I'm getting ready to purchase a Hougen HMD904 magnetic drill (hoping they're part of Black Friday sales). Is the swivel base a must have or really that important? Appears it doesn't have as much clamping force as the non-swivel model.
Swivel base, or not, on Hougen magnetic drill
- Thread starter schurtjl
- Start date
I have the Hougen 917S (for swivel) - I had used several different mag drills prior (last 35 years before retirement in heavy industry maintenance) - NONE of the ones I'd used had the swivel base.
I knew I wanted that feature even BEFORE I'd actually used it - I'm even MORE convinced since I've had mine (about 8 years now) - setting up for PRECISE hole placement is SO much easier - just center punch where you want the hole, turn the magnet on when you're within an inch or so from the punch, then loosen the swivel base, use the feed levers to gently touch the metal surface with the point of the pilot, slide it around til the pilot "clicks into" the punch mark, lock the base and go.
My 917 weighs just over 50 lbs, so it's even MORE necessary to have the swivel as I get wimpier (75 so far, still dreamin' up projects to hurt myself on
Did I mention that the swivel is a no-brainer??!? ... Steve
I knew I wanted that feature even BEFORE I'd actually used it - I'm even MORE convinced since I've had mine (about 8 years now) - setting up for PRECISE hole placement is SO much easier - just center punch where you want the hole, turn the magnet on when you're within an inch or so from the punch, then loosen the swivel base, use the feed levers to gently touch the metal surface with the point of the pilot, slide it around til the pilot "clicks into" the punch mark, lock the base and go.
My 917 weighs just over 50 lbs, so it's even MORE necessary to have the swivel as I get wimpier (75 so far, still dreamin' up projects to hurt myself on
Did I mention that the swivel is a no-brainer??!? ... Steve
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Yes!!! A swivel base will make life so much easier.
The magdrill we have at work is non swivel. At about 60 pounds it’s a real pain to get aligned for precise drilling. Especially when you have to use it upside down or sideways.
The magdrill we have at work is non swivel. At about 60 pounds it’s a real pain to get aligned for precise drilling. Especially when you have to use it upside down or sideways.
Pulled the trigger on the Hougen HMD904SC (swivel and coolant model) from Ohio Power Tool. They’re running a promotion right now, buy any 904 series, get a free Hougen 12002 rotabroach kit, as well as free shipping. $971 for all that, so I couldn’t pass that up. Did purchase a couple other rotabroach kits, and the 1/2” drill chuck and adapter as well.
You won't be sorry; since you bought the swivel, it's easy to see what you woulda given up WITHOUT it - just center the swivel and lock it down, then try to drill a hole EXACTLY where you want it, on a VERTICAL surface (as in, center punch where the hole goes, then try to do it vertical WITHOUT loosening the swivel -
That should only take you ONE TRY to see how nice we are to ya
... Steve
That should only take you ONE TRY to see how nice we are to ya
... SteveOpa
Well-known member
shurtjl, i am curious how your Hougen HMD904SC is working out for you? is the added features of the swivel base, and coolant, worth the extra cost? any other comments or advice? thanks.
I have the S model and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the swivel. The obvious reasons (easy, precise hole alignment) aside, I've found several other benefits. This first is that the swivel allows you better access in tight locations. The best example I can think of was drilling some 4" wide flange beam. I needed to make 2 holes, one above and one below (with the web oriented vertically. The mag base barely fit in between the flanges so with the regular model, I would have really only been able to make a single hole. Instead, I swiveled all the way right, drilled, then swiveled all the way left and drilled. This made 2 holes with centers about an inch and a half apart.
The other thing that is kind of related is that you get more "throat" and with the swivel model. In other words, the distance from the front edge of the mag base to the cutter. As the cutter diameter grows, that distance shrinks to nearly nothing. With the S model, you can slide the drilling head all the way out cantilevered over the base for more clearance. This is especially useful with a drill chuck or tapping head that has a larger diameter than the stock shaft.
And regarding the coolant, I wish I would have known about the variant with the through coolant arbor and bottle. It's a pain to manually flush with coolant if you're making a lot of holes and you don't get constant, regular coolant flow. I would buy the aftermarket coolant kit if I could find it anywhere.
The other thing that is kind of related is that you get more "throat" and with the swivel model. In other words, the distance from the front edge of the mag base to the cutter. As the cutter diameter grows, that distance shrinks to nearly nothing. With the S model, you can slide the drilling head all the way out cantilevered over the base for more clearance. This is especially useful with a drill chuck or tapping head that has a larger diameter than the stock shaft.
And regarding the coolant, I wish I would have known about the variant with the through coolant arbor and bottle. It's a pain to manually flush with coolant if you're making a lot of holes and you don't get constant, regular coolant flow. I would buy the aftermarket coolant kit if I could find it anywhere.
