Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
Photo by Sergei Starostin on Pexels
A magnetic drill press, or mag drill, lets one person drill a 32mm hole through 25mm structural steel in 90 seconds - a task otherwise impossible without a workshop pillar drill and lifting equipment. In the UK engineering trade, buyers face choices between mid-range favourites like Evolution and Powerbor, professional-grade tools from Milwaukee and Fein, and US-spec heavy-duty models such as Hougen. Each category offers distinct advantages: mid-range units typically cost £200 to £500, providing reliable performance for everyday tasks; pro tools range from £600 to £1,200, offering superior durability and precision; while the more robust US options can exceed £1,500, catering to extreme industrial applications. Workshop realities dictate that selecting the right mag drill involves balancing budget constraints with the need for speed, efficiency, and longevity in demanding environments.
How we picked these
- Cutter capacity: 28-32mm cuts most structural work. 40-50mm for heavy plant / shipyard.
- Magnetic adhesion: 12-15 kN minimum for trade. Stronger magnets (Fein, Hougen) hold under sideways load.
- Motor: 1100W minimum for steel cutters up to 32mm. 1500W+ for 50mm cuts.
- Stroke: minimum 150mm stroke for through-cutting structural steel. Tall-stroke models handle thicker stock.
- Safety: dynamic adhesion sensor cuts power if the magnet loses grip. Trade standard since 2018.
Reviewed picks
Evolution EVOMAG28
Price: £550-£700 | Best for: best-selling UK trade mag drill
The Evolution EVOMAG28 is a best-selling UK trade mag drill with an 1100W variable-speed motor and a magnet capable of handling up to 13.5 kN. It features internal coolant feed and a stroke length of 165mm, priced between £550 and £700. Its variable-speed motor is a standout feature for precision drilling, though its 28mm capacity might be tight for structural work.
| Capacity | 28mm steel cutter |
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| Motor | 1100W variable |
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| Magnet | 13.5 kN |
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| Stroke | 165mm |
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| Coolant | Internal feed |
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Pros
- Variable-speed motor
- Internal coolant feed
- UK warranty and service network
Cons
- 28mm capacity tight for structural work
- Heavier than Milwaukee compact
Check Evolution EVOMAG28 on Amazon UK →
Milwaukee MDP41 (M18 FUEL)
Price: £1,400-£1,800 | Best for: cordless site work, M18 ecosystem
The Milwaukee MDP41 (M18 FUEL) is a robust magnetic drill press for cordless site work, priced between £1,400 and £1,800. It boasts a 40mm capacity and a brushless motor on the versatile M18 platform. However, its premium price point means you'll need to buy batteries and chargers separately.
| Capacity | 40mm steel cutter |
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| Motor | Brushless 18V |
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| Magnet | 15 kN |
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| Stroke | 230mm |
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| Coolant | External pump |
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Pros
- Cordless on M18 platform
- 40mm capacity
- Brushless motor
Cons
- Premium price
- Battery + charger sold separately
Check Milwaukee MDP41 (M18 FUEL) on Amazon UK →
Fein KBM 50 Auto
Price: £1,800-£2,400 | Best for: shipyard / heavy-fabrication trade
The Fein KBM 50 Auto is a robust magnetic drill press for shipyard and heavy fabrication work, priced at £1,800 to £2,400. It boasts a hefty 50mm cutting capacity and an adaptive magnet that adjusts strength from 12-18 kN, ensuring reliable hold on various surfaces. However, its heft at 17kg and price above £2k mean it's not for every workshop.
| Capacity | 50mm steel cutter |
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| Motor | 1200W 2-speed |
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| Magnet | Auto-adjustment 12-18 kN |
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| Stroke | 270mm |
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| Coolant | Internal + safety cutoff |
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Pros
- 50mm capacity
- Adaptive magnet strength
- Fein build quality
Check Fein KBM 50 Auto on Amazon UK →
Powerbor PB30
Price: £400-£550 | Best for: best budget UK mag drill
The Powerbor PB30 is a solid choice for UK tradespeople on a budget, offering a 1100W motor and 30mm cutting capacity at £400-£550. As a UK brand, spare parts are readily available, but its single-speed motor and external coolant bottle can be cumbersome.
