DeWalt High-Torque Impact Driver Makes Massive Jump in Performance
DeWalt fans have watched competing brands push higher impact driver performance while wondering when it would their turn to cheer. Thanks to the DeWalt DCF860 20V Max High Torque Impact Driver, that day is here.
Does it have high enough performance to challenge for a top position in our best impact driver roundup? I took a closer look to see what you can expect.
Pros
- Compact design
- Big improvements on RPMs and torque
- 3 speed modes
- Confident driving power
- Well-balanced
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
DeWalt DCF860 High Torque Impact Driver Performance
- Top Speeds: 1800/2500/3800 RPM
- Impact Rate: 4500 IPM
- Max Torque: 1250/2150/2500 in-lbs
- Collet: 1/4 in. hex
There’s no question the biggest talking point for this impact driver is the increase in performance. With a maximum torque rating of 2500 in-lbs, it has a whopping 675 in-lbs more torque than the DCF845! Additionally, the speed and impact rate are also higher. The top speed now hits 3800 RPM (400 RPM increase) and the impact rate is up to 4500 IPM (300 IPM increase), which is perfect for quickly driving mid-sized fasteners.
Here’s how those numbers match up against some top competitors:
| Model | Top Speed | Impact Rate | Max Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt 20V Max DCF860 | 3800 RPM | 4500 IPM | 2500 in-lbs |
| Flex 24V FX1371A | 4000 RPM | 4450 IPM | 2500 in-lbs |
| Makita 40V Max XGT GDT01 | 3700 RPM | 4400 IPM | 1950 in-lbs |
| Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953 | 3900 RPM | 4400 IPM | 2000 in-lbs |
Hands-On Testing
For my hands-on testing, I turned to of a few of our standard impact driver tests that help us understand where a tool falls on the performance spectrum. This includes driving 8-inch GRK RSS screws and 3/8 x 8-inch lag bolts into stacked OSB subflooring.
On average, the DCF860 sank the RSS screws in 7.17 seconds. For the lag bolts, the tool sank them in just over 6 seconds. These results are near the top end on the performance scale compared to other popular brands’ flagship models, such as the Flex FX1371 and Milwaukee’s 2953.
However, it outpaced the DeWalt DCF845 by a noticeable margin in the same tests. The 845 previously completed these tests in 8.63 seconds and 9.06 seconds, respectively.
Moreover, given its power level, we also managed to easily power through 4 inches of stacked OSB with our 1-inch spade bit like a hot knife through butter. While this isn’t a traditional application for an impact driver, it’s nice to know that the DCF860 can serve multiple purposes on the jobsite.
DeWalt DCF860 High Torque Impact Driver Design Notes
- Model: DeWalt DCF860
- Power Source: DeWalt 20V battery
- Weight: 2.7 lbs (bare tool), 4.6 lbs (with kitted 8.0Ah PowerPack battery)
- Head Length: 4.8 inches
As the new flagship impact driver for DeWalt’s 20V Max system, you could forgive the DCF860 if it bulked up a little. That’s not the case as it gets a little more compact, dropping the head length from the DCF845’s 5.1 inches to down to 4.8 inches.
The Atomic DCF850 is still the most compact with its 4.0-inch head length, but it’s well behind the 860 in performance.
On the other hand, the weight is a bit higher. With a 2.7-pound bare weight, the 860 is noticeably heavier than the 845’s 2.0 pounds. That’s not a huge surprise considering that such a significant increase in performance likely involves a bigger motor, bigger hammer and anvil, or combination.
Here’s the total working weight with a variety of battery choices:
| Battery | Total Working Weight |
|---|---|
| 2.0Ah | 3.2 pounds |
| 5.0Ah | 3.8 pounds |
| 5.0Ah PowerStack | 3.9 pounds |
| 8.0Ah PowerPack | 4.6 pounds |
Even with the large kitted PowerPack 8.0Ah battery, this tool is remarkably well-balanced and easy to maneuver.
LED Work Light
One feature worth drawing out is DeWalt’s LED lights and settings. While previous models had 3 LEDs surrounding the collet, this model has nine. By repeatedly pressing the light button, you can cycle through four settings:
- Low intensity for 20 seconds
- High intensity for 20 seconds
- High intensity for 20 minutes
- Off
DeWalt DCF860 High Torque Impact Driver Price
It’s been a while since DeWalt had much of a price jump in their flagship impact driver, but this is a much different tool than the previous two versions. As such, the bare tool is $199.99.
The kit configuration is different from what we’ve seen before, packing one of the new 8.0Ah PowerPack batteries and a charger for $319.99.
The Bottom Line
The biggest standout feature of this impact driver is its impressive performance boost, especially compared to the DCF845. It has plenty of power for tackling your light to medium-duty tasks, and is more than capable of driving mid-sized fasteners with ease. Overall, this is a very feature-rich impact driver that has the driving power and ergonomics that Pros demand.
