DeWalt 20V MAX XR Cordless Brushless Drywall Screw Gun Threaded Clutch Housing (Tool Only)

Why I reached for this screw gun

I picked up the DCF624 screw gun for a run of drywall on a basement remodel and some follow‑up fastening on subfloor patches. I was specifically curious about its threaded clutch housing, which promises compatibility with third‑party collated systems, and its brushless motor, which should mean better runtime and low maintenance. I used it bare (tool‑only) with my existing 20V packs, first as a standard drywall screw gun and then with a borrowed collated attachment.

What I found is a capable, thoughtfully built driver with a niche: it favors control and accessory flexibility over raw speed. If you want high RPM for maximum production hanging drywall all day, this isn’t the fastest option out there. If you want a compact, lightweight driver that plays nicely with collated systems and keeps screw depth very consistent, it hits the mark.

Setup and compatibility

Out of the box, it’s straightforward: no battery or charger, just the driver with a belt hook and LED. The nose has depth adjustment, and the front of the clutch housing is threaded. That thread is the trick—it lets you install compatible third‑party collated attachments that feed strips of screws (think systems from major collated brands). There isn’t a collated attachment included, so plan to source that separately if strip‑feed speed is the goal.

Without any attachment, it works as a standard drywall screw gun. It takes 1/4 in. hex shank bits in a quick‑change collet. As with most screw guns, there’s no torque ring like you’d find on a drill/driver—the consistent set depth comes from the nosepiece. If you’re new to this style, that’s an important distinction: you control how deep the screw sets, not “how much torque” the tool applies. The upside is uniform countersinks; the tradeoff is that it’s not meant for drilling or mixed‑material fastening jobs that call for a clutch.

One compatibility note: if you intend to run collated screws, confirm your attachment’s thread and interface match the tool’s clutch housing. That’s the whole point of this design, and it worked as intended in my use, but it does rely on the right accessory.

In use: speed vs. control

This driver tops out at 2,000 RPM. Compared with 4,000–5,000 RPM drywall screw guns, it’s slower, and you feel that on long runs of drywall. On the other hand, the lower top speed pairs with solid torque. Running coarse‑thread screws into wood studs felt confident and controlled, and it handled cement board and subfloor screws without bogging down. For thin metal studs with fine‑thread screws, it still gets the job done, but you can’t lean on sheer RPM to fly through a sheet.

Depth adjustment is precise and easy to repeat. Once I set a clean, slightly dimpled countersink, the consistency held across a couple of rooms. The nose doesn’t wander, and the tip visibility is good. The LED helps in shadowy corners; it’s not a flood of light, but for drywall it’s more than enough to see the tape line or chalk marks.

With a collated attachment installed, the story changes: feed speed becomes the limiter, not motor speed. Strip‑feed fasteners let you keep the tool on the work, and even with the 2,000 RPM cap, production goes way up because you’re not fishing screws. Depth remained consistent after a minor tweak to the nosepiece to account for the attachment’s added length.

Ergonomics and balance

Bare weight is 2.8 lb, and the tool feels compact front‑to‑back. With a 2.0Ah battery, the balance is neutral and excellent overhead—no wrist ache after a ceiling session. A 5.0Ah pack tips the balance a bit but provides the all‑day stamina you might want for subfloor or deck screws. The grip is classic DeWalt: slightly rubberized, not overly fat, and easy to index the trigger.

The belt hook is sturdy and reversible. The LED is positioned well enough that your hand doesn’t cast a huge shadow. The tool’s profile is slim, which helps when you’re reaching between studs.

Power, runtime, and noise

The brushless motor is the quiet, efficient kind of power you want in a repetitive driver. It spools up smoothly and stops promptly when you release the trigger, which helps prevent overdrives. There’s enough grunt to keep sinking screws flush in denser materials without hammering the face paper.

Runtime will depend entirely on your battery choice. As a reference point, I gravitated toward a 2.0Ah or 3.0Ah pack overhead and a 5.0Ah when working on floors. Brushless efficiency shows up in the fact that I wasn’t swapping packs constantly; it’s not a power hog.

Noise is mild compared to older brushed screw guns. Dust control is up to you—if you’re working in drywall dust, blow out the nose and threads periodically to keep the depth adjuster turning freely.

Learning curve and common pitfalls

• No torque clutch: This is a screw gun, not a drill/driver. Expect depth‑based control, not torque settings. If you need torque limiting for thin sheet metal, a versa‑clutch style driver is a better match.
• Bit handling: Use 1/4 in. hex impact‑ready screwdriver bits. Don’t chuck round‑shank drill bits into the collet; they won’t seat correctly and can get stuck. To remove a bit, pull the quick‑release collar forward and pull the bit straight out.
• Collated use: You’ll need to buy a compatible collated attachment. Once installed, re‑check your depth setting—attachments change the nose length and can shift where the screw stops.

None of these are faults of the tool, but they’re worth calling out if you’re used to a drill/driver workflow.

Where it fits in a kit

I see this driver fitting best for:
- Remodelers who swap between standard and collated fastening and want one motor to drive both.
- Drywall work where control and depth consistency matter more than top speed, especially in wood framing or when working solo.
- Subfloor and cement board fastening where the extra torque and slower RPM help avoid cam‑outs and overdrives.

If your day is wall‑to‑wall drywall on production speed, a higher‑RPM drywall driver will move faster. If your day involves mixed fastening into thin sheet metal with a risk of stripping, a torque‑limited clutch driver may be superior. But for a broad swath of residential work, this strikes a useful balance.

Durability and service

Build quality feels robust: tight tolerances at the nose, no play in the depth adjuster, and a housing that doesn’t flex under load. The threaded clutch housing is metal and inspires confidence. DeWalt’s 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and 90‑day money‑back window provide a decent safety net if you’re trying it on a specific job.

What I’d change

• Higher top speed option: Even a second gear or a slightly higher RPM ceiling would broaden its appeal for production drywall.
• Include a basic nosecone guide in the box: A short card explaining depth‑based operation and bit insertion/removal would reduce misuse.
• Optional bundled kit: An SKU that pairs this driver with a known‑compatible collated attachment would make the “threaded clutch housing” benefit clearer at purchase.

Practical tips

• Start with a 2.0Ah battery for ceilings to keep fatigue down; step up to 5.0Ah for floors or long runs.
• Set depth on scrap first; aim for a clean dimple without tearing the paper. Minor tweaks make a big difference.
• If you switch to a collated attachment, mark your previous depth position so you can return to it when you go back to single screws.
• Keep the threaded nose clean. Drywall dust packs into threads; a quick brush‑off keeps the adjuster smooth.

Recommendation

I recommend the DCF624 screw gun for pros and serious DIYers who value depth consistency, brushless efficiency, and the flexibility to run third‑party collated systems. It’s light, well‑balanced, and delivers controlled power that shines in wood framing, cement board, and subfloor fastening. The tradeoff is a lower top speed than classic high‑RPM drywall drivers, so it’s not the best pick if your priority is maximum sheet‑hanging pace. If you understand that it’s a depth‑stop screw gun (not a torque‑clutch drill) and you want the option to thread on a collated attachment, it’s a smart, durable addition to a 20V kit.