Craftsman 19.2v C3 Fans

[EOC_Jason]

I like my C3 stuff, they get the job done... I'm sure batteries will be available for quite some time, but when my tools ever die I'll probably switch over to Milwaukee (assuming they are still the best at that point in time).

 

[tjpavlov]

https://www.sears.com/20v-drill-and-impact-driver-combo-kit/p-A027414469

I noticed this on Sears.com last night. It looks like a 20v Craftsman drill with a slide on battery. The listing says that it's from 2010, but there is a question about it that mentions extra batteries are going to be coming available in December, 2018.

Is this just another old product that is suddenly popping up on Sears.com, or is it something new? It is red, but doesn't look like the new Stanley Black and Decker models.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Looks new... Definitely not 2010 tech...

 

[tjpavlov]

I did a web chat with Sears. They confirmed that it is a brand new product and that the battery platform will include more tools shortly. They then referred me to Craftsman.com for more details. Not very helpful....

 

[deberly12]

https://www.sears.com/20v-drill-and-impact-driver-combo-kit/p-A027414469

I noticed this on Sears.com last night. It looks like a 20v Craftsman drill with a slide on battery. The listing says that it's from 2010, but there is a question about it that mentions extra batteries are going to be coming available in December, 2018.

Is this just another old product that is suddenly popping up on Sears.com, or is it something new? It is red, but doesn't look like the new Stanley Black and Decker models.

So let's get this straight there are now 2 new Craftsman battery platforms..... This is getting nuts....

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[vette-kid]

So let's get this straight there are now 2 new Craftsman battery platforms..... This is getting nuts....

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Two new?

There's still the C3, and now this 20v. What else?

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[classic70]

There is the Sears sourced Craftsman 20v on the Sears website and the Craftsman 20v from SBD. Clear as mud right?

 

[deberly12]

There is the Sears sourced Craftsman 20v on the Sears website and the Craftsman 20v from SBD. Clear as mud right?

Yup that's three...

What about the other old ones are they still available?

Nextec and the bolt-on that took a different battery.

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[rickhigginshtbr]

absolutely dumb. It's going to make life, for people who buy them, absolutely mad finding the right one if/when sears sells a good amount of them.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

So I have an upholstery project coming up, how was the C3 Stapler? Were there different models where one was better than an other? Or should I finally start looking into another brand?

 

[EOC_Jason]

So I have an upholstery project coming up, how was the C3 Stapler? Were there different models where one was better than an other? Or should I finally start looking into another brand?

This stapler? ??? I don't think you will be able to find it anywhere except eBay or a garage sale...

If you want a cordless stapler, this Arrow model was $14.99 at some Lowe's (regularly $59.98), and gets really good reviews...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Arrow-T50DCD-Heavy-Duty-Electric-Staple-Gun/1000224145

 

[powertrip]

So I have an upholstery project coming up, how was the C3 Stapler? Were there different models where one was better than an other? Or should I finally start looking into another brand?

This stapler? ??? I don't think you will be able to find it anywhere except eBay or a garage sale...

If you want a cordless stapler, this Arrow model was $14.99 at some Lowe's (regularly $59.98), and gets really good reviews...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Arrow-T50DCD-Heavy-Duty-Electric-Staple-Gun/1000224145

I would go with Ryobi. They have way more tools, better battery options, quality is really good and they have been releasing new tools monthly. They have specific tools that no other brand makes. I choose Ryobi over the C3 line up years ago and don't regret it a bit. From what I understand, Sears can still source manufacturers for some Craftsman tools, that's why there is the C3 line still (it was and may still be made by TTI, which also makes the Ryobi line). Stanley is putting the Craftsman name on the new red power tools which are essential Porter cable (non-brushless) and Dewalt (brushless).

 

[kythri]

I thought TTI and Sears parted ways, and the later C3 stuff was being made by Chervon?

 

[EOC_Jason]

What about the other old ones are they still available? Nextec and the bolt-on that took a different battery.

The older C3 came with NiCad, but will work with newer Lithium batteries just fine. Before that I think there were 18V branded, not sure of the battery style.

Nextec is 12V and was a totally different line.

The bolt-on I think is gone from the website, but you can sometimes still find bits here & there in the Hometown stores.

There was a short time I think Sears made a Pro line that was branded 20V, but those also disappeared pretty quick.

I put a pic together of the Sears & SBD drills, along with a DeWalt 20V drill... It looks pretty interesting that the new Sears drill might be made by SBD, almost a rebrand of their existing drill... Battery packs look super similar but you can bet they won't be compatible...

