Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt Cordless 1/2" Wrench Kit-Experience

[roverguy]

I ordered this yesterday; despite some complaints of battery life. I have a drill that used the same nicads batteries, just bought a new battery.

So, rather than firing up the compressor everytime I need to loosen something I was wondering if anyone else had experience with this unit. BTW, I got it for $78, tax included with sale & points.

I may even buy one of the lithium Ion C3 batteries to supplement.

Comments/criticisms?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-c3-1...p-00931305000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Thanks

 

[csi123]

In my experience it is completely useless with the NiCad batteries. You really NEED the Lithium battery to go with it.

 

[GCncsuHD]

I can't speak for that one, but I have the newer upgraded 300ft*lb Lithium XCP model vs that 200ft*lb one.

But I do have older 19.2v (pre C3) tools with the NiCad batteries. I've gone through and replaced half a dozen NiCad batteries over the last 12 years and they are junk compared to the newer lithium batteries.

The life of those old NiCad batteries is comparable to the newer compact lithiums except the NiCads trail off in power while the Lithiums stay at full power to the end. The NiCads also self discharge faster and go bad much faster.

Throwing one of the newer bigger 4AH XCP lithiums into one of the old tools is a night and day difference. Same size/weight as the NiCads but literally 4x the run time and must be a bit higher voltage because they claim 20% increase in power and I believe it. It's most noticeable when I put the new XCP battery in my old 19.2 circular saw, where it used to slow down and bind the XCP powers it through (the NiCad's would die after ripping one sheet of plywood, the XCP battery runs all day it seems). It is even noticeably more powerful than the standard Lithiums, of which I have two.

The Lithiums also charge much faster. I keep my last 2 remaining NiCad's around mostly only to use in my 19.2 worklights (converted to LED) and use the Lithiums exclusively in the tools.


But as for the tool itself, my newer 300ft*lb version works fantastic, I used it the other day to remove/replace all 32 lug nuts on my F250 (165ft*lbs) and do some suspension work as well as rotate the tires on two other vehicles, 48 more lug nuts at about 120 ft*lbs, all of that was on one charge and the battery still showed in the "green".

 

[drshdw]

This is probably the better bet. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-c3-1...prdNo=1&sellerId=SEARS&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Plus it comes with a 4Ah XCP battery

 

[ollie76]

I think mine is awesome. It's no beast mind you, but it handles lug nuts easily. I have the Ni-cad batteries, works great!

 

[roverguy]

Yea, they have the lithium on sale an I have a $10 coupon. I'll pick one of those up. Darn, should have bought lithium last month when I replaced a dead one for my drill, only $10 more!

Thanks all.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I've had the C3 cordless tools since 2006, have been using the Ni-Cad batteries all along, and love all the tools.

I bought 1/2" impact as soon as it came out, I was waiting for it. I use it (with the Ni-Cads) to bust the big 1" lug nutes off and back onto the NASCAR car race car all day long in the shop and at the track without any problems whatsoever.

Most of my Ni-Cads are from 2006, a few from 2010. This past year I've noticed they might be getting a little soft, but they recharge quickly. I'm sure shortly I'll start switching over to the Li-Ion batteries.

I looked at other cordless impacts before I bought the C3, and for the additional price I could NOT justify spending the extra money.

The C3 series is slick. One battery fits all the tools. One charger charges all the batteries for all the tools. And now they have what ... three different sizes/types of Li-Ion batteries.

Starting building your collection today. Eventually they all go on sale.

 

[GCncsuHD]

Yea, they have the lithium on sale an I have a $10 coupon. I'll pick one of those up. Darn, should have bought lithium last month when I replaced a dead one for my drill, only $10 more!

Thanks all.

Don't buy the lithium XCP battery by itself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For starters any of the Lithium batteries use a different charger than the NiCads, the charger alone is $45. You can get the basic Lithium compact batt and charger together for $70, but it's performance is the same as the NiCad, it just doesn't trail off or self discharge as fast. But the XCP battery alone (the best one) is $90 alone, without a charger.

You paid $78 for the Impact, at best if you get the Compact Lithium and Charger you'll have $150 (Including your coupon, but taking into consideration taxes) into the set with a less effective tool. With the tool, the charger and the XCP Batt you'd have over $200 into it, but still a less powerful impact.


The new XCP battery and upgraded impact combo is $160 (I got mine on sale a couple months ago for $150, not counting coupons/points). You'll have 100ft*lbs more torque, more battery life, faster charging, and an upgraded battery to use in your other tools.





If I were you I'd return the impact you got and get the upgraded version, either that or just live with the NiCad batteries.

 

[brawls43]

I got the C3 1/2" impact back in 2009, been using it for lugs on the racecar and occassionally other things needing light impacts under cars. It works well with the NiCad. When I get new batteries, I'll definitely upgrade to the big XCP one for longer life. But its nice having the same battery in a bunch of tools. And I always have a charged battery, so its life has never been an issue for me.

