Mag Drill Advice

[Rogue1987]

Howdy all, I am in the market for a Mag Drill. I have been watching the local Craigslist to no avail, it seems that people who have them really do not want to part with them!

I've done a little looking on Amazon tonight and I was wondering if anyone had anything to say about these two options?

Jancy Holemaker IIPortable Magnet-Base Drill, 120V, 11.5 Amp Motor, 1-3/8" Diameter x 2" Depth Capacity, $732 on Amazon.

Or this one, Champion Cutting Tool Champion Cutting Tool AC35 RotoBrute Economy Portable Magnetic Drill Press for $699 + Free Shipping.

I've heard of Jancy before, but they look to be close in comparison of features. They both I believe will work with annular cutters as well as accept a chuck for normal bits, both have external coolant bottles standard. I am pretty sure the Jancy is domestically manufactured, and not so sure on the Champion, so that is a big plus to me in the Jancys favor.

Any thoughts or ideas? I am open to any and all suggestions and advice. I would like to keep my cost for the drill itself under $1000 if possible. I keep seeing these Bluerock units cheap, in fact so cheap that it scares me. I do not want the Harbor Freight of mag drills! Does anyone know anything about these? I would be pissed if it moved or fell off of something while I was drilling!

Thanks!

 

[Rogue1987]

Bump. Anyone?

 

[74craig]

I've used Jancey slugger and Milwaukee mag drill.I really like the weight to power ratio.

 

[BreeStephany]

I've primarily used Milwaukee mag drills at work and have always been a fan of Milwaukee tools in general. I don't have a lot of experience with either Jancy or Champion, but in my searches for my own mag drill, I have seen a lot of older Jancy drills but never really seen any Champion drills that I can recall.

I have restored a few OLD Black & Decker mag drills for friends, and overall was pretty impressed with the overall quality. Ultimately, I would take a Milwaukee above all else, but if I came upon an old Black & Decker in decent shape for a GOOD price, I would definitely jump on it.

 

[JASTECH]

Northern Tools has the Milwaukee 9 amp #4270-21 for $899.99 and free shipping. It has a 5 yr. warranty and USA made to boot.

 

[kazlx]

I see Hougens in nice shape going on ebay for $4-500. Milwaukees about the same. I think those are the only two I would be looking at.

 

[32Jim]

I own several, Jancy and Hougen annular cutters and a Milwaukee for drill bits only. Both the Jancy and Hougen are great annular cutter units, you won't be dissapointed in either of them.

One thing to think about is a slide base unit, think the small Hougen is a HD904S if I recall correctly. The slide base helps out a lot in getting the bit located precisely where you want it, especially if you lay it on it's side or upside down. Get it close, lock the magnet, then loosen the swivel base and get it located exactly where you want it, lock it down and your good to go.

Annular cutters are not cheap, and you have to be very careful using them to avoid snapping one, but they are great for there intended use.

 

[HAP]

I'm on the lookout as well for one. I recently rented a Milky to drill holes vertically on some beams. Let me tell you, lifting that 70+ lb beast into position on a ladder and trying to line it up with the mark and then turn the magnet on wore me out just doing 4 holes. Had to have the wife turn the magnet on when I got it close enough and then get it on the mark with a hand sledge.
Now I know for sure that I will only consider the right angle style mag drill due to the lower profile for such jobs and it can fit into tighter spots.

R,
HAP

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I use this Hougen model HMD904:

The base is adjustable, so you can get it set in place close and turn the magnet on and then re-position the drill to the perfect spot. Make punching holes in trucks / machinery fast and fairly painless.

Here's an online link for specs / info:
http://www.ohiopowertool.com/P-465-hougen-portable-magnetic-drill-1-12-hmd904-free-coolant-tank.aspx

We paid right around 800 from a local industrial tool / supply place.

 

[32Jim]

Thats a picture of the 904S model, with the swivel base. The base model 904 is the same basic drill, minus the swivel base attachment.

 

[Monte]

Jancy.....USA made...
.... and also available in orange....:

 

[thejudges69]

I use this Hougen model HMD904:

The base is adjustable, so you can get it set in place close and turn the magnet on and then re-position the drill to the perfect spot. Make punching holes in trucks / machinery fast and fairly painless.

Here's an online link for specs / info:
http://www.ohiopowertool.com/P-465-hougen-portable-magnetic-drill-1-12-hmd904-free-coolant-tank.aspx

We paid right around 800 from a local industrial tool / supply place.

Doc is this auto feed? We need a smaller one for horizontal mounting on frame rails like your but with reams it would be nice to have a slow auto feed.

 

[Rogue1987]

I did not know that they made one with a swivel base. My rental place never had one with that. That is now a must have for me.

That hougen looks really nice. I will have to look into that. And USA made to boot it looks like!

 

[tkonetzke]

We have jancy hougen and Milwaukee at work. The adjustable base is nice, but variable speed is huge. We build trucks and when you start drilling framesteel with high tensile strength, being able to slow it down is fantastic. It makes it cut better and saves bits($40+ each)

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Doc is this auto feed? We need a smaller one for horizontal mounting on frame rails like your but with reams it would be nice to have a slow auto feed.

