Dewalt is coming out with a new 20V Max brushless impact driver, model DCF887. It is unclear whether the Dewalt DCF887 will replace either of their other brushless impact driver options, or whether it will be sold alongside them.
Dewalt’s other impact drivers include the DCF885, which dates back to the launch of the 20V Max platform, the DCF895 brushless impact driver, which comes with a stubby button-operated bit chuck and features 3 speed and torque settings, and the single speed DCF886 brushless impact driver, which is our best cordless impact driver editor’s choice pick.
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The new brushless impact driver, DCF887, is said to be shorter than the DCF886, and nearly 22% more powerful at its highest electronic speed and torque setting. Ergonomically, the DCF887 appears to be closely based off of the DCF886 design.
Going by specs, the DCF887 is 1/4″ shorter in length (5.55″ – 5.3″ = 0.25″) than the DCF886, although Dewalt’s product description explicitly says it is 2 mm shorter than the previous DCF886, which would be a paltry 0.079″ (a little over 5/64″). The previous DCF886 part could suggest that this model is meant to replace the DCF886.
Features & Specs
- 1/4″ hex bit chuck
- 3 speed settings
- Max torque: 240/1500/1825 in-lbs
- Speed: 0-1000/2800/3250 RPM
- 5.3″ length
- Precision drive in speed 1 for increased control for precision applications
- 3 LED worklights around chuck for shadow-free illumination
- 20 second LED trigger-release delay
The new cordless impact driver will launch with 3 bundle options: DCF887B is the bare tool, a DCF887D2 kit comes with (2) compact 2.0Ah Li-ion battery packs, and a DCF887M2 kit comes with (2) 4.0Ah battery packs.
The kits also come with a fast charger, belt clip, and kit box.
Pricing: ~$117 for the bare tool (DCF887B), $192 for the compact battery kit (DCF887D2), $215 for the high capacity battery kit (DCF887M2)
Buy Now(via Amazon)
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Compare(DCF886 Impact Driver via Amazon)
Compare(DCF895 Impact Driver via Amazon)
First Thoughts
It’s about time!
I’m a fan of Dewalt’s DCF886 brushless impact driver, but it’s a single speed model, which can be limiting when you need to work with smaller fasteners that require less torque. Sure, it can be done, but it requires a lot more trigger control than an application might allow for.
Dewalt’s older DCF895 brushless impact driver does offer 3 speed and torque settings, and it continues to earn solid user reviews, but not everyone loves the unique flat-front chuck.
Hopefully because the DCF887 looks to share much of the same features as the DCF886, except perhaps for the gearbox and chuck, it won’t be priced too much higher.
Although very excited about this new offering, I am left wanting of a little more. Milwaukee’s new M18 Fuel 2nd-generation impact driver launched alongside 3 new impact wrenches. Dewalt recently came out with heavy duty brushless impact wrenches, but couldn’t they have come out with some new compact impact wrenches as well?
Come to think about it, Dewalt doesn’t offer any compact brushless impact wrenches at all, do they? I checked ToolGuyd’s archives, Dewalt’s website, and 2 of their distributors’ sites, and there’s nothing. Dewalt’s 20V Max impact wrench offerings include compact 3/8″ and heavy duty 1/2″ brushed models, a compact 1/2″ wrench, and the heavy duty DCF899 1/2″ impact, as well as 7/16″ and 3/4″ models.
Dewalt, or rather Mac Tools that are powered by Dewalt, also skipped these sizes with their initial 20V Max Mac Tools cordless launch.
Maybe we’ll soon see this new 3-speed brushless impact driver followed by new 3-speed compact brushless 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ impact wrenches.
Thanks to Steffi for the heads-up! Please send us your tool tips and new tool finds!
Jon
That rating of 1825 inch lbs leapfrogs the latest 2nd gen fuel offering from Milwaukee which is rated at 1800 inch lbs!
John
25 inch lbs is 2.083 ft lbs which is more like a rounding error heh. I doubt you’ll notice any real world different in 2 ft lbs.
Jon
That’s true and more importantly the torque rating is simply a maximum amount that can be achieved and doesn’t really tell the whole story.
The real question, in terms of productivity, is how fast will it a drive a fastener, and neither the torque rating nor the no-load RPM ratings actually tell you that.
With that said it’s got the same torque and RPM rating on just the 2nd speed setting that the current DeWalt drivers have on the third speed setting which says to me there would be quite a noticeable difference in production speed.
I mean imagine plugging away all day on big fasteners with your driver on the 2nd speed setting instead of full speed – that’s what this new driver should be like compared to the current ones!
