A Closer Look at the DeWalt DWE1622K Drill Press

When a steel job calls for clean, accurate holes in the field, the DeWalt DWE1622K is one of the most recognized tools for the work. It is not a woodworking bench press; it is a two-speed magnetic drill, the machine ironworkers and fabricators clamp to a beam to drill in place. The DWE1622K has earned a strong reputation for structural steel work, and if you are weighing it, the useful thing is a close look at what it is, what it does well, and how to run it safely. Here is that closer look.

What the DWE1622K is

The DeWalt DWE1622K is a 10-amp, two-speed magnetic drill (a mag drill) that takes annular cutters up to about 2 inches in diameter. It holds itself to ferrous steel with an electromagnetic base, gripping hard when powered and releasing when off, so it can drill horizontally, vertically, or overhead, going to the work rather than the other way around. The two-speed gearbox lets you match speed to cutter size (slower for large cutters, faster for small ones), and it runs cutters on a 3/4-inch Weldon arbor, with a chuck adapter available for ordinary twist bits. It is built for metal fabrication and steel erection, not woodworking, and the “K” denotes the kitted version with the case and accessories.

What it does well

Let me be direct about the appeal. The DWE1622K is a strong performer where it counts. The 10-amp motor and two-speed gearbox give it the muscle and speed control for real structural drilling, and the roughly 2-inch cutter capacity covers most beam, plate, and column holes a fabricator meets. The electromagnetic base holds securely on clean steel, so the tool stays put through the cut, and DeWalt’s build holds up to job-site use. For an ironworker or fabricator who drills steel in position, it is exactly the right category of tool, and its reputation reflects that.

Honest limits

Be clear about what the DWE1622K is not. It is a mag drill, so it needs ferrous steel thick enough for the magnet to grip; it will not hold on non-magnetic metal or thin sheet. It is also not a woodworking or benchtop drill press, so if you came looking for a bench machine, this is the wrong category. And like any mag drill, it depends entirely on a clean, flat magnet interface, so a painted, rusty, or uneven surface undermines the hold. Matched to structural steel with those conditions met, it excels; used outside them, it is the wrong tool.

Running it safely

A mag drill demands respect, and the DWE1622K is no exception. Always fit the safety strap, since even a strong magnet can release if power drops. Clean paint, rust, mill scale, and debris off the steel and the magnet face, and ensure flat, gap-free contact, because a gap kills holding force and causes wobble. Run cutting fluid with a drip loop so fluid does not track into the tool, use the two-speed gearbox to match speed to cutter diameter (large cutters slow, near 500 RPM; smaller ones faster), and let the annular cutter and its pilot pin do the work rather than forcing the feed. Keep the magnet face clean and the feed mechanism smooth for long service.

Tooling and accessories

The DWE1622K earns its keep with the right cutters. Stock a set of annular cutters with a 3/4-inch Weldon shank, keep magnetic drill cutting fluid on hand, and add a chuck adapter for twist drills so the tool doubles for ordinary bits. Keep a spare annular cutter pilot pin, and you can find the tool listed as the DeWalt DWE1622K magnetic drill. Confirm the arbor and shank size before ordering cutters.

The verdict

The DeWalt DWE1622K is a strong, well-regarded two-speed magnetic drill for structural steel: a 10-amp motor, a two-speed gearbox for matching speed to cutter, and roughly 2-inch cutter capacity that covers most beam, plate, and column work, held securely by an electromagnetic base. Respect its honest limits (it needs clean, flat ferrous steel and is not a woodworking press), run it safely (always the safety strap, a clean magnet interface, cutting fluid, and the right speed), and let the cutter and pilot pin do the work. Back it with a good set of annular cutters and fluid, and the DWE1622K does what no bench press can. If you need woodworking or bench drilling, a standard drill press is the right tool instead.

Takeaways:

• The DeWalt DWE1622K is a 10-amp, two-speed magnetic drill for structural steel, taking annular cutters to about 2 inches.
• It holds to ferrous steel with an electromagnetic base and drills in place, even overhead; the two-speed gearbox matches speed to cutter size.
• Honest limits: it needs clean, flat ferrous steel and is not a woodworking or benchtop press.
• Run it safely: always the safety strap, a clean magnet interface, cutting fluid, the right speed, and let the pilot pin do the work.

FAQ

What are the DeWalt DWE1622K specs? A 10-amp, two-speed magnetic drill that takes annular cutters up to about 2 inches in diameter on a 3/4-inch Weldon arbor, with a two-speed gearbox and an electromagnetic base.

Is the DWE1622K a drill press for woodworking? No. It is a magnetic drill for steel, not a woodworking or benchtop press. If you need bench drilling, choose a standard drill press instead.

What does the two-speed gearbox do? It lets you match spindle speed to cutter size: slower for large cutters (near 500 RPM), faster for smaller ones, which improves cut quality and tool life.

Why does my DWE1622K wobble or not hold? Almost always the base-to-steel interface. Clean paint, rust, mill scale, and debris off the steel and magnet face, ensure flat gap-free contact, and always use the safety strap.

What cutters does it use? Annular cutters on a 3/4-inch Weldon arbor, which cut faster and cleaner in thick steel than twist drills. A chuck adapter runs ordinary twist bits.

Can it drill non-magnetic metal? No. The electromagnet needs ferrous steel thick enough to grip. It will not hold on aluminum, brass, or non-magnetic stainless, or on thin sheet.

What does the “K” in DWE1622K mean? It denotes the kitted version, supplied with a case and accessories. The tool itself is the two-speed magnetic drill.

References

• DeWalt, DWE1622K magnetic drill product page and specifications: https://www.dewalt.com/product/dwe1622k
• DeWalt, DWE1622K manual, parts, and support: https://www.dewalt.com/support
• Hougen, annular cutter and magnetic drill usage guidance: https://www.hougen.com/