To learn how to use a FEIN JMC Magforce 90, start by reading the model’s instruction manual and confirming that your material and workpiece suit magnetic-base drilling. The manual is FEIN’s place to check the drill’s operating limits and the exact controls before you set up. [1] Related reading: FEIN JMC Magforce 90 vs Portable Drill: Which Fits?
Treat the JMC Magforce 90 as a metalworking tool, not a woodworking saw or drill. For example, don’t assume its magnetic base will hold a nonmagnetic workpiece; confirm suitability before proceeding.
The practical steps below focus on using the manual as your guide, rather than guessing at settings or controls. If a workpiece or operation is not clearly covered by the manual, pause and check before drilling.
What should you check before switching it on?
Before switching on the JMC Magforce 90, check the drill, cutter, cord, workpiece stability, and your plan for chips and the slug. These checks help catch problems before the cutter starts moving.
Inspect the drill body, cutter, and power cord for visible damage, and use only accessories and cutter setups permitted by the manual. [1] If the cord is damaged or a cutter setup is uncertain, leave the drill off and resolve the issue before use.
For example, check that a plate is supported and secured rather than able to rock or slide as you feed the cutter.
Plan where the slug and chips will go so they cannot create a hazard or interfere with the work. Wear suitable eye and hearing protection, and follow the safety procedures for your workplace. Keep your hands and loose clothing clear of the cutter and moving parts, and route the power cord away from them as well.
How do you position and secure the magnetic base?
With the drill unplugged, position it where the hole belongs and fit the approved cutter. Keeping power disconnected lets you arrange the tool without the cutter starting unexpectedly; for example, line the cutter up over your mark before securing the base.
Set the magnetic base fully against a clean, flat steel surface. Check around its entire footprint: a raised edge, a gap, or an obstruction can keep the base from sitting flush.
Engage the magnet as directed in the manual, then check that the drill is firmly seated before starting. If the base rocks or does not sit flat, reposition it rather than trying to drill from that setup.
Arrange the feed handle and cord so they stay clear of the cutter and do not snag as you move the handle. Choose a handle position that lets you control the drill from beside the work, without reaching across the cutter.
How do you make the cut with control?
Start the motor and choose the cutter’s specified speed and direction for the operation. The JMC Magforce 90 is described as having variable-speed, forward, and reverse operation, but match your setting to the cutter and task rather than assuming one setting suits every cut. [2]
Feed the cutter steadily into the work. Keep pressure controlled; do not force the cut or change speed while the cutter is under load unless the manual allows it. If the cutter stops advancing, ease off rather than pushing harder.
Keep the magnetic base seated as the cutter works. Watch for the drill shifting, unusual vibration, or a change in cutting sound; these are reasons to pause and check what is happening, not cues to increase feed pressure.
Stop if the magnet shifts, the workpiece moves, or the cutter binds. Do not continue the cut in that condition; reassess the setup and follow the manual’s instructions before restarting. For example, if the drill rocks or the cutter catches, stop the motor and investigate rather than trying to finish the hole by force.
How do you stop and clear the cutter afterward?
Stop the JMC Magforce 90 before you approach the cutter, and disconnect power before you clear it. Wait until all rotation has stopped; keep your hands away from the cutter until it is still. Then unplug the drill before removing the cutter or clearing chips by hand, following the removal and clearing method in the manual. FEIN provides an instruction manual for this model. [1] For the next step, see FEIN JMC Magforce 90: What This Compact Mag Drill Does.
Treat the slug and chips as potentially hot and sharp. Let hot parts cool, and use suitable tools and protective gear rather than picking up a fresh slug or sharp chips with bare fingers. For example, use a tool to lift the slug clear and a brush or other suitable tool to move chips; do not reach into the cutter area by hand.
Leave the magnetic base engaged while the drill is supported. Release the magnet only after the operation is complete and you have secured the drill so it cannot tip or fall; do not let go of the base while the drill is unsupported.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid common mistakes by treating the magnetic base, cutter, and workpiece as one setup: a problem with any part can make the cut unsafe. Don’t rely on the magnet to hold the drill if the contact surface is dirty, uneven, unsupported, or unsuitable; stop and correct the setup instead of trying to cut through it.
Don’t assume a capability advertised for the JMC Magforce 90 applies to every cutter or material. Check the manual’s limits for the exact combination you plan to use, rather than guessing from a previous job. For example, a cutter that worked on one material does not automatically make the same setting appropriate for another.
Never hold the workpiece by hand while drilling. If the cutter stalls, don’t force it; stop and follow the manual’s instructions before continuing. Don’t try to brush or pull chips away while the cutter is turning, even if they seem to be blocking the cut.
Keep the drill supported whenever the magnetic base is released. Don’t switch off the magnet and then try to catch or steady a drill that is no longer secured; support it first, and release the base only when the tool can’t fall or shift.
Use the same safe sequence for every hole
For every hole, follow the same order: verify the setup, position and secure the drill, cut under control, then stop, disconnect, and clear. Treat that order as a pause point between holes, too; don’t assume the next position is ready just because the previous cut went smoothly.
Before each cut, confirm the drill and workpiece are still as you expect, then check that the base is seated and secure. Keep the feed controlled while cutting, and stop if anything shifts or feels uncertain. Once the cutter stops, disconnect power before clearing chips or handling the slug, and leave the work area clear before moving on.
If any part of the setup is uncertain, stop and check the JMC Magforce 90 manual before continuing. For example, if you are unsure whether the base is secure or how to clear a cutter, pause rather than guessing; resume only when you can follow the specified procedure.