Opa
Well-known member
Geo, thanks for the info.
I was "lucky" enough to have suffered thru several mag drills WITHOUT swivel and coolant options, so I went with the Hougen HMD-917, with swivel, gravity coolant AND a 2-speed motor Plus an extra long stroke. My only complaint as I get older/wimpier is the 50 lb. weight; I STILL might get a smaller lighter one for less heavy duty use, that's how happy I am with mag drills in general... Steve
Bump - for George Bruin (and others, of course :=)
You didn't mention WHICH model drill you have, but just incase you hadn't already seen it, here's Hougen's accessory section - I "borrowed" a couple of their ideas and bullt my own pipe mount, plus a "clamp on" adapter for drilling thin wall tubing in mid-air - this link
www.hougen.com
About halfway down the page they have a couple lube options, including a presure lube version for OOP drilling -
If you do like I do and view the page with the eyes of a "xerox engineer", something might jump out atcha... Steve
You didn't mention WHICH model drill you have, but just incase you hadn't already seen it, here's Hougen's accessory section - I "borrowed" a couple of their ideas and bullt my own pipe mount, plus a "clamp on" adapter for drilling thin wall tubing in mid-air - this link
PRODUCT SEARCH - Accessories - HOUGEN MANUFACTURING
Everything you need to turn your magnetic drill into a portable machine shop and improve your holemaking productivity. From drill chucks, to tapping, to countersinks and lubricants.
www.hougen.com
About halfway down the page they have a couple lube options, including a presure lube version for OOP drilling -
If you do like I do and view the page with the eyes of a "xerox engineer", something might jump out atcha... Steve
Thanks! It turns out airgas is a reseller of Hougen drills and accessories and I was able to pick up the coolant bottle kit after the fact.
Interested in seeing your pipe mount.
Interested in seeing your pipe mount.
Bump - for George Bruin (and others, of course :=)
You didn't mention WHICH model drill you have, but just incase you hadn't already seen it, here's Hougen's accessory section - I "borrowed" a couple of their ideas and bullt my own pipe mount, plus a "clamp on" adapter for drilling thin wall tubing in mid-air - this link
PRODUCT SEARCH - Accessories - HOUGEN MANUFACTURING
Everything you need to turn your magnetic drill into a portable machine shop and improve your holemaking productivity. From drill chucks, to tapping, to countersinks and lubricants.
About halfway down the page they have a couple lube options, including a presure lube version for OOP drilling -
If you do like I do and view the page with the eyes of a "xerox engineer", something might jump out atcha... Steve
"Interested in seeing your pipe mount."
Might take a while; I'll probably end up getting it out of the container it's in (I have 5 of 'em) and taking new pics (guess I now know how well my "re-organization" went)
I don't like to open the containers during the typical "horizontal rain" days, but today's 'sposed to be dry, I'll add a second container to the "git-R-done" list. Once it's 120 feet closer to the house I can get some shots.
Just a teaser - the part of the adapter the mag drill sits on is a piece of 3/4x3 FB, with a 3" piece of 1/4" FB welded across one end as a "stop block" - 1/2" base should be enough thickness for most purposes (to avoid pull-off) but what the hey, I had some leftover 3/4x3 from other tractor projects
Oh, and the parts that clamp to the pipe will handle from a little under 2" dia. up to about 6" (since retirement, I don't work on much 18" pipe)
Oops, mighta spoke too soon; sounds like "Oregon sunshine" is at it again - Oh well, all in good time... Steve
Might take a while; I'll probably end up getting it out of the container it's in (I have 5 of 'em) and taking new pics (guess I now know how well my "re-organization" went)
I don't like to open the containers during the typical "horizontal rain" days, but today's 'sposed to be dry, I'll add a second container to the "git-R-done" list. Once it's 120 feet closer to the house I can get some shots.
Just a teaser - the part of the adapter the mag drill sits on is a piece of 3/4x3 FB, with a 3" piece of 1/4" FB welded across one end as a "stop block" - 1/2" base should be enough thickness for most purposes (to avoid pull-off) but what the hey, I had some leftover 3/4x3 from other tractor projects
Oh, and the parts that clamp to the pipe will handle from a little under 2" dia. up to about 6" (since retirement, I don't work on much 18" pipe)
Oops, mighta spoke too soon; sounds like "Oregon sunshine" is at it again - Oh well, all in good time... Steve
Well, I dug out the pipe adapter for some pics, got a "refresher" moment - more on that later - first, some pics, then comments AFTER I see what order they got put in -
OK, the first 5 are different views WITHOUT anything extra attached - The "V" brackets are some I had, they're 5/32" x 2" steel. Most other pieces are 1/4x2 FB - when I added the mounting tabs, I used a single piece of FB, clamped to the table so the fastener areas are coplanar. I wanted the option of just sitting it on a flat surface; not sure why that matters (yet)
Those nifty little variable angle thingys fastened to the flat bars are from Strong Hand 4 in 1 weld clamps, I have a couple DOZEN of 'em, and each one comes with a "step over" spacer and those pipe adapters. Figured I could spare a couple for this :=)
Last couple pics show it actually mounted to a 1-1/2" pipe, one with the mag drill on a vertical.
