NEW - Craftsman C3 ½” Heavy Duty Impact Wrench Kit Powered by 4Ah XCP

Saw one on display today. Deliveries later this week.

Club priced at $150


Product Description
Don't get tied down with cords and hoses, experience battery operated freedom without losing power, with the Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt XCP Impact Wrench Kit!

Perfect for the garage or automotive user, power is the key word when it comes to this Impact Wrench Kit. The robust motor provides 0-3,000 RPM/IPM. This motor also boasts a beastly 300 ft-lbs. of torque. Break-free the tightest nuts and drive the thickest bolts with ease. Heavy duty? No problem.

The included 4Ah XCP lithium-ion battery takes this kit to the extreme. XCP technology delivers more power while increasing torque by 20%. Not to mention, XCP adds up to 4x longer runtime over a ni-cd battery, all while providing better tool performance. To top it all off, this battery can operate in extreme weather conditions from 5 all the way up 158 degrees. When it's time to charge the battery, the included multi-chemistry charger will have you back to work in no time!

The 3 built-in LED lights shine bright for maximum visibility. The micro-texture overmold grip increases comfort and control. This Impact Wrench is not just powerful, but convenient, flashy, and comfortable to use.

Time to get the job done right!
Unleash the power of Craftsman C3 and XCP with the Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt XCP Lithium-Ion Impact Wrench Kit!


•Powerful Motor produces 0-3,000 RPM for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts
•4 Amp-hour XCP Lithium-Ion Battery Pack provides up to 4x runtime, up to 20% more torque
•1/2-in. Square Anvil with detent pin retention
•Up to 3,000 Impacts per minute
•Up to 300 ft-lbs. of torque for heavy duty applications
•Built-in 3-LED Lights illuminates dark work areas to maximize visibility
•Micro-texture overmold grip for added user comfort and improved tactile control

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-c3-189-8221-heavy-duty-impact-wrench-kit/p-00945195000P?prdNo=3

Not going to win any awards for power but it looks like a nice kit for the money for those with a tool budget or just looking for something to abuse at home/on the road.

One of the big selling points is that it pairs an impact wrench with a lithium-ion battery at a reasonable price.

Before you had to buy a tool combo or new charger and battery to get this pairing. The new gun is a bonus.

So the old C3 1/2 impact was rated at 200 ft lb... How much of the extra torque here is due to the XCP battery versus the NiCad that came in the old kit? I've got the old one that I use for projects at home, paired with a 4.0 XCP. I probably paid $10 more buying them separate, but got a worthless NiCad + charger (well, not entirely worthless, I use it with a light.)

I love my old C3 impact, after pairing it with a new 4AH XCP it ran for 3 days on a wheelchair ramp build putting in big lag bolts without recharging, even more impressive is I let the teenage kits use it and you know they would play with it LOL just to make noise!

quattroJoe said:

So the old C3 1/2 impact was rated at 200 ft lb... How much of the extra torque here is due to the XCP battery versus the NiCad that came in the old kit? I've got the old one that I use for projects at home, paired with a 4.0 XCP. I probably paid $10 more buying them separate, but got a worthless NiCad + charger (well, not entirely worthless, I use it with a light.)

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Looks just like this Rigid... even down to the three Led lights.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-R86010B/203930523#customer_reviews

Josey Wales said:

Looks just like this Rigid... even down to the three Led lights.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-R86010B/203930523#customer_reviews

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Not really surprising. TTI is the owner and supplier of cordless tools for both Craftsman and Rigid as well as other brands like Ryobi and Milwaukee.

300ft/ lb is MASSIVE for a Craftsman 1/2 battery powered impact.

Is this brushless? I would still go Milwakke, they are the best right now. That said I have a Craftsman 1/4 hex Impact and I love it for screws and using my 3/8ths adapter for small bolts. Next buy will be Millwakee 3/8ths impact fuel M12 which is light & compact.

Josey Wales said:

Looks just like this Rigid... even down to the three Led lights.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-R86010B/203930523#customer_reviews

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The Rigid is $140 for the bare tool. For $10 more, you get a battery and charger.

I'm interested to see if Ryobi comes out with a new one before the Holidays.

I was wondering about the same thing! I just bought the older model C3 impact a month ago and just got the email about this new impact today. Decisions...decisions....

-B

quattroJoe said:

So the old C3 1/2 impact was rated at 200 ft lb... How much of the extra torque here is due to the XCP battery versus the NiCad that came in the old kit? I've got the old one that I use for projects at home, paired with a 4.0 XCP. I probably paid $10 more buying them separate, but got a worthless NiCad + charger (well, not entirely worthless, I use it with a light.)

Click to expand...

