficiency.
This drill has a boring capacity of 2 inches deep and ½ wide. That is the same size you get with all the previous models in this review.
The BRM -35A runs on a 9 amp motor, just like the Milwaukee 4270-21 mag drill. You could be able to work with this tool on any metal type, owing to the efficiency of that engine.
Better still, this mag drill comes with an adapter, safety chain and free chucks all as part of the package. That makes it a cost saver.
The design embraces simplicity in that everything on the machine is easy to reach. There are on/ off switches on the sides of the mag drill, and one button for controlling the magnet.
This device weighs 28 pounds and comes across as a portable kind; suitable for the days when you wish to change your workstation.
This mag drill is priced almost the same as the EVO 28 mag drill by Evolution Power Tools. What you ought to know, however, is that the machine might not be able to withstand the consistent intensity of everyday use. It works fine for DIY operations though.
BLACK BLUEROCK BRM-35A Pros & Cons
Pros
- It is lightweight and portable
- High powered motor
- Comes with free accessories
- Considerable magnetic power—2700lbs
Cons
- Not for everyday use
- Not for overhead or vertical use
5. Steel Dragon Tools MD45 Magnetic Drill Press
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This mag drill packs 2700 pounds of magnetic pull force. You could, therefore, expect it to keep everything stable even when working with thick metals.
However, as you can see, this magnetic force is lightly lower than what you get with the Evolution Power Tools EVO 28 mag drill.
If you are seeking a mag drill that is sturdy and durable, you could settle on this model. That’s because of its sturdy base; the tool sits on a 55 pounds body. Be wary though that this weight might imbibe the drill’s portability.
The MD45 also comes with an adapter. It enables you to work with MT2s, MT1s or 3/4 Weldon Shanks—this is often a much sought after kind of versatility. The speeds of the Steel Dragon MD45 are also adjustable, giving you the ability to work on different materials with it.
The maximum boring depth, in this case, is 7 inches deep and 1-3/4 inches wide. That is the highest drilling capacity in this review.
One disenthralling factor, though, is that Steel Dragon Tools MD45 falls on the higher side of the price spectrum. For cost-saving, many might choose the EVO28 or the BLACK BLUEROCK BRM-35A.
Steel Dragon Tools MD45 Magnetic Drill Press Pros & Cons
Pros
- Variable speed controls
- Strong magnetic pull
- Comes with an adapter included for MT1 or 3/4 Weldon Shank
Cons
- Heavy and not so portable
- A little pricey
The Best Pick
The Evolution Power Tools EVO28 Magnetic Drilling System stands out as the top choice in this review. This drill is compact yet heavy-duty and runs on a 10 amp motor, the most powerful in the report.
Its drilling capacity is acceptable, you might say, given that 2 inches of depth and 1-1/8 inches diameter is about the same you get with all the others.
The EVO28 has a magnetic power of 2860 lbs, which is higher than what all the other mag drills offer. This power might enable you to work even with the heaviest of metals. The mag drill also scores well on portability and compatibility with other chucks.
Remember too that ease of use is assured with left and right interchangeable handles. The EVO 28 is also the most affordable mag drill in the review.
Last Updated on August 7, 2020 by Tom Bradly