DEWALT DCF921 Impact Wrench Instruction Manual

: June 1, 2024
: Dewalt

Table of Contents

Instruction Manual
DCF921, DCF922, DCF923

Instruction Manual

DCF921, DCF922, DCF923

20V Max* Compact Impact Wrench

Fig. A

DCF921
DEWALT DCF921 Impact Wrench - Fig A1

DCF922 DCF923

(1) Trigger switch
(2) Forward/reverse button
(3) Anvil
(4) Battery release button
(5) Battery pack
(6) Worklight
(7) Mode selector
(8) Belt hook
(9) Screw
(10) Main handle
(11) Worklight switch

If you have questions or comments, contact us.

www.DEWALT.com
1-800-4-DEWALT

WARNING: Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations, and specifications in this manual, including the battery and charger sections provided in an original tool manual or the separate Batteries and Chargers manual.
Manuals can be obtained by contacting Customer Service as described elsewhere in this manual. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Definitions: Safety Alert Symbols and Words

This instruction manual uses the following safety alert symbols and words to alert you to hazardous situations and your risk of personal injury or property damage.

DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

(Used without word) Indicates a safety related message.

NOTICE: Indicates a practice not related to personal injury which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.

English (original instructions)

Fig. B

| Fig. C

DCF921, DCF923

DCF922

---|---
Fig. D

| Fig. E

Intended Use

This impact wrench is designed for professional impact fastening and drilling applications. The impact function makes this tool particularly useful for driving fasteners in wood, metal and concrete.

DO NOT use under wet conditions or in presence of flammable liquids or gases.

DO NOT let children come into contact with the tool. Supervision is required when inexperienced operators use this tool.

GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS

WARNING: Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

SAVE ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

1) Work Area Safety

a ) Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
b ) Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
c ) Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

2) Electrical Safety

a ) Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
b ) Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
c ) Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
d ) Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
e ) When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
f ) If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected supply. Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.

3) Personal Safety

a ) Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
b ) Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, nonskid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
c ) Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
d ) Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
e ) Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
f ) Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
g ) If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
h ) Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.

4) Power Tool Use and Care

a ) Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
b ) Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
c ) Disconnect the plug from the power source and/ or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
d ) Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
e ) Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
f ) Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
g ) Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits, etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
h ) Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.

5) Battery Tool Use and Care

a ) Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
b ) Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.
c ) When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
d ) Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.
e ) Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.
f ) Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature above 265 °F (130 °C) may cause explosion.
g ) Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

6) Service

a ) Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
b ) Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.

Impact Wrench Safety Warnings – All Operations

Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces, when performing an operation where the fastener may contact hidden wiring. Fasteners contacting a “live” wire may make exposed metal parts of the power tool “live” and could give the operator an electric shock.
Wear ear protectors during use. Exposure to noise can cause hearing loss.

WARNING: Impact wrenches are not torque wrenches. DO NOT use this tool for tightening fasteners to specified torques. An independent, calibrated torque measurement device such as a torque wrench should be used when under tightened or over tightened fasteners can lead to the failure of the joint.

Wear safety goggles or other eye protection. Hammering and drilling operations cause chips to fly. Flying particles can cause permanent eye damage.
Do not operate this tool for long periods of time. Vibration caused by tool action may be harmful to your hands and arms. Use gloves to provide extra cushion and limit exposure by taking frequent rest periods.
Accessories and tools get hot during operation. Wear gloves when touching them.

Additional Safety Information

WARNING: Never modify the power tool or any part of it.
Damage or personal injury could result.

WARNING: ALWAYS use safety glasses. Everyday eyeglasses are NOT safety glasses. Also use face or dust mask if cutting operation is dusty. ALWAYS WEAR CERTIFIED SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

ANSI Z87.1 eye protection (CAN/CSA Z94.3),
ANSI S12.6 (S3.19) hearing protection,
NIOSH/OSHA/MSHA respiratory protection.

WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

lead from lead-based paints,
crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.

Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

Wear protective clothing and wash exposed areas with soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes, or lay on the skin may promote absorption of harmful chemicals. Direct particles away from face and body.
Use the appropriate dust extractor vacuum to remove the vast majority of static and airborne dust. Failure to remove static and airborne dust could contaminate the working environment or pose an increased health risk to the operator and those in close proximity.
Use clamps or other practical ways to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control and injury.
Air vents often cover moving parts and should be avoided. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

CAUTION: When not in use, place tool on its side on a stable surface where it will not cause a tripping or falling hazard. Some tools with large battery packs will stand upright on the battery pack but may be easily knocked over.

The label on your tool may include the following symbols. The symbols and their definitions are as follows:

V ……………………. volts
Hz ………………….. hertz
min ………………… minutes
or DC …… direct current
…………………. Class I Construction (grounded)
…/min ………….. per minute
BPM ……………….. beats per minute
IPM ………………… impacts per minute
OPM ……………….. oscillations per minute
RPM ……………….. revolutions per minute
sfpm ………………. surface feet per minute
SPM ……………….. strokes per minute
A ……………………. amperes
W …………………… watts
Wh …………………. watt hours
Ah ………………….. amp hours
or AC ……….. alternating current
or AC/DC …. alternating or direct current
…………………. Class II Construction (double insulated)
no ………………….. no load speed
n ……………………. rated speed
PSI ………………….. pounds per square inch
…………………. earthing terminal
………………… safety alert symbol
………………… visible radiation– do not stare into the light
………………… wear respiratory protection
……………….. wear eye protection
………………… wear hearing protection
………………… read all documentation

ASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENTS

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn unit off and remove the battery pack before making any adjustments or removing/installing attachments or accessories. An accidental startup can cause injury.

Anvil (Fig. C)

WARNING: Use only impact accessories. Non-impact accessories may break and cause a hazardous condition. Inspect accessory prior to use to ensure that it contains no cracks.

CAUTION: Inspect anvils, detent pins, and hog rings prior to use. Missing or damaged items should be replaced before use.

Place the switch in the locked off (center) position or remove battery pack before changing accessories.

Anvil with Detent Pin (Fig. C)

DCF922
To install an accessory on the anvil, align the hole in the side of the accessory with the detent pin (13) on the anvil (3).

Press the accessory on until the detent pin engages in the hole. Depression of detent pin may be necessary to aid installation of accessory.

To remove an accessory, depress the detent pin through the hole and pull the accessory off.

Anvil With Hog Ring (Fig. C)

DCF921, DCF923
To install an accessory on the hog ring anvil, firmly push accessory onto the anvil (3). The hog ring (12) compresses to allow the accessory to slide on. After accessory is installed, the hog ring applies pressure to help provide accessory retention.

To remove an accessory, grasp the accessory and firmly pull it off.

Belt Hook (Fig. A)

Included with Some Models

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ONLY use the tool’s belt hook to hang the tool from a work belt. DO NOT use the belt hook for tethering or securing the tool to a person or object during use. DO NOT suspend tool overhead or suspend objects from the belt hook.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury , ensure the screw holding the belt hook is secure.

IMPORTANT: When attaching or replacing a belt hook, use only the screw that is provided. Be sure to securely tighten the screw.

A belt hook (8) can be attached to either side of the tool using only the screw (9) provided, to accommodate left or righthanded users. If the belt hook is not desired at all, it can be removed from the tool.

To move the belt hook, remove the screw (9) that holds it in place then reassemble on the opposite side. Be sure to securely tighten the screw.

Mode Selector (Fig. A, B)

Your tool is equipped with a mode selector (7) which allows you to select one of two speeds, Timber Screw™ mode, or Precision Wrench™ mode. Select the mode based on the maximum speed/torque needed and control the speed of the tool using the variable speed trigger switch (1).

Timber Screw™ Mode (Fig. B)

Timber Screw™ mode optimizes tool performance to help increase the speed of wood driving applications such as with lag bolts, lag screws and structural wood screws.

Precision Wrench™ Mode (Fig. B)

In addition to normal impacting modes, this tool features the Precision Wrench™ mode which grants the user greater control in both fastening and loosening applications.

When set in forward, the tool will fasten at 2500 RPM until impact begins. The tool will then pause for 0.5 seconds before continuing to impact at a rate of 3550 IPM, providing the user with greater control and reducing the chance of overtightening or damaging material.

