DeWalt 20V MAX Brushless Cordless 2 in. Magnetic Drill Press with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE Kit

Why I reached for this cordless mag drill

Field work on structural steel is never as simple as it looks on paper. Power is rarely where you need it, cords snag on everything, and gravity always wins when a cutter binds. That’s why the DeWalt 20V mag drill caught my eye: a brushless, battery‑powered unit with a permanent magnet base and a feature set that reads like a jobsite wish list. After several weeks of drilling and tapping on A36 plate and wide‑flange sections, here’s how it actually performs.

Setup, base, and stability

The standout feature is the permanent magnet base. Because it doesn’t require electrical current to hold, it maintains full adhesion even if you stall the motor or swap batteries. On site, that’s a meaningful safety advantage over electromagnet designs. It also preserves battery runtime, since the pack isn’t powering the hold‑down. Engagement is fast, and once you clean mill scale or rust from the contact patch, the base locks in with authority.

Two quick notes from use:
- Surface prep matters. A thin layer of grinding dust or cutting fluid under the magnet noticeably reduces holding power. A quick scrape and wipe makes a big difference.
- Use the included safety chain every time, especially for vertical or overhead work. The base is confident, but gravity and oil are undefeated.

The drill weighs 45 lb. It’s not a one‑hand carry, but it’s in line with other serious mag drills of this capacity. The compact height (about 13.6 in.) makes it manageable on web faces and in tight bays. The 5.8 in. stroke offers ample travel to accommodate annular cutters and twist drills without constant readjustment.

Power and speed control

DeWalt pairs a brushless motor with two mechanical gears and five speed settings per gear—10 total. In practice, that spread is what allows one tool to handle annular cutters up to 2 in., twist drills, and tapping without compromising on any one task.

• Low gear/high torque is where annular cutters live. I ran a 1‑3/8 in. cutter through 1 in. A36 plate and the drill held speed without drama. Chip flow stayed consistent as long as I kept coolant up and feed steady.
• High gear supports smaller twist drills and thread tapping. Forward/reverse selection is crisp, and speed control is fine enough to start threads cleanly and back out without cross‑cutting.

The motor doesn’t feel overclocked. Stall resistance is good, and the electronic clutch earns its keep. When I purposely bound a 1/2 in. twist bit, the E‑Clutch stopped the motor before the body could rotate. It’s quick and predictable—exactly what I want when I’m leaning into a vertical flange.

Chuck system and height adjustment

Swapping between an annular cutter and a keyed chuck is genuinely tool‑free. The quick‑change system is one of the best quality‑of‑life features here: snap in a 3/4 in. Weldon shank for core drilling, then pop over to the 1/2 in. keyed chuck for pilot holes or tapping. It takes seconds, and the connection feels tight.

Motor height adjustment adds another layer of flexibility. Raising the head for long cutters or backing it down to keep your Z‑stack compact is simple and secure. Combined with the generous stroke, I didn’t have to re‑fixture as often as I expect on compact mag drills.

Batteries, runtime, and the cordless difference

The kit includes two 9.0 Ah FLEXVOLT batteries (oil‑resistant housings, which matters around coolant) and a charger. DeWalt claims up to 40 holes per charge when drilling 1/2 in. through 1/2 in. A36. My real‑world results were in that ballpark, assuming sharp bits, decent feed, and using cutting fluid. Annular cutter runtime depends heavily on diameter and material thickness. With a 1‑3/8 in. cutter in 3/4 in. plate, I could comfortably finish a handful of holes on one pack before swapping.

What stood out more than raw hole count was the consistency. The drill doesn’t sag toward the end of the battery the way some cordless tools do; it sustains torque well. Using the included 9.0 Ah packs, performance is notably punchier than older 5.0 Ah 20V packs—enough to make a difference on larger cutters.

There’s real freedom in cutting the cord:
- No generator hunting on remote beams.
- No cord draped across a walkway or snagging a feed lever.
- No power drop affecting magnet adhesion (since the base is permanent).

If your work lives on bridge decks, mezzanines, and retrofit projects, that’s a practical advantage, not just convenience.

Tapping and small‑bit work

Forward/reverse control and the fine speed steps make this a competent tapping setup. Starting straight is easier when you can pin the head square on a cleaned surface and keep both hands on feed and lubricant. I used a traditional tapping fluid and backed out frequently; the drill responded exactly as I’d want, with the clutch and speed control preventing the “oh no” moments. For twist drills up to 1/2 in., the keyed chuck holds solid, and I didn’t see meaningful runout issues for structural work.

Visibility, protection, and extras

An onboard LED seems like a gimmick on a tool this size, but it helps under catwalks and dim shop corners. It won’t replace a task light, but it did reduce the number of times I reached for a headlamp to find a center punch mark.

The kit is complete: chuck key, coolant reservoir with tube, chip guard, ejection pins, and a proper safety chain. The coolant bottle is simple but effective—gravity feed with a controllable drip is exactly what annular cutters need. The chip guard is worth using; it doesn’t block sight lines and saves your knuckles from hot curls.

TOOL CONNECT compatibility is a nice touch for fleet managers. You’ll need to add the chip separately, but on multi‑trade sites where tools walk, location tracking is more than a buzzword.

Ergonomics and controls

Control layout is straightforward. The gear change is certain, the speed selection is deliberate, and the forward/reverse toggle is where you expect it. Feed handles are comfortable, and the drill body offers enough purchase points to maneuver into position without getting hands near the cutting zone. With 45 lb to manage, you still plan your lifts. I appreciated the balanced handle placement when moving horizontally across a beam face.

Noise and vibration are reasonable for the class. The brushless motor has a composed tone, and aside from the natural chatter you get if you starve a cutter, the drill remains well behaved.

Limitations and considerations

• It’s heavy. If you’re hopping from flange to flange all day, plan your moves and use the case or a sling point. The weight is the trade‑off for rigidity and capacity.
• Permanent magnets demand clean, flat steel. Painted, heavily rusted, or uneven surfaces need prep. That’s not unique to this drill, but it’s worth calling out.
• Battery logistics matter. The included two 9.0 Ah packs are the right call; keep one on charge and you’ll work continuously. With smaller 20V packs, you’ll give up power and runtime.
• Tracking requires a separate Tool Connect chip. It’s compatible, but not built‑in.

None of these were deal‑breakers for me, but they shape expectations.

Durability and service

The overall build feels robust. The oil‑resistant battery housings stood up to cutting fluid and the occasional splash. After metal chips and coolant, I blew the tool out and wiped down the base—no signs of early wear. DeWalt’s 3‑year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee round out the support picture. For a tool that lives a hard life, that coverage provides some peace of mind.

The bottom line

This DeWalt 20V mag drill brings together the right pieces for modern structural and fabrication work: a permanent magnet that’s safe and power‑agnostic, a genuinely useful 10‑speed/2‑gear transmission, tool‑free chuck changes, forward/reverse for tapping, and batteries stout enough to keep the motor in its power band. It’s not the lightest option, and it rewards good prep and technique, but it absolutely holds its own against corded units in its class.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool to metalworkers, fabricators, and field crews who drill and tap steel in places where power is inconvenient or mobility is key. The safety of the E‑Clutch, the holding confidence of the permanent magnet, and the real performance of the included 9.0 Ah FLEXVOLT batteries make it a dependable daily driver. If your work is exclusively bench‑top with power at hand, a corded mag drill may be more economical. For everyone else, this cordless package strikes a smart balance of capacity, control, and jobsite practicality.