No, not auto. I always just adjust my pressure on the handle to keep the chips coming of it looking good.
We actually looked at a compact version more centered around truck work - it would fit behind a tire for drilling without pulling wheels - but the supplier didn't have it on hand and it had a shorter cutting depth, so we went with this for all-around use.

 

[Rogue1987]

Jancy.....USA made...
.... and also available in orange....:

That is actually exactly the unit I wound up with (and it is orange! But sold as a Jancy). Sweet little drill.

Thanks all for the info. I appreciate it.

 

[thejudges69]

That is actually exactly the unit I wound up with (and it is orange! But sold as a Jancy). Sweet little drill.

Thanks all for the info. I appreciate it.

If you don't mind me asking what did this run you?

 

[Rogue1987]

I would have to look to be sure but offhand it was eight and some change with free shipping through Zoro. Ordered it the day after Christmas with 26% off.

Sent from a Braniff 707 via telex

 

[Rezeppa]

Congratulations! That is a great unit I have the predecessor the slugger before Fein Purchased them. I love mine it's bulletproof. We had the welding supply demo the one you purchased against the hogans that the company I work for own and the orange Jancey out performed in almost every aspect.

 

[Richard D]

I bought two Jancy Sluggers off Ebay. One working, one missing the magnet but it came with 14 cutters and a standard drill chuck. Spent about $600 total.

 

[BAMBAM123]

The BLUEROCK BRM-35A is a cheaply made mag drill from China. After just 2 minutes of using it smoke poured out of the motor, it got very hot and stopped working. I didn't even put much pressure on the handle. Now when I turn it on after about 10 seconds smoke pours out of the motor, it sparks and crackles and stops. I wasn't able to try out the motor until 35 days after I received it and the seller said that it only has a 30 day return policy! No warranty nor replacement parts. Buy a higher quality unit.

 

[HAP]

Were you by chance using an extension cord with it?

 

[McKay]

I have the Hougen HMD925 and love it. Blows away my old Milwaukee. Power Feed is the only way to go in my opinion if you are doing more than a couple holes at a time.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have an old as balls Milwaukee. Two speeds, slow and glacial. Enough torque to slow the rotation of the earth if chucked up to the north pole.

Belonged to my grandpa. Works excellent, still. I usually keep a 3/4" jacobs superchuck in it.

If I wanted new, I'd look a Fein or Hougen. Fein bought Jancy, so the sluggers are a Fein now, I guess.

OP, are you happy with the performance of your Slugger?

 

[Bruce57]

We use Jancy Holemaker II's at work. The do a good job and are lighter weight than some of the others. Made in USA. I would buy one if I needed one.

 

[thejudges69]

I used a Hougen 904 for a frame job, it was recommended a lot and was an awesome drill. I had a minor issue with the brushes in the motor but nothing to be concerned about. I found mine brand new on ebay sold as a used drill for $650 I think

 

[metalhead212121]

subscribing....

 

[BAMBAM123]

Howdy all, I am in the market for a Mag Drill. I have been watching the local Craigslist to no avail, it seems that people who have them really do not want to part with them!

I've done a little looking on Amazon tonight and I was wondering if anyone had anything to say about these two options?

Jancy Holemaker IIPortable Magnet-Base Drill, 120V, 11.5 Amp Motor, 1-3/8" Diameter x 2" Depth Capacity, $732 on Amazon.

Or this one, Champion Cutting Tool Champion Cutting Tool AC35 RotoBrute Economy Portable Magnetic Drill Press for $699 + Free Shipping.

I've heard of Jancy before, but they look to be close in comparison of features. They both I believe will work with annular cutters as well as accept a chuck for normal bits, both have external coolant bottles standard. I am pretty sure the Jancy is domestically manufactured, and not so sure on the Champion, so that is a big plus to me in the Jancys favor.

Any thoughts or ideas? I am open to any and all suggestions and advice. I would like to keep my cost for the drill itself under $1000 if possible. I keep seeing these Bluerock units cheap, in fact so cheap that it scares me. I do not want the Harbor Freight of mag drills! Does anyone know anything about these? I would be pissed if it moved or fell off of something while I was drilling!

Thanks!

Beware, the Bluerock is a cheaply made drill from China. After just 2 minutes of using it smoke poured out of the motor, it got very hot and stopped working. I didn't even put much pressure on the handle. Now when I turn it on after about 10 seconds smoke pours out of the motor, it sparks and crackles and stops. This drill is a waste of money and the seller is not accommodating at all. No returns or repairs.

 

[Rogue1987]

I actually wound up getting a Jauncy. This one actually.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003E...200_QL40&qid=1406665963&sr=8-2#ref=mp_s_a_1_2

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[sk farmer]

I have an evolution mag drill and am quite happy with it. I found a guy who has access to reconditioned evolution drills and annular cutters and bought all of it through him. I have had it about 6 months and have cut a few hundred holes with it. they sure beat a hand drill and bits.

Pm me if you need a contact for him.

 

[jmscollinsiii]

I've used Milwaukee and Hougen extensively at work. The Hougen is the shiz!

 

[HAP]

Here is the one I ended up with.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227264

R,
HAP