Re: Circuitously Related

[ABLE1 <somewhere@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 8/1/2020 12:42 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
> I've been lusting after a mag drill for a while.  I don't really want a
> cheap one, because I know once I have one other work for it will
> materialize. I don't really want to buy an expensive one, because
> honestly the only current use I have for one is making an array of 5/8
> inch clamping & positioning dog holes on my welding table.
>
> I admit to being a little cheap, but if I truly had an ongoing use for a
> mag drill that I could see right now I would own one.
>
> Now what I do have is a bunch of quality corded drills left over from
> being a contractor.  Some have not been out of the case in several
> years.  Heck I have a Milwaukee 1" spline drive rotary hammer with
> enough torque to throw a careless man off a ladder that probably has not
> been out of the case in more than 5 years for example.  Anyway, I have
> several Milwaukee drills and a couple Makitas.  Stuff that will push a
> 3" Forstner bit through a triple header in no time at all shearing off
> nails on the way.
>
> Now I like to make things.  I've watched more than a few make something
> out of nothing videos on YouTube.  I'm smart enough to know that its not
> as easy as the video makes it seem, but I'm also smart enough to figure
> out how to do those things myself.  MAYBE.
>
> One of the most common DIY sources of strong mag drill bases are epoxy
> filled boxes using microwave oven transformers.  Then all the other
> hardware is cobbled onto it.  I actually have one complete microwave
> oven on my junk pile with a suitable transformer.  I saved it to make a
> spot welder using the transformer.  Really though I need a minimum of
> two magnets I think for stability.
>
> I've spent a bit of time letting ideas percolate in the back of my head
> on this.  Its not high priority, but it is something I need to add to my
> tool box (figuratively speaking) sooner or later.
>
> Then the other day while I was watching yet another DIY/Homemade mag
> drill video on YouTube while sipping my morning coffee and debating
> whether I wanted to work on custom injection molds or continue
> development on an "invention" I am working on for the morning.  I
> watched the videographer build the usual suspect of assemblies, and then
> for the magnets he didn't use microwave oven transformers.  He used what
> looked like a pair of 300lb mag lock magnets.
>
> DOH!
>
> I still have some mag locks on the shelf.  I think they are mismatched,
> but its a start.  I don't think I ever owned any light weight 300s, but
> I still think a matched pair would be ideal...   I do not think I have a
> pair the same.  Sigh.  Still its a simple expedient solution I've had on
> the shelf and not thought of all this time.
>


Hi Bob,

At first I thought you were posting to the wrong group.
It wasn't until the end that I figure out where all your typing was
going. LOL  Now I get it.  Yes, a couple of MagLocks would do the
trick.  And quite nicely to boot.  I am sure you will be able to
figure out the pretty details required.  When you get to it and
actually get it done I am thinking a few pictures or even a video
would be a nice ending.

BTW I only used a MagDrill once and had to rent it.  It was a older
unit and was a bit of a PITA to work with.  But, it did the job.
Had to drill a 4" hole through a concrete floor that was forgotten
by the GC.  Needed a big hole to pass all my cables from the 1st
floor to the 2nd floor in a stairwell.  I was lucky to have a
steel beam close enough to attach on to.

Les