When a new cordless power tool comes in, I will usually grab a battery and make some test cuts, drill some holes, or drive in some fasteners. Specialty tools are a little different, but the point is that everyday tools will usually see some action right away.
Dewalt kindly sent over an unexpected and much-welcomed press kit – each of the new 20V Max Atomic Series impact tools neatly packed into a ToughSystem 2.0 tool box.
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After expressing my glee and exclaiming to the world how much I love my “job,” I grabbed the impact driver and thought about what I was going to do first.
Drive in some lag screws or 5/16″ structural fasteners?
Build some simple cabinets?
Nope. I had some readers’ “could it be too small?” doubts and comments running through my head. So, I grabbed the impact and bumped it into my workbench. I did this a couple of times, to be sure.
Finally, I grabbed the battery, repeated the ridiculous activity, and tried to take a photo.
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Here’s the question I tried to answer: should users be worried about potentially pinning their fingers between their tool and a work surface? When I posted a preview of the new Dewalt Atomic impact driver last month, a couple of readers expressed this as a valid concern.
Michael Hammer’s comment stuck with me in particular:
Oh my word, I’ve pinned my finger so many times. It’s not enough pay attention to the screw, you have to watch your trigger finger too!
So, I wanted to see if I could or would pin my finger on flat surfaces. Was the Atomic impact driver too small?
In the photo above, my pointer finger is resting on the impact’s trigger, but not pressing it in. I depressed it slightly before releasing the pressure, which is why the light’s still on. I feel that this is plenty of clearance. I can overlap two fingers to the first knuckle – there’s enough clearance where most people should be able to slide a finger over and away from the trigger switch.
Granted, I have medium-sized hands, but even users with larger hands should find ample trigger switch clearance.
Is it still possible to pin your trigger finger between the tool and something else? Of course – I’m sure there are obstructions or obstacles that can change things. All I wanted to check for was to see if the new Dewalt 20V Max Atomic impact driver was too compact, and I really don’t think it is.
I’ve got a series of testing lined up for tomorrow, and so I should have some feedback on its feel and performance shortly.
In-hand, it feels great. While incredibly compact, it doesn’t give off the same “impossibly compact” feeling as in the white-background product images. Meaning, I think that readers who expressed concerns about the tool being tool small, based on its online product images, might change their minds upon seeing the impact in person.
I can honestly say that I never thought of checking a drill or driver for trigger switch finger clearance. This won’t be the first thing I check with impact drivers in the future, but it’s something I’ll at least be aware of.
Now, if you excuse me, I’ve got to run back to the workshop – I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow to drive the first test screws.
If you want one of your own, it looks like the kit just started to ship.
And, if you’re wondering, the Dewalt Atomic impact wrenches are also gloriously compact. Dewalt is off to a very exciting fourth quarter with all of these hot new releases.
Read More:
New Dewalt Atomic Brushless Impact Driver is Amazingly Compact
Clay
Think there will be a bare tool option?
Steve
I’m sure there will be bare tool options for all 3. We already know the 1/4″ bare tool will be $99 @ Home Depot on a holiday promo. Get it as soon as it arrives at your store, it will sell out.
Big Richard
This was just a promo kit that DeWalt sent to sponsored peoples. The wrenches are all available as bare tools, kitted with two (2) 5Ah batteries, or kitted with two (2) 5Ah oil-resistant batteries. The driver is bare tool, one (1) 5Ah battery, or two (2) 5Ah battery kits.
Jared
That’s without a bit too. I don’t see clearance being an issue. Looks great!
Also, that foam cutout toughsystem setup is mouth watering.
Josh
I have the first generation atomic stuff and I love it. If it’s to short just use a longer bit, problem solved and then it’s still contact when you need it to be
A-A-Ron
What’s the point of getting into the 12v Xtreme lineup if these are smaller? It reminds me of when Makita began introducing their LXT subcompacts. Aside from the battery they were every bit as small as their CXT counterparts.
Will a second gen Xtreme drill/impact lineup be coming soon? It seems like it just came out yesterday.
Dave
Light weight
philip s john
Covers all the trades and the varied tool size and access requirements.
But yes some users won’t have both.
Brandon
I have the extreme 12v tools and the lighter weight makes a difference. And it seems the impact wrenches have the same torque rating if I’m seeing correctly. And I have the new 1/2 12v impact wrench and I absolutely love it. Size and weight and can run lug nuts off. That thing is amazing. I have some 20v stuff too like the xr 3/8 impact and the 885 impact. But that wouldn’t warrant me to buy more 20v at this time when I get the same performance with my 12v.
Big Richard
These Atomic models do have 50 ft-lbs more than the new 12v wrenches, in addition to being multi speed. The “standard” brushless compact 20v models (DCF911 and DCF913) have the same torque as the 12v models, and are the same form factor.
ca
It would be great if you could compare this to the 887 for driving large structural screws. Please and thank you.
mike douglas
are you sure it was a toughsystem 2.0 box ???
it looks like a yellow top TSTAK box
to my knowledge there are NO yello top tough tsystem 2.0 boxes !
cheers
mike
Farmerguy
Looks like the yellow may be the gasket. If you look at lower right corner of the presentation cardboard between the yellow gasket it appears you can see the black plastic of black lid to the toughsystem case.
