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Hougen HMD900 Guide: Capacity, Cutter Fit and Buying Value
The Hougen HMD900 is an economical general-holemaking model with a 1-1/2-inch annular diameter limit and 2-inch cutting depth. It is worth comparing when those dimensions cover the work and an uncomplicated corded machine fits the setup. This guide uses manufacturer documentation rather than hands-on testing.
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Read the core specification correctly
Hougen lists a 115V, 50/60Hz electrical system at 9A, an 8A motor and 450 RPM. The machine accepts the manufacturer's 12,000-Series and Copperhead cutters with 3/4-inch shanks, within the drill's rated diameter and depth.
The published machine weight is 27.7 pounds. Its listed height is 15-1/8 inches, but your actual setup also needs sufficient room for the cutter, feed operation and access to controls.
- Maximum annular diameter: 1-1/2 inches.
- Maximum cutting depth: 2 inches.
- Published speed: 450 RPM.
What to compare with the HMD904
Both the HMD900 and standard HMD904 have a 1-1/2-by-2-inch capacity. That means maximum hole size alone will not decide between them. Compare the exact HMD904 configuration, accessories and adjustments with what your job needs.
If the HMD904 offer includes a swivel base or a Fabricator's Kit, assign value to those features separately. An extra adjustment may help with repeated positioning, while a cutter bundle may be unnecessary for someone who already owns the required sizes. Avoid treating every HMD904 offer as one identical package.
Inspect the exact Amazon offer
Check model, regional version, included accessories and current seller details before ordering.
Check AmazonBuild a job-based purchase comparison
For an occasional project, calculate the drill, correct cutters, pilot pins and suitable lubrication as one purchase. Compare that total with rental and the equipment already available. For repeated work, ask about service access and replacement parts before making the headline price the deciding factor.
A confirmed 2-inch-diameter hole requirement eliminates the HMD900 immediately. Conversely, a drawing containing only smaller holes does not automatically require a larger machine. Keep future possibilities separate from work already booked so that you can assess extra capacity deliberately.
Do not overread compatibility or magnetic force
A cutter family can include sizes larger or deeper than this particular drill permits. The fact that a cutter has a compatible shank therefore does not establish that it is approved for the HMD900. Check diameter, depth and the manufacturer's application guidance together.
Hougen publishes magnetic force measurements under different plate conditions. Those figures are not a lifting rating and do not establish a universal minimum steel thickness. Obtain the exact operator manual before approving the mounting surface, especially for thin stock or unusual geometry.
Before purchasing, match the seller's model number and package contents to the source below. Do not infer additional speeds from an inconsistent marketplace attribute when the manufacturer lists one 450 RPM figure.
Questions, answered
Is the HMD900 a two-speed magnetic drill?
Hougen's official specification lists 450 RPM. Do not transfer the HMD905's two-speed specification to the HMD900.
Does every 3/4-inch-shank cutter fit the HMD900 application?
Shank compatibility alone is insufficient. The cutter must also meet the drill's diameter, depth and application limits.