Now, before anybody rusnes out and builds one "just like BukitCase", please read the NEXT post for some "truth in advertising"
OK, the first 5 are different views WITHOUT anything extra attached - The "V" brackets are some I had, they're 5/32" x 2" steel. Most other pieces are 1/4x2 FB - when I added the mounting tabs, I used a single piece of FB, clamped to the table so the fastener areas are coplanar. I wanted the option of just sitting it on a flat surface; not sure why that matters (yet)
Those nifty little variable angle thingys fastened to the flat bars are from Strong Hand 4 in 1 weld clamps, I have a couple DOZEN of 'em, and each one comes with a "step over" spacer and those pipe adapters. Figured I could spare a couple for this :=)
Last couple pics show it actually mounted to a 1-1/2" pipe, one with the mag drill on a vertical.
Now, before anybody rusnes out and builds one "just like BukitCase", please read the NEXT post for some "truth in advertising"
Attachments
OK, 77 year old brain fart explained - when I built this adapter, I was setting up a shelter for our travel trailer, consisting of 2 Costco 10x20 garages end to end - they weren't tall enough for the AC and stuff on TOP of the trailer, so I cut some 8' lengths of EMT that would just slide into the garage uprights, spaced them exactly the same as the roof frame, drove them onto the ground about 4' (using my Mansaver post driver) and set the uprights down over 'em - I bought a bucket load of cheap HF vice grips (one for each upright) and proceeded to "run the pattern" while raising each clamp a couple inches, til I had the whole thing high enough to clear the trailer.
Then I drilled exactly ONE of the tubes for a thru bolt (5/16") using a battery drill and a (not very high quality) drill bit - (did I mention that I'm 77, and slightly cranky??!?
Sooo, I pulled out one of these
That went a LITTLE better, but still "under-whelmed", so the above pipe thang happened - but nobody offers a normal annular cutter smaller than 7/16 that I know of, so I added these 2 items to the pot
My Hougen (917 S with "fab kit") - can be adapted to a 3 jaw chuck, but you basically have to dis-assemble half of it to change over and I'm not THAT patient - so those two items let you "fool" the drill into thinking you attached a regular annular cutter - EXCEPT... It almost ALWAYS won't work with normal twist drills UNLESS you "cheat" a bit - (it's a "length" thang)
Notice the third pic showing the drill with a 2" DOC cutter? In that pic, the quill is ALREADY AT FULL EXTENSION -
Sooo, bottom line - if you want a pipe adapter that'll use normal twist drills with a mag drill, you could probably "rush right out and make MY same mistake" - even tho it was NOT a mistake for me, it did exactly what I wanted - BUT I probably SHOULDA remembered that "mental note" I made to MAKE ANOTHER ONE
If I left anything out, don't be shy... Steve
Then I drilled exactly ONE of the tubes for a thru bolt (5/16") using a battery drill and a (not very high quality) drill bit - (did I mention that I'm 77, and slightly cranky??!?
Sooo, I pulled out one of these
That went a LITTLE better, but still "under-whelmed", so the above pipe thang happened - but nobody offers a normal annular cutter smaller than 7/16 that I know of, so I added these 2 items to the pot
G&J Hall Tools 18Y170 Powerbor Weldon Chuck Adaptor, 1/2"-20 UN Thread Fitting, 3/4" Arbor, for All Electromagnetic Drilling Systems: Drill Press Accessories: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
G&J Hall Tools 18Y170 Powerbor Weldon Chuck Adaptor, 1/2"-20 UN Thread Fitting, 3/4" Arbor, for All Electromagnetic Drilling Systems: Drill Press Accessories: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
My Hougen (917 S with "fab kit") - can be adapted to a 3 jaw chuck, but you basically have to dis-assemble half of it to change over and I'm not THAT patient - so those two items let you "fool" the drill into thinking you attached a regular annular cutter - EXCEPT... It almost ALWAYS won't work with normal twist drills UNLESS you "cheat" a bit - (it's a "length" thang)
Notice the third pic showing the drill with a 2" DOC cutter? In that pic, the quill is ALREADY AT FULL EXTENSION -
Sooo, bottom line - if you want a pipe adapter that'll use normal twist drills with a mag drill, you could probably "rush right out and make MY same mistake" - even tho it was NOT a mistake for me, it did exactly what I wanted - BUT I probably SHOULDA remembered that "mental note" I made to MAKE ANOTHER ONE
If I left anything out, don't be shy... Steve
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isb cornbinder
Well-known member
My HOUGAN is nearly 40 years old. I never knew a swivel base was available. I do not remember needing this option.
