DeWalt 5/16 Inch Impact Ready Nut Driver

A compact workhorse for hex-head fasteners

I’ve been reaching for the 5/16-inch DeWalt nut driver a lot lately, and not just because it lives in the front pocket of my pouch. Its short, 1-7/8-inch length and magnetic tip make it a convenient everyday driver for hex-head screws in wood, sheet metal, and concrete anchors. It’s a basic accessory on paper, but the design choices here—especially the recessed corners and the torque rating—add up to a reliable bit of kit for impact use.

Design and build

This is a purpose-built 5/16 driver meant for impact drivers and impact wrenches. The housing is compact and well-balanced, and at roughly a couple ounces it doesn’t make your driver feel nose-heavy. The rated 2,000 in-lbs of torque is a meaningful spec: it puts the driver safely within the working range of most modern impact drivers and adapters, and it holds up to the repeated hammering that chews up lesser nut drivers.

The socket end has recessed corners, which is the standout feature. Instead of biting right at the corners of the fastener, the driver engages the flats. In use, that reduces rounding on coated hex heads and produces fewer metal shavings, especially with self-drillers in steel. It sounds subtle, but after a day of driving dozens of fasteners, the difference shows up in how clean the heads look and how easily they back out later.

There’s an industrial-strength magnet in the bore. It’s strong enough to hold a 5/16 hex washer head screw horizontally without babying it, and it has just enough pull to help you start a screw in an awkward spot without fumbling with your off-hand.

Performance under impact

I tested the driver across a few common scenarios:

• Framing and exterior work: Driving 5/16 hex-head wood-to-wood construction screws into PT lumber. The driver stayed planted, no cam-out, and the magnet kept screws from dropping during overhead starts.

• Metal: Self-drilling hex heads into 20–16 gauge steel. The recessed corners make a difference here. Instead of shaving off plating and creating glitter at the bottom of the panel, the socket drives on the flats with less galling. Starts were controlled, even when I let the impact hammer early.

• Masonry anchors: Hex-head concrete screws into block and cured slab. The driver handled the higher resistance without twisting or blueing, and there was no visible mushrooming at the socket mouth after several anchors.

Across all three, I appreciated the lack of slop. The fit on standard 5/16 heads is tight enough that you don’t get that wobbly, bell-ringing feel you see with softer drivers.

Magnet strength and control

The magnet is well-judged. It’s not so aggressive that it steals fasteners off your tray, but it’s strong enough to stage a screw and lift it to an overhead workpiece with your off-hand on a ladder. It also helps with extraction—backing out a screw, the head stays captured in the driver instead of falling out and rolling into a wall cavity. If you work around steel shavings, expect the usual trade-off: the magnet collects debris. A quick swipe with a shop towel or a blast of compressed air keeps it clean.

Durability and wear

Over several days of mixed use, I looked for three failure modes: cracking at the socket mouth, rounding of the internal flats, and magnet loosening. None showed up. The mouth stayed crisp, the magnet remained seated, and the bore didn’t bell out. Heat buildup wasn’t an issue either; even after a series of anchors, it was warm but not discolored. The torque pulses from an impact driver didn’t faze it, and I also ran it behind an impact wrench with a hex adapter without drama. This is exactly the kind of abuse that quickly exposes lower-grade drivers, and this one took it.

Size and access

The 1-7/8-inch overall length is useful in tight spaces—switchgear, strut channels, and under-eave work—where a longer driver or socket would collide with an adjacent surface. The trade-off is depth: as with most short nut drivers, the internal bore only accepts a limited projection. Long studs or bolts with tall stack-ups can bottom out before the hex fully seats. If you routinely work on long fasteners, a deep or pass-through driver is the better choice. For everyday hex washer head screws, the depth here is just right.

Precision and feel

The recessed-corner geometry does more than reduce shavings; it improves control during starts. With coated fasteners, especially those with a paint or ceramic layer, sharp-edged drivers can chip the finish as they slip onto a head. This driver eases onto the flats cleanly. I also noticed less “snapping” when the fastener seats—engagement stays positive as torque rises, and that keeps head paint intact on exterior screws.

Practical touches on the job

• Overhead work: The magnet and short length make overhead starts much easier. I can preload a screw, climb, and start it one-handed without juggling.

• One-driver tasks: For HVAC brackets, electrical straps, and hangers that use 5/16 hex heads, I can keep this driver parked in the collet all day without swapping bits.

• Cleanup: Wipe the bore occasionally to remove fines; those fines can act like abrasives if you let them pack in. A drop of light oil and a wipe keeps the magnet from holding every last speck.

Limitations

A few caveats showed up:

• No depth for long studs: This isn’t a deep or hollow shaft. If you need to run a nut over a long protruding bolt, you’ll want a pass-through nut setter or a socket.

• Magnet vs. debris: In metalworking environments, the magnet will collect chips. Not a flaw—just something to manage if you switch between wood and metal frequently.

• No sleeve: There’s no outer guide sleeve to steady long, thin screws. If you rely on sleeve-style drivers for roofing or siding, this won’t replace them.

None of these are deal-breakers for a compact 5/16 driver; they’re simply the realities of a short, impact-rated nut driver.

Who it’s for

If you drive a lot of 5/16 hex-head fasteners—self-drillers, concrete screws, structural wood screws with hex washer heads—this driver earns a permanent spot in your kit. Service techs, remodelers, and anyone hanging hardware in metal or wood will appreciate the blend of compact size, strong magnet, and impact durability. If your work revolves around nuts on long studs, you’ll be better served by a deep-well or pass-through design.

Bottom line

This 5/16-inch DeWalt nut driver is the kind of simple accessory that disappears into your workflow—in the best way. The recessed corners protect fasteners and reduce mess, the magnet is strong and reliable, and the impact rating inspires confidence. It has the expected limitations of a short driver, but within its lane, it performs consistently and holds up to real jobsite use.

Recommendation: I recommend this driver. It’s compact, tough, and thoughtfully designed for impact tools. If your daily work involves 5/16 hex-head fasteners, it will speed up starts, reduce head damage, and survive the hammering that cheaper drivers can’t. For tasks that demand extra depth or a guide sleeve, pair it with a deep or sleeve-style driver—but keep this one handy. It’s the right tool for most 5/16 jobs.