DeWalt 20V MAX 2 in. Magnetic Drill Press With FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE (Tool Only)

I brought this DeWalt mag drill to a retrofit on a steel mezzanine where power access was limited and cord management was a headache. A day in, it felt less like a compromise and more like the right tool for the job. Cordless magnetic drills are still a niche category, but this one is capable, thoughtfully laid out, and powerful enough to replace a corded mag drill for a lot of structural work.

Design and build

The overall package is compact and dense. At just under 32 pounds without a battery or coolant, it’s not featherlight, but it’s a bit easier to haul than many corded models I’ve used. The permanent magnet base means there’s no separate power draw to energize the magnet, and a mechanical actuation lever locks it down on steel. The base held to 1/2-inch plate and structural shapes without drama, provided I cleaned the contact area and avoided mill scale ridges. As with any mag drill, you need a sufficiently thick, flat, ferrous surface and a safety tether when working vertically or overhead.

Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt’s pro line. The rack-and-pinion feed is smooth, the motor carriage has enough stiffness to keep chatter in check, and there’s an adjustable motor height that helps accommodate different cutter lengths and chuck configurations. The included quick-change system lets you swap between a 3/4-inch Weldon arbor for annular cutters and a 1/2-inch keyed chuck for twist drills or taps without hunting for specialty tools. The on-board LED is more useful than you might think; on dim mezzanines and inside beam webs, being able to see the pilot point clearly is a time saver.

Setup and controls

Two mechanical gears and five electronic speed selections per gear give you 10 total speed settings. The top end is spec’d around 810 RPM, with low gear delivering the torque you need for larger cutters and tapping. The interface is straightforward: gear selector, speed buttons, and a forward/reverse control. The E-Clutch and overload protection are integrated; you don’t “see” them until you need them, which is exactly the point.

Swapping between the Weldon arbor and the keyed chuck is genuinely quick. I went from 1-3/8-inch annular cutters to a 1/2-inch twist drill and back in minutes. Runout at the keyed chuck was reasonable for a mag drill—certainly fine for structural holes and field tapping—and the Weldon connection felt rock solid.

Performance on steel

With annular cutters up to 1-1/2 inches, this mag drill is in its element. In low gear at a mid-range speed, it bit cleanly, evacuated chips well with cutting fluid, and produced burr-free holes in ASTM A36 plate. On 2-inch-thick material, the tool has the stroke (about 5.8 inches) and torque to keep moving; feed rate matters here, and the drill rewards steady pressure rather than forcing it. I didn’t max out the 2-inch cutter capacity during my tests, but based on the torque feel and motor behavior, the tool is built for that upper end with the right cutter, lubrication, and patience.

Switching to twist drills, I ran 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch holes with the keyed chuck. As with most mag drills, twist drills don’t clear chips as effortlessly as annular cutters, so peck drilling and plenty of fluid help. The forward/reverse function is handy not just for tapping but also for freeing a snagged bit. Tapping 3/8-16 through 1/4-inch plate worked well in low gear; the reverse engages promptly and the E-Clutch stands guard if the tap binds.

One place the tool impressed me was vertical work on beam webs. The permanent magnet base didn’t draw battery power, so I could take my time aligning and clamping accessories without worrying about drain. Once locked, the drill felt secure and balanced; the handle has enough leverage to feed without overexertion.

E-Clutch and safety

The E-Clutch is not a gimmick. I intentionally stalled a twist drill by feeding too aggressively, and the motor stopped near-instantly. This is a big deal on a 30-pound machine clinging to steel; unexpected rotation can be dangerous. Overload protection kicks in if you lean on the tool too hard for too long, prompting you to back off and let it cool. Neither feature interfered with normal drilling, and both add confidence for less-than-ideal field conditions.

As always, use a safety chain or strap, especially overhead, and keep the magnet contact area clean and flat. A thin shim or plate won’t give you the same holding power as a substantial steel surface.

Runtime and batteries

This is a tool-only unit, and it performs best on a DeWalt FLEXVOLT pack. With a DCB609 (9.0Ah FLEXVOLT), I saw excellent runtime—comfortably within the brand’s “up to 40 holes on 1/2-inch A36 with annular cutters” claim, though that will vary with cutter sharpness, feed rate, and material. The tool works on standard 20V MAX packs, but the FLEXVOLT Advantage feature is real; there’s a noticeable bump in grunt with the bigger battery. DeWalt pegs it at up to around 32% more power, and that tracks with my experience pushing larger cutters in thicker stock.

Plan your battery strategy. For structural work where you’re moving between pieces, two high-capacity FLEXVOLT packs keep you drilling all day. In a fab shop with a charger close by, a single pack can cover a lot of holes if you’re mostly in the 7/8- to 1-1/4-inch range.

Ergonomics and usability

DeWalt did a good job with balance. Carrying the drill by the main handle with a battery installed isn’t awkward, and setting it onto a beam flange feels controlled. The LED is well placed, and the speed controls are glove-friendly. The noise level is typical for a mag drill—ear protection is a must. Vibration is well managed with annular cutters; twist drills transmit more vibration, but that’s the nature of the operation.

A small but practical note: the motor height adjustment is worth using. Keeping the quill closer to mid-stroke improves feel and reduces chatter, especially with shorter cutters or taps.

Limitations and trade-offs

• Weight is still weight. Thirty-plus pounds on a ladder or manlift is work. If you mostly drill overhead or on thin material where magnet holding force is marginal, you’ll wish for lighter options—but those usually sacrifice capacity.
• Tool-only pricing plus the cost of a FLEXVOLT battery and charger adds up. If you’re already on the DeWalt platform, it’s easier to justify.
• The base demands clean, flat steel. That’s not unique to this drill, but mill scale, paint, and weld slag noticeably reduce holding power. Surface prep matters.
• The top speed is sufficient for the typical range of annular cutters and taps, but small-diameter twist drills aren’t this tool’s sweet spot. Use a handheld drill for 1/4-inch holes in sheet.

Who it’s for

• Structural steel installers and field fabricators who need cordless freedom without giving up 2-inch annular capacity.
• Maintenance crews working in facilities where cords and generators are impractical or unsafe.
• Pros already invested in DeWalt 20V MAX/FLEXVOLT who want a mag drill that plays nicely with existing batteries.

If your work is almost entirely bench-top in a shop with abundant power, a corded mag drill can be cheaper with essentially infinite runtime. But for jobsite mobility, this cordless platform is compelling.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt mag drill for pros who regularly drill structural steel in the field and want corded-level performance without the cord. It’s strong with annular cutters up to its rated capacity, the quick-change chuck system covers twist drilling and tapping, and the E-Clutch adds meaningful safety. Pair it with a high-capacity FLEXVOLT battery to unlock its best performance, plan for proper surface prep and tethering, and you’ll have a reliable, portable drilling solution that earns its spot on the truck.