Magnetic Drilling Machines
A magnetic drill clamps to a beam, channel or plate with an electromagnet and drills where a drill press cannot go: on steel structure assembly, bridges and tanks. The range covers the FDB Maschinen MBD23 and MBD 32 (annular cutters up to 23 and 32 mm) and the Optimum DM98V with variable speed and annular cutters up to 98 mm. All run on 220 V mains.
3 products · from 18 500 ₴
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Model comparison
| Model | Spindle travel, mm | Weight (kg) | Voltage (V) | Power (kW) | Price incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDB Maschinen MBD23 magnetic drill | 160 | 16 | 220 | 1.2 | 18 500 ₴ |
| Magnetic drill FDB Maschinen Drilling MBD 32 | 175 | 21 | 220 | 1.4 | 24 500 ₴ |
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Calculators
How to choose a magnetic drill
Hole size and cutter type
The key figure is the largest hole diameter; the number in FDB Maschinen MBD23 and MBD 32 matches it in millimetres. Large holes in steel are cut with annular cutters on a Weldon shank: they remove a ring rather than the whole core, so they need less power and leave a clean hole. Twist drills go in a chuck: up to 13 mm on the MBD23 and up to 28 mm on the Optimum DM98V, which also takes annular cutters up to 98 mm.
Magnet force and steel thickness
The electromagnet holds reliably only on clean flat steel of sufficient thickness, for these machines from 10-15 mm. Thin plate, paint, rust or mill scale reduce the force and the base may break away while drilling. Always use the safety chain when drilling on vertical surfaces or overhead. Magnet force is 12 000 N on the MBD23, 14 000 N on the MBD 32 and 17 kN on the DM98V.
Speed, stroke and cooling
Larger diameters need lower speed: the MBD23 runs at 650 rpm and the MBD 32 at 450 rpm. The Optimum DM98V has variable speed from 100 to 380 rpm for large annular cutters. The spindle stroke, 160 mm on the MBD23 and 175 mm on the MBD 32, sets the deepest cut in one pass. Annular cutters need coolant feed, and the DM98V comes with a coolant tank.
FAQ
How is a magnetic drill different from an ordinary drill?
An ordinary drill is hand-held, and holes over 13-16 mm in steel are hard and inaccurate with it. A magnetic drilling machine locks onto the metal with an electromagnet, the spindle travels on a slide strictly square to the surface, and an annular cutter makes holes up to 32 mm on the MBD 32 and up to 98 mm on the DM98V. In effect it is a drill press you bring to the part: a beam, column or plate that will not fit on a table.
Which magnetic drill should I choose for bolt holes?
A bolt hole is 1-3 mm larger than the thread: typically 22 mm for M20, 26 mm for M24 and 30 mm for M27. The MBD23 covers holes up to 23 mm, i.e. fasteners up to M20. The MBD 32 with a 1.4 kW motor drills up to 32 mm and suits bolts up to M27-M30 with a tight clearance. For anchor holes, pipe penetrations and large flanges you need the Optimum DM98V with annular cutters up to 98 mm.
Which annular cutters should I buy for a magnetic drill?
Machines with a Weldon spindle take standard annular cutters with a 19.05 mm shank. HSS cutters are enough for structural steel; for stainless steel and high volumes use carbide-tipped (TCT) cutters. Cutting depths are 25, 30, 50 mm and more: choose by plate thickness, keeping in mind the 175 mm spindle stroke of the MBD 32. Each size needs a pilot pin that also ejects the slug after the cut.
Can a magnetic drill run from a generator or a long extension lead?
Yes, if the voltage is stable. Choose a generator with at least twice the motor power, i.e. from 3 kW for the 1.4 kW MBD 32, preferably an inverter type. Use a copper extension lead of at least 1.5-2.5 mm² depending on length. When voltage drops, not only the motor but also the electromagnet weakens and the base may slip under load, so the safety chain is mandatory.
Can a magnetic drill be used on pipe or a curved surface?
The electromagnet holds at full force only on a flat surface; on a pipe it touches the metal along a narrow strip and the holding force drops sharply. For pipes above a certain diameter, special V-block adapters or chain clamps press the base against the pipe. Without them, drilling a pipe with a magnetic drill is unsafe. Small pipes are easier to clamp in a vise on an ordinary drill press.
Can you help me choose a model?
Yes. An engineer will match a magnetic drill to your hole diameters and plate thickness, recommend annular cutters and issue a VAT invoice. We deliver across Ukraine, and pickup in Dnipro is available.