Which Dewalt Impact?

[drabe7]

I received a dewalt 20V drill for Christmas with the 1.3ah batteries and have been very impressed wiuth it. I would like to get an impact wrench now. I'm torn between the DCF899B or the DCF880B. I would be using this for general auto work and use on diesels once I graduate. I know the 889 has more toque but Im worried it will drain my smaller batteries too quick. I do like the compact size of the 880 though. I have a very powerful MAC air impact. What do you guys think?

 

[rice rocket]

DeWalt impacts are like 5 years behind everyone else. Their 889B is just the 059 repackaged for 20v batteries (i.e. too lazy to redesign). Get something else.

 

[drabe7]

DeWalt impacts are like 5 years behind everyone else. Their 889B is just the 059 repackaged for 20v batteries (i.e. too lazy to redesign). Get something else.

I already have batteries for the dewalt. Im not gonna buy a brand new system

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I already have batteries for the dewalt. Im not gonna buy a brand new system

Personally I depends on what jobs you'll be using it on. More sockets or screw bits?

I have the older model 18v 1/4" impact driver (with the big heavy XRP batteries). It works great, but it's not going to be zipping off stuck lugs and the square drive bits add enough length to make it a PITA in cramped spaces.

I switched over to 12v (Milwaukee) after using my coworker's 12v Dewalt 3/8" impact wrench, and loving the lightweight compact feel of it when zipping parts off of the top of Eaton transmissions.

If it were me, I'd go for a DCF883B (3/8" square drive). The impact driver will be a little long and lose torque through the bits, and the 1/2" could start to feel underpowered getting up into the larger sizes.

The 3/8" will be compact and have all the power you need (plus you can buy some pretty big impact sockets for it if needed) and with a bit adapter, you can still use hex bits like a driver (something like the link below):
http://www.grainger.com/product/IRWIN-Drive-Bit-Holder-3-8-In-1AVB9

 

[Hantke]

I have a 12V impact, not the lithium ion or the LiFe, but the standard, and i love it, same batteries as the drill and i used both frequently installing cabinets for new construction, out-performed my mentors makita with the fancy batteries, mine lasted an average of a day if i kept one battery in each drill, or about 6 hours (of work, not continuous) if i was using one battery for each. If one has the pocket clip on it and the other doesn't, that would be the deciding factor for me, it's incredibly useful, and ridiculously hard to find one if it didn't come on it. (odd since it has the holes and slot pre-molded)
actually, i may have 18V, i'll have to go double check.
mine look like these:

I couldn't find the models you listed, but the light-weight one is awesome.

 

[rice rocket]

^^ You didn't read anything he wrote, did you? This is for automotive work, not building houses.


One tool + battery doesn't mean you're using DeWalt for life. If I were you, I'd sell the DeWalt drill, and go for something else (or keep it, and get a new kit w/ batteries). They're way behind for impacts, grinders, ratchets, and other automotive tools, why lead yourself down a path of constant mediocrity when there's way better stuff?

Look at what Milwaukee and Ingersoll Rand is offering and you'll feel dumb for investing in DeWalt equivalents. DeWalt's primary customer isn't the automotive customer, and they're not making any move towards satisfying that market.

 

[BlksnshN]

I'm a Tech at a small auto/cycle shop. We recently bought a new building and we are in the process of remodeling the inside. So My boss bought the Dewalt 20v Drill/impact kit. It came with the 1/4 hex impact. It's great for driving screws into wood and other various building tasks. I tried it out on a few different bolts on some cars and would not recommend it for daily automotive use. Just not enough torque to make it useful.

 

[drabe7]

The drill has a ton of torque. Way more than my C3 nicad drill or my old makita 14.4 nicad. I wont get much more the drill and I can't afford to get another kit. I think I will just get a 3/8" or the compact 1/2" and just use my MAC for big jobs

 

[drabe7]

^^ You didn't read anything he wrote, did you? This is for automotive work, not building houses.


One tool + battery doesn't mean you're using DeWalt for life. If I were you, I'd sell the DeWalt drill, and go for something else (or keep it, and get a new kit w/ batteries). They're way behind for impacts, grinders, ratchets, and other automotive tools, why lead yourself down a path of constant mediocrity when there's way better stuff?

Look at what Milwaukee and Ingersoll Rand is offering and you'll feel dumb for investing in DeWalt equivalents. DeWalt's primary customer isn't the automotive customer, and they're not making any move towards satisfying that market.

I have a friend with that IR and though powerful and nice it is just way out of my price range

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I have a friend with that IR and though powerful and nice it is just way out of my price range

That, and IR seems unable to pick a battery platform to stick with.

As I said before, 3/8" Dewalt would be the way I'd go if using the 20v platform. I have a ton of Milwaukee M12 tools, but still have and use my 18v Dewalt when needed (I don't bother with 1/2" drive sockets on it). Not dropping the cash on buying M18 tools when I have plenty of air tools for doing big jobs.

The biggest advantage of the cordless stuff is for underhood or other awkward spots where you don't want to wrestle an air hose off of whatever it hangs up on.

 

[92integra]

get the ones made buy Milwaukee.....

