Drilling a hole sounds simple enough. Grab a drill, grab a bit, and get to work.
But anyone who spends enough time drilling holes knows how quickly the wrong setup can turn into a headache. The bit walks across the workpiece. The tool overheats. You burn through bits faster than expected. Or you spend time fighting a hole that should have taken a fraction of the time. The problem may not be the drill. You may simply be using the wrong cutting tool for the job. Champion Cutting Tool offers a wide range of drilling and hole-making tools designed for different materials, hole sizes, thicknesses, and applications. For welding and metal fabrication shops, understanding the differences can help you drill faster, improve hole quality, and get more life out of your tooling. Their product lineup includes twist drills, step drills, reamers, carbide-tipped hole cutters, taps, carbide burs, and more. However, you don't have to buy the whole lineup, or even a whole set, because these can be purchased individually! So, what should you reach for? Let's break down some of their standout options. 
They may look similar at first glance, but step drills and step reamers solve two very different problems.
Put simply, a step drill primarily creates holes in thin material. A step reamer enlarges and aligns holes that already exist in thicker material.
The twist drill is probably the most recognizable cutting tool in any fabrication shop. But "twist drill" actually covers a surprisingly large family of tools. These bits are top sellers, but depending on your work, certain ones will be better suited for the job than others.
JOBBER DRILLS: Your EVERYDAY WORKHORSE
When you picture a standard drill bit, you're probably picturing a jobber drill. It's the most common twist drill style, with the shank diameter matching the point diameter. You can use jobber drills in power drills, drill presses, lathes, and CNC equipment.
For shops that regularly drill steel, Champion's Brute Platinum XL5 series bits are a solid choice. These premium HSS drills have a straight shank and use a self-centering 135-degree split point that prevents the drill point from slipping. They're designed for steel, stainless steel, titanium alloys, and other difficult-to-drill materials, and they penetrate faster than cobalt while staying more flexible and less likely to chip or snap. That combination can make a quality jobber drill a good everyday choice for general fabrication work. Left Hand Drills: Handy Problem SolverLeft hand bits are also available in the Champion's Brute Platinum XL5 series, in select sizes. They're designed for use with drill presses, power drills, lathes, CNCs, and any machinery with a left hand rotation. They're perfect for drilling out broken or frozen bolts. It's one of those things you may not need every day. When you do need one, you'll be glad you have one! Cobalt JOBBER DRILLS: For High Heat Applications
Harder materials generate plenty of heat when cutting, and heat is one of the quickest ways to shorten the life of your cutting tools. But Champion's 705C jobber drills are made from M42 cobalt and are purpose-built for high-tensile materials such as stainless steel and high-strength alloy steels. Cobalt's heat resistance helps it maintain the cutting edge at higher temperatures. These premium cobalt drills feature a straight shank, use a self-centering 135-degree split point to prevent the drill point from slipping, and work perfectly with drill presses, CNC machines, and power drills. Mechanics Length Drills: More Control
This is not always the case, but sometimes a shorter length IS better. These bits are shorter than standard jobber drills, and that shorter overall length helps with rigidity and operator control. They can be especially helpful when you're drilling around already fabricated assemblies where a long bit would be awkward or prone to flexing. Champion's Brute Platinum XL28 series has a flatted shank and is designed for power drills and drill presses. They're perfect for drilling steel, stainless steel, titanium alloys, and other difficult materials and feature that same self-centering 135-degree split point that prevents the drill point from slipping around on your workpiece. Hex Shank Drills: Impact Ready
If an impact driver is already one of the most-used tools in your box, hex shank drills are a great fit for you. Champion's HEX28 drills are impact ready with a 1/4-inch hex shank and a self-centering 135-degree split tip to prevent slipping. They also have a shorter mechanics-length design for improved rigidity and operator control. These drill through wood, aluminum, and low- to medium-strength steel alloys, making them ideal for electrical, maintenance, construction, automotive, industrial work, and precision drilling. If you're moving around a large assembly or working in the field, being able to quickly change tools without carrying another drill can be a major convenience. 
Make The Job easier by using the Right Tool Choosing the right cutting tool can mean cleaner hole cutting, no broken bits, less frustration, and more productive time in the shop. Not sure which option best fits your application? Talk to the Earlbeck team! We can help you find the right tools for the work you do every day.
