Drill Press Using a Mag Drill (times 2)

[tmate3]

Some magnetic drills have features only available in more expensive conventional drill presses. These include automatic down and up feed, variable speed, and forward & reverse. The downside to mag drills is the limited throat capacity. The need to sit the unit on the work being drilled is also a drawback.

I overcame these shortcomings by sitting two mag drills on top of what amounts to chopped off drill presses. Older, American made drill press bases and tables are used with 48" lengths of 2 3/4" OD x 1/4" wall DOM steel tubing serving as columns. 3/4" cold roll plates were welded to the tops of the columns with small ears on both sides to capture the mag drills.

Both mag drills are BDS German made units. One has variable speed with forward and reverse for automatic tapping. The other has automatic down feed with auto reversing when a hole has been completed. Both units can use either annular cutters or chuck held twist drills. Of course, both mag drills can be yanked off in seconds for use outside the shop.