June 6, 2017 -Hougen Manufacturing, Inc., Swartz Creek, Mich., has released a new portable magnetic drill, the HMD918. This new model offers a major upgrade to the depth of cut in the line of Hougen magnetic drills. The HMD918 has a high torque motor and extended six inch drilling depth to give metal fabricators more options to drill deep holes in steel whether it is a solid piece of material or multiple stacked plates.

The HMD918 includes a pressurized coolant bottle and system. The two gallon bottle easily attaches to the drill arbor and provides pressurized coolant to the cutter no matter the position of the drill. The drill includes many other standard Hougen features, such as the mag drill pilot light for low light conditions. This allows the operator to line up the hole more quickly and accurately in all lighting levels. Powering the drill is a proprietary high torque two speed Hougen motor. The two speeds help maximize tool life and increases torque when using large diameter cutters and the high torque requirement when drilling deep holes. The two stage magnet increases magnetic holding power by 30% when the drill motor is turned on. This saves energy and increases magnet life. 

The HMD918 has many additional features that make the drill easier to use; a new larger housing and with an ergonomic carrying handle, a spot to hold the hex wrench, reversible feed handles and a d-ring on the back of the magnet for quickly attaching the safety chain. 

The HMD918 weighs just 44.2 lbs., measures 26-5/16 in. H by 7-1/2 in. W by 12-13/16 in. L and provides drilling capacities from 13/16 in. up to 2 in. (21-50mm) diameter and 6 in. (152mm) depth of cut. The drill has an electrical rating of 13.5A and 250/450 RPM motor. 

For safety the HMD918 incorporates Hougen’s exclusive features to insure a safe work environment—including a no-adjustment safety switch, which shuts down the drill motor if lift of the magnetic base is detected...plus an LED indicator that monitors this sensor and alerts if the switch is not engaged. A two stage power on switch prevents drill rotation unless the magnet has first been engaged, and, in the case of a power interruption, safety circuitry will keep the drill motor off after power is restored until the start button is manually depressed. The HMD918 is made in USA.