Dewalt: Hog Ring or Detent Anvil

[timc930]

Looking at two DeWalt Impact's (DCF899B and DCF899HB) only difference is one is Detent, and the other is Hog Ring. The Detent is $50 cheaper. This is not a tool that I will use every day, and mostly to remove lug nuts. I'll be using my regular sockets that I use with my ratchets, and will not (at this time) be purchasing specific Impact Sockets. Will the cheaper Detent (899B) work fine for my use, or should I spend the extra $50 for the 899HB Hog Ring? Washing machine repair has me buying this now to remove the large drum nut in the center!

 

[GrantCee]

Well, I don't have a Dewalt, but I used to have a Makita with the detent anvil (it was the only choice). Hated it. When I upgraded to a more powerful Makita model, I had the choice of the detent or the hog ring — I went with the hog ring, and it's much easier to live with.

The detents are great if you don't swap sockets very often (as in a production environment), but in my home shop I switch frequently. The hog ring makes it a LOT easier!

 

[nicks78camaro]

I have the Dewalt detent and I find it easier to change sockets than I was led to believe.

 

[timc930]

What makes it hard switching sockets with the Detent? All of my Ratchets and extensions are Detent (actually more of a ball, so maybe that's the difference)...Is the Detent different on a Impact?

 

[so2315]

I've had both and the Hog Ring is much easier and less frustrating to use. If you want to save money and go with the detent, there was a video or post on here that I used, where you take a file and lightly round over the edge of the detent so it will release the socket easier. I did do that to the detent pin and it worked wonders, and really made it comparable to the hog ring as far as switching sockets.

 

[ike]

What makes it hard switching sockets with the Detent? All of my Ratchets and extensions are Detent (actually more of a ball, so maybe that's the difference)...Is the Detent different on a Impact?

go to lowes or home depot and stick a socket on one with a detent. take a small pointed object with you to be able to release the socket though.

 

[bubinga]

Looking at two DeWalt Impact's (DCF899B and DCF899HB) only difference is one is Detent, and the other is Hog Ring. The Detent is $50 cheaper. This is not a tool that I will use every day, and mostly to remove lug nuts. I'll be using my regular sockets that I use with my ratchets, and will not (at this time) be purchasing specific Impact Sockets. Will the cheaper Detent (899B) work fine for my use, or should I spend the extra $50 for the 899HB Hog Ring? Washing machine repair has me buying this now to remove the large drum nut in the center!

I have the Dewalt detent and I find it easier to change sockets than I was led to believe.

Changing sockets on the detent pin style is not an issue for me.
Not as hard as I was led to believe.
Sometimes, I offset the detent pin, so it's not engaged in the hole in the socket.
I would get a few impact sockets. The chrome sockets could crack, and they can wear the anvil.

 

[finn]

My SnapOn air impact is a detent. My son got a good deal on it from the truck.

It was a little irritating at first, but I am used to it now. All my recent purchases have been hog ring, though.

If money is an issue, go what’s cheaper. Otherwise, go hog ring. They both work ok. From your description, you’re not going to be changing sockets very often.

 

[qqzj]

My 1/2i s detent, my 3/8 is hog ring. I like detent much better. Just use a small punch.

 

[mike93lx]

I hate the detent pin in my Dewalt high torque. It requires a tool to pull sockets.

I haven't tried the hog ring, but as long as the sockets don't fall off, it would be better

 

[M635_Guy]

(Milwaukee) hog ring here. I'd be pissed to have to work harder to remove sockets.

My understanding is the detent models are mainly pointed at people doing a lot of the same fastener in scenarios where the socket needs to be well-secured to not come away from the tool for efficiency or safety reasons.

That definitely doesn't describe me, and I'm very happy with the hogring models I have.

 

[shawhite]

I have used both I prefer the hog ring but when I had the detent I just left my short extension (2in or whatever size comes when snap-on flip sockets) on it which was hog ring.

 

[Handyandy23]

What makes it hard switching sockets with the Detent? All of my Ratchets and extensions are Detent (actually more of a ball, so maybe that's the difference)...Is the Detent different on a Impact?

The detent on this impact isn't the same as the detent ball on a ratchet, it's more of a detent pin that's longer and not rounded over on the end, and requires pushing a tool into the socket hole to release the socket.

This is designed for trades that work at heights or over top of people to ensure the socket doesn't accidentally fall off. The hog ring is more aimed at standard mechanical work to make the sockets easier to remove.

As some others said, you can file down and round off the detent pin to make it a little more user-friendly. But I would definitely find it more of a pain than the hog ring.

 

[4xdog]

My DeWalt 1/2" has the hog ring, and it's *hard* to remove a socket from it. I sure wouldn't want anything *more* difficult to remove.

 

[timc930]

Well, being that I don't work in a shop, and can easily take the (extra) time to release the Detent, I'll prob go with that. 99% will be removing/installing (carefully before using a torque wrench for final torque) lug nuts, with the occasional stuck suspension/axel bolt/nut. In all cases, I won't be switching sockets a lot, prob one or two sockets for a task.

 

[mike93lx]

Well, being that I don't work in a shop, and can easily take the (extra) time to release the Detent, I'll prob go with that. 99% will be removing/installing (carefully before using a torque wrench for final torque) lug nuts, with the occasional stuck suspension/axel bolt/nut. In all cases, I won't be switching sockets a lot, prob one or two sockets for a task.

Seems easy.

Until you have to go back to your box to find a pick, just to take the socket off to move it to your torque wrench.

If you don't need the really strong retention, it is a PIA

 

[Under_Pressure]

Seems easy.