 

[GCncsuHD]

Most of my Ni-Cads are from 2006, a few from 2010. This past year I've noticed they might be getting a little soft, but they recharge quickly. I'm sure shortly I'll start switching over to the Li-Ion batteries.

I first got my 19.2V set (pre C3 days) way back around 2002 I think, not long after the 19.2 line was introduced. The drill/light set with one battery. The next year my dad got me the drill/sawzall/circular saw/light set with two NiCad batteries. I think those lasted around 5 years, I replaced them one at a time with the newer "EX" batteries and then the "Die Hards" (die easy's) several times until finally getting a couple lithium batteries around 2011. Such an improvement. I have two NiCads from around 09-10, they seem to self discharge in a matter of days, and won't drill/saw nearly like they did when new, I kept them around only because my LED converted work light will last a few hours on them.

I like that Craftsman has stuck with the same battery connection for over 10 years though, that has been nice. That's one thing Sears has gotten right. I have had zero problems with any of my original pre-C3 19.2V tools, they still work great to this day (except the damned work light that blew bulbs ever couple months, LED conversion fixed that).

 

[roverguy]

Not sure why the standard charger won't work. Is it because feedback on percent charge doesn't register properly? Volts are volts, amps are amps..

Anyone using the standard charger & lithium?

 

[hackwelder]

FWIW the charger included in the newer XCP tool kits (like the HD drill and HD impact wrench) will charge lithium AND nicad batteries, also 12 and 19.2 V

 

[GCncsuHD]

Not sure why the standard charger won't work. Is it because feedback on percent charge doesn't register properly? Volts are volts, amps are amps..

Anyone using the standard charger & lithium?

Nope, I don't know if the circuitry in the Lithium Battery or the charger itself would even allow it to try take a charge.

Lithiums must be charged with a constant current until the voltage reaches the desired point then trickles down. NiCad is charged with a constant voltage until the current lowers to zero. Lithiums must also monitor cell temperature when charging or it can "runaway" and cause a fire (see Apple). Also lithiums are very picky about how charged they get. If you think about the battery having a 100% charge, Lithiums cannot be discharged below say 30% or so, below that point it damages the battery, this is why they don't trail off when you use them but rather stop suddenly when discharged. There is still ~30% charge in the battery, but it is saved to prevent damage. They also are not charged 100%, because getting to their full capacity can damage the cells as well. Generally they operate between 30% and 90% of their full capacity. They have little microprocessors inside the battery to control this.


The Lithium charger does have the ability to charge the older NiCad batteries, but not the other way around.

 

[GSteg]

If you're going to get the Craftsman C3, get the newest one with 300ft-lbs. Better light, more torque, lithium (4ah!!), and you get the smart charger so you can still charge your old Nicads.

 

[roverguy]

Ended up buying the C3 with lithium, actually cheaper than buying the nicad & the smart charger and a lithium battery.

So, I'm kind of surprised there is no torque release for tightening? It's really best for removing stubborn bolts/nuts.

I have bad tennis elbow for about a year and the rotation of swinging a socket or wrench is very painful. this should help.

Thanks for the input.

 

[TTA579]

I have a C3 circular saw that was having trouble with 1/2" laminated particle board on a fully charged NiCad battery. I bought an XCP battery for it and it did the job with ease.

 

[GCncsuHD]

I have a C3 circular saw that was having trouble with 1/2" laminated particle board on a fully charged NiCad battery. I bought an XCP battery for it and it did the job with ease.

Same experience I had. Ripping 4x8 sheets of MDF, one pass would kill a NiCad battery, my compact lithiums would do a little better, but any little bind would stop the saw and you could tell it was struggling. The XCP battery powered through like it was nothing.

 

[mooseracing]

I like that Craftsman has stuck with the same battery connection for over 10 years though, that has been nice. That's one thing Sears has gotten right.

I agree 100%, I was in the same boat, have had them since first introduced. I have burned up a few of mine though, but I used them constantly and abused them. I still buy them as they have served me well though.

 

[RustnGrease]

I have the same impact, use it at home and at work (heavy equipment) when air isn't available or i dont feel like dragging an air hose around. It works for mostly everything i try it on, but battery life (Nicad) *****. Going to get lithium batteries someday since i also have the 4.5 angle grinder and barely get any run time with the nicad's.

 

[DanInVA]

Ended up buying the C3 with lithium, actually cheaper than buying the nicad & the smart charger and a lithium battery.

I have the older style 1/2" impact with the ni-cd and have been pretty satisfied with its performance. Sooner or later I will probably upgrade to lithium. I would have gotten the heavy duty one with the xcp battery, but it was not released unity after I bought mine. Great tool to have though.