DeWalt IMPACT CONNECT Nut Runner Attachment

What this attachment is for

Running dozens (or hundreds) of nuts on threaded rod is a time sink on any overhead job. The DeWalt nut runner attachment is built to turn an impact driver into a purpose-made rod runner for ceiling suspension, trapeze, cable tray, and similar work. It clamps the nut and rides it up the rod while you hold a steady trigger. In practice, that means less climbing, less finger fatigue, and more consistent results across a row of hangers.

Setup and compatibility

I tested the attachment primarily on a DeWalt DCF887 with a 2.0Ah pack and also a DCF845 on the high setting. The quick-change brace bracket mounts to the impact driver and gives the attachment a positive, repeatable interface. Slide it on, engage the hex, and you’re in business; pop it off, and your driver is back to normal screw-driving without fiddly adapters. That matters when you’re alternating between shooting tek screws and running nuts on the same run.

DeWalt lists the attachment as optimized for DCF840, DCF845, DCF850, DCF860 (setting 2), DCF870, DCF885, DCF887, and DCF888. I also tried it briefly on a colleague’s Milwaukee and Makita drivers; it worked, but fitment and feel are best on the listed DeWalt models. If you’re not on DeWalt, check the manufacturer’s compatibility chart before you count on it for daily production.

In the box you get the attachment, the brace, and four inserts for common nut sizes: 9/16, 11/16, 3/4, and 7/8. Additional inserts are available separately (1/4 and 5/8), and total supported nut sizes come to seven. On rod, it covers 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 5/8 in standard and heavy patterns where noted.

On-site performance

I put the attachment to work on a mixed run: trapeze hangers for cable tray, several single-point rod drops for light fixtures, and a few cable supports in tight ceiling spaces. The split-socket design is the key feature—open it, capture the nut around the rod, then squeeze the trigger. It grabs the nut securely without needing to slip a deep socket over a long rod. That alone solves a common headache: trapped nuts under strut or crossbars where a conventional socket simply won’t fit.

Speed-wise, with the DCF887 I consistently saw about two to three times faster progress than hand-spinning nuts. On multi-point trapeze work, the integrated reset lever earned its keep; after finishing one nut, hit reset and the jaws spring back open so you can move to the next rod immediately. When you’re repeating the same motion across 20 hangers, those small seconds add up.

The attachment rotates 360 degrees relative to the brace. That was surprisingly helpful for dodging sprinkler lines and conduit when I needed to keep the driver body off obstructions. It also let me keep the driver’s weight aligned with my forearm, which reduced wrist strain overhead.

Force, control, and what it can (and can’t) do

DeWalt rates the system up to 1825 in-lb (205 Nm) in their lab with the DCF845 on high. In the real world, it has more than enough torque to run fresh nuts up new rod and snug them to position. The hardened steel gearing feels stout and, paired with the impact action, provides meaningful linear pull—DeWalt quotes up to 100 lb of linear force with a compatible driver. In practical terms, I used that to draw up a short section of tray to its elevation while holding the nut; it’s a nice assist for alignment, not a substitute for rigging or a hoist. Respect the 100 lb limit and your anchors.

Control matters more than raw torque with this tool. I had the best results using the driver’s middle speed/impact setting, then finishing the final preload by feathering the trigger or switching to a hand wrench when a specific torque was needed. Like any impact-driven process, over-tightening is easy if you hold the trigger too long. If your spec calls for a precise torque on hanger nuts, plan on a final check.

Ergonomics and handling

Overhead work amplifies every ounce. The attachment adds bulk and some weight to the nose of your driver. It isn’t unwieldy, but you’ll feel it after a long run. The brace keeps everything aligned so the tool doesn’t torque your wrist as it hammers. Balance on the DCF887 with a compact 2.0Ah battery felt good; with a 5.0Ah pack, the overall rig gets heavier than I’d want for all-day overhead, though still manageable.

There’s a small learning curve to feeding the nut into the split socket cleanly. After a few hangers, it becomes muscle memory: open, seat the nut, square the tool to the rod, and go. The reset lever is easy to find by feel, which keeps you moving without looking away from the work.

Noise and vibration are on par with normal impact driving. The attachment doesn’t seem to add chatter, and you don’t get the “socket slip” clacks you sometimes hear when using a standard deep socket on rod.

Access and the split-socket advantage

The split-socket is the difference-maker. I used it under a strut crosspiece where the nut was essentially trapped between the rod and steel. A conventional socket couldn’t get over the nut without removing the assembly. The split design opened around the rod, seated on the nut, and I could advance or back off without disassembling anything. In dense ceilings, that’s the difference between a glide and a fight.

The 360-degree rotation helps in the same way. Ceiling grids, uni-strut, conduit—it’s rare to have perfect straight shots. Being able to rotate the attachment to sneak past obstructions kept me from re-positioning ladders or flipping the driver awkwardly.

Durability and maintenance

The gearing is hardened steel and feels up to daily trade use. After a week of jobs, I saw normal finish wear on the inserts but no slop or binding. Keep the inserts clean and occasionally blow out metal dust; like any impact accessory, grit will shorten its life if you let it build up. I’d also keep an eye on the brace’s fasteners—mine stayed tight, but it’s smart to check them at the start of a shift.

DeWalt backs the attachment with a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s a solid safety net for a production accessory.

Limitations and wish list

• Switching inserts takes a minute. Not a big deal, but if you bounce between nut sizes frequently, plan your sequence to minimize changes.
• The attachment adds length. In very shallow cavities, you may still run into clearance issues, though the split design and rotation mitigate this better than a deep socket.
• While it can pull linear load up to 100 lb, this is not a lifting device. Use it to position and snug, not to hoist.
• Additional inserts are sold separately; make sure you order what your jobs require.

Who it’s for

• Electrical, HVAC, fire protection, and low-voltage crews who live on trapeze and rod.
• Facility teams doing frequent ceiling installs where speed and repeatability matter.
• Anyone on DeWalt 20V impact drivers looking to streamline hanger work without buying a dedicated rod runner.

If you only spin a handful of nuts each month, a regular deep socket still gets it done. This attachment earns its keep when you’re doing production volumes or working in congested ceilings where access is the bottleneck.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt nut runner attachment for trade pros who routinely install threaded-rod hangers and trapeze systems, especially if you’re already on compatible DeWalt impact drivers. It’s notably faster than hand-running, the split-socket opens up access you don’t get with conventional sockets, and the quick-change brace integrates smoothly into a real job flow where you’re swapping tasks. Control your impact settings, respect the 100 lb linear limit, and you’ll gain speed without sacrificing quality. For teams that live overhead, it’s a worthwhile productivity upgrade.