Dewalt just announced that they will releasing a new brushless impact driver this April. Although this is Dewalt’s first-ever cordless power tool built with a brushless motor, we’re sure there will be more to come.
(Tool-tech 101: brushless vs. brushed power tool motors.)
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The new brushless impact driver is said to provide 57% longer runtime vs. their latest generation brushed impact drivers, and up to 150% more runtime vs. competitors’ latest impact drivers.
In addition to longer runtime, the new Dewalt brushless impact driver features a push-button 1/4″ hex chuck that accepts standard 1″ bits and can be operated with one hand. This eliminates the need for a separate one-handed self-locking bit holder.
In the photo above, do you see that yellow button right below the chuck? That’s the bit release!
3-Speed and Torque Settings
- 0-950 RPM/500 in-lbs – best for low-torque and finish work, such as faceplate installation
- 0-1900RPM/900 in-lbs – ideal for controlled fastening applications such as installing door hinges
- 0-2850 RPM/1500 in-lbs – perfect for higher-torque applications such as driving self-tapping screws in metal
Dewalt’s engineers have also managed to shave the new driver down to 5-1/4″ long, making it their shortest impact driver yet. The driver weighs 3.0 lbs when paired with a compact battery, and 3.6 lbs when paired with the extended capacity battery pack.
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Three LEDs surround the chuck to provide shadow-free work area illumination, and a 20-second duration provides added convenience. There will also be a metal belt hook and on-board bit storage.
Dewalt Brushless Impact Driver Kit Configurations
- DCF895C2 – includes two 1.5Ah batteries with fuel gauges, MSRP $279
- DCF895L2 – includes two 3.0Ah batteries with fuel gauges, MSRP $349
- DCF895B – bare tool, MSRP $169
The kits also include a fast charger, and presumably a hard-shell case. ETA is April 2012.
We know that a Milwaukee Fuel brushless impact driver is currently in development, and it will be interesting to see how the two tools compare. Sight-unseen, our vote would go for the Dewalt, given how incredibly fond we are of one-handed chucks.
Follow all of our Dewalt 20V Max cordless tool reviews, previews, and related coverage.
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Noah
An impact driver with a clutch!
Oh DeWalt you may win back my heard (any money) yet.
Noah
*heart
Stuart
I don’t think it’s a clutch. Since the controls are so close to the battery, I would think that it might be an electronic speed control. Drop the voltage to a motor, and you drop its power.
Dave P
Well, all impact drivers depend on a clutch- (of sorts)–that’s what creates the impacts.
Changing the voltage doesn’t work with controlling the speed of brushless motors either. All brushless motors run on AC. Even the ones in a hand-held tool with a DC battery pack. Of course, to get AC out of a DC battery pack, you need an inverter…and there’s one built into every one of those brushless tools. Its similar to, but not exactly like an inverter that you’d plug into your car and then plug a 120VAC appliance into. The difference is that in order to get variable speed with brushless motors, you have to vary the frequency. Household appliances run on 60-cycle AC. The Dewalt Impact driver motor might run on 60-cycle 20volts DC, but it would only run one speed. To slow the motor, you have to change the 60-cycle to 50-cycle or a slower frequency.
I don’t have any idea what frequency range that tool motor is designed to run on. For all I know it could be up in the 300-cycle range.
Anyway, some guys are saying you’re just paying more for a yellow and black plastic case. Not so. There’s a variable frequency inverter inside each tool and you get between 75% to 150% longer run time on a charge.
mnoswad1
Haven’t gotten my hands on it yet but……..do not like the nose piece.
Looks like another place for trouble having a lever actuate the chuck. I don’t think the quest for the shortest overall length is that important. All the impacts are as compact as they really need to be.
just saying……
Stuart
I can’t really see much potential for trouble with the button bit release. After all, with other hex chucks you still have to push or pull the collar. The bit probably just couples with the collar internally.
mnoswad1
Stuart, your prob right on the function of how that works. I was thinking it was a lever, rather than a collar with a “fork”…..just think that another half inch shorter isn’t a big deal for me.
