Used a mag drill for the first time on a tank job in Cleveland

I always just used a manual tap and die for bolt holes on boiler repairs. Last week we had to drill 30 holes in a 1 inch plate and I finally borrowed a mag drill from a buddy. Man, what a difference. It cut the time in half and the holes were way cleaner. Has anyone else been late to the party on a tool they swore they didn't need?

2 comments

2 Comments

lee_barnes702d ago

@alicebarnes I disagree, the clean hole is totally worth it versus guessing by hand.

alicebarnes2d ago

Mag drills are nice until you're wrestling one on a curved boiler surface and it won't stay put without a serious chain setup. But you're right, for flat plate work they do make short work of things. I've just seen too many guys skip the cutting oil and burn through bits because they get overconfident with the power. Is a clean hole really worth more to you than knowing exactly how much torque you're applying by hand?