I'm happy with my C3 stuff... But when they die I'm going to Milwaukee... Too much BS with Sears & SBD over all these different varieties of tools all with different battery packs...

After walking around Lowe's it's become apparent that SBD is just whoring out the Craftsman name... Exact same products as before, now just red...

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i just sold all my c3 tools, although I did keep the grinder, one li-ion batt, and a charger.

 

[powertrip]

I thought TTI and Sears parted ways, and the later C3 stuff was being made by Chervon?

You may be right. It's all kinda confusing. What's certain is the red tools, made by Stanley are the future of the craftsman line.

 

[deberly12]

i just sold all my c3 tools, although I did keep the grinder, one li-ion batt, and a charger.

I find is interesting that the grinder is what you kept. I found the c3 grinder pathetic... It is the first thing I sold. Infact I never used it because it always stalled. I got the Milwaukee fuel by accident and it is 10x what the c3 one was. I never use the corded one because the fuel is just as powerful and last a long time on a battery. I still have most of my cell though...I was waiting for them to die but they just won't lol.

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[emeraldcoupe]

I find is interesting that the grinder is what you kept. I found the c3 grinder pathetic... It is the first thing I sold. Infact I never used it because it always stalled. I got the Milwaukee fuel by accident and it is 10x what the c3 one was. I never use the corded one because the fuel is just as powerful and last a long time on a battery. I still have most of my cell though...I was waiting for them to die but they just won't lol.

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don't know what to tell you, the one I have works great

 

[EOC_Jason]

There are several models of the C3 grinder, obviously some better than others.

Mine works good, cuts & grinds anything with plenty of power. Only downside is it will go through a battery pretty quick, and I only use the large one on it.

I always use my corded grinder in the garage, mostly because I love the adjustable speed. But I do use my cordless when having to work elsewhere that I can't get an extension cord to easy or don't know what the power situation will be at some other place.

 

[deberly12]

Yes mine is a different model because there was no variable speed. Why do you like that I have never seen the advantage of a slower speed when grinding.

Also I am an impatient 300 lb gorilla. I probably push down a little too much when I grind.

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[tjpavlov]

The older C3 came with NiCad, but will work with newer Lithium batteries just fine. Before that I think there were 18V branded, not sure of the battery style.

Nextec is 12V and was a totally different line.

The bolt-on I think is gone from the website, but you can sometimes still find bits here & there in the Hometown stores.

There was a short time I think Sears made a Pro line that was branded 20V, but those also disappeared pretty quick.

I put a pic together of the Sears & SBD drills, along with a DeWalt 20V drill... It looks pretty interesting that the new Sears drill might be made by SBD, almost a rebrand of their existing drill... Battery packs look super similar but you can bet they won't be compatible...

I'm happy with my C3 stuff... But when they die I'm going to Milwaukee... Too much BS with Sears & SBD over all these different varieties of tools all with different battery packs...

After walking around Lowe's it's become apparent that SBD is just whoring out the Craftsman name... Exact same products as before, now just red...

You are right... Craftsman did make a 20v Professional line of tools. They were red too, which is really going to help add to the confusion.

They also had a 4 volt set of tools for about six months at one point.


Stuart has a post on his site about this:

https://toolguyd.com/sears-launches-new-craftsman-20v-max-cordless-power-tools/

It's a very interesting read.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

This stapler? ??? I don't think you will be able to find it anywhere except eBay or a garage sale...

If you want a cordless stapler, this Arrow model was $14.99 at some Lowe's (regularly $59.98), and gets really good reviews...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Arrow-T50DCD-Heavy-Duty-Electric-Staple-Gun/1000224145

Of course nothing at that price local for me. It pops up on the for sale sites here and there, usually one or two listed at any given time.

I would go with Ryobi. They have way more tools, better battery options, quality is really good and they have been releasing new tools monthly. They have specific tools that no other brand makes. I choose Ryobi over the C3 line up years ago and don't regret it a bit. From what I understand, Sears can still source manufacturers for some Craftsman tools, that's why there is the C3 line still (it was and may still be made by TTI, which also makes the Ryobi line). Stanley is putting the Craftsman name on the new red power tools which are essential Porter cable (non-brushless) and Dewalt (brushless).

I'm fully aware, just looking if anyone actually used this and how was it. Debating making the switch myself for a few months now, but it's not too often I need something that I dont have.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yes mine is a different model because there was no variable speed. Why do you like that I have never seen the advantage of a slower speed when grinding.