 

[Hantke]

^^ You didn't read anything he wrote, did you? This is for automotive work, not building houses.


One tool + battery doesn't mean you're using DeWalt for life. If I were you, I'd sell the DeWalt drill, and go for something else (or keep it, and get a new kit w/ batteries). They're way behind for impacts, grinders, ratchets, and other automotive tools, why lead yourself down a path of constant mediocrity when there's way better stuff?

Look at what Milwaukee and Ingersoll Rand is offering and you'll feel dumb for investing in DeWalt equivalents. DeWalt's primary customer isn't the automotive customer, and they're not making any move towards satisfying that market.

you can use the same impact with sockets as well, i've used it with an adaptor before and had absolutely no problems, i just happen to mainly use it for construction. I'ts got about 2 hours of time with socket adaptors, so i can't vouch for it a whole lot, got the job done, no problems for me.
The milwaukee electric cordless impacts are great when they work, we had them in the shop, used them for about 5 minutes till the battery died, then had to swap for another one. Never found it to be worth the money. They did have great power for those 5 minutes though.

 

[Tbirdtc]

I almost exclusively use a cordless 1/2 impact for lug nuts but u say ur gonna be a diesel mec I doubt u will be useing cordless on truck wheels I would buy something u need more till u see the guy next to u using somthing that works and makes u faster assuming ur not pd hourly

 

[Durka]

I've been using the 20V brushless impact for a little of everything. Had it about a year or so. No complaints. I also use a Milwaukee 18V 1/2" cordless hammer drill and the old Ryobi 18V impact is still hanging there.

The favorite is the newer DeWALT. It doesn't have the power of a 2135 of course but it's a good all around model.

View media item 39370

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I would be using this for general auto work and use on diesels once I graduate.

Any idea what section of the diesel field you're looking to get into (trucks, equipment, agriculture, mining, railroad, power gen, etc.)?

 

[drabe7]

Any idea what section of the diesel field you're looking to get into (trucks, equipment, agriculture, mining, railroad, power gen, etc.)?

Ill be interning at a CAT dealership this summer and will hopefully be working for them after school in their heavy equipment shop. The impact would used more on my pickup than on machines

 

[Hantke]

Ill be interning at a CAT dealership this summer and will hopefully be working for them after school in their heavy equipment shop. The impact would used more on my pickup than on machines

Are you by any chance a Think Big student? (CAT's special training course for those who don't know, it's small, but you learn a lot about everything regarding CAT)

 

[drabe7]

Are you by any chance a Think Big student? (CAT's special training course for those who don't know, it's small, but you learn a lot about everything regarding CAT)

No I am not. I go to a state college in NY who justs happens to be sponsored by the local CAT dealer

 

[youngridge]

Ill be interning at a CAT dealership this summer and will hopefully be working for them after school in their heavy equipment shop. The impact would used more on my pickup than on machines

Working with yellow, that 12v is mighty handy, im debating on upgrading to the 20v lithium ion, if I can find a hammer drill, impact and angle ginder in one, id be in heaven, not sure if they have the andgle grinder for 20v though.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Ill be interning at a CAT dealership this summer and will hopefully be working for them after school in their heavy equipment shop. The impact would used more on my pickup than on machines

CAT is good to work for. Have a few friends that went there after school. The guys in the equipment shop are happier than the guys I know in the truck shop. The less wheels and tires you have to wrestle off, the better.

I did a job shadow at the local CAT dealer when I was still in school and had a blast. Went to work at a truck dealership down the street, not so much fun (no openings at CAT at the time). It's a good field to be in, just find your niche and get REALLY good at it (electrical, transmissions, engine overhauls, etc), and you'll be in demand.

 

[Hantke]

No I am not. I go to a state college in NY who justs happens to be sponsored by the local CAT dealer

Oh cool! what part are you interested in? when i was there the Ag guys kept to themselves and seemed kinda snobby, but whatever. The Semi / Big rig guys were great, and the engine / ****** guys have many words of wisdom (if you can decipher what they are bitching about under their breath), great people for the most part, but at my old place the management sucked so bad as the higher ups were retiring or moving on most of us quit and went else where. Great place, lots of fun, and lots to learn!

 

[drabe7]

Im interested in heavy equipment such as construction. Its a mixture of ag, construction and truck guys here and we all get along good

 

[Hantke]

Im interested in heavy equipment such as construction. Its a mixture of ag, construction and truck guys here and we all get along good

Our shop had an ag corner, then the rest of the shop was everything heavy, had a small building by the welding shop and machine shop (Two different buildings) that was generators, and an entirely different one for trucks, so the truck shop wasn't at the same place, that's great you are all in the same place! Generator guys get it easy in the field (usually air conditioned or heated buildings) and the truck guys were always happy. After you do your rotation, sit and think about what you liked the best, then request to work in that area, if you keep yourself busy you can make your way to the top of the ladder (roughly $26.00 / hour) in about 2-4 years, for the first 8 months i was given raises every 8 weeks and went from 14 to 18 dollars an hour (not bad for a full time student, or at least to me it was good at the time). Anyways, if you get to be one of the best in your area, move and learn something new, then once you know-it-all (or not) become a field tech, that was my #1 favorite job at CAT, you get up to a couple dollars an hour extra when you are out of the shop, and you get to meet new people every day, it's awesome!

