Milwaukee mag drill?

[morph]

My trusty 20 year old evolution mag drill has pretty much died after drilling tens of thousands of holes.Well it still drills but there is next to no power in the magnet so it’s time for a new one.

I do quite a few portal frame sheds but It’ll mainly be for erecting. I’ve got a beam punch so there will be minimal workshop work.
Just wondered if anyone has used the Milwaukee cordless one as it would be incredibly handy. I’ve already got a massive amount of battery’s so run time won’t be a issue. I’m more concerned about the magnet being up to the job? It’s about £400 more than a decent corded one..... be nice to know if their worth it.

 

[Tally]

My trusty 20 year old evolution mag drill has pretty much died after drilling tens of thousands of holes.Well it still drills but there is next to no power in the magnet so it’s time for a new one.

I do quite a few portal frame sheds but It’ll mainly be for erecting. I’ve got a beam punch so there will be minimal workshop work.
Just wondered if anyone has used the Milwaukee cordless one as it would be incredibly handy. I’ve already got a massive amount of battery’s so run time won’t be a issue. I’m more concerned about the magnet being up to the job? It’s about £400 more than a decent corded one..... be nice to know if their worth it.

Ive not used it my self but it does look fiddly as its not a powered magnet.. its some kind of lever that lowers the magnet lower so that it actually grabs the metal its going to sit on so i dont know.. Personally id look into a decent corded one for that price as for the amount they asking you can get one with alot of diameter capacity with a power tapping capability which is really handy

 

[James1979]

Used but not owned. The Milwaukee truck did a demo in Aberdeen when I was there. Looked and felt really good. It’s a permanent magnet like a mag chuck and the battery just runs the drill

It cut really well but they’re going to make sure it does I suppose. I liked it as having been on the receiving end of some bell end unplugging my mag drill when it was on a bulkhead I thought it was a good idea. Yeah I know I should have had a chain on it. My bad!

I’m a Milwaukee convert and really like some of their ideas. Can you hire one or arrange a demo at the local stockist?

 

[AndersK]

They are great, got about 25 holes from one battery. Second battery died just about a minute after the first was fully charged.

 

[Tally]

Used but not owned. The Milwaukee truck did a demo in Aberdeen when I was there. Looked and felt really good. It’s a permanent magnet like a mag chuck and the battery just runs the drill

It cut really well but they’re going to make sure it does I suppose. I liked it as having been on the receiving end of some bell end unplugging my mag drill when it was on a bulkhead I thought it was a good idea. Yeah I know I should have had a chain on it. My bad!

I’m a Milwaukee convert and really like some of their ideas. Can you hire one or arrange a demo at the local stockist?

Yeah i mean im a huge Milwaukee fan my self.. got their gen 3 drill and gen 3 impact wrench which are fantastic tools but i don't feel confident about their cordless mag drill in its present form.. i do think it can be done better. does the 12ah battery actually fit in the slot? and yes always always use a chain :P

 

[morph]

If I were to go corded it would be the lightest one I could get as I very rarely go over 22mm and it’s usually on site. I’ve had enough of lugging heavy drills about!!

They are great, got about 25 holes from one battery. Second battery died just about a minute after the first was fully charged.

View attachment 252735

That’s just what I wanted to hear!! I’ve just worked out I have 50a/h worth of batteries so a few dozen holes in RSJ’s won’t be a problem.

 

[Agroshield]

Does the ability to remove one or more handles and to put the pinion on the opposite side hold any weight with you? If so, then maybe check this is possible.

 

[morph]

Does the ability to remove one or more handles and to put the pinion on the opposite side hold any weight with you? If so, then maybe check this is possible.

Not something I’ve really thought about to be honest, if it’s too hard to drill I’d go for the blue spanner!!!

 

[8ob]

I’m a Milwaukee convert and really like some of their ideas. Can you hire one or arrange a demo at the local stockist?

Try before you buy makes perfect sense

 

[Brad93]

Alfra. Anything else is a toy really.

the Fein ones don’t look bad but I’ve had no first hand experience.

 

[Revs1972]

It’s quite a heavy unit, but being cordless it’s benefits outweigh all that.
I can only fit the 5ah battery on mine. I did see somewhere you could do something to fit a 9ah, but I don’t think a 12ah is ever going to fit.
Saying that, the 5ah will do 20 to 30 holes dependant on diameter. The magnet engages by turning the handle on the back which becomes second nature as you drill more holes. Not as convenient as pushing a button, but then you haven’t got to worry about finding a power source .
Combined with a TFT cutter it pretty quick at drilling too.

oh, and if you can’t find the handle ( kids ) then you can stick any 1/2 socket in the ‘ole to operate it

if you are anywhere near Torquay you can have a go

 

[morph]

It’s quite a heavy unit, but being cordless it’s benefits outweigh all that.
I can only fit the 5ah battery on mine. I did see somewhere you could do something to fit a 9ah, but I don’t think a 12ah is ever going to fit.
Saying that, the 5ah will do 20 to 30 holes dependant on diameter. The magnet engages by turning the handle on the back which becomes second nature as you drill more holes. Not as convenient as pushing a button, but then you haven’t got to worry about finding a power source .
Combined with a TFT cutter it pretty quick at drilling too.

oh, and if you can’t find the handle ( kids ) then you can stick any 1/2 socket in the ‘ole to operate it
View attachment 252815

if you are anywhere near Torquay you can have a go

Perfect, looks like it’s standing up well to a proper metal bashing environment!!
If it wasn’t the best part of a grand I wouldn’t even be asking...looks like I just need to get it bought!! I’m sure I won’t regret it!

 

[Revs1972]

Its been in the workshop, its been 25 metres up in a roof drilling for lighting rigs (now that's where being cordless really pays off).
Its been drilling in the rain, as well as hot temperatures.
Had it around 4 years and its not missed a beat. If it gave up the ghost tomorrow I would replace with another.
I don't know if you have seen it cheaper, but Powertoolmate have them at £1070 incl VAT at the moment ( full kit with batteries etc)

 

[morph]

Its been in the workshop, its been 25 metres up in a roof drilling for lighting rigs (now that's where being cordless really pays off).
Its been drilling in the rain, as well as hot temperatures.
Had it around 4 years and its not missed a beat. If it gave up the ghost tomorrow I would replace with another.
I don't know if you have seen it cheaper, but Powertoolmate have them at £1070 incl VAT at the moment ( full kit with batteries etc)

That’s exactly the work I’ll be doing with, a bit of everything really but cordless will be incredibly helpful.
I’m glad it’s been a good machine for you
Seen it naked on Powertool mate for £782 plus vat (vat registered) so it’s not too bad.
Do you run normal cutters or the tct ones?

 

[Revs1972]

I only use the TCT ones now. IMO they really are much better. Not so much as chipped one of them yet and they all still running strong.
I don't know if it makes a difference to longevity , but I always use a cutting grease ( metabo - well whats left of it) or the WD40 spray as in the photo. Its nice and thick and clings to the cutter.
Not used suds with the bottle yet.

 

[James1979]

That's a really good price. I wish I'd seen that when I bought my current one a few months back.

I was wondering if the cordless one will last longer as it's permanent Magnet. The electro magnets always seem to die.

As an aside, when I was looking at what to do about mine, I noticed a glut of permanent Magnet ones that were air or hydraulic on ebay. Either ex mil or ex offshore id guess.