There is no C3 grinder with variable speed, I was talking about my Hitachi Corded one...

I mostly like to slow it down when using a wire wheel, especially in tight areas. But also when cutting or grinding slowing it down gives you more control which again in tight areas can make things a lot easier. It just depends on the material you are working with and the thickness and such...

 

[EOC_Jason]

You are right... Craftsman did make a 20v Professional line of tools. They were red too, which is really going to help add to the confusion.

They also had a 4 volt set of tools for about six months at one point.

Stuart has a post on his site about this:

https://toolguyd.com/sears-launches-new-craftsman-20v-max-cordless-power-tools/

It's a very interesting read.

If Sears was serious about a new higher-end Craftsman look, they would have made these new tools BRUSHLESS... At least SBD does offer a couple brushless for their CMan line, but let's be serious, the SBD ones are no different than existing Dewalt models...

Also what is up with the Sears bulky impact driver? It looks larger than the C3 models!!!

 

[deberly12]

There is no C3 grinder with variable speed, I was talking about my Hitachi Corded one...

I mostly like to slow it down when using a wire wheel, especially in tight areas. But also when cutting or grinding slowing it down gives you more control which again in tight areas can make things a lot easier. It just depends on the material you are working with and the thickness and such...

Oh ok.... Yeah I can see that I guess.

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[6PTsocket]

Re: Craftsman 19.2v C3 Kit Price. Good deal?

Why not go with ryobi instead? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-One-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Ultimate-Combo-Kit-6-Tool-P884/203466936
Since sears is probably going to go under with in the next few years, I doubt the line of powertools will be supported for much longer. Ryobi has a pretty big line and the batteries work with all the tools, even the old blue ones. TTI makes craftsman powertools,ryobi,milfooki,ridgid.

Few years? You are the optimist. With the stock at $1.34 most if the financial experts say they will not see the end of 2019. They are running out of stores to close. They are bleeding money and have not had a profitable quarter in years. If a stock is below a buck for ten days it comes off the board. When they made the deal with Amazon to mount Amazon's mail order tires they got a little blip but it does not make a dent in their situation. Besides, with all the closings where would you go to use this service? On the other hand, Eddie Lambert will make out fine. After running Sears into the ground, he is in survival mode and with his real estate operation, offer to buy Kenmore and other plays, he is making money.



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[kythri]

Eddie Lambert, huh?

 

[Jalopy_J]

I haven't used it a ton, but the C3 stapler has always worked well enough for me. They pop up on eBay pretty regularly in the $50 range. It doubles as a Brad Nailer, which is handy if you don't have the SpeedShot one, which really has a lot of power.

 

[Jalopy_J]

I don't get why Sears would be coming out with a different 18v line. Yes, they parted ways with TTI, but Chervon has been making nearly all of C3 since 2014 anyways. Why not utilize the millions of current C3 users out there to your advantage? Makes no sense. The only thing I can think is they dealed some short term deal to run until the doors close on the place. They called up some Chinese supplier and put in an order for some off the shelf 18v tools and put Craftsman on them. Nothing we can do, but if anyone is going to be converting from C3 to something else, be sure to stay away from both this Sears 20V Max and the SBD "V20" 20V Max.

 

[fordgasm]

sad to see whats become of the C3 line, I liked it while I had it but a few years ago saw how bad Sears was doing and dropped it for Milwaukee/Ryobi and haven't looked back.

 

[tjpavlov]

Sears has another 20V tool up on their website. This time, a hammer drill with a metal chuck:

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-20v...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

This has a different charger and some better pics of the batteries.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

sad to see whats become of the C3 line, I liked it while I had it but a few years ago saw how bad Sears was doing and dropped it for Milwaukee/Ryobi and haven't looked back.

C3 was my original tool setup since they had so many options and at affordable prices. My biggest complaint (before the sale) was that they would release new C3 tools that would never make it to stores, and then discontinue them after 6-12 months. I eventually got fed up and when all the Sears stores closed a few years back I sold it all and went with Milwaukee as well.

 

[Jalopy_J]

Believe it or not, there is a "new" C3 tool at Sears. I use "new" in quotations, because it is a 3/8" impact wrench, which was once available years ago as item 315.ID2000. It is listed on the Sears website with an addition date of Oct 10 2018, and it shows my local Sears has one in stock, so it may be in all stores as well. It is listed as item number 36558 or 98600. It's currently $93.49 with a charger and the small lithium battery. I have the old ID2000 version, but if anyone would like another shot at a once discontinued item, $93.49 as a kit doesn't sound that bad. I like the ID2000 version well enough. It has more power than my Milwaukee Fuel (now sold) or Matco 16v 3/8" impacts.

