Features
- Brushless motor for increased efficiency and runtime
- Precision Wrench Control to reduce overtightening and run-off
- Three mode settings to match different applications
- Variable-speed trigger for speed control
- LED light to illuminate work area
- Compact, lightweight design for working in tight spaces
- Detent pin anvil for 1/2 in. sockets
Specifications
Drive Size | 1/2 in. |
Anvil Type | Detent Pin |
Max Fastening Torque | 330 ft-lbs |
Max Torque (In Lbs) | 3960 in-lbs |
No Load Speed (Max) | 2000 RPM |
Impacts Per Minute | 3100 |
Motor Type | Brushless |
Power Source | 20V cordless (Lithium Ion) |
Included Batteries (Kit) | Two 20V 5.0 Ah (kit versions) |
Number Of Batteries Included (Kit) | 2 |
Battery Chemistry | Lithium Ion |
Has Variable Speed Trigger | Yes |
Has Led Light | Yes |
Tool Weight (Tool Only) | 3.48 lb |
Kit Weight (With Batteries/Charger As Listed) | 8 lb |
Tool Dimensions (H X W X L) | 9.81 in x 5.06 in x 15.12 in |
Included (Kit) | Tool, batteries, charger, kit bag (varies by bundle) |
Warranty | 3 Year Limited Warranty; 1 Year Free Service; 90 Days Satisfaction Guaranteed |
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Cordless mid-range impact wrench with a 1/2 in. detent-pin anvil. Delivers up to 330 ft-lbs of fastening torque (about 3960 in-lbs) and uses a brushless motor for improved efficiency. Includes a Precision Wrench Control mode that reduces overtightening in forward and reduces speed in reverse to help prevent run-off. Suited for grooved couplings, pipe flanges, wheel lugs, concrete anchor setting, and other applications requiring high torque in confined spaces. Kit versions include batteries, charger, and a kit bag.
DeWalt 1/2 in. Mid-Range Cordless Impact Wrench with Detent Pin Anvil Review
A good mid-torque 1/2-inch impact is supposed to live in the sweet spot: small enough to carry all day, strong enough to handle the bulk of real-world fasteners, and smart enough not to wreck hardware. After several weeks of use, the DeWalt mid-range 1/2-in impact wrench (DCF894) checks most of those boxes, with a couple of caveats worth noting for the way you work.
Design, weight, and ergonomics
Tool-only, the DCF894 is a tidy 3.48 lb, and even with a 5.0 Ah pack it never felt cumbersome. Balance is right at the trigger hand, so overhead work and long runs on flanges didn’t fatigue my wrist like a high-torque gun often does. DeWalt’s handle geometry is familiar—grippy without hot spots—and the rubber overmold holds up against oil and metal shavings. The LED work light is bright and usefully placed; it spills enough light on the socket and the work without casting a harsh glare.
This is a “mid-range” impact, and it wears that label well. It isn’t stubby like a compact 3/8, but it fits between studs, into wheel wells, and up against pump housings far better than a high-torque bruter. If you work in tight mechanical spaces, that matters.
Controls and modes
The three-speed selector sits directly under your thumb. Between the variable-speed trigger and those three modes, fine control is easy. I used:
- Mode 1 for small hardware and delicate assembly (think M6–M8).
- Mode 2 for everyday M10–M12 bolts, couplings, and anchor setting.
- Mode 3 when I needed everything the tool had, like stubborn suspension hardware and wheel lugs.
DeWalt’s Precision Wrench Control is the standout feature. In forward, it senses impact and pauses to avoid over-tightening. In reverse, it slows when the fastener breaks free, so nuts don’t go flying off into a crossmember. It isn’t a torque wrench, but it’s a smart assist that saves threads and time.
Power and speed in real work
On paper, the DCF894 is rated at 330 ft-lbs of fastening torque with a 2000 RPM top speed and 3100 IPM. In practice, here’s what that looked like for me:
- Wheel service: It zipped off passenger car lug nuts torqued in the 80–120 ft-lb range with authority. On lightly corroded SUV lugs, it needed a second to build hammering, but it got them moving in Mode 3. For heavily rusted, oversize truck lugs, I reached for a high-torque gun—this is the right call for both speed and tool longevity.
- Pipe flanges and grooved couplings: Mode 2 with Precision Wrench turned on was ideal. The tool spun nuts fast, kissed them tight, then paused. I came back with a torque wrench to finish. No crushed gaskets or snapped studs.
- Concrete anchors: Driving wedge anchors into 3/8–1/2 in. hardware was well within its lane. The higher free speed helps seat nuts quickly before impact, and I liked the trigger sensitivity for starting threads cleanly.
- General auto and equipment fasteners: Control is the win here. The speed, plus the brushless motor’s smooth ramp-up, kept me from “walking” sockets off heads.
Noise and vibration are what you expect of an impact in this class—loud enough that hearing protection is required, but not harsh. The hammer mechanism feels tight and consistent.
Battery life and charging
With the kit’s 5.0 Ah packs, I got a full day of intermittent use—dozens of lugs, flange assemblies, and a batch of anchors—on a single battery. Hammering on truly stuck fasteners chews through electrons faster, but that’s universal. Two included packs and a standard DeWalt charger keep downtime a non-issue if you rotate between tasks. If you’re already on DeWalt 20V, the bare tool slots into your setup seamlessly.
Detent pin anvil: pros and trade-offs
This model uses a detent-pin anvil. Retention is rock-solid; I never had a socket walk off—even on deep impacts or when working overhead. The trade-off is speed: swapping sockets takes an extra second to align and push past the detent. If your workflow involves constant socket changes, you may prefer a hog-ring variant, but for jobsite security and automotive work where sockets stay put, the detent pin earns its keep.