Alternately a new toughsystem case is in the works.
Stuart
I’m sure. All that yellow is – as Farmerguy mentioned – rubbery gasket/weather seal material.
Jay Dee
ToolBoss just posted a video on the same promo kit and the box/lid is indeed all black with the yellow only being the gasket.
Adam
It is a press kit, so very well could be a specialized setup
MM
Nice! I can’t wait to see these show up in stores. I’m in the market for a 3/8 compact impact wrench and I want to handle this one before I decide between it and the M12.
Big Richard
My HD has the wrenches, not the driver yet. If you don’t want/need the 4 speeds of this Atomic, DeWalt also has the DCF913 out now, too. Slightly larger than the Atomic, single variable speed, 50 ft-lbs less torque, and anywhere from $20-$60 less moneys (it is essentailly a 20v version of the 12v DCF903).
https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/1389604-dewalt-dcf913b-20v-max-3-8-compact-impact-wrench.html
MM
I don’t really care about the 4 speeds, but if I end up going the Dewalt route I’ll happily pay a little more for a slightly smaller size and the extra torque.
I wonder if Dewalt has any larger impact wrenches in the works? I’d love to see a heavy duty flexvolt model with 3/4″ or 1″ drive.
Big Richard
There is a new high torque model coming as well, DCF900. Not a ton of details at the moment, but it is rated at 1000 ft-lbs tightening vs. the DCF899’s 700 ft-lbs.
MM
Sounds exciting!
philip s john
I find the comments to be hyper critical of dewalt new tools. but not of the 2 other high volume manufacturers.
I wonder why. I think dewalt might have the most sold units of tools. But Milwaukee and makita not far behind.
Ex.. Makita and Milwaukee HO lines were a direct and originaly unplanned reaction to dewalt 60v… yet it seems nobody ever discuss the short cumming of red and turquoise .
philip s john
A good example is the lawn mower by dewalt. It seems like there are users that have un realistic demands.
And never to I here anything about makita ope let alone a mower.
I
Nathan
awesome but yes I want to see how that runs compared to the 887 – not that i need a new impact but the size difference and running would be interesting. Say both of them running in a 3 inch #10 construction screw
meanwhile if you need help testing either impact wrench I’d be glad to help especially with the 1/2 model as I have 1/2 sockets for that – I don’t have any 3/8 impact sockets – but would run those with basic sockets. (yes I know, I know – but I already said 300 ft lbs is a bit too much for 3/8 drive anyway)
Looks like while I still really want the 923 model (I think – 1/2 with the buttons) I also have a eye for the cheaper model too.
either way what I would use it on. stepone – take off the lug nuts of something like an F150 – supposed to be torqued to 150 ft lbs. Then – reach behind the brake caliper with the same driver and pull out the caliper bracket to knuckle bolts. Also torqued to something like 180 if I recall.
Key being how easy/fast it spins off – and then is compact enough to reach back there and do the same in less space. Might also do something like pull the rear shocks out. and the go over to some like a Explorer and pull the front brakes off – same idea – small enough to get in place – more than enough torque to speed the job up.
just some basic first thoughts from an automotive idea. Then just because – show it running down some crazy large timber screw.
Eitherway keep us posted looks good. OH and I don’t have the milwaukee but I know they make one too and I think theirs supposedly has more torque and is a bit faster so it would be interesting to see the size differences.
Big Richard
If you want the “1/2 with the buttons” it is either the DCF921 (hog ring) or DCF922 (detent pin). DCF923 is the 3/8″.
As far as impact wrenches, spec wise these Atomics actually have higher IPM, higher RPM, and more torque than the M18 Fuel stubby wrenches. Real world tests may be different, but on paper these would be faster.
The impact driver has the same specs as the current XR DCF887, which is no match for the gen 3 Fuel impact driver, so this impact driver wouldn’t fare any better.
Kyle
Even though it has the specs as the 887, it is faster than the 887. I own a DCF850 it is fairing very with the power and speed of Milwaukee 3rd generation impact driver. From using the tool and testing the Milwaukee, DCF887 and the DCF850. The DCF 850 is great competition for Milwaukee and sticks with Milwaukee very well. This is the tool that actually shows how changing electronics in a tool can optimize the power for better use and be able to compete with tools that has higher specs. It’s not always about the specs.
Nathan
my thought of showing both would be to illustrate that it lives up to it’s spec listing. and is a touch smaller.
also figured I’d get the numbers wrong.
Bill Strobel
The big test is how it removes lug nuts tightened to 90 – 120 ft lbs. If it can remove them it is a winner.
Kyle
I work in HVAC, I’ve purchased this tool for work and it is actually faster than the 887. Everything about the Dewalt DCF850 should be the thing they should of put years ago. It feels cleaner, more powerful and faster. Milwaukee is actually going to have some competition with dewalt coming out with there new compact line that is producing power of the XR line.