EDIT: Looking at the Sears website, almost everything left in C3 is TTI/Ryobi-made. For awhile it was the opposite. Almost everything left was Chervon-made. Now the only Chervon item left it the Heavy Duty Hammer Drill. The impact driver, the 1/2" drill driver, the 2 piece combo, and the 6 piece combo are all gone, while they appear to be getting impact drivers and the aforementioned impact wrench from Ryobi again.

2nd Edit: The 3/8 impact IS the old ID2000 now back in production. The 36558 and 98600 numbers must be referencing the kit. The tool itself is the old 315.ID2000 from years ago. There is someone selling an opened kit on eBay and in their picture the impact clearly shows the 315.ID2000 model number and a July 2018 manufacture date.

 

[lafester]

Damn, that's like the one thing I still kind of wanted. I have the bolt on impact and it works well.. ugh. Wonder when these arrived in store as I did not notice them.

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https://www.sears.com/craftsman-c3-3-8-in-impact-wrench-kit/p-A029143185

 

[2manytools]

Believe it or not, there is a "new" C3 tool at Sears. I use "new" in quotations, because it is a 3/8" impact wrench, which was once available years ago as item 315.ID2000. It is listed on the Sears website with an addition date of Oct 10 2018, and it shows my local Sears has one in stock, so it may be in all stores as well. It is listed as item number 36558 or 98600. It's currently $93.49 with a charger and the small lithium battery. I have the old ID2000 version, but if anyone would like another shot at a once discontinued item, $93.49 as a kit doesn't sound that bad. I like the ID2000 version well enough. It has more power than my Milwaukee Fuel (now sold) or Matco 16v 3/8" impacts.

What Milwaukee model are you referencing? The only impact wrench that low in specs is/was the Fuel 3/8" Gen1, which I think is decently smaller than this C3 impact. Also the C3 is a single speed impact, if that matters

 

[Here2Learn]

Believe it or not, there is a "new" C3 tool at Sears. I use "new" in quotations, because it is a 3/8" impact wrench, which was once available years ago as item 315.ID2000. It is listed on the Sears website with an addition date of Oct 10 2018, and it shows my local Sears has one in stock, so it may be in all stores as well. It is listed as item number 36558 or 98600. It's currently $93.49 with a charger and the small lithium battery. I have the old ID2000 version, but if anyone would like another shot at a once discontinued item, $93.49 as a kit doesn't sound that bad. I like the ID2000 version well enough. It has more power than my Milwaukee Fuel (now sold) or Matco 16v 3/8" impacts.

EDIT: Looking at the Sears website, almost everything left in C3 is TTI/Ryobi-made. For awhile it was the opposite. Almost everything left was Chervon-made. Now the only Chervon item left it the Heavy Duty Hammer Drill. The impact driver, the 1/2" drill driver, the 2 piece combo, and the 6 piece combo are all gone, while they appear to be getting impact drivers and the aforementioned impact wrench from Ryobi again.

2nd Edit: The 3/8 impact IS the old ID2000 now back in production. The 36558 and 98600 numbers must be referencing the kit. The tool itself is the old 315.ID2000 from years ago. There is someone selling an opened kit on eBay and in their picture the impact clearly shows the 315.ID2000 model number and a July 2018 manufacture date.

Huh! Nice catch!

I have one, but have never got around to using it yet.

Like most everyone else, I wish they would bring back all the discontinued stuff.

 

[Jalopy_J]

What Milwaukee model are you referencing? The only impact wrench that low in specs is/was the Fuel 3/8" Gen1, which I think is decently smaller than this C3 impact. Also the C3 is a single speed impact, if that matters

Yeah, it was the gen 1 Fuel. Worthless tool. I just ordered the new one online over the weekend. I'm planning on selling the Matco 16v kit I have. It's a good tool, and I'd like the new brushless one with 250ft/lbs. It is probably a lot better than the gen 2 fuel, but we no longer have a Matco dealer here anymore. They're a lot more expensive than the Milwaukee anyways. Planning on using the new Milwaukee at work and taking the C3 ID2000 home. I should know how the new one compares next week.