Small recommendation: use quality impact sockets with clean detent holes. Cheap or burred sockets make changes slower and can wear the pin prematurely.
Precision Wrench mode in practice
This feature is more than a gimmick. On wheel lugs, Precision Wrench in forward snugged nuts uniformly without blasting past the target. I still finish to spec with a torque wrench, but the final pass is quick. In reverse, slowing when a nut breaks free kept hardware from dropping, which is especially nice when you’re fishing around inside engine bays or working at height.
There is a learning curve: in forward, the deliberate pause after first impact can feel like a stutter if you’re used to holding the trigger. Once you expect it, it’s helpful rather than annoying.
Durability and maintenance
The brushless motor and metal drivetrain feel tight and efficient. After multiple job days—hot, dusty, and oily—the tool shows typical scuffing but no play at the anvil. As with any impact, abuse will find the limits. If your daily grind is seized industrial fasteners or heavy truck work, plan on a high‑torque 1/2-inch for the worst of it and keep the DCF894 for everything else. That’s not a knock; it’s how mid‑torques stay fast and light.
Two tips that help longevity:
- Keep the anvil and detent pin clean; a little light oil prevents corrosion and sticking.
- Avoid stacking adapters and extensions that introduce side load; they can stress the anvil and pin.
DeWalt backs the tool with a 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee. I haven’t needed service, but those terms are competitive for the class.
What it does best
- Everyday mechanical work: suspension components, subframe bolts, and engine accessories.
- Plumbing and fire protection couplings: consistent snugging without crushed gaskets.
- Concrete anchor setting: fast spin-up, then controlled impacts.
- Wheel service on passenger vehicles: fast removal and controlled installation.
Where it hits limits
- Heavily corroded, oversize fasteners and heavy truck lugs: it will sometimes get there, but it’s slower and harder on the tool. This is high‑torque territory.
- Rapid socket changes: the detent pin is secure but not as quick as a hog ring.
Value and kit options
The kit with two 5.0 Ah batteries, charger, and bag is a strong value if you’re not already invested in 20V packs. The bag is basic but tough enough to keep the tool, batteries, and a small socket set together. If you’ve already got DeWalt batteries, the bare tool makes sense and keeps costs down.
Between the compact weight, smart control, and solid mid‑range muscle, the DCF894 earns a spot as a primary impact for techs and serious DIYers who want one gun to handle most jobs.
Recommendation
I recommend the DeWalt mid-range 1/2-in impact wrench for anyone who needs a balanced, everyday impact with thoughtful control features. It’s strong enough for the bulk of automotive, mechanical, and anchor-setting tasks; compact and light enough for all-day use; and its Precision Wrench mode meaningfully reduces overtightening and lost fasteners. If your work routinely involves seized industrial hardware or heavy truck lugs, pair it with a high‑torque 1/2-inch for the ugliest jobs. For everything else, this mid‑torque hits the sweet spot and makes fast, controlled work the norm.
Project Ideas
Business
Mobile Lug Nut Torque & Tire Swap
Offer on-site seasonal tire swaps and lug nut re-torque checks for commuters and fleets. Use Precision Wrench Control to seat lugs, then finish with a calibrated torque wrench for accuracy; charge per vehicle or fleet contract.
Anchor-Setting & Bolt-Up Service
Specialize in installing wedge/sleeve anchors for home gyms, TV mounts, pergolas, racks, and safety railings. Market to homeowners and small contractors who need fast, clean installs with minimal disruption.
Warehouse Rack & Industrial Shelving Install
Provide assembly, anchoring, and reconfiguration of pallet racking and heavy-duty shelving. The compact impact wrench works well in tight aisles and speeds hundreds of bolts per job; price per bay or hourly.
Pipe Flange & Grooved Coupling Assembly
Offer bolt-up assistance to small HVAC/plumbing shops for grooved couplings and flanged connections on quick-turn projects. Your cordless setup reduces downtime on rooftops and mechanical rooms with limited power access.
Farm & Ranch Fastener Repair Calls
Do on-site U-bolt, implement, and equipment fastener removal/replacement on gates, trailers, and machinery. The high torque and detent pin anvil handle rusty hardware; bundle call-out fees with per-fastener pricing.
Creative
Industrial Pipe & Wood Furniture
Build coffee tables, bookshelves, and garment racks using black pipe, grooved couplings, and flanges. The impact wrench speeds assembly and securely anchors pieces to floors/walls with concrete anchors while Precision Wrench Control prevents overtightening decorative fittings.
Bolt-Together Pergola or Shade Structure
Create a backyard pergola using steel bracket kits and structural screws/wedge anchors into concrete footings. The compact impact wrench makes quick work of through-bolts and post bases in tight corners and helps avoid over-torquing hardware.
Modular Home Gym Rack & Storage
Design a bolt-up squat rack and wall-mounted storage for bars/plates using 5/8 in. hardware and concrete anchors. The LED and variable speed help in dim garages, and Precision Wrench Control protects threads during assembly.
Rugged Rolling Shop Cart
Build a reclaimed steel-and-timber cart with heavy-duty casters, angle-iron corner brackets, and carriage bolts. The impact wrench speeds installation of lag screws and bolts, even in awkward, hard-to-reach spots.
DIY Kart/Mini Bike Wheel & Hub Setup
Assemble a small kart or mini bike with quick-change wheel hubs and brake caliper brackets. The mid-range torque is ideal for snugging hub nuts and frame fasteners without stripping threads.