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STANDOUT FEATURES
AKA reduced waste, faster programming, smoother operation, and fewer moments where everyone stands around the machine staring at the screen wondering what to do.
GH Series
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The GH Series offers:
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The GH Series is a great fit if you:
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STANDOUT FEATURES
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Built to handle tougher and thicker material, without sacrificing cut quality, giving your shop greater flexibility when it comes to structural work, heavy fabrication, thick plate, and mixed-material production needs.
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The high-power laser cutting offered with the GH slices through both metal and your production time so you can shrink your turnaround and get more parts out the door!
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But powerful equipment is only useful if your team can confidently run it. Good news is that HSG’s Alpha T+ Bus System software gives you advanced control, while still remaining operator-friendly with features like air pressure DA calibration and dual-drive torque protection.
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OPTIONAL, BUT REAL USEFUL: The GH Series also offers automation options like loading and unloading tower systems, storage for raw and finished materials, and even the ability to connect two machines.
If your shop is struggling to keep up with production schedules or even struggling to find enough skilled labor, this kind of automation can make a major difference!
If your shop is struggling to keep up with production schedules or even struggling to find enough skilled labor, this kind of automation can make a major difference!
One of the biggest takeaways from our visit wasn’t about the equipment itself, but the commitment to support behind it. The Northeast CNC Technologies, Inc. / Cutting Edge Machinery team focuses heavily on the same things as Earlbeck does: service, support, training, and long-term customer success.
No one here believes in the “good luck with that” approach to equipment sales. The goal isn’t just to get a machine onto your shop floor, but to help make sure it actually improves the way your shop runs. Because buying equipment is one thing, but successfully integrating it into production and getting long-term value from it is another.
By combining our industry experience with the decade plus of CNC and laser knowledge that Northeast CNC Technologies, Inc. / Cutting Edge Machinery brings to the table, we’re now able to offer more complete fabrication solutions for manufacturers throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Together we want to help customers find the right fit for their workflow, production goals, and future growth!
If you’re considering adding laser cutting capacity, upgrading outdated equipment, or simply trying to figure out which direction makes the most sense for your shop, our team is here to help! Reach out to the Earlbeck team today to start the conversation today!
No one here believes in the “good luck with that” approach to equipment sales. The goal isn’t just to get a machine onto your shop floor, but to help make sure it actually improves the way your shop runs. Because buying equipment is one thing, but successfully integrating it into production and getting long-term value from it is another.
By combining our industry experience with the decade plus of CNC and laser knowledge that Northeast CNC Technologies, Inc. / Cutting Edge Machinery brings to the table, we’re now able to offer more complete fabrication solutions for manufacturers throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Together we want to help customers find the right fit for their workflow, production goals, and future growth!
If you’re considering adding laser cutting capacity, upgrading outdated equipment, or simply trying to figure out which direction makes the most sense for your shop, our team is here to help! Reach out to the Earlbeck team today to start the conversation today!
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Getting started in welding is exciting, but choosing your first machine can be a real challenge. With so many options on the market, varying price points and capabilities, narrowing down your choices can be overwhelming. MIG, TIG, Stick, multiprocess? 120V or 240V? So many brands, so many options!
At Earlbeck, we’ve worked with everyone from first-time welders to seasoned fabricators. The biggest thing we’ve learned? The “best” welding machine isn’t about having the most features, it’s about having the right machine for what you’re trying to do today, with room to grow tomorrow. You might not need the most advanced or expensive machine, but one that’s easy to master, fits your projects, and allows you future possibilities. We're here to help you figure it out. The guide below will walk you through how to choose your machine and highlights some proven machines we love from brands we trust like Lincoln Electric, Miller, and Fronius. 
Before comparing machines, it helps to answer a couple of simple questions that will narrow your options fast by pointing you towards the correct process for your work. And to keep you from buying more machine than you actually need, we'll go over a few extra considerations.
Since not every welding machine is built with beginners in mind, it’s important to focus on the practical features you need and what actually makes starting out easier.
