DeWalt Drill Press: What DeWalt Actually Makes (and What They Don't)

Here is the honest answer upfront, because a lot of buyers search for a DeWalt drill press expecting to find something like a DeWalt version of a WEN or JET floor press: DeWalt does not make a traditional wood or bench drill press. If you picture a column, a table, a chuck, and a quill for drilling holes in wood, DeWalt has no product in that category. What they make instead are magnetic drill presses, which are industrial tools that clamp onto steel beams and structural members to drill holes in metal on-site. The two categories share a name and a chuck, and almost nothing else.

DeWalt’s drill press lineup consists of magnetic drill presses: the DWE1622K (a corded 2-speed unit for structural metalwork) and the DCD1624 (a cordless 20-volt version). These attach magnetically to steel structures and are built for metal fabrication, construction, and on-site work, not for woodworking or general shop use.

Short answer: if you want a drill press for woodworking or general shop use, DeWalt is not the brand to look at. Go to WEN, JET, Delta, or Powermatic for that machine. If you work in metal fabrication, structural steel, or on-site metalwork and need a drill press that attaches to the workpiece rather than requiring the workpiece to come to the machine, the DWE1622K is a serious, capable tool worth your attention. Here is what both situations look like.

Why DeWalt makes only magnetic drill presses

DeWalt’s core business is professional jobsite tools: power tools for construction, framing, metal trades, and site work. A traditional floor press is a shop-bound tool that requires bringing work to the machine. A magnetic drill press flips that model: you bring the drill to the work, clamp it onto a steel beam or plate with an electromagnet, and drill a precision hole in place. For structural steel, bridge work, manufacturing floors, and metal fabrication shops, this is vastly more practical than a floor press. That is DeWalt’s market, and the magnetic press is built for it.

The DWE1622K: what it is

The DeWalt DWE1622K is a corded magnetic drill press with a 10-amp motor, two speeds (300 and 450 RPM), a 1/2-inch quick-change chuck, a 4-3/8-inch drilling stroke, and approximately 48 pounds of weight. The electromagnet base provides 2,200 pounds of holding force on properly prepared steel. It drills annular cutters and twist bits in structural steel, I-beams, columns, plates, and similar targets. It is sold on Amazon and ships with a carrying case.

If you work in metal fabrication, shipbuilding, structural steel erection, or any trade where drilling precise holes in steel structures is regular work, this is a professional-grade tool that does the job well.

The DCD1624: the cordless option

The DCD1624 runs on DeWalt’s 20-volt MAX battery system, delivering the same magnetic-attachment, metal-drilling function without a cord. This matters for on-site work where power access is limited. It is a logical companion to a DeWalt cordless tool system for trades users.

What to buy for woodworking and general shop drilling

For the shop use most people mean when they search for a drill press, the right brands are:

• WEN: Strong value, current production, good warranty. The WEN 4214T is a 12-inch variable-speed benchtop. The full lineup is covered in our WEN drill press guide.
• JET: Mid-tier professional quality. The JET JDP-17 is a well-regarded 17-inch floor press. See our JET drill press guide.
• Delta: Long-established brand with a range from benchtop to floor. See our Delta drill press guide.
• Powermatic: Premium floor presses. The PM2800B offers 18-inch swing with a 6-inch stroke.

None of these make magnetic drill presses. DeWalt does not make their kind of press. The categories do not overlap.

The honest summary

DeWalt makes excellent professional tools, and the DWE1622K is a serious magnetic drill press for trades use. But searching “DeWalt drill press” hoping to find a column press for the woodshop will leave you confused, because the product category is different. For wood or general shop drilling: WEN, JET, Delta. For drilling holes in steel structures on-site: the DWE1622K is worth your time.

Frequently asked questions

Does DeWalt make a drill press for woodworking? No. DeWalt does not make a traditional bench or floor drill press for woodworking. Their drill press products are magnetic drill presses for drilling into structural steel.

What is a magnetic drill press? A magnetic drill press clamps to a steel workpiece using an electromagnet, allowing precision drilling on-site without moving the workpiece. It is used in metal fabrication, structural steel, and construction.

What is the DeWalt DWE1622K? A corded 10-amp magnetic drill press with two speeds (300 and 450 RPM), a 1/2-inch quick-change chuck, a 4-3/8-inch stroke, and 2,200 pounds of magnetic holding force, for drilling structural steel.

Can I use a DeWalt magnetic drill press for woodworking? No. Magnetic drill presses require a ferrous steel surface to attach to, and their speed range and tooling are designed for metal. They are not suitable for wood or general shop drilling.

What drill press should I buy for woodworking? For a benchtop press: WEN 4214T or a JET JDP-17 for a floor model. Our WEN drill press guide and JET drill press guide cover the options in detail.

What speeds does the DeWalt DWE1622K run? Two speeds: 300 and 450 RPM, designed for drilling steel with annular cutters and twist bits.

Is DeWalt making a woodworking drill press? Not as of this writing. DeWalt’s drill press products remain focused on the metal trades and magnetic-attachment market.

References

• DeWalt, official DWE1622K product page: https://www.dewalt.com/products/power-tools/drilling-fastening/drill-presses/2-speed-magnetic-drill-press/dwe1622k
• Fine Woodworking, drill press buying guidance: https://www.finewoodworking.com
• Popular Woodworking, choosing a drill press for the wood shop: https://www.popularwoodworking.com