 

[Jalopy_J]

The M12 Fuel 3/8 stubby I ordered showed up today. So FWIW to anyone who cares, I did some testing with all the electric impact wrenches I currently own. 3 3/8" impacts and one 1/2" impact. They are the Craftsman C3 3/8" Impact Wrench (ID2000) on a 18 nominal volt, 2.0Ah battery. The Craftsman C3 1/2" Heavy Duty Impact Wrench (ID2030) on a 18 nominal volt, 4.0Ah battery. The Matco 3/8" 16v Infinium Impact Wrench (MCL1638IW) on a 14.4 nominal volt, 2.0Ah battery. The Matco M12 Gen 2 Fuel Stubby 3/8" Impact Wrench (2554-20) on a 10.8 nominal volt, 6.0Ah battery.

Manufacturer ratings:

Matco: 70 ft/lbs
Craftsman 3/8": 130 ft/lbs
Milwaukee: 250 ft/lbs
Craftsman 1/2": 300 ft/lbs

Not part of the test (because I sold it), I previously owned the gen 1 M12 Fuel 3/8" impact and found it worthless. Any of the 3 3/8" impact wrenches above are superior.

First, a thought on size. The M12 Gen 2 fuel is a clear winner as far as length is concerned, hence the "stubby" nomenclature from Milwaukee. It is huge in every other dimension. As with all brushless tools, the motor is much bigger than a brushed counterpart, so the body on this is beefcake. It is bigger round than even the 1/2" Craftsman. With the 6 cell XC battery I plan on using with it (M12 tools are noticeably more powerful with an XC), it is also the 2nd tallest, taller even than the C3 3/8" impact. Though it is not nearly as stubby, one could make a case the Matco is actually the smallest. The body is small, it's not very tall, and it is fairly stubby. This tool is just light and tiny in the hand. I always liked that about this impact. It fits in places really well. It also has a small battery, (although a 3 cell M12 pack would be smaller).

Testing on power. Without being specific or scientific, I did some testing on some lugnuts and a GM 3800 crank bolt tonight in the garage. The 3/8" impacts are all very close to each other in power. It took a lot of swapping back and forth to actually figure out which had more power than another. I eventually concluded the C3 3/8" has more a little more power than the Matco (as I had concluded in the past), and I concluded the Milwaukee (on its highest power setting) has a little more power than the C3 3/8". The Craftsman 1/2" was in a league of its own with substantially more power than its smaller 3/8" counterparts. It may not have the nearly the power of these brushless 18v behemoths from Milwaukee M18 and some others, but there is nothing wrong with the old C3 1/2".

I was VERY disappointed in my Gen 1 Fuel M12 from a few years ago, and although the stubby is much better than that one, and it's the "best" of the 3 3/8" impacts I have here, I'm disappointed in it as well. It is rated very nearly double the C3 I have been using at work, yet it barely has more power. It will be nice that it is smaller and will work with all my other M12 tools at work, but I wish I was getting a power bump over the C3 as well. I'll bring the C3 home, and all my work tools will be M12, all my home tools C3. The venerable Matco I'll sell or give to somebody since I don't really need it anymore.

I wish I had the new brushless version of the Matco 16v Infiuium 3/8" to test, but we lost our Matco dealer a couple years ago. It is rated 250 ft/lbs like the Milwaukee, and I have a feeling it's closer to that spec since it has more voltage than the Milwaukee and Matco actually under-rated the brushed version (70 ft/lbs, but it would remove lugnuts torqued to 100 ft/lbs without too much struggle). It's insanely expensive, but I have a feeling it would be the best compact 3/8" cordless impact wrench out right now.

Picture rankings in order of power (weakest to strongest) and rankings in terms of size (smallest to largest. Matco and Milwaukee tie).

 

[EOC_Jason]

Interesting comment about all the C3's available are TTI... Maybe Sears was holding stock of them in a warehouse or something like they did with older USA hand tools... I wonder if they at least packed them with a new battery... lol.

 

[Jalopy_J]

Interesting comment about all the C3's available are TTI... Maybe Sears was holding stock of them in a warehouse or something like they did with older USA hand tools... I wonder if they at least packed them with a new battery... lol.

As I mentioned l, they have a 2018 manufacture date in the serial number. I have a feeling they won’t last long. Sears was briefly selling C3 jigsaws again last year (there may be some languishing on shelves yet). I bought one and it had a manufacture date just one month before my purchase. But just as soon as they started making them again, they stopped and discontinued it again. If I had to guess, I think that TTI is fulfilling whatever contracts it signed with Sears to provide tools after they stopped doing so and Sears sued them. Once those contracts are fulfilled, C3 probably goes away. That’s just a guess though. It’d be awesome if Sears was having TTI make C3 again, especially since all we got from SBD is rebranding of their atrocious Black and Decker line as Craftsman V20 and charging more for it.