![]() ![]() Using Lubricantīecause lubricant is important for tool life, most drills are equipped with a coolant reservoir, which is set up to provide the best coolant flow to the annular cutter. When the cutter is fed at the same rate for every hole, over time tool life can be easy to gauge,” said Londrigan. “Auto-feed drills offer predictable productivity with consistent results and hole finish. Also, a single operator can run multiple machines. “When drilling in difficult areas or tight situations, manual feed can also be the best and safest option,” said McDonald.Īuto-feed drills typically are used in high-volume applications because of their ability to create repeatable holes and consistent work times. In addition, certain accessories, such as those for countersinking and reaming, are better-suited to a mag drill with a manual feed. Photo courtesy Hougen Mfg.Īccording to McDonald, manual feed is best-suited for applications that require twist drills, especially when drilling blind holes or tapping. Right angle mag drills have a lower profile and can be used for hard-to-reach applications. Most magnetic drills use manual feed, which typically costs less than power feed because it does not require the additional drive motor, parts, and electronics that come with an auto-feed drill. You should never use the drill at a higher rated capacity than the manufacturer lists because this can lead to overload situations and possibly result in the magnetic base lifting off.įeed choice, whether it’s manual or automatic, also needs to be decided before selecting a mag drill. hole with a solid twist drill, you will require a much more powerful machine.”Īll manufacturers list the maximum rated capacities for their magnetic drills along with their power ratings. HSS annular cutter, you can use a small mag drill with lower power. “This dictates the power (wattage/HP) that will be required. “Mag drills should be selected according to the maximum hole diameter that is going to be drilled and the type of cutter being used,” said McDonald. It is best to pick a drill unit that is rated to cut the size of hole your application requires.īut, choosing a mag drill based on rated HP alone often can be confusing and misleading, said Londrigan. The size of the hole being drilled is another key variable because it will determine how much horsepower is required. In a large, open fabrication facility where height is not an issue, a larger two-speed mag drill might be a better overall choice,” said Londrigan. “If the application is in small or confined spaces, a lightweight, low-profile drill would be a perfect choice. If you are working overhead, you would also want a drill that is lightweight,” said McDonald.īut this again, depends on the diameter of the hole and type of cutter being used. “If you are in a very tight area with low height, you must choose the drill that fits into the area, but this can also be difficult depending on the size of the hole being drilled. Space and physical limitations must be considered. The work environment also should be taken into account when you are selecting a drill. Predictable work times on contract and serial work is possible because of the FEIN KBM 80 auto’s repeatable and consistent drilling times. Most manufacturers offer both single- and multiple-speed machines.” This is where variable speed plays an important role. “If someone is using HSS, carbide cutters, and twist drills, they will need a machine with more than one speed. “The type of material and cutter choice also have an effect on the speed requirements,” said McDonald. These applications require a machine with more than one speed. However, a machine used in a shop might also be called in to service for drilling, reaming, countersinking, and tapping. In structural steel applications a single-speed machine typically is satisfactory. The choice between single and multiple speeds mainly depends on the application. “This increases tool life for the cutter, reduces the wear and tear on the motor, and also decreases the amount of physical work performed by the fabricator.” “When you are drilling larger holes, having more speeds allows the operator to get the cutter closer to the correct RPM for the hole diameter and material,” said Greg Londrigan, marketing coordinator for Hougen Mfg. and smaller, there is no real advantage in having more than one speed. ![]() For drilling smaller-diameter holes, for example, those 1-1/4 in. Most small, lightweight mag drills have a single speed and the larger, more powerful drills have two or more speeds. “If you are drilling and tapping large-diameter holes in-house, you will need a more sophisticated drill, possibly with two speeds and electronic speed control.” Window.dataLayer = window.“If you are outside, drilling small-diameter holes in structural steel, you may only require a small, lightweight, single-speed tool,” explained McDonald. ![]()
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