Let’s face it: if you are a fabricator or a contractor who works with metal, you know how valuable the best magnetic drill press models can be. Mighty portable and flexible, these machines can effortlessly drill holes into steel, cast iron, alloys, etc. – materials that typical drill presses tend to have a hard time even scratching. The magnetic base ensures stability, ease of control, and maximum precision all day long!
A no-brainer for serious metalworkers, the markets are now swarming with them, with some popular brands stepping in. But what’s the best one for YOU? To find out, we have reviewed 5 of the best magnetic drill press units to buy today
Come, let’s take a closer look;
Best Magnetic Drill Press – Cut Metal Like Butter!
Designed exclusively to cut through metal, the best magnetic drill press units have four major parts: a drill stand, motor, the arbor/chuck, and of course, a magnetic base. Thanks to this handy, awesome addition, these drill presses can be used to chop through vertical metal parts. Heck, it can even work upside down. They are super accurate, very stable, and offer consistent drill speeds, making it construction ideal.
Combining a drill press’s versatility with a magnetic base, these power tools are available over a range of sizes, capacities, and designs—some work to perform heavy-duty tasks. In contrast, others capitalize on small to medium workloads.
Metal-cutting? A best magnetic drill press is the best way to go!
Best Magnetic Drill Press Models – Top 5 Tools To Make Quick Work of Metal Projects
For this review, we tested hundreds of best magnetic drill press units literally. Here’re the top 5 ones that stood the most out;
#1. DEWALT Drill Press
2-Speed, Magnetic, 2-Inch (DWE1622K)
The most popular of the lot, the Dewalt best magnetic drill press offers the ideal blend of performance and portability. The high powered 10 amp, 2-speed motor inside, which can ramp up to 400 RPM + the 2-inch chuck, is more than enough to drill even the hardest metal.
A Quick Change chuck system allows easy swap between 3/4” Weldon Shank and chuck, and yes, you can also swap the handle to either side, if need be.
For consistent performance, the tool comes with a self-feeding cooling tank, which, when paired with the motor overload guard, ensures long-lasting performance to the user. This is very great considering it also has a 3-year warranty.
Pros
- Portable yet very premium, sturdy construction
- Powerful yet silent dual-speed,10 Amp motor that ramps up to 450 RPM, which is more than enough for heavy-duty use.
- Offers up to 2 inches in drilling size (tool-less adjustable)
- Self-feeding cooling tank
- Integrated motor overload protection
- 3-year long warranty
Cons
- Though portable, the weight is a bit on the higher side
- Slightly expensive
#2. Hougen
HMD904 115-Volt Magnetic Drill
Hougen might be a new brand, however, with state of the art specs, build quality, and an expense to match, it’s already popular with the pros. Armed with a 1 ½-inched drill size, the build Is exceptionally good. It’s light, it’s sturdy, and there is no cord outside, offering a sleek frame that’s nice to take around. The drilling depth is capped at 2 inches, which is… decent.
The “slot drive” arbor allows for easy accessory changes and accuracy. They’ve also included a pilot LED light for use in darker conditions.
The whole thing is powered by a 9 amp electric motor, which can rev up to 450 RPM. This is quite ample for casual to pro-drilling. It is quite power-efficient though, consuming just 1035 watts. Like most of the smaller brands, you get a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Decently powerful 9 amp motor with a max 450 RPM – good for all casual metal drilling requirements
- 1 ½ inch drill size with 2-inch depth
- Inbuilt LED pilot lights
- Far lower power consumption
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Highly expensive considering the power it offers
- New brand
#3. Mophorn
1100W Magnetic Drill Press
Interestingly, the Mophorn best magnetic drill press has the cheapest price tag in this list. However, it is also one of the powerful ones we see today. Under a rather bulky body, the brute powered10-amp motor can kick up to 550 RPM, which, when paired with the 1 ½-inch drill size and 6-inch depth, means that it can handle almost any professional-grade drilling needs with pure perfection.
To make this power’s best use, the tool comes with 6 pieces high-speed drill bits with tool-less swapping.The controls are super easy. The handle has a great grip, and the double dovetail guide rail ensures the best precision possible. The magnets are also quite powerful, boosting its accuracy further. The warranty is capped at 1-year.
Pros
- Professional grade 10 amp, 550 RPM motor – offers easily one of the best drilling power + perks combo under a budget
- Decent 1 ½ inched chuck with an impressive 6-inch depth
- Very easy to use controls
- Comes with extra drill bit accessories
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- The overall build quality leaves a lot to be desired
- Lacks finer controls
#4. Evolution Power Tools
EVOMAG28 1-1/8” Magnetic Drill
The fourth entry in our best magnetic drill press shows that you don’t need to shell out a premium to buy a decent, reliable power tool. Made by Evolution, this device has an integrated cooling configuration, swappable handle sides, excellent build quality, and more – all built around a 10 amp motor delivering up to 570 rpm.
