DeWalt 1/2 in. Mid-Range Impact Wrench with LANYARD READY attachment point

A compact mid‑torque that punches above its size

I’ve been using DeWalt’s DCF891 mid‑range 1/2-inch impact for several weeks across the shop and on site, and it’s earned a spot on my cart for anything short of truly seized, big‑iron fasteners. It strikes a useful balance: plenty of real‑world grunt in a compact, 6.95-inch body, thoughtful controls that keep fasteners intact, and a safety-forward lanyard-ready design for anyone working off the ground.

Ergonomics and build

At 3.7 lbs bare tool, the DCF891 feels dense but well balanced. With a 5.0Ah 20V MAX battery attached, my scale puts it a touch over 5 lbs—still easy to handle all day, especially compared to high‑torque impacts that creep toward sledgehammer status. The grip is DeWalt-familiar: slightly palm‑filling with a tacky overmold, and the trigger has the linearity I want for nudging a fastener without shocking it.

The overall footprint matters. Under 7 inches front to back, this mid‑torque gets between a frame rail and a suspension member, around pipe racks, and into tight engine bays where full‑size brutes struggle. The LED work light actually helps in those scenarios; it’s bright enough to find a head in a wheel well, and it doesn’t glare off the socket like some ring‑style lights do.

Fit and finish are solid, with a magnesium-esque overmold on impact zones and a sealed mode switch. The brushless motor is the right call here: cooler operation, less sparking, and a smoother impact signature than brushed predecessors.

Power and performance

DeWalt rates this class at up to 600 ft-lbs fastening and 800 ft-lbs breakaway. Specs aside, here’s what it did for me:

• Automotive: Broke loose lug nuts on a half‑ton pickup without drama and spun them off in seconds. On older, wintered-on lugs, a quick bump on high mode freed them. I install with torque sticks and finish with a torque wrench; the DCF891’s Precision Wrench mode made that workflow smoother.
• Suspension/steering: Cam bolts and knuckle bolts that were factory-set plus a few years of rust came off after a second or two of hammering. Hub nuts over 32 mm were hit‑or‑miss depending on how seasoned the threads were; for the truly stubborn ones, I had better luck with a high‑torque.
• MRO and trades: Flange bolts and grooved couplings came apart predictably. Anchors into concrete and structural tasks benefited from the size and control—you can feather the trigger to seat hardware and then select the right mode to finish.

If your day-to-day is passenger vehicles, light trucks, facility maintenance, and mechanical work up through 3/4-inch hardware, the DCF891 feels appropriately powerful. If you routinely encounter oversized, corroded fasteners or heavy truck lugs that have seen too many summers, the mid‑torque will do a lot, but it’s not a replacement for a high‑torque.

Control that prevents mistakes

DeWalt’s control scheme is one of the highlights:

• Four speed modes give a meaningful spread from delicate to full send, and the variable-speed trigger is predictable in each range. That matters when you’re starting a fastener without cross‑threading or inching a bolt into a plastic boss.
• Precision Wrench mode is the clutch feature. In forward, it spins fasteners on quickly and then automatically pauses impacts to reduce overtightening. In reverse, it slows once the fastener breaks free to prevent run‑off. In practice, it kept lug nuts from launching off studs and protected aluminum threads on engine components. I still finish with a torque wrench, but this setting takes a lot of anxiety out of assembly work.

Impact speed tops out at 2000 RPM/3250 IPM, and the tool maintains speed well under load with a decent battery. The sound and vibration profile are relatively civilized for a mid‑torque, though hearing protection is still a must.

Lanyard‑ready safety that’s not an afterthought

A standout for jobsite and industrial users is the built‑in attachment point designed to, when paired correctly, tether both the tool and the battery. If you work at height—steel, MEP, facade—this is more than a convenience. Dropped-object policies are real, and a tether point that doesn’t feel grafted on is welcome.

Important: use compatible LANYARD READY 20V MAX batteries so the pack is secured along with the tool, and match your lanyard to the tool’s weight rating and your anchor’s requirements. The attachment point is robust and out of the way; I didn’t bump it, and it didn’t interfere with stance or grip.

Battery life and platform

On a 5.0Ah pack, I can work through a typical brake/suspension job, a round of anchors, and some flange work without swapping. Bigger packs (8.0Ah) stretch runtime and help the tool hold peak output under heavy impacts, but they do shift the balance rearward. The upside, of course, is the broader 20V MAX ecosystem; if you’re already in yellow, the DCF891 is an easy addition.

Battery and charger are not included, so budget accordingly if you’re not already invested.

Anvil and socket retention

The 1/2-inch drive is available in detent pin or hog ring depending on configuration. My test unit’s retention held up well with impact-rated sockets, and swaps were quick even with gloves on. If you’re in and out of sockets constantly, a hog ring is faster. If you’re working overhead or doing repetitive vertical work, a pin detent’s extra security can be worth the slight hassle. Either way, keep the square drive clean, use proper impact sockets, and inspect the anvil for wear—simple habits that prolong any impact’s life.

Durability and maintenance

Over the test period I didn’t have any mechanical issues, and the housing still looks new despite the usual shop drops and a couple of ladder sessions. Longevity with impacts is as much about use as it is about spec: avoid cheater pipes on your sockets, don’t use chrome sockets, and let the tool hammer rather than leaning on it with body weight. A dab of light oil on the anvil occasionally and a blast of compressed air around the vents go a long way.

If you do run into a problem, DeWalt’s service network and warranty are the route. Keep your receipt and note the serial number; it streamlines service if you ever need it.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

Who will like this tool:
- Automotive techs and DIYers who want one impact to handle 90% of vehicle fasteners without the bulk of a high‑torque.
- Mechanical, electrical, and maintenance pros who need a compact, lanyard‑ready mid‑torque for overhead and tight‑access work.
- Anyone already on DeWalt 20V MAX looking for a capable mid‑range impact with thoughtful torque control.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Heavy equipment and HD truck techs confronting large, rusted fasteners daily; a high‑torque will save time and frustration.
- Users who need advanced auto‑stop/bolt removal profiling beyond Precision Wrench; other brands offer deeper customization if that’s your priority.

Small gripes

• The LED is single‑directional; in deep pockets it can cast a shadow behind the socket. A diffused ring light would be even better.
• Mode markings could be larger; with gloves and dust, I occasionally double‑checked to confirm I was in Precision Wrench before assembly work.
• Like most mid‑torques, the tool’s sweet spot is broad but not infinite; set expectations accordingly and keep a breaker bar or high‑torque around for the worst cases.

The bottom line

The DCF891 hits the mid‑torque brief: compact, strong for its size, and easier to control than most thanks to its speed ranges and Precision Wrench mode. Add the lanyard‑ready attachment point and broad 20V MAX compatibility, and it becomes a smart pick for both shop and jobsite.

Recommendation: I recommend the DCF891 to automotive, maintenance, and mechanical trades who need a compact 1/2-inch impact that can reliably break lug nuts, suspension bolts, and common industrial fasteners while offering real torque control during assembly. Pair it with a 5.0Ah or larger battery, use impact‑rated sockets, and keep a high‑torque in reserve for truly seized hardware. If you regularly work at height, the integrated tether point and compatible lanyard-ready batteries make it an even stronger choice.