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The Best Magnetic Drills to Cut Through Metals

man drilling holes in metal with a magnetic drillIf you need to drill fast and accurate holes into tough materials, a magnetic drill is an essential purchase. Magnetic drills are portable yet powerful tools with a magnetic base and are used to cut through metals and alloys. If you’re looking to add a magnetic drill to your workspace, here are some we recommend.

How to Pick a Good Magnetic Drill

Here is what you should consider before purchasing a magnetic drill:

  • Workspace: Decide how big of a drill your workspace can accommodate, as these drills tend to take up a decent amount of room.
  • Cut Depth: Different magnetic drills have different depths of cut, so consider what you will need for your projects.
  • Safety: When using power tools, it is always wise to look for built-in safety features.

Now that you know what to check for, here are some good options for you to take a look at.

Best Overall: CS Unitec MAB 155 Ultra Compact Low Profile Portable Magnetic Drill Press

horizontal silver, dark gray, and black magnetic drill

This magnetic drill is a powerful tool with its 9.25-amp double-insulated motor that will create precise cuts with ease. It is lightweight at 24 pounds and ultra-compact at just 7 inches tall. Designed for continuous use, it has an intelligent electronic torque control as well as an emergency-off function. The drill has ergonomic controls for one-handed operation.

Best Overall

C.S. Unitec MAB 155 Portable Magnetic Drill Press | 1050W 1-Speed Benchtop Power Drill Machine w/up to 1-1/2" Diameter

A top-notch magnetic drill that is compact, lightweight, and designed for continuous use.

Best Features: CS Unitec MABasic 200 Portable Magnetic Drill Press

vertical dark gray and blue magnetic drill

A heavy-duty drill with a powerful magnet, this tool has 3,080 pounds of magnetic force for strong adhesion. Built to be compact and lightweight at 27 pounds, it is an easily maneuvered drill. The 8.2-amp motor has an electronic safety shut off and convenient cooling through a gravity-fed integrated cooling system (reservoir for easy refill). Create large stroke cuts in ferrous and non-ferrous materials up to 6 1/3 inches.

Best Features

Most Compact: Slugger by FEIN JHM Series ShortSlugger Magnetic Base Drilling Unit

vertical orange and dark gray magnetic drill

This magnetic drill has gravity-fed cooling lubrication and an extremely compact magnetic base drilling unit that’ll allow you to use it in cramped working conditions when necessary. The optimum power to weight ratio for the height you’re working at is another great feature. It has a depth of cut at 2 inches and the handles are for both right- and left-handed users.

Most Compact

Slugger by Fein - JHM ShortSlugger Portable Magnetic Drill - 750 W, 2" Drilling Depth, 2-9/16" Stroke, 22.05 lbs -72725161124

A magnetic drill great for smaller workspaces that has gravity-fed cooling lubrication.

Best Bang for Your Buck: Mophorn 1200W Magnetic Drill Press

yellow and dark gray magnetic drill

This extremely compatible magnetic drill is easy to operate and suitable for broaching tools and fittings. The strong power system motor is 1,200 W, 110 V, and 50 Hz. It has a max drilling diameter of 23 mm, a drilling range of 1.5 to 23 mm, a 500 RPM speed, and max magnetic force of 13,000 Newtons (2,920 lbs). It is easy to operate; simply flick the switch at the electromagnetic base. With a wide range of uses, the drill is accurate, fast, and has strong magnetic adhesion. It’s suitable for steel structures, shipbuilding, equipment manufacturing, and more.

Best Bang for Your Buck

Rachel Shubin Rachel Shubin
Rachel Shubin is a freelance journalist who is passionate about telling stories. Along with writing reviews for LifeSavvy, she writes a book column for Cape May Magazine and is a reporter for the Cape May Star & Wave Newspaper. When Rachel is not writing, she can be found advocating for mental health awareness and animal rescue, reading novels, exploring Cape May, or working on her polymer clay jewelry business, Piper + Pearl Co. Read Full Bio »
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