A nail e-file (electric nail drill) spins a drill bit to shape, shorten and remove acrylic, builder gel and gel polish faster than a hand file. M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks control-box e-files, cordless handpieces, rechargeable portable drills and rotary set-ups from Kupa, Medicool, Champion, Mr. Nail, AMDMG, Notpolish, The GelBottle and Urawa, and is an authorized Kupa and Medicool repair centre in Canada.
Types of nail e-files
| Type | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Control box + handpiece | Full sets and removals all day, at the station or on the go; speed and direction are set on the box. | Kupa Passport Next White, Kupa Passport Unicorn with KP-65, Kupa Passport Princess with KP-60, Medicool Pro-Power 35K Silver, Medicool Pro-Power 20K, Medicool Tec-Pro System |
| Cordless handpiece and spare handpieces | Working with no cord between box and handpiece, or replacing a worn handpiece on a Kupa system. | Kupa Hana Phantom Black with dock, Kupa Hana Phantom White with dock, Kupa KP-65 handpiece |
| Rechargeable portable drill | Mobile techs, quick gel removal and a second drill for a busy station. | Mr. Nail W277, Mr. Nail W278, AMDMG D460, AMDMG D210 Pro, Notpolish LuxePro Drill, The GelBottle portable e-file |
| Rotary, flex shaft and foot control | Techs who prefer a rotary motor with a flex shaft handpiece and speed set by a foot pedal. | Champion Rotary Oneway, Champion Super Flex Shaft Snap Lock, Champion Foot Control, Rechargeable rotary |
How to choose a nail e-file
- Workload. A control box and handpiece suits full sets all day; a pen-style rechargeable drill suits gel removal, mobile work and a backup.
- Forward and reverse. Left-handed techs, and anyone filing both sides of the nail, need reverse; the Champion Rotary Oneway turns in one direction only.
- Shank size. Most nail bits have a 3/32" shank; the Champion flex shaft comes in 1/8" and 3/32", so match it to your bits.
- Service. M1 is an authorized Kupa and Medicool repair centre and stocks Kupa handpieces, so a worn handpiece can be serviced or replaced without shipping it abroad.
Related: Nail drill bits, Sanding bands, Nail dust collectors, Dust cleaning brushes, All e-files & bits
Guides
- Kupa handpieces compared: KP-60 vs KP-65 vs Companion vs ICON
- Medicool Pro Power 20K vs 35K Portable vs Elite vs Tec-Pro: which e-file to buy
- Mr Nail W277 vs W278: which Mr Nail nail drill should you buy?
- AMDMG D460 vs D210 Pro: which rechargeable nail drill should you buy?
Nail e-file FAQ
Do I need forward and reverse on a nail drill?
For most salon work, yes. Forward suits a right-handed tech; reverse lets a left-handed tech file the same way, and lets anyone work both sides of the nail without the bit grabbing. Bits marked 2 Way cut cleanly in both directions, so you can switch without changing bits.
Why does my e-file vibrate or get hot?
Check the bit first: a bent, worn or not fully seated bit makes the handpiece shake. If it still vibrates with a new bit, the collet or bearings may be worn. Stop using it and have the handpiece serviced; M1 repairs Kupa and Medicool e-files as an authorized repair centre.
Brushless or brushed motor: what is the difference?
A brushed motor uses carbon brushes that wear down and need replacing over time. A brushless motor has no brushes, so there are fewer parts to wear out and replace. The Mr. Nail W277 is sold as brushless; check each product page for the motor type before you buy.
Order online for in-store pickup at our Markham, Ontario store, usually ready in 2 to 4 hours, or have your order shipped anywhere in Canada.