Nathan
I like it – I have an 895 and I love it. Love it. Yes bit choice does need some forethought – but I’ve never had an issue with it. I use a cut down holder for my 1 inch bits but I also purposely bought some 2 inch bits to use with.
otherwise the speed/torque settings are worth it. I think the new device has merit – and I’m glad to see there is a replacement since I suspect the 895 will go away soon.
Mike47
I have an 895 and I love it. The flat front makes a cleaner machine and makes it easier to get into tight places. I built an entire model railroad using just the 895 for drilling, screws and bolt tightening on the benchwork.
Bill
I too am awaiting the arrival of a 3/8″ drive, compact brushless 20vmax impact wrench from Dewalt. I recently attended a local store event at International Tool in south Florida, where Dewalt had a nice display and several reps available for questions. I specifically asked about any plans for the brushless 3/8″ impact wrench and they had no info, but they also said nothing about the brushless impact driver reviewed in this article above. I also asked them if Dewalt was going to kill the 12vmax line of tools as they are way behind in updating this line. The response was, “no but the focus is on the 20vmax line”. One of the reps then said that they were coming out with a “12vmax laser level”. Huh???
Ken
12v max laser level: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-line-lasers-red-vs-green/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Bill
Thanks Ken, yes I’m aware of the 12v max laser levels, it’s just that it seems misdirected or at least incomplete. As we all know, back in the day when all electric tools were corded, you could and often did make individual tool choices based solely on which one you liked best for the job at hand, regardless of brand. With battery powered tools you are pretty much forced to choose a brand and stick with it, unless of course you have unlimited funds and space. At the same event a Milwaukee rep told me that they had about 50 tools in their 12v line. It just makes it hard for me to stick with Dewalt’s 12vmax line when they have maybe a dozen or so unique tools and nothing new in their core line-up for several years now.
Ken
Sorry I misunderstood, gotcha now
Jason
We might see a change in the 12v line now that Dewalt has finished releasing 20v versions of the old18v tools. Dewalt had to put a bunch of resources on converting the back catalog of tools
Hang Fire
Normal chuck? Isn’t that a QR (Quick Release) chuck?
Ken
He’s referring to the DCF895 which has a 1/4″ quick release “chuck” but it’s designed into the tool. 895 here: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-brushless-impact-driver/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Stuart
Yes, it’s a quick release 1/4″ hex chuck. As Ken mentioned, I called it normal in comparison with the one on the DCF895. A lot of people love the DCF895, I don’t, but I also didn’t give it much of a long-term chance.
Hang Fire
I see. That other chuck is ugly, but may be golden when clearances are tight.
Vaheh
I don’t trust any power claims from milwaukee or dewalt, we’ll see how it performs in real world testing. Right now the makita xdt09z is the king of the hill.
Mike
I have the dcf895 3 speed impact driver and I never use the lower speeds ever to me it tedious you can control the speed with your finger just as good
Nathan
I think it depends greatly on what you’re driving and driving into.
IE – longer screws into larger wood or sheet metal screws etc – sure setting 3 all the way. shorter screws into pre-drilled hole – 1 or 2 depending on length and material.
with a 1 inch or shorter screw the 3rd setting as the power to run it down and spin the head in milliseconds. I like having the settings.
Do I perhaps use my 895 in places where I should use a basic screwdriver only -sure – but since the settings are there I use them.
to each their own.
PE
good to see Dewalt is releasing upgraded tools.
i have the 895 and have had it for years and love it. I feel it is the most comfortable impact on the market and has more then enough power to snap any fastener i use. I personally love the quick change chuck on the 895. It is the only impact that the tip doesn’t fall out when stuck in top of a ladder.
Chaz
Dewalt came out with a new drill driver, impact and hammer drill/driver dcd791 and dcd796 and their impact dcf887
Andy
I think they kinda have a compact impact wrench, in the MAC family, compatible with the Dewalt slide pack batteries.
Corey
Another lover of the 895 here, bought it right after release, first 20v actually and still going strong. One job it couldn’t handle (shouldn’t have expected it to) was some ancient 3/4 nut removal on a bearing. The 895 got 3 of 5 before it rattled its owb nose off and I called it. Picked up the 1/2″ high torque wrench, another phenomenal performer, put the 895 back together and they’re both going strong. To each their own with the normal/recessed Chuck, but I’d much rather see a brushless compact 3/8 drive, before gen 2 of anything right now. The brushed is on my random list, maybe the wife will grab it this year, but unless she does I’m holding out.
Christian
I don’t know why everyone hates on the flat front chuck. I like it better bc I can just sleep the bit in, and drop it out with one hand instead of pulling the chuck then the bit.