Stuart
When I spoke with one of the product manager in June, they were quite pleased with having shaved 1/4″ off the length of the brushed motor version. 1/4″ here, a 1/2″ there, it does make a difference. I can’t tell you how many times my drill or driver was just a tad bit too long to fit in a corner or drawer.
Jonesy
Dewalt, again late to the game with their products. Makita has had this for 10 years in production tools and has had a brushless 18V impact for consumer use now for 2-3 years. 20V can’t even be called 20v in Europe, since it is really only 18 useable.
Stuart
Yes, Makita has had their brushless impact out for a while now. Hitachi also makes a couple of brushless tools, but I don’t think any of them are even available in the here.
It doesn’t matter that Dewalt and Milwaukee are late to the game – what matters is who scores the most market share.
David
How do you figure?
Doug
Does anyone think that this is a replacement for the separate drill and separate driver?
I am restoring a house and carry my drill everywhere (junky ryobi 18V).
I am getting rid of it, even my wife is sick of me complaining about it. Used it for about everything.
I was looking at getting the
DEWALT 2-Tool 20-Volt Lithium-Ion Compact Drill/Driver/Impact Driver Combo Kit Model #: DCK280C2
Instead of buying a set with both, does anyone recommend just getting this one driver?
For all drilling and driving needs.
Sounds like a good idea, small, easy switch bits, tons of features. Drill bits with hex ends are readily available.
Please give me the pros and cons.
Thanks, Doug
Stuart
Personally, I’m not a fan of drilling with hex-shanked bits, but you might be able to get away with using an impact driver for drilling and driving. You could start off with an impact and add a bare-tool drill later on once they’re available, or even a 12V drill/driver.
In your shoes I would spring for a premium drill/driver with side-handle and an impact driver. Let’s say you want to drill a 2″ hole in a sheet of plywood. You’ll need a 3/8″ or 1/2″ standard drill chuck for that.
collin
No ones mentioned this but dewalt makes a 3/8 keyless chuck with a hex shaft on it. I use it with my craftsman impact driver.
Works great and have cut down on time from swtiching tools.
Seera
I didn’t get this part:
0-950 RPM/500 in-lbs – perfect for higher-torque applications such as driving self-tapping screws in metal
0-1900RPM/900 in-lbs – ideal for controlled fastening applications such as installing door hinges
0-2850 RPM/1500 in-lbs – best for low-torque and finish work, such as faceplate installation
Did you get it backwards?
Stuart
Yikes! It looks like I did reverse things. Thank you very much for catching the mistake!
Chris
Guys, tried this out on site and doesnt compare to my Makita 18v that Ive had for 2 years now… Getting about 50% mroe screws with my old Makita brushless than the new DeWalt brushless..My brushless Makita hasnt had any repair issues, which I cant say for my DeWalt NiCads or crappy Lithiums they first came out with.. It seems like that new DeWalt battery wants to be like a Makita as well, but it just doesnt have the power…
Stuart
Thanks for your feedback! I’ll see if I can get my hands on both tools to confirm your experience with my own comparative testing.
The new Dewalt 20V batteries are pretty powerful, and I have noticed that their over-current protection circuits are not as sensitive as with other brands. I can’t say that I’ve noticed any lack of power issues.
Arno Oosthuizen
Bought a DCF895XE Impact driver about 3 months ago. I used it twice (15min max) when it stopped working. Handed it in for repairs and one month later I’m still waiting for parts. I kid you not, after a month I’m still without a tool.
The short of it, if you buy Dewalt and it fails you are stuffed. Whats the point of a warranty if between Dewalt and their Service Agents they can’t fix the tool in a reasonable time – say a week? I’m a builder and my tools are my business, not having the new impact driver is really a problem.
I bought Dewalt thinking I’m buying a quality tool. What I got is complete load of rubbish. Dewalt has got no customer service centre you can call to try and sort it out.
Should have bought the Milwaukee M18 Fuel (I bought Dewalt since I already had Dewalt tools).
The tool I bought was crap, who’s to say if you buy one it won’t be the same? Don’t buy.