That I believe is the newer model of slugger to what I use every day at work. I don't use it a ton(6 holes a day) but I am drilling though 1 1/2 inch T1 I love the damn thing If I had a use for one at home to remotely try to justify the cost I would have no issues with buying the same drill. Fwiw the slugger at work gets abused to hell and back and keeps on goin with out missing a beat

 

~$750 fo a low profile one: Hougen Portable Compact Mag Drill 1-1/16" - HMD115 - Ohio Power Tool

I would go with the low-profile one. Many of my customers have them and they can fit between a semi's tire and framerail. Thats very similar to the champion model that runs over $1000. Limited on Dia and depth compared to the stand-ups though.

 

Like Jasonmt said, Hougen is a solid drill and the low profile version seems like it's worth it's weight in gold when you have to drill a hole in behind some crap that's hanging off the side of a truck frame.

I've used quite a few different Milwaukees that were really solid units as well.

 

Variable speed!!!!!
Do NOT get a mag drill without variable speed.

Jancy Slugger or Hougen. Haven't used the low profile one, but it looks like the ticket!

A buddy insisted on getting "his guys" a much cheaper mag drill, then bitched because it wasn't variable speed, just like I told him before he bought them. Well, he actually bitched because it burnt up cutters, he just didn't realize he needed variable speed, till I LMAO at him. And pointed out "I told you so".

 

Anyplace around you rent them? There's a rental shop that I've been in that gets like 50$ a day, even if you buy your own cutters you might be ahead if you don't see much future use.

 

Evolution makes apretty good drill for the money. I have the model 3500 that is rated for 1.5 inch annular cutters. I don't think you need variable speed unless you plan on using big cutters a lot. I usally just spray the coolant on with a spray bottle and it does wonders for the life of the cutters

 

It's only a 5/8" hole. I would drill a 1/4" hole with a hand drill, then follow it with a 5/8" drill bit in a 1/2" drill.

Assuming you have a 1/2" drill the cost per hole will be much lower unless you have a need for a mag drill for other work.

 

That low profile looks nice but im not sure if im happy with a 3/4" cut depth.. There are two rental places but i havent called to see how big the drills they offer are..

I may end up renting but still want to buy one..Big holes with ahand drill are a pain in the arse and harder to get straight when your tired.

 

For a 5/8" hole I'd definitely just use a hand drill with a Rotabroach set:

Fuck twist drills; if you don't have to go much past 1/4" thickness these things kick ass. It's about $60 for the kit that goes up to 3/4" and they last forever.

I drilled a bunch of 5/8" holes in my frame for my current project and it takes less than 10 seconds per hole with a regular hand drill, and you don't have to drill a pilot hole either, just centerpunch where you want it and the arbor does the rest.

I agree drilling anything over 3/8" with a hand drill sucks...for the price of a few larger bits that you'll ruin quickly anyway I've found annular cutters to be a great alternative.

 

These are bad ass, and I've used them in all kinds of materials. Over half inch, you wont see me using anything else, unless its on a mill.

 

Another option is a bridge/construction ream in a 1/2" drill. A ream will eat a frame like it's nothing.

 

Those are cheaper than a mag drill for sure. Im really thinking of getting them even if im not happy with them.. IIRC i used the one that came with my back up camera in my van. Even though it was a cheaper version it did cut like butter..

 

MD 45 Magnetic Drill - Comes with Free Drill Chuck!! NEW Mag Drill!

We have used one of these at work for over 5 years and it just died. We estimate that it has hole-sawed a few thousand 2 3/8" holes in 12ga SS sheet.

I don't know why it died, but the guys just bought a new one off of Ebay. Amazon has them listed for $425. MD 45 Magnetic Drill: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific