DeWalt Magnetic Tough Case Set (15 pc)

Why I kept reaching for this magnetic case

Some storage solutions disappear into a drawer and never see daylight again. This one kept ending up front and center on my drill press, steel cart, and even the inside of a panel door. After a few weeks of use, the DeWalt magnetic case settled into my workflow because it solves a boring, persistent problem: keeping the handful of bits I use constantly right where I’m working, not back in a toolbox three steps away.

Build and design

The case is built from impact‑resistant resin and measures roughly 8.75 x 8.75 x 2 inches. It’s compact, slim enough to tuck into a crowded bag, and stout enough that I didn’t worry about tossing it on concrete or into the back of the truck. The latch is positive and glove‑friendly, and the hinge tracks true without twisting the lid.

Inside, the bit retention system is the quiet hero. Bits snap in with a firm click and stay put even when the case is bouncing around. I didn’t open it to a confetti of loose bits once, and that’s not always the case with budget organizers. The internal layout is clearly intended for screwdriving: 15 positions for driver bits, room for nutsetters, and a home for the included 3-inch magnetic bit holder. There’s a little extra headroom for odd shapes; more on that below.

Weight lands around a pound (0.455 kg), light enough not to feel burdensome when you hang it or carry it in a pouch.

Magnets and hooks: how it mounts

Two high‑strength magnets are embedded on the back, and they’re the main event. I stuck the case to:

• The side of a drill press and a steel bandsaw cabinet
• A jobsite cart and a rolling tool chest
• Electrical panel doors and steel stud framing
• The rails of a miter saw stand

In each scenario, the case stayed put with a reasonable load of bits and nutsetters. On smooth painted surfaces, it didn’t creep or sag over time. On dusty or oily steel, a quick wipe was enough to restore grip. As with any magnet‑mounted accessory, your mileage varies with paint thickness and surface flatness—heavy texture or grime reduces holding power.

The built‑in hooks add flexibility where magnets won’t work. I hung the case over the lip of a jobsite cart and on a ladder top tray. They’re also handy for hanging the case from the edge of a metal junction box while you’re setting hardware. If you don’t use them, they stay out of the way and don’t snag.

Tip: If you care about a pristine paint finish, put a strip of tape or a thin film behind the magnets. Powerful magnets and steel dust are a scuffing combo.

Capacity and organization

This is not a large, kitchen‑sink organizer; it’s a focused kit for daily drivers:

• Holds 15 screwdriving bits with a secure retention system
• Accepts nutsetters and the included 3-inch magnetic holder
• Room for up to 6-inch jobber or SDS+ bits
• Depth to park a small accessories like a 1-3/8-inch hole saw

The “accepts up to 6-inch” note matters. Longer impact bits and jobber bits fit without hitting the lid, which isn’t true of many slim cases. I kept a few 6-inch Torx, a long #2 Phillips, a countersink, and a shorty hole saw in mine without crowding. If you regularly use deep nutsetters or step bits, space gets tight, but it’s workable if you’re selective.

The bit selection in the set covers common fasteners. The 3-inch magnetic holder is solid and saves time when you’re swapping between bit sizes on repetitive tasks. I wouldn’t buy this for the included bits alone, but they’re decent and ready to work out of the box.

In use: shop and jobsite

The reason I liked this case is simple: it cuts small trips. On the drill press, I stuck it to the column, and suddenly my common countersinks and nutsetters were within reach. On steel framing, the case clipped to a stud and kept the Torx bits where I needed them. Inside a panel, it lived on the door so I wasn’t fishing in my pockets.

The latch is easy to operate one‑handed. The lid opens wide enough to access everything without shading the top row. Nothing rattled free in transit; the retention system handled vibration inside a truck bed and the knocks of a jobsite cart.

Magnets are strong enough that you can open the case while it’s attached vertically without it falling off. Just don’t treat it like a shelf—if you hang other tools from it or overstuff it with heavy steel, you’ll eventually overcome the magnets.

Durability and protection

The resin shell is tougher than it looks. I dropped it twice from waist height onto concrete; the corners scuffed but nothing cracked. The lid closes flush and keeps sawdust and debris out in normal use, though it’s not sealed for rain or fine drywall dust. I wouldn’t leave it face‑up in a storm, but it did fine in a damp truck bed.

Magnets inevitably collect metal shavings. Plan on a quick wipe now and then. Also, because the magnets are strong, the case will happily latch onto nearby tools or hardware when you set it down in a crowded area—be mindful when placing it next to delicate surfaces.

Downsides

No storage solution is perfect. Here’s what stood out:

• Capacity is modest. If you carry a whole drawer of specialty drivers, you’ll need additional cases.
• The interior layout is optimized for short and mid‑length drivers; oversized oddballs can fit, but you’ll lose some organization.
• Not water‑ or dust‑sealed. It’s shop‑safe, not weatherproof.
• Magnets can scuff painted surfaces and will attract shavings—normal for magnet‑mounted gear, but worth noting.

None of these were dealbreakers for me, but they set expectations.

Fit and compatibility

The case doesn’t try to be part of a larger modular box system. That’s fine by me; it excels as a satellite organizer that lives where you’re working. It plays nicely as a companion to a larger toolkit: stock your “greatest hits” and leave the rarely used bits in a drawer. If you already use DeWalt driver bits and nutsetters, everything drops in without drama, but it will hold bits from any brand.

Value

Value here is in workflow, not in maximizing piece count per dollar. As a 15‑piece set with a purpose‑built case, it’s about having the right bits in the right place, not owning every size under the sun. The 1‑year limited warranty and 90‑day return window add some peace of mind, though I doubt you’ll need them unless you crush it under something heavy.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople who work around steel: electricians, HVAC techs, metal stud framers
• Shop users with stationary tools who want bits on the machine
• Anyone who appreciates a slim, durable, grab‑and‑go driver kit

If you need a giant organizer or a weather‑sealed box, look elsewhere. If you want a compact, mount‑anywhere driver kit that stays put and keeps bits locked down, this is its sweet spot.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt magnetic case. The magnets are genuinely useful, the retention is reliable, and the slim, impact‑resistant shell stands up to daily use. It won’t replace a full tool chest, but it will make your most‑used bits easier to access and harder to lose. For the way I work—bouncing between a drill press, a steel cart, and field tasks—having a case that hangs or sticks exactly where I need it saved time and reduced the “where did I set that bit?” shuffle. If that sounds familiar, this case will earn its keep.