When set in reverse, the tool will impact at a normal speed and rate of 3550 IPM. Upon sensing that the fastener has broken free, the tool will cease to impact and will reduce speed to help prevent “runoff” of loose hardware.

specifications

Mode	Application	RPM
Precision Wrench™	Precision Wrench™	0‑2500 forward

OPERATION

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn unit off and remove the battery pack before making any adjustments or removing/installing attachments or accessories. An accidental startup can cause injury.

Installing and Removing the Battery Pack (Fig. D)

NOTE: For best results, make sure your battery pack is fully charged.

To install the battery pack (5) into the tool handle, align the battery pack with the rails inside the tool’s handle and slide it into the handle until the battery pack is firmly seated in the tool and ensure that it does not disengage.

To remove the battery pack from the tool, press the release button (4) and firmly pull the battery pack out of the tool handle. Insert it into the charger.

Proper Hand Position (Fig. E)

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ALWAYS use proper hand position as shown.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ALWAYS hold securely in anticipation of a sudden reaction. Proper hand position requires one hand on the main handle (10).

Variable Speed Trigger Switch (Fig. A)

To turn the tool on, squeeze the trigger switch (1). To turn the tool off, release the trigger switch. Your tool is equipped with a brake. The anvil will stop when the trigger switch is fully released. The variable speed switch enables you to select the best speed for a particular application. The more you squeeze the trigger, the faster the tool will operate. For maximum tool life, use variable speed only for starting holes or fasteners.

NOTE: Continuous use in variable speed range is not recommended. It may damage the switch and should be avoided.

Forward/Reverse Control Button (Fig. A)

A forward/reverse control button (2) determines the direction of the tool and also serves as a lock-off button.

To select forward rotation, release the trigger switch and depress the forward/reverse control button on the right side of the tool.

To select reverse, release the trigger switch and depress the forward/reverse control button on the left side of the tool.

The center position of the control button locks the tool in the off position. When changing the position of the control button, be sure the trigger is released.

NOTE: The first time the tool is run after changing the direction of rotation, you may hear a click on start up. This is normal and does not indicate a problem.

Worklight (Fig. A, B)

The worklight (6) is activated when the variable speed trigger switch (1) is depressed. Pressing the worklight switch (11) repeatedly will cycle through low illumination, high illumination, and off.

NOTE: The worklight is for lighting the immediate work surface and is not intended to be used as a flashlight.

Usage (Fig. A)

CAUTION: Ensure fastener and/or system will withstand the level of torque generated by the tool. Excessive torque may cause breakage and possible personal injury.

Place the accessory on the fastener head. Keep the tool pointed straight at the fastener.
Press variable speed trigger switch 1 to start operation. Release variable speed trigger switch to stop operation. Always check torque with a torque wrench, as the fastening torque is affected by many factors including the following:
– Voltage: Low voltage, due to a nearly discharged battery, will reduce fastening torque.
– Accessory size: Failure to use the correct accessory size will cause a reduction in fastening torque.
– Bolt size: Larger bolt diameters generally require higher fastening torque. Fastening torque will also vary according to length, grade, and torque coefficient.
– Bolt: Ensure that all threads are free of rust and other debris to allow proper fastening torque.
– Material: The type of material and surface finish of the material will affect fastening torque.
– Fastening time: Longer fastening time results in increased fastening torque. Using a longer fastening time than recommended could cause the fasteners to be overstressed, stripped or damaged.

specifications

Max. fastening torque| 300 ft‑lbs, 406 Nm
(Speed 2, Timber Screw™, Precision Wrench™)
150 ft‑lbs, 203 Nm (Speed 1)
---|---
Max. breakaway torque|

450 ft‑lbs, 610 Nm (all modes)

No load speed|

0‑2500 rpm

Impacts per minute|

0‑3550 ipm

Length|

4.95″ (126 mm)

Weight|

2.47 lbs (1.1 kg)

MAINTENANCE

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn unit off and remove the battery pack before making any adjustments or removing/installing attachments or accessories. An accidental startup can cause injury.

