Dewalt’s flagship 20V Max XR 1/2″ high torque impact wrench, DCF961, is now being kitted with an oil-resistant PowerStack 5Ah battery.
Shopping around, the new Dewalt brushless impact wrench kit, model DCF961GH1, is selling for the same price as the kit that’s bundled with their legacy 5Ah battery, model DCF961GP1.
Basically, it seems Dewalt issued a new (or new to me) kit for the DCF961 impact wrench, and you get a better battery without any bump-up in pricing – at least given the current pricing of both kits.
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The Dewalt DCF961 is the brand’s highest rated 1/2″ cordless impact wrench, delivering up to 1320 ft-lbs of max fastening torque and 1900 ft-lbs max breakaway torque.
The PowerPack 5Ah gives the impact wrench a power boost, as the same tool is rated at 1200 ft-lbs max fastening torque and 1750 ft-lbs max breakaway torque when kitted with the legacy 5Ah battery.
It features 3 speed settings plus a Precision Wrench mode that helps prevent fastener run-off, hog ring anvil, and LED worklight.
Compared to preceding models, Dewalt says the DCF961 delivers:
– up to 71% more max fastening torque compared to the DCF899 impact wrench (presumably when both are powered by the legacy 5Ah battery)
– up to 28% max fastening torque using the PowerStack 5Ah battery compared to the DCF900 using the legacy cylindrical cell 5Ah battery
From the different specs for the two kits with different batteries, it looks like the PowerStack 5Ah battery raises the tool’s max fastening torque by 10%, and max breakaway torque by around 8.6% compared to when it’s powered by the legacy cylindrical cell 5Ah battery.
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Price: $549
Older Battery Kit: DCF961GP1
PowerStack Kit: DCF961GH1
You can also get the tool-only impact wrench, DCF961B, for around $350. The battery tends to sell for $249 via authorized retailers, although you can get the non-oil-resistant version for less.
Discussion
Both kits are priced at $549, and the PowerStack-equipped impact has higher torque delivery specs.
The takeaway, at least for me, is that the PowerStack kit is the way to go, unless you have a specific preference for cylindrical cell Li-ion batteries over pouch cell Li-ion batteries.
Nathan
The fact it’s a glass reinforced oil resistant battery is also a big selling point.
Jared
That does seem appropriate for this type of tool.
Stuart
The other kit also comes with an oil-resistant battery, and so you get that with either version.
Chris Shelton
I bought a DCF961GP1 a month ago from HD for $249.99 on a daily deal. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Bill
I have the older DCF899 model, which more than meets my occasional need for a beast like this. But then I’m not out changing the tracks on a D7.
Adam
Definitely wanted to improve the numbers on paper for advertising against Milwaukee’s latest HT, that also gets a boost when a Forge battery is used.
Big Richard
“…Milwaukee’s latest HT, that also gets a boost when a Forge battery is used”
The 2967-20 numbers are already based off using a Forge battery. It is rated at 1200 ft-lbs fastening and 1600 ft-lbs nut busting/breakaway with an 8Ah Forge. So the DCF961 with the basic 5Ah was already above it on paper, for nut busting at least.
Adam
You are correct, as those are just the paper numbers for Milwaukee. However, Shop Tool Review showed it can remove over 2,000 ft lbs, even with only a High Output battery. Hopefully the Dewalt outputs more than the specs as well.
Luis
Sure, Shop Tool Reviews where most 1/4″ impact drivers can break north of 300 ft-lbs.
I won’t say I don’t enjoy his videos but I take his nut busting numbers with a grain of salt.
MM
Tightening a fastener to a given torque and then attempting to break it loose is not a proper scientific test and provides no meaningful numbers. It’s a fun demonstration but it does not provide any data that can be trusted.
Tdot77
I’d say see TTC for more realistic tool torque testing numbers! Torque test channel is always testing and updating their rankings charts to show who’s on top and who’s not. The dcf961 is indeed that too dog right now. Dcf964(¾”anvil-same tool) is right up there too. This tool almost needs that bigger anvil cause it puts a hurting on the ½” female socket end of impact rated sockets.
Shop tool review is nice and all but the impact break-away nut testing isn’t quite scientific like TTC’s. They go by the industry standard testing methods on real torque dynos, and do a several-runs average to ensure authenticity.
Also see their new video showing the new Astro tools Goliath socket\ratchet ½”&⅜” beefy extensions! It’s one of those “why didn’t this happen sooner ideas?” These thicker shank extensions transfer the impacts torque much better than thinner versions.
Andy
The torque test channel’s dyno shows the DCF961 outperforms the 2967 by about a hundred foot lbs over a 15 second run.
DCF961 hit 1015, 2967 hit 920.
DCF961 was tested with a 5ah power stack and the 2967 was tested with a 6ah Forge.
Rich
Excellent info!
Tim
Milwaukee doesn’t hit as hard as the 961. I run it with the 5ah powers tack battery. It out performs Milwaukee’s 1/2 and 3/4. I work at a large gold mines and everyone runs Milwaukee. Funny seeing guys i work with ask for me to grab my dewalt when shit gets real.
Big Richard
Get the 3/4″ 964 and really put the to shame. Or wait for the 60v 1″, that thing has 3500 ft-lbs.
Tdot77
That’ll be awesome! Can’t wait for that one to put the milwacky fanboys in check. Lol
Rich
Yep, user name fits. Haha.
I just saw the 964 for the first time and after drooling over the Makita GWT10Z 1″.
Will be interesting to see the price on the Dewalt 60v 1″. I don’t need it at all but would like to have one to whip off some frozen lugs nuts. And to just put it on display, feel/hear it whirr from time to time.
Otherwise an attacractive sale on the 961 (that Tim mentioned above) would also work.