Rank #9 in Best Pillar Drill 2026: 9 Ranked, and the Numbers That Don't Add Up
ZELCAN Magnetic Drill Press, 1100W, 40mm Boring
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The ZELCAN Magnetic Drill Press is a corded, portable mag drill: rather than sitting on a bench, it switches on an electromagnet and clamps itself to the steel you are drilling. At £209.49 it takes #9 in this guide, with a 4.4 average from 35 ratings, and the listing ranks it 10th in Benchtop Drill Presses - a category name that sits oddly on a tool sold on its portability.
Its own paperwork is a tidy example of the point this guide keeps making. The spec table gives the motor 1100W in one row and "1100 Amps" in another; on 230V mains a 1100W motor draws around 4.8A. The bullets are more consistent - 1 1/2 HP, 1100W, 550 RPM - but they also promise it bores "up to 50mm deep and 40mm across", which makes the 50mm a drilling depth, not a hole diameter, even though both numbers share one sentence. The chuck size is given as 1.6 inches, which is about 40.6mm: within a hair of the 40.64mm metal capacity in the same table and the 40mm boring figure in the bullets. Read across the rows and this is a 40mm-bore machine with a fixed 550 RPM, not a 50mm one. The star bars (6, 7, 18 and 69) add up to 100, yet the listing counts 35 ratings; treated as shares they average 4.44, which matches the 4.4 shown, so those bars are proportions rather than the 35 votes themselves. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing as published - its spec fields, bullets and customer ratings. We have not tested the ZELCAN ourselves.
How those 35 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.4 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Motor | 1100W (1 1/2 HP), corded electric |
|---|---|
| Amperage (as listed) | 1100 Amps |
| Maximum Chuck Size (as listed) | 1.6 inches |
| Boring capacity | 40mm across and 50mm deep (bullets); 40.64mm in metal and 40mm in wood (spec fields) |
| Magnetic holding force | 12,000 N (2,700 lbf) |
| Speed | 550 RPM, single speed |
| Weight and size | 11 kg; 25 x 8 x 33 cm |
| Price and rating | £209.49; 4.4 out of 5 from 35 ratings; ranked 10th in Benchtop Drill Presses |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“The ZELCAN Mag Drill Press is a heavy-duty, portable tool designed for precise drilling on metal surfaces. With a 1550W motor and a 50mm maximum boring diameter, it delivers strong performance for industrial or workshop use. Its magnetic base provides stable attachment to steel surfaces, allowing for accurate, hands-free operation even on vertical or overhead surfaces. The robust build ensures durability, while the adjustable speed and drill controls give flexibility for different materials and drilling requirements. Although it's relatively large and heavy, it's ideal for professionals seeking a reliable and versatile magnetic drill press for on-site or shop work.”
Verified purchase“Used this mag drill for a year now and had great results. Performs really well on mild steel. Probably drilled over 400 holes, mainly m12 and m18 with annulus cutters but also plenty with twist drills in the chuck. Added speed control to my unit for slower cutting in metal. The lube / coolant tank is a great addition when drilling numerous holes 1 after the other.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Pillar Drill 2026: 9 Ranked, and the Numbers That Don't Add Up.
Questions people ask
What motor and speed does the ZELCAN magnetic drill press have?
The listing specifies a 1 1/2 HP, 1100W copper motor and a single speed of 550 RPM.
The spec table says 1100 Amps. Is that correct?
It appears in the same table as a 1100W motor, and 1100W on 230V mains works out at roughly 4.8A, so the number is the wattage figure repeated in the wrong unit.
How big a hole will it bore?
The bullets say up to 40mm across and 50mm deep; the spec fields give 40.64mm in metal and 40mm in wood. The 50mm is the drilling depth, not the diameter.
What does the 1.6 inch chuck size refer to?
1.6in is about 40.6mm, essentially the same as the 40mm boring diameter, and the box includes an arbor, a taper shank and a drill chuck for core bits and twist drills.
How does it hold onto the workpiece?
A solid iron base acts as a 12,000 N (2,700 lbf) electromagnet, switched on at the flick of a switch.
What comes in the box?
1 x magnetic drill press, 3 x crank handles, safety rope, coolant tank, arbor, Allen wrench, drill chuck, spindle wrench, taper shank and 11 x core drill bits.
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