Hougen 12652 Annular Cutter 1-5/8 in Hss Tin Weldon

Product Description

The HOUGEN 12652 is a high speed steel annular cutter designed for clean, fast hole cutting in metal fabrication and structural steel work. It cuts a 1-5/8 inch diameter hole to a depth of 1 inch and mounts via a 3/4 inch Weldon flat shank with two flats for positive drive engagement. The cutter body is manufactured from M2 grade high speed steel and finished with a titanium nitride (TiN) coating, which extends tool life by reducing friction and heat buildup at the cutting edge. Licensed electricians, ironworkers, pipefitters, and general contractors use annular cutters like this one when a twist drill would be slow or impractical on plate and structural steel.

This cutter is suited for drilling through mild steel, stainless steel, and general steel stock in both shop and field settings. Typical applications include punching holes in steel plate, beam flanges, tube steel, and angle iron for bolt holes, conduit entry, and pipe penetrations. The Weldon flat shank interface is the industry standard for magnetic drill presses and drill press arbors that accept 3/4 inch shanks, making this cutter compatible with a wide range of magnetic base drill systems commonly used on job sites and in fabrication shops.

Key Features

• 1-5/8 inch cutting diameter for standard bolt and conduit clearance holes in steel
• 1 inch depth of cut handles most structural plate and tube wall thicknesses
• M2 high speed steel construction provides hardness and toughness for repeated use
• Titanium nitride (TiN) coating reduces friction, extends cutting edge life, and improves chip evacuation
• 3/4 inch Weldon flat shank with 2 flats locks securely in compatible magnetic drill arbors
• Annular cutting geometry removes only a core slug, reducing cutting force and heat compared to twist drilling

Compatibility

Designed for use with magnetic drill presses and drill press arbors that accept a 3/4 inch Weldon flat shank. Rated for cutting mild steel, stainless steel, and general steel. Verify arbor pilot pin compatibility before use.

Installation Notes

Installation and operation should be performed by a qualified tradesperson familiar with magnetic drill press equipment. Always secure the magnetic base fully to the workpiece and verify the work surface is clean and flat before energizing the magnet. Use cutting fluid or coolant to extend cutter life and manage heat, particularly when cutting stainless steel. Never run an annular cutter without a pilot pin seated in the arbor unless the cutter is specifically rated for pilot-free operation.