Until you have to go back to your box to find a pick, just to take the socket off to move it to your torque wrench.

If you don't need the really strong retention, it is a PIA

Though it's not used on 1/2 drive stuff, on an impact I'd take the pin & ring retainer system (like some of my 3/4 and all of my 1" stuff has) over the detent. As long as your socket drives aren't excessively worn (and you don't lose the parts), it's nice. The most positive retention there is and easily removed without extra tools- just roll the o-ring off and the pin falls out.

 

[javyLSU]

My DeWalt 1/2" has the hog ring, and it's *hard* to remove a socket from it. I sure wouldn't want anything *more* difficult to remove.

This is the only thing I don’t like about my DeWalt/MAC impact wrenches. The hog rings ****, and they wear out pretty fast - I’ve had to repair them more times than I care to admit. I haven’t had any such issues from the one Milwaukee impact wrench that also has a hog ring… I’ve been thinking about swapping the anvils on the DeWalt/MAC impacts to a detent pin to see if those are better.

 

[anytool]

As an actual owner of the Dewalt pin detent, I actually have no issues pulling the socket off by hand. The detent pin has a taper on the end making it possible without the use of a punch. Go cheaper and buy the pin detent. worst case you can buy a replacement anvil in hog ring style and swap it. All you have to do is remove the nose cone.

 

[mike93lx]

As an actual owner of the Dewalt pin detent, I actually have no issues pulling the socket off by hand. The detent pin has a taper on the end making it possible without the use of a punch. Go cheaper and buy the pin detent. worst case you can buy a replacement anvil in hog ring style and swap it. All you have to do is remove the nose cone.

Your experience seems contrary to all other users I have seen, including myself.

 

[qqzj]

Your experience seems contrary to all other users I have seen, including myself.

Maybe depends on the holes on the sockets and age/usage of the impact wrenches...

I tried it with an HF 1/2 impact socket just now and I can remove it with just my hand.

 

[NakeDiesel]

I have the 3/8" dewalt impact with the hog ring and I can't get a damned socket to stay on it. No issue with detent ball on my dewalt 1/2" If you hang it down the socket falls right off. Been this way since new.

 

[Luciferi]

I have both. i hated the pin at first. Just don’t line up the pin with the hole and socket should come off.

My 1/2 hog ring works fine. My 3/8 hog ring is horrible, sockets wouldn’t go on or come off without a struggle. The hog ring bent and after straightening sockets would fall off or the hog ring would come off.

I would rather have a pin version and save a few bucks

 

[timc930]

So I ordered the 899B,HB, and the 894B,HB so that I can compare them all, and return what I don't like.

 

[javyLSU]

So I ordered the 899B,HB, and the 894B,HB so that I can compare them all, and return what I don't like.

The ultimate GJ response: “I got them all.”

 

[timc930]

The ultimate GJ response: “I got them all.”

Appears to be just personal preference, so the only way to tell is to just try both, and decide what works/feels best for me.

 

[dante2]

I have the 3/8" dewalt impact with the hog ring and I can't get a damned socket to stay on it. No issue with detent ball on my dewalt 1/2" If you hang it down the socket falls right off. Been this way since new.

We must have got ours from the same guy on the assembly line. My 3/8 hog ring won't hold a socket unless it's pointed up.

 

[timc930]

So I am keeping the Detent Anvil (DCF894B) and sending the Hog Ring back. Saved over $30 buying the Detent over the Hog Ring, and for around $20-30 I can pick up a Hog Ring Anvil to switch if it becomes a problem. 99% will be lug nuts with this one, so I'll just keep a short 2-3" extension on it to make changing the sockets for the different lug nuts easier. I'll prob get a Hog Ring when I pick up a 3/8, as that one I would be changing sockets all the time.

I also decided on the 894B over the 899 for now. I'll prob pick up a 899 or equivalent later, after I get the 3/8. Looking at Dewalts new DCF923B with Hog Ring. Really like the small size.

 

[decableguy2000]

I have a 899 and 894 both were detent, I changed the anvil over to hog ring on the 894. I prefer the hog ring, the detent can be annoying as some sockets are difficult to remove. I was going to change the 899 over as well, but the anvil is kind of expensive and in limited supply. I'm going to wait and see what the new models will be like, I really hope they will be compact and just as stout or stouter.

 

[timc930]

take a look at the new DCF923B, looks impressive for size.

 

[finn]

I bought the 1/2” 921. I think I may pick up the 3/8” drive to replace the Gen 2 17v Milwaukee 3/8” I bought last spring.

 

[decableguy2000]

I have been looking hard at the 923's, rumor has it other models will be released later 2022.

 

[finn]

I have been looking hard at the 923's, rumor has it other models will be released later 2022.

The YouTube tool shows say the mid torque is next in line for an upgrade.

There have been a few deals on the existing mid torque impacts, probably to draw down stock.

 

[timc930]

I wonder if the 923 (3/8) can replace all the functionality of the 894 (1/2), and use 3/8>>1/2 adapters with the 923 when a 1/2 socket is required?

Nevermind, just looked at the spec's, DCF923B is 300/450, DCF894B is 330/600 (Max Fastening Torque/Max Breakaway Torque)

 

[mike93lx]

I wonder if the 923 (3/8) can replace all the functionality of the 894 (1/2), and use 3/8>>1/2 adapters with the 923 when a 1/2 socket is required?

Nevermind, just looked at the spec's, DCF923B is 300/450, DCF894B is 330/600 (Max Fastening Torque/Max Breakaway Torque)

@Torque Test Channel has reviews on oth on youtube. I'd trust that way more than Dewalt specs