Dewalt has a new 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage magnetic drill press, model DCD1623.
The new Dewalt cordless magnetic drill press can be powered by their 20V Max batteries, and delivers a performance boost of up to 32% when using a Dewalt DCB609 (9Ah) battery.
Features include a magnetic base and quick-change chuck system that allows for tool-free swapping between a 1/2″ keyed chuck and 3/4″ Weldon Shank chuck.
The Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage magnetic drill press also has an E-Clutch safety feature that is designed to cut power to he tool when it detects tool rotation.
The drill has 2 mechanical gears, each with 5 variable speed settings, for a total of 10 speed ranges, up to 810 RPM. It can drill up to a 2″ hole in 2″ thick structural steel.
Dewalt advertises on their website that this magnetic drill press is “up to 50% faster vs. competitor,” but I couldn’t find any further context.
Dewalt also says that the FlexVolt Advantage magnetic drill press is built to help prevent tool failure due to loss power. It secures to 1/4″ and thicker metal with a permanent magnet base that doesn’t require any electrical charge.
Key Features & Specs
- 3/4″ Weldon & 1/2″ keyed drill chucks
- Drills up to 40 holes per charge (13/16″ hole through 1/2″ A36 steel w/ DCB608G battery)
- Brushless motor
- E-Clutch safety feature
- 810 RPM (no-load)
- 5.8″ drill stroke
- LED worklight
- Forward/reverse switch
- Weighs 31.8 lbs
- Fluid reservoir with tube
- Includes chip guard, safety chain, annular cutter ejection pin, 1/2″ keyed chuck with key, kit box
- Tool Connect tracking-capable (chip sold separately)
Pricing & Availability
Tool-Only (DCD1623B) – $2,099
Kit (DCD1623X2) – $2,499
The kit comes with 2x oil-resistant FlexVolt batteries, a charger, and tool case. The tool-only version is also said to come with a kit box.
ETA: October 2022
Discussion
Although Dewalt has the DCD1623 mag drill live on their website, and retailers have started accepting preorders, I have not yet seen press materials. (This isn’t unexpected, given the specialized nature of the product.) And so, while familiar with cordless magnetic drills, I’m not 100% sure about the take-away benefits here.
From what I can tell, the new Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage magnetic drill press bests older models I’ve looked at before, with respect to maximum drilling capacity, and also the number of possible speed settings and ranges.
Dewalt says that their new cordless magnetic drill is up to 50% faster vs competitor,” but it’s unclear which competitor they’re talking about, or under what contexts.
The mag drill delivers up to 32% more power when using a FlexVolt 9Ah battery compared to a 20V Max 5Ah battery, and this agrees with what has been said about other FlexVolt Advantage tools.
Dewalt marketing materials reference their oil-resistant 9Ah battery, but I would assume the drill can also be used with other 20V Max and FlexVolt battery sizes.
But, as mag drills are often used with cutting oils and fluids for cooling and lubrication, Dewalt’s oil-resistant batteries seems like an appropriate recommendation.
To me, this seems like an attractive expansion of Dewalt’s 20V Max and FlexVolt Advantage cordless power tool families. Get it? Magnetic… attractive…
There are deeper implications here, in how this is a 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage product, rather than simply FlexVolt. Users get a power boost when using FlexVolt batteries, but also full 20V Max power tool battery compatibility in a pinch, or for lighter tasks.
I would like to see Dewalt offer ToughSystem-compatible tool boxes for products like this, but perhaps the size of the mag drills couldn’t allow for that.