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Generator guys get it easy in the field (usually air conditioned or heated buildings)...

That's why I went right back to school for Onsite Power Generation after working in a truck shop.

I'd rather work with a meter all day than fight huge brake drums off and grease trucks all day.

 

[Hantke]

That's why I went right back to school for Onsite Power Generation after working in a truck shop.

I'd rather work with a meter all day than fight huge brake drums off and grease trucks all day.

Haha awesome! i went back to get an Associates degree in Auto Service Tech and a Bachelors in Technology & Management.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Haha awesome! i went back to get an Associates degree in Auto Service Tech and a Bachelors in Technology & Management.

I just need to finish my general education classes to have 2 AAS degrees. Still have at least a semester to go (the school I went to didn't lay out a very good plan on getting these classes finished). I'm currently applying for Gen Tech work locally, so the last few generals can wait.

Sorry for the hijack. OP, let us know what model you go with and how it works out for you.

 

[rpearlberg]

I've been using the 20V brushless impact for a little of everything. Had it about a year or so. No complaints. I also use a Milwaukee 18V 1/2" cordless hammer drill and the old Ryobi 18V impact is still hanging there.

The favorite is the newer DeWALT. It doesn't have the power of a 2135 of course but it's a good all around model.

View media item 39370

Which model is this? Thinking of getting the 20V kit...

 

[ADSR]

The milwaukee electric cordless impacts are great when they work, we had them in the shop, used them for about 5 minutes till the battery died, then had to swap for another one. Never found it to be worth the money. They did have great power for those 5 minutes though.

Welcome to 5 years ago, buddy. Milwaukee fuel impacts are the best you can buy as of right now.

 

[bubinga]

Do you guys still think the older DeWalt 889 is still worth buying, or should I wait for the new Dewalt line to come out, in hopes that the DCF 899 b will be on clearance?
I'm really not in a big hurry for the impact, I do have the 894 mid torque.
Grainger had the DCF 899 B with a battery and charger and everything for around $130 clearance but I missed it.
(Cross posted)

 

[Lucid Moments]

I am waiting on the new one to come out. Hoping it will be enough better to be worth it, or the prices on the current model will drop. Either way waiting seems the smart move to me.

 

[bubinga]

I am waiting on the new one to come out. Hoping it will be enough better to be worth it, or the prices on the current model will drop. Either way waiting seems the smart move to me.

Over a year already, they are not budging much on the DCF899b.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Over a year already, they are not budging much on the DCF899b.

After buying the new compact and mid torque I have pretty much decided not to bother with the high torque. With the lack of rust we have down here I just don't need it often enough. On the very rare occasion I run into something the mid torque can't handle I will break out my Astro Thor and drag an air line out.

 

[bubinga]

After buying the new compact and mid torque I have pretty much decided not to bother with the high torque. With the lack of rust we have down here I just don't need it often enough. On the very rare occasion I run into something the mid torque can't handle I will break out my Astro Thor and drag an air line out.

l'm thinking about the 891 or 892 myself.

 

[livinloud11]

I love my Dewalt DCF894 for a 1/2 cordless impact, the 891 is probably much better too. I rarely grab my DCF899, its huge and heavy. I also like my 3/8 for smaller things, but overall the 894 works great.

 

[Lucid Moments]

And just found this today.

 

[rsanter]

I received a dewalt 20V drill for Christmas with the 1.3ah batteries and have been very impressed wiuth it. I would like to get an impact wrench now. I'm torn between the DCF899B or the DCF880B. I would be using this for general auto work and use on diesels once I graduate. I know the 889 has more toque but Im worried it will drain my smaller batteries too quick. I do like the compact size of the 880 though. I have a very powerful MAC air impact. What do you guys think?

I have both and use both
The 899 has great power but is big and heavy, so having the compact one is good for other less taxing jobs
Get at least a 4aH battery, they work fine with the 1.3 but just for a short time

 

[MOS3522]

I love the return of these zombie threads because the world has changed a lot since it was first posted!

The DeWalt DCF900 is great. I use it on truck tires all the time and it is plenty powerful for the job. My Ingersoll Rand air torque gun hasn’t been touched in 2 years.

 

[anndel]

I have both the DeWalt DCF900 and Milwaukee 2767 and use them 99% of the time. My Snap-on PT850 and IR 235 Max says in the tool box but I use them once per quarter to keep them and the air compressor lubricated.

 

[rancherbill]

I would be using this for general auto work and use on diesels once I graduate.

I'd go with the bigger one. It's more useful in the long run. There are many battery adapters if you change systems in the future. I have Makita tools, and have bought an adapter so I can run some Ryobi tools.

 

[bubinga]

I love my Dewalt DCF894 for a 1/2 cordless impact, the 891 is probably much better too. I rarely grab my DCF899, its huge and heavy. I also like my 3/8 for smaller things, but overall the 894 works great.

Yeah, it really is a good mid torque still.