| Capacity | 30mm steel cutter |
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| Motor | 1100W single speed |
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| Magnet | 13 kN |
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| Stroke | 160mm |
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| Coolant | External bottle |
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Pros
- UK brand
- Sub-£550 trade-grade
- Spare-parts availability
Cons
- Single speed motor
- External coolant bottle is fiddly
Check Powerbor PB30 on Amazon UK →
BDS Maschinen MABasic 200
Price: £700-£900 | Best for: German-engineered alternative to Evolution
The BDS Maschinen MABasic 200 is a robust magnetic drill press with a 35mm steel cutter capacity and an 1100W variable motor, priced between £700 and £900. It boasts a powerful 15 kN magnet and a tilting motor head for versatile drilling angles. While its German engineering offers reliable performance, finding spares in the UK can be slower than with more common brands like Evolution.
| Capacity | 35mm steel cutter |
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| Motor | 1100W variable |
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| Magnet | 15 kN |
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| Stroke | 165mm |
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| Coolant | Internal feed |
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Pros
- German build
- Variable speed
- Tilting motor head
Cons
- Less common in UK trade
- Spares lead-time longer than Evolution
Check BDS Maschinen MABasic 200 on Amazon UK →
Hougen HMD904
Price: £1,200-£1,600 | Best for: US-spec heavy-trade reliability
The Hougen HMD904 is a reliable magnetic drill press for heavy-duty trade work, priced between £1,200 and £1,600. With a 32mm steel cutter capacity and an impressive 14 kN magnet, it's built to handle daily abuse. Its 265mm stroke offers flexibility in drilling depths, but the single-speed motor limits its versatility compared to multi-speed models. Less common than Fein in UK workshops, Hougen’s heritage brand ensures robust reliability for US-spec users.
| Capacity | 32mm steel cutter |
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| Motor | Single speed 1100W |
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| Magnet | 14 kN |
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| Stroke | 265mm |
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| Coolant | Internal |
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Pros
- Hougen heritage brand
- 265mm tall stroke
- Built for daily abuse
Cons
- Single speed
- Less common in UK than Fein
Check Hougen HMD904 on Amazon UK →
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall (UK trade) | Evolution EVOMAG28 - best-selling UK mag drill with internal coolant |
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| Best cordless (site) | Milwaukee MDP41 M18 FUEL - 40mm capacity on cordless platform |
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| Best heavy-duty / shipyard | Fein KBM 50 - 50mm capacity with adaptive magnet |
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| Best budget | Powerbor PB30 - sub-£550 UK-brand trade tool |
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| Best German alternative | BDS MABasic 200 - German build with variable speed |
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| Best US-spec daily-driver | Hougen HMD904 - heavy-trade reliability at sub-£1,600 |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
What size mag drill do I need?
For most UK structural work (RHS up to 200x200x10, beams up to 25mm web) a 28-32mm capacity mag drill is enough. For shipyard / heavy plate / I-beams above 30mm web, step up to 40-50mm capacity. The price doubles between 32mm and 50mm classes.
Evolution or Powerbor - which UK budget mag drill?
Evolution EVOMAG28 is the best-seller - variable speed, internal coolant feed, robust build, well-stocked UK spares. Powerbor PB30 is cheaper but single-speed and uses an external coolant bottle. For daily trade use the Evolution justifies the extra £150.
Is a cordless mag drill worth it?
For site / structural-steel work where mains is unavailable - yes, the Milwaukee MDP41 on M18 batteries genuinely cuts 40mm steel without mains. For workshop bench work the corded Evolution / Fein is faster (no battery downtime) and cheaper.
How important is the safety cutoff?
Mag drills weigh 12-17kg and apply 1100-1500W of motor torque. If the magnet loses grip (rusty surface, vibration loosening adhesion) the drill can swing out of control. The dynamic adhesion sensor cuts power within milliseconds - trade-mandatory since 2018. Don't buy a mag drill without one.
What coolant should I use?
Soluble cutting oil at 5-8% in water for most steels. Neat cutting oil (Hocut, Castrol Hyspin) for stainless and high-tensile alloys. Never run a mag drill cutter dry - heat destroys the carbide teeth within seconds and the cutter is the most expensive consumable.
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