Power flexibility is another factor to consider. Many beginner welders run on standard 120V household power, which is perfect for garages and light-duty work, but these machines do have limitations when it comes to thicker materials. A dual-voltage machine (120V/240V) will give you the best of both worlds: you can plug into a standard outlet when needed, but also access more power when you have a 240V source available, allowing you to take on heavier jobs as your skills progress. Portability also matters, especially if you plan to move between a shop and a jobsite, so a compact and lightweight design can make a big difference. Simple controls and an intuitive setup are important things to look for because the less time you spend guessing at settings, the more time you can spend working on your technique. But beyond that, reliability is critical! Our recommendations below come from Fronius, Lincoln, and Miller, three producers of welding machines that perform consistently and hold up over time. And finally, think about room to grow. A good beginner machine should support your development, not limit it once you’ve gained a bit of experience. 
There are a lot of machines out there, but these are models we consistently recommend here at Earlbeck because they hit the right balance of performance, reliability, and value.
If you already have brand loyalty, we'll suggest machines from Miller, Lincoln, and Fronius, broken down by process capability to help you narrow your options! MIG is typically the easiest way to get started. It's a simpler process to learn and you can get smooth, consistent welds. It's a great process for home projects, light fab, and general repair. If you’re not sure where to begin, MIG is usually the answer.
These machines are known for smooth arc performance and user-friendly controls, making them ideal for learning and building confidence.
Stick welding is tough, reliable, and versatile. It’s a little harder to learn when compared to MIG, but it’s a valuable skill to have and perfect for repair work and heavier steel. It's also a great process for outdoor work and can handle dirty or rusty material.
The models below are compact, reliable stick machines that are easy to transport and simple to operate.
Many beginners don’t start with TIG, but often grow into it. This process is going to give you the cleanest, most precise welds, but it going to take more practice for sure. TIG is a slower process with more control. Requiring coordination and patience, it's ideal for for thin materials and detailed work.
If you’re planning to get into TIG, or just want the option as you improve, we find that these machines are solid choices. A quick note: You'll see DC and AC/DC machine options below. The AC/DC options often provide more than a beginner strictly needs, but many people invest in them early so they have the capability as their skills grow.
Multiprocess machines let you run MIG, Stick, and TIG from one unit. They're a great option if plan to learn multiple processes and want to invest in one machine that does it all. A multiprocess machine can save you space in a small shop and save you money long-term. They're ideal if you're thinking ahead and know you'll want the flexibility.
We think the machines below are excellent all-around machines that allow you to learn MIG, Stick, and TIG without needing to upgrade your equipment at a later date.
That being said, sometimes this versatility comes with tradeoffs. Multiprocess machines are rarely the best tool for any single process. So if you expect that more than 50% of your work can be completed using one welding process, a dedicated machine might be a better choice. Think of a multi-process welding machine like a Swiss Army knife. It can do a lot of things reasonably well, which makes it useful in situations where flexibility matters, so a great tool when you're camping and need something compact that can handle a variety of small tasks. But if you are a chef working in a kitchen every day, you're not going to reach for that Swiss Army knife. You'll get a chef’s knife, because a chef's knife was designed to do that one job exceptionally well. Same idea, multi-process machines are ideal for generalists, maintenance work, or environments where needs change on the fly. But for someone doing consistent, high-volume work in a single process, specialization usually wins out. You get better performance, more control, and often more durability in that one lane.
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Hypertherm's reputation in the world of plasma cutters speaks for itself. They're the top brand of plasma cutters we recommend to our customers becasue every machine in their Powermax series delivers exceptional performance and you can't beat their 6 year warranty.
But there's a newcomer to the Powermax family: the Powermax33 XP, a compact handheld plasma cutter designed to deliver impressive cutting power, portability, and long-term value. Perfect for shops, maintenance crews, and contractors who are on the hunt for a reliable cutting system, but might not require a higher amperage machine or a high price tag. The new Powermax33 XP offers an excellent balance of power, versatility, and affordability. So let's take a look at what makes this new plasma cutter stand out from the crowd! 
For professionals looking for a portable plasma cutter with strong cutting capacity and trusted quality, the Powermax33 XP offers an excellent balance of performance & value.
If you're looking to invest in a new plasma cutter, but you're not sure which model works best for you, stop by one of our showrooms in MD or PA or give us a call. Our team is happy to help you narrow down the options so you end up with a machine that fits the job and your price range!
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