A quality brand like Hougen or Milwaukee will hold value for decades.
Attachments
Couple of updates - First of all, ISB is right; Hougen is one of, if not THE first mag drills on the market - I've been looking at one of the lower priced (mainly lower WEIGHT :=) drills, have yet to find one that tics at least SOME of my "boxes"... not yet -
I kept looking for info on WHICH of Hougen's models offered the swivel base feature; lotta time reading, finally gave up and "asked a pro" - here's the sales guy's reply -
"Happy New Year and thank you for supporting Hougen!!
Here are the drills available with a swivel base:
HMD904 - 0904103
HMD904 with coolant /swivel base – 0904104
HMD904 Fabricator’s Kit w/ swivel base – 0904109
HMD905 – 0905104
HMD905 Fabricator’s Kit w/ swivel base – 0905109
HMD920 – 0920104
HMD920 Fabricator’s Kit w/ swivel base – 0920109
We do have a power feed available with a swivel base but it is on a production pause as we catch up with other models.
Anything else, please let me know."
I also found out that my HMD 917 has been replaced - the 920 is its replacement
www.hougen.com
NOT for the "faint of pocket book", these are now a bit over $2100 - think I gave right at $1700 for my 917, if not for putting up with a couple YEARS of almost as much OVERTIME as straight time, mine would be in SOMEBODY ELSE'S GARAGE
The 920 can do a bit larger stuff than mine, main diff is mine's 2 speed (250 and 450 rpm) while the 920 has a THIRD speed of 700rpm. I'm guessing that higher speed would be mainly for carbide cutters. My HSS cutters are still going strong, some with several hundred holes. The previous pic is about HALF of the ones I have. I tend to add "in between" sizes in metric for things that'll get BOLTED together, it's a little irritating to try and use a 1/2" bolt in an EXACTLY 1/2" hole
One of the future "pipe dreams" that finished my decision to get the bigger drill is my "wishful thinking" that I'll live long enough to use it to power a LINE BORE jig - my old Case 580B is in need of re doing several of the joints. And no, I DON'T have any pics of that project yet, even the pics in my HEAD are still out of focus
OK, 'nuf OFR's for now (Old Fart Ramblings) - later... Steve
Oh, looks like I guessed right on the 700rpm thing - check out the "2 hole comparison" vid at the bottom of the 920 page...
I kept looking for info on WHICH of Hougen's models offered the swivel base feature; lotta time reading, finally gave up and "asked a pro" - here's the sales guy's reply -
"Happy New Year and thank you for supporting Hougen!!
Here are the drills available with a swivel base:
HMD904 - 0904103
HMD904 with coolant /swivel base – 0904104
HMD904 Fabricator’s Kit w/ swivel base – 0904109
HMD905 – 0905104
HMD905 Fabricator’s Kit w/ swivel base – 0905109
HMD920 – 0920104
HMD920 Fabricator’s Kit w/ swivel base – 0920109
We do have a power feed available with a swivel base but it is on a production pause as we catch up with other models.
Anything else, please let me know."
I also found out that my HMD 917 has been replaced - the 920 is its replacement
HMD920 3 SPEED MAGNETIC DRILL | HOUGEN
Drill holes all day, every day with the 3 speed HMD920 mag drill. A powerhouse machine with loads of torque for holes up to 2-3/8" x 3". Made in the USA.
www.hougen.com
NOT for the "faint of pocket book", these are now a bit over $2100 - think I gave right at $1700 for my 917, if not for putting up with a couple YEARS of almost as much OVERTIME as straight time, mine would be in SOMEBODY ELSE'S GARAGE
The 920 can do a bit larger stuff than mine, main diff is mine's 2 speed (250 and 450 rpm) while the 920 has a THIRD speed of 700rpm. I'm guessing that higher speed would be mainly for carbide cutters. My HSS cutters are still going strong, some with several hundred holes. The previous pic is about HALF of the ones I have. I tend to add "in between" sizes in metric for things that'll get BOLTED together, it's a little irritating to try and use a 1/2" bolt in an EXACTLY 1/2" hole
One of the future "pipe dreams" that finished my decision to get the bigger drill is my "wishful thinking" that I'll live long enough to use it to power a LINE BORE jig - my old Case 580B is in need of re doing several of the joints. And no, I DON'T have any pics of that project yet, even the pics in my HEAD are still out of focus
OK, 'nuf OFR's for now (Old Fart Ramblings) - later... Steve
Oh, looks like I guessed right on the 700rpm thing - check out the "2 hole comparison" vid at the bottom of the 920 page...
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