What brands for mag drill presses?

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I'm looking at buying a magnetic drill press. I was wondering what brands are considered good quality in the US and/or worldwide?
Reply:I like my milwaukee the big one not the little one.thermal arc mst400, va4000 feeder, lincoln 175 min, victor torches, miller s32p feeder, air arc k4000 for work.
Reply:I had a Milwaukee (sp?) for several years and never had any problems with it.  Used it for drilling large holes in heavy plate only.  Anything less than 1 inch plate and they don't grip all that great.
Reply:Iv'e used Hougen and had good luck with them. They seem to be available at most LWSas well as the cutters.http://www.hougen.com/
Reply:Jancy or Hougen both top notch drills.  The old Milwaukee and Black & Decker drills were tanks, but just to damn big and heavy to be practical.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I vote for the Hougen as well. The only problems ive had with ones i've  been around was the coolant tank didn't seem to work very good. Easy to get plugged up. Otherwise the only ones Ive used have been an old Milwaukee. It was good in its day, but the Hougen would be my choice.Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Over
Reply:One vote for my Nitto Kohki auto feed.. (Japan)Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Old Milwaulkee (not the beer ) was what I used to use at work. Not sure of the new stuff (is it chinese?)Also used a Walter mag drill, it was VERY good.
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingJancy or Hougen both top notch drills.  The old Milwaukee and Black & Decker drills were tanks, but just to damn big and heavy to be practical.
Reply:I've only ever used a Milwaukee, which really did impress.  All the millwrights and fab guys at work like to grab one of them or the Fein units, which also seem to be sturdy as heck.  http://www.fein.ca/en_ca/metal/drill...setPageSize=36
Reply:At work we have a big Milwaukee, it is great, just heavy as a tank. We just got a Baleigh, not impressed with it, typical chinese quality. At home I have a Fein, its quality is great all around.
Reply:i've used hougens at work.  real nice.  i would think that the milwaukee's would do well, too.  i even think some of there newer ones are still U.S. made
Reply:Hello Pete.S., I believe that you should likely consider what brands that the tools stores/welding suppliers have in your area when you are looking for a particular machine. Service after the sale will be equally important when considering machine performance. I am quite sure that there are many European choices for mag drills as well as the brands/models that have been suggested here. What part of Europe are you in and what brands are generally available to you locally? If the folks on here know that they may be able to comment more specifically about the performance, reliability, ease of use, and longevity of what you have readily available. Just a consideration to possibly help with your decision. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Evolution makes a really nice unit that's in the right price range (600 bucks). Model is Mustang 3500.A new company called Edge recently started up that has a slightly cheaper unit than Evolution, but I haven't heard any feedback on those units yet.www.triarc.us
Reply:First- annular cutters (carbide hole saws) or old fashioned drill bits?Some of the new ones are really low profile, and wont take a drill chuck. Only annular cutters. So if all you need is 1/2" and up, they work great. But if, like me, sometimes you need to drill a little hole, they wont work.I have used a lot of the old Milwaukee and B&D (no longer made) mag drills. They work fine, and last forever- but they weigh 75 or 80 pounds. Unless you work with a bunch of gorillas who break everything, and drop drills from the fourth floor, that gets old fast. I used to be able to bench press 75 pounds while balancing on a ledge in the wind, but I am too old for that **** now.So I use a 25lb Jancy for 99% of my mag drilling. When you are slinging it up onto the ceiling after hoisting it up a ladder, that makes a big difference.At the low end, I would go Jancy, Hougen, or Milwaukee- all make decent sub $1000 drills. all three made in the USA.If you got more money, for sure check out Fein (german) or Nitto (japanese)- both are built better, nicer to use, and you pay for the privelige.Me, I would skip the new chinese imports.
Reply:Amen to what Ries says, I have both a Hougen and a Fein. Bought the Hougen first, I have used a Evolution and  it wasn't too bad, but forced to use a cheap knockoff that I named "chatterbox" by the second 1" hole in some 3/4 plate.Night and day difference between a Fein and most anything else.In the beast dept, it's tough to beat the old Milwaukee, but unless I need the drill chuck, and my Fein is in the clutches of my son, I don't wrestle with the Red one
Reply:Hi. I have a brand new HMD904 Hougen in the shop and sell forum here for a while.I am asking $725 shipped.
Reply:Thanks everybody for your replies. I checked out the brands you suggested and it seems like all of these companies have worldwide representation so we have the same brands in Europe as in the US. Prices might be different though so I'm looking at my options now to see what models would fit my budget and suit my needs.
Reply:I would make sure you can put a regular Jacobs chuck on as well as the hole cutters. That way your whole welding table can become a drill press. The thicker the better for grip. My Milwaukee seems to grip down to about 1/4". But it grips better as the steel gets thicker.
Reply:On the subject, are there any brands that hold on thinner steel?
Reply:Hi all!I prefer the Hougen because of my applications....light weight compared to others we have in the area.  The older I get the heavier all the equipment becomes! I agree with what is avail at local outlets for parts and cutting blades, etc.  Also my hougen has a nice storage case..  ....