This and the 1 ½ inch drill size with 6-inch depth make it understandably great for all kinds of metal drilling, both casual and pro-grade. The whole device weighing only 38 pounds is cool too.
Offering a class-leading 3-year warranty, the tool feels premium despite the price tag. The motor and the drill bits are kept safe by the cooling system, so longevity is not an issue. Notably, the tool is pretty quite as well.
Pros
- 10 amp high powered motor with a whopping 570 RPM – need we say more
- 1 ½ inch drill size with a 6-inch depth range
- Integrated cooling system for motor and drill bit longevity
- 3-year warranty
- Great value for money
Cons
- The drill size could’ve been a lot better
- Lacks extra perks
#5.BLACK BLUEROCK
Magnetic Drill Roto-Broach
Another great value for money proposition, the Bluerock best magnetic drill press, features a decent design that paired with good performance, thanks to the 10’ amp motor, which impressively offers up to 595 RPM.
The device packs in a 1 ½-inch drill size that has a depth of up to 6 inches to use this power efficiently. Interestingly, the device offers the standard “3/4” Weldon” shank, leaving room for upgrades later.
Being a small brand, it only comes with a 90-day replacement warranty. The build, however, seems sturdy enough to last a fair bit. Accessory wise, you get a lot – an adaptor, oil bottle, a handy protective case, and a safety chain.
Pros
- 10 amp motor offering up to a metal searing 595 RPM – perfect for drilling almost any metal you can think of.
- 1 ½ inch drill size with a decent depth of 2 inches – not the best, not the worst
- Standard ¾ Weldon shank integration
- Tons of accessories
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Poor warranty policy (comes only with a 90-day replacement warranty)
- Not that good looking
To get the best results possible, it’s important your new best magnetic drill press ticks certain quality check boxes – Here’s what they are;
1) Drilling Performance And Capacity
The more powerful the motor, the better it will drill. Get a unit that offers multi-speed ratings, preferably between 450 to 650 or more. This ensures more versatility on the work table and can aid in reducing power consumption.
Capacity wise, the standard is up to 1 ½ inches in diameter. However, some of the better options can handle up to 2 inches – ideal for heavy-duty needs.
2) Comfort And Ease of Use
Being portable tools, the best magnetic drill press needs to ergonomic, lightweight, and be comfortable to be used with one hand. The controls should be easy. Accessory support is also key as it offers versatility while working.
The magnetic base power differs per model. To avoid accidents, ensure your drill has the magnetic capacity to suit your needs.
3) Safety & Warranty
Being a power tool, the need to keep safe is paramount. Make sure your best magnetic drill presses have built-in safety measures. Often this includes easy shut-offs, quick controls, “tool-less” bit changing setups, lights, etc.
To avoid further expenses on an already costly tool, make sure you buy from a reputed brand, with warranty 3+ years of warranty.
Being an expensive set of tools, find the best magnetic drill press for YOU is key – here’s a brief Q&A session to help with the same;
1) When Should I Use The Best Magnetic Drill Press?
Aside from a magnetic base, these drill bits are almost identical to their traditional cousins, meaning that you can use it across all materials & situations. That said, the magnetic drill presses shine superior when cutting metal.
Thanks to the portability & magnetic base, you can use these drills it vertically, horizontally or even bottoms up, making it apt for construction duty
2) What Are The Types of Drill Presses?
While we have mostly kept to electric models in this best magnetic drill press review, there are two more types. They are;
The pneumatic type draws power from an external air compressor and is mostly used in wet conditions.
While expensive, the hydraulic type offers superior power and has the added benefit of being useful underwater.
3) Do They Require Lubrication?
Yes, of course. Drilling through metal generates tons of heat & friction. If not lubricated, it can affect both performance & longevity of the bits.
You can use water, oil, or custom lubrication fluids for the same.
Best Magnetic Drill Press Review – The Final Conclusion
Yes, they are expensive. However, if you want to cut metal and cut it fast & precisely, we reckon you can’t find a better deal than the best magnetic drill press. These are light, offer more features, and works at any angle!
While these aren’t a device that everyone needs, for those who do, we’re sure the 5 best magnetic drill press units we’ve reviewed will serve all your needs perfectly. They are feature-rich, extraordinarily robust, covers most prices – there is a drill press for everyone. To find the right one for YOU, use the included best magnetic drill press buying guide. Since these will be used in larger projects primarily, ensure that you understand the security measures and make appropriate considerations to avoid problems.
Whichever way you slice it, the best magnetic drill press is a no-brainer. If you are into serious metal works, this is the tool to get!
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