In the transportation industry, you need tools designed specifically for the job at hand — especially when working in tight spaces. Fabricators, contractors and technicians can’t always bring the workpiece to a machine for hole-making. In which case, they need a portable drill. However, not all portable magnetic drills have the power or the capacity to handle every job. And if you’re working with rusty, scaly or painted material, your common portable mag drill won’t always cut it. To help, here are some things to consider when choosing you next portable magnetic drill:
- How will it be used?
- What’s the desired diameter of hole?
- What is the depth of the hole to be cut?
- Are there drilling speed requirements?
- How many holes will need to be cut?
- In what environment will work be performed?
- Are there space and physical limitations?
- What type of material will be cut?
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all tooling
solution, but there are ways you can make selecting the right tool easier.
Choosing a company that is known for their world-class products and services is
a good place to start.
Hougen has been engineering and manufacturing top-of-the-line portable magnetic
drills and annular cutters for over 60 years. We’re proud to carry the tough
and durable Hougen® line of
portable magnetic drills and annular cutters. Hougen portable mag drills
are ideal for use in confined areas or areas that require work to be performed
in a vertical, horizontal or overhead position. Tasks like these are common in
maintenance facilities, mobile repair shops, railroad industries and truck and
special vehicle builds.
Hougen Magnetic Drills
The Hougen HMD904 is the most popular drill for general fabrication. It’s light, compact and delivers powerful performance with a 2” capacity while retaining superior ergonomic comfortability. Learn more about the Hougen HMD904 here.
The Hougen HMD115 Mag Drill is the preferred right-angle mag drill for extreme tight spots. At only 6 and 17/32 inches tall, this lightweight, ultra-low-profile mag drill can fit just about anywhere and comes with the patented quill feed arbor for smooth cuts and minimal maintenance. Learn more about the Hougen HMD115 here.
The Hougen HMD130 Ultra Low-Profile Magnetic Drill offers large capacity and is super lightweight, coming in at only 23.8 pounds. Like, the HMD115, this drill uses RotaLoc Plus™ annular cutters which eliminates the need for tools with changeout. Learn more about the Hougen HMD130 here.
Annular cutters are specialized bits used when drilling into steel. Picture a hole saw used for drilling into wood. Annular cutters do the similar thing and result in a burr-free outside edge of a hole. Annular cutters are ideal for use in applications that require a larger hole but require less force and torque than a standard twist drill bit. Annular cutters are available in a variety of designs to cut through materials such as:
- Carbon steel
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Hard Alloys
- Hastelloy
Hougen Mag Drill Annular Cutters
RotaLoc™ and RotaLoc Plus ™ Annular Cutters feature bayonet-style twist and lock shank for quick cutter changes and require no tools. They recommend using Slick-Stik™ lubricant or RotaGel™ cutting lube for better cutter tool life and efficiency. Learn more about RotaLoc™ and RotaLoc Plus ™ Annular Cutters here.
The 12,000-Series Annular Cutter is the original cutter that set the standards for all others. Providing the best performance and value, the 12,000-Series features two flats for cutter mounting, O.D. Margins, I.D. Margins, fully fluted tools, patented tooth geometries, material types, coatings and re-sharpening. Learn more about the Hougen 12,000-Series here.
The Copperhead™ Carbide Tip Annular Cutter features a durable grade carbide insert with extended tool life on abrasive and tough to cut material. The special Hougen design includes a tool geometry that offers better chip flow than other brands. Learn more about the Hougen Copperhead™ Carbide Tip Cutter here.
To learn more about magnetic drills and annular cutters, download this helpful guide from Hougen.
Yeah, we’ve got that. We carry the tools and accessories you need to get the job done well. Our large inventory and knowledgeable sales team are here to help you optimize your processes and maximize profitability. So, if you find yourself needing a specific product, just ask us. If we don’t have it in stock, we would be happy to help you locate what you need. Let us know how we can serve you. Give us a call at 800-783-6501 or visit our website and read our blog for more information.