Your DEWALT power tool has been designed to operate over a long period of time with a minimum of maintenance.

Continuous satisfactory operation depends upon proper tool care and regular cleaning.

Cleaning

WARNING: Blow dirt and dust out of all air vents with clean, dry air at least once a week. To minimize the risk of eye injury, always wear ANSI Z87.1 approved eye protection when performing this procedure.

WARNING: Never use solvents or other harsh chemicals for cleaning the nonmetallic parts of the tool. These chemicals may weaken the plastic materials used in these parts. Use a cloth dampened only with water and mild soap. Never let any liquid get inside the tool; never immerse any part of the tool into a liquid.

Accessories

WARNING: Since accessories, other than those offered by DEWALT, have not been tested with this product, use of such accessories with this product could be hazardous. To reduce the risk of injury, only DEWALT recommended accessories should be used with this product.

Recommended accessories for use with your product are available at extra cost from your local dealer or authorized service center. If you need assistance in locating any accessory, please contact DEWALT. Call 1-800-4-DEWALT (1-800-433-9258) or visit our website: www.dewalt.com.

Impact Accessories

WARNING: Use only impact accessories. Non-impact accessories may break and cause a hazardous condition. Inspect accessories prior to use to ensure that they contain no cracks.

Repairs

The charger and batteries are not serviceable. There are no serviceable parts inside the charger or battery pack.

WARNING: To assure product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance and adjustment (including brush inspection and replacement, when applicable) should be performed by a factory service center or an authorized service center. Always use identical replacement parts.

Register Online

Thank you for your purchase. Register your product now for:

WARRANTY SERVICE: Registering your product will help you obtain more efficient warranty service in case there is a problem with your product.
CONFIRMATION OF OWNERSHIP: In case of an insurance loss, such as fire, flood or theft, your registration of ownership will serve as your proof of purchase.
FOR YOUR SAFETY: Registering your product will allow us to contact you in the unlikely event a safety notification is required under the Federal Consumer Safety Act.

Register online at www.dewalt.com/account-login.

Three-Year Limited Warranty

For warranty terms, go to www.dewalt.com/support/warranty.

To request a written copy of the warranty terms, contact: Customer Service at DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., 701 East Joppa Road, Towson, MD 21286 or call 1-800-4-DEWALT ( 1-800-433-9258).

LATIN AMERICA: This warranty does not apply to products sold in Latin America. For products sold in Latin America, see country-specific warranty information contained in the packaging, call the local company or see website for warranty information.

FREE WARNING LABEL REPLACEMENT: If your warning labels become illegible or are missing, call 1-800-4-DEWALT ( 1-800-433-9258) for a free replacement.

Compatible battery packs and chargers

Battery Packs| DCB201, DCB203, DCB203G, DCB204, DCB204BT, DCB205, DCB205G, DCB205BT, DCB206, DCB208, DCB210, DCB230, DCB240, DCBP034, DCBP520, DCB606, DCB609, DCB609G, DCB612, DCB615
---|---
Chargers| DCB094, DCB102, DCB103, DCB104, DCB107, DCB112, DCB113, DCB115, DCB118, DCB132, DCB1102, DCB1104, DCB1106, DCB1112

WARNING: Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.

NOTE: DO NOT charge when the battery pack is below 40 ° F (4.5 ° C) or above 104 ° F (40 ° C). Do not store or use the tool and battery pack in locations where the temperature may reach or exceed 104 ° F (40 ° C).

Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20, 60 or 120 volts. Nominal voltage is 18, 54 or 108. (120V Max is based on using 2 DeWALT 60V Max lithium‑ion batteries combined.)

DeWALT Industrial Tool Co., 701 East Joppa Road, Towson, MD 21286
Copyright © 2021, 2024 DeWALT

The following are trademarks for one or more DEWALT power tools: the yellow and black color scheme, the “D” shaped air intake grill, the array of pyramids on the handgrip, the kit box configuration, and the array of lozenge-shaped humps on the surface of the tool.
NA517039

02/24