DEWALT Drill Press, 2-Speed, Magnetic, 2-Inch (DWE1622K)

The Verdict

If you’ve ever tried to drill a 1-inch hole in an I-beam with a handheld drill, you know the drill — literally. Your arms shake, the bit wanders, and the hole ends up oval. The DEWALT DWE1622K magnetic drill press exists to end that misery. It clamps itself to the steel, positions the cutter exactly where you want it, and lets the machine do the work. After 235 Amazon ratings averaging 4.7 stars, it’s clear this isn’t just another tool that looks good in a catalog.

What You Actually Get

The box contains the DWE1622K drill body, a 3/4-inch Weldon shank adapter, a 1/2-inch chuck adapter (nice for standard twist bits), a safety strap, a hex wrench, and a heavy-duty metal carrying case. The unit itself weighs roughly 39 pounds. That’s not light — but in this category, weight means rigidity, and rigidity means straight holes.

The base measures about 7.5 inches long with a 4.5-inch-wide magnetic footprint. The two-speed gearbox delivers 250 RPM in low gear and 450 RPM in high gear. Stroke length is 2 inches, which matches the maximum cutter depth. DEWALT rates the magnet at 1,430 pounds of holding force on 1-inch-thick steel.

Performance and Real-World Use

Here’s where the DWE1622K separates itself from cheaper magnetic drills. The motor pulls 8.5 amps and drives through a true gearbox, not a belt. That means in low gear, you can lean into a 2-inch annular cutter in structural steel without bogging down. One reviewer put it plainly: “Cuts through 3/4-inch steel plate like butter. I’ve used cheaper mag drills that stall constantly — this one just keeps going.”

The integrated coolant system is a genuine feature, not a gimmick. A small reservoir feeds cutting fluid through the arbor directly to the cutter tip. The sight gauge on the side lets you monitor fluid level without stopping. This matters because heat is what kills annular cutters. With proper coolant flow, you’ll get noticeably more holes per cutter before resharpening.

The two-speed selection is straightforward — a lever on the gearbox shifts between ranges. No belt changes, no fiddling. The quill feed handle has a smooth action, and DEWALT’s rack-and-pinion feed gives you precise control over feed rate. The motor is brushless, which means no brush replacements and longer service life.

What Owners Consistently Praise

Reviewers across the board mention three things: power, stability, and build quality. One 5-star review reads: “The magnet is no joke. Once you hit that switch, this thing isn’t going anywhere. I used it on a vertical column and had zero movement.” Another noted: “DEWALT finally made a mag drill that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. The housing is solid, the handle feels right, and the switch placement makes sense.”

The safety strap is included and required by OSHA for overhead or vertical work — good that DEWALT didn’t cut corners there. The Weldon adapter system is standard, so you’re not locked into proprietary cutters.

Where It Falls Short

Nothing’s perfect, and this drill has tradeoffs. The magnet needs clean, flat steel at least 3/8-inch thick to reach full holding force. On thin sheet metal or rusty surfaces, you’ll get reduced holding — and that’s a safety consideration, not just a performance quibble. If you work on lightweight steel regularly, this might not be the right tool.

There’s also no work light. At this price point, that’s a legitimate miss. If you’re drilling in dim corners of a job site, bring a headlamp.

The carrying case, while protective, is large and awkward. It eats up a third of your truck bed or tool box. Some owners swap it for a custom foam insert in a Pelican-style case to save space.

Who Should Buy This

The steel fabricator — If you drill structural steel daily, this pays for itself in cutter life alone. The maintenance professional — For repairs on equipment, heavy machinery, or trailers, the portability and 2-inch capacity cover most jobs. The serious DIY fabricator — If you’re building a steel workbench or custom trailer and want clean, accurate holes, this is worth the investment.

Skip it if you only occasionally drill steel and can get away with a handheld drill at slower speeds. Also skip if you work primarily on thin-walled material — the magnet won’t perform.

FAQ

Q: Can it drill standard twist bits, or only annular cutters? A: Both. The included 1/2-inch chuck adapter lets you use standard twist bits up to 1/2-inch. The Weldon shank adapter handles annular cutters from 9/16-inch up to 2-inch diameter.

Q: What thickness of steel does the magnet work on? A: DEWALT specifies 1-inch for maximum holding force. In practice, it works well on 3/8-inch and thicker, but you’ll lose holding strength on thinner material. Always use the safety strap on vertical or overhead work.

Q: Is the two-speed gearbox easy to change? A: Yes. It’s a single lever on the side of the housing. You shift between 250 RPM and 450 RPM without tools. Just make sure the motor is stopped before shifting.

The Verdict

Buy it if you need a dependable, powerful magnetic drill for regular steel work and want DEWALT’s build quality and service network behind it. The 2-inch capacity, 1,430-pound magnet, and effective coolant system make it a legitimate workhorse.

Skip it if you’re on a tight budget and drill steel infrequently — a cheaper model with less holding force might do. But know that you’re giving up real torque and cutter life.

Rating: 4.6/5 — A strong, capable tool with a couple of minor omissions that don’t undermine its core job. If you make your living drilling steel, this is the one to get.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.