About Unibor
Unibor Portable Magnetic Drilling & Hole Production Systems
Unibor, a global leader in portable magnetic drilling equipment with over 150 years of British manufacturing heritage (since 1864), specializes in robust, field-ready cutting tools for structural steel, fabrication shops, and on-site installation work. With headquarters in the UK and distribution across 58 countries, Unibor combines traditional British engineering precision with modern materials science to deliver portable magnetic drills that reliably drill, tap, and bore holes in ferrous metals without stationary machine tools, work fixtures, or external power requirements beyond standard electrical outlets.
Unibor's portable magnetic drill lineup spans three distinct performance tiers: the BD35 (lightweight, 28 lbs, 1.3 HP, 1–3/8" diameter capacity, 2" depth, ideal for field assembly and confined spaces), the mid-range E8000 (2000W variable-speed motor, 4" cutter capacity, 4" depth, powerful 4,500 lb magnet adhesion for heavy structural work), and the industrial-duty EQ100 (2.4 HP, 4" cutter capacity, 2" depth, reversible motor for tapping, weighing 59 lbs). Each model integrates an electromagnet base that clamps directly to ferrous workpieces, eliminating clamping fixtures and reducing setup time from hours to minutes.
Unibor annular cutters, available in HSS and carbide-tipped variants with 1" and 4" depth-of-cut options, deliver fast, burr-free holes in mild steel, stainless, and hardened alloys when paired with Unibor magnetic drills. Step-drill kits (graduated hole sizes 3/8"–1-1/2") enable rapid pilot-to-final-size transitions without tool changes; tapping attachments for both metric and imperial threads integrate seamlessly with Unibor's reversible spindle motors, enabling one platform to drill, tap, and chamfer on a single workpiece.
Unibor products are engineered for harsh field environments: sealed motor bearings resist moisture and airborne contaminants, reinforced magnet housings withstand vibration and impact during transport, and quick-change tool interfaces (Weldon, MT tapers) accept standard industrial cutters without proprietary adapters. All magnetic drills feature adjustable work stops for precise depth-of-cut control and rotational speed adjustment (typically 50–450 RPM no-load, variable under load) to match cutter speed to material hardness and hole diameter.
ChatMRO streamlines Unibor procurement: describe your jobsite environment (workshop, elevated steel work, underwater/high-moisture), required hole diameter and depth, workpiece material hardness (mild steel, stainless, cast iron, hardened), and whether tapping is needed, and ChatMRO instantly retrieves the matching Unibor magnetic drill, cutter kit, and accessories from 30M+ indexed inventory — complete with cutting-speed charts, load-holding data, maintenance guides, and field troubleshooting resources — enabling rapid deployment with zero downtime.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the key difference between Unibor's BD35, E8000, and EQ100 magnetic drill models?
The BD35 (28 lbs, 1.3 HP) is light and compact for confined-space and field assembly work up to 1–3/8" holes; the E8000 (2000W, 4" capacity) is a mid-range workhorse for fabrication shops and structural work; the EQ100 (2.4 HP, reversible motor, 59 lbs) is the industrial powerhouse for high-volume tapping and heavy structural jobs. Choose BD35 for portability and reach; E8000 for versatility and capacity; EQ100 when deep cuts and repeated tapping demand durability and power.
How does the electromagnet in a Unibor magnetic drill work, and what surface preparation is needed?
The drill's base contains a powerful electromagnet that, when switched on, creates an adhesion force to ferrous metal surfaces (1,300–4,500 lbs depending on model). The magnet requires clean, dry metal-to-magnet contact: paint, rust, scale, oil, or grease film will reduce holding force and risk the drill slipping during operation. Before clamping, brush or wipe the workpiece surface where the magnet base will sit, and verify secure contact before drilling — never assume the magnet is holding without a quick test.
Can Unibor magnetic drills work on non-ferrous metals like aluminum or stainless steel?
Ferrous metals (mild steel, cast iron, most stainless steels) can be magnetically clamped; non-ferrous materials (aluminum, titanium, copper, brass) cannot be held magnetically and require conventional clamping fixtures, machine vises, or welded clamps. Some stainless alloys are weakly magnetic — test the workpiece magnet-adhesion on scrap before committing to a jobsite setup to avoid mid-job surprises.
What tapping capabilities do Unibor magnetic drills offer, and do I need a separate tapping machine?
Unibor's reversible-motor models (E8000, EQ100) can drive metric and imperial taps directly: install a tap into the spindle chuck, engage reverse, and the drill winds the tap in and out automatically — no separate tapping machine needed. Tapping tool kits (M6–M36 metric, 1/4"–1.5" imperial) are available with chamfering guides, cutting lubricant, and storage cases. This versatility makes one Unibor platform capable of drilling, tapping, and spot-facing — critical for field assembly where a multi-machine setup is impractical.
How do I calculate the correct spindle speed for a Unibor magnetic drill when drilling different materials?
Spindle speed depends on hole diameter and material hardness: mild steel typically uses 50–150 RPM (larger holes, lower speeds); stainless and cast iron need slower speeds (25–75 RPM) to prevent hardening; hardened tool steel may require 10–25 RPM. Unibor drills feature variable-speed motors (typically 50–450 RPM no-load) with a hand-held speed-adjustment lever — reference cutting-speed charts (typically 50–200 surface feet/minute) and reduce speed if the drill labors, stalls, or generates excessive heat. Start low and increase gradually until you find smooth, efficient drilling.