300 ft lb is good but not great. Craftsman 8 Amp Corded Impact Wrench delivers 350 pounds per foot in both forward and reverse.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-8-amp-impact-wrench/p-00927990000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

http://toolguyd.com/craftsman-c3-xcp-impact-wrench/

Here is a guy that recently did a comparison with the older 1/2 cordless impact and the new heavy duty impact with the same XCP battery.


The newer impact HANDS DOWN is more powerful than the older impact even with a XCP battery. The extended battery and increased torque of the newer impact makes it a worth while investment. I plan on picking one up as soon as it goes a black friday type of sale.

-B

Good to see it looks like at least they are keeping the C3 line alive.

I have both- you can feel a difference just spinning them in the air, same battery in each one.

All I've done so far was go rip a couple lug nuts loose just to play with it, and it's definitely a big upgrade. For the $135-ish deal I got, I'm not crying about not having a Milwaukee.

I have the original C3 1/2" impact (rated at 200lb-ft) with XCP batteries, and I like it, but it is not a powerful tool. The question has been raised how much of the new tools increased power comes from the XCP battery, and my guess would be all of it. In my opinion, the original one needs the XCP battery just to achieve it's rated performance.

This new one looks promising, but I don't think it is enough of an improvement in power.

About six months ago I got the new craftsman 1/2" cordless drill with the brushless motor. *That* was impressive. When they put that brushless motor behind a 1/2" impact mechanism, that will be a tool on my shopping list.

KinzeMech said:

The question has been raised how much of the new tools increased power comes from the XCP battery, and my guess would be all of it.

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Negatory. XCP's in both my wrenches, and the new one is most definitely an upgrade. It's still a Craftsman- but it's better than the old one.

About six months ago I got the new craftsman 1/2" cordless drill with the brushless motor. *That* was impressive. When they put that brushless motor behind a 1/2" impact mechanism, that will be a tool on my shopping list.

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I've been waiting for some feedback on that thing! How's the low speed? I've been hoping it'll tide me over and keep me from jumping ship to Milwaukee for a few more years? I have way too many C3 tools to start over at this point.....

I need to buy a electric impact

er3456df said:

Negatory. XCP's in both my wrenches, and the new one is most definitely an upgrade. It's still a Craftsman- but it's better than the old one.

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That's good to know. As a point of curiosity, it would be interesting to compare the old impact, with a fresh hot XCP, and the new impact, with a fresh, hot NICD. My opinion of the old impact wrench is if it does 200 ft*lb with a NiCd, then with the XCP it will do 250. It sure feels 25% stronger with the XCP.

er3456df said:

I've been waiting for some feedback on that thing! How's the low speed? I've been hoping it'll tide me over and keep me from jumping ship to Milwaukee for a few more years? I have way too many C3 tools to start over at this point.....

Click to expand...

I've been impressed with mine, although it is going to get warranteed. Very impressive torque. The brushless motor is supposed to have more torque and better battery life. It definitely does have more torque. I can't fairly assess battery life, as Li Ion batteries being a memory free battery technology, I never run a battery fully down before recharge. As a mechanic, even on a heavy use day, I'm still not using that drill as hard as the average carpenter.

Not long after I bought it, I was drilling a half inch hole in half inch thick steel plate. I was treating it like any old cordless drill, not really respecting it that much, and expecting it to stall when the bit broke through the back side. In low gear, you have to respect that thing like an 1/2" AC powered drill. The bit jammed, spun the drill out of my hand, and broke the half inch drill bit. It was very impressive to see that kind of torque in a cordless drill from a cheaper brand like Craftsman. My wrist hurt for a day, but I guess that drill comes with a second handle for a good reason.

The reason it will get warranteed is not necessarily something that will normally be an issue. The chuck is held on there with a left hand thread, counter sunk screw. One day I was using it, with a socket adapter, to run a driveshaft on a farm implement in reverse. That high torque, in the reverse direction, twisted off the head of the screw that holds the chuck on the output shaft, and the drill unscrewed itself from the chuck. Presently, it still works, but I cannot put it under a high torque load in reverse. I hate to warranty an entire tool for want of a single screw, but I know that's how sears will want to do it.

I looked at Milwaukee before I finally upgraded to XCP batteries. I'm glad I stuck with my C3 tools. They may not be top tier tools, but the fact Craftsman brought out current battery technology and made it backwards compatible with their existing tool line is worth a lot to me. I have some carpenter friends who love their 20V Li-Ion dewalt tools, but were still pissed they had to get new tools to be compatible with the new batteries.

The only thing missing in my cordless tool inventory is an impact wrench with serious power (600+ ft lbs). Milwaukee and IR both have offerings in this power range, but I'm hesitant to buy a tool that doesn't work with my present battery system, and their batteries are only 3.0 Ah capacity. I think my next cordless impact will be when someone comes out with one using a brushless motor, and a 4.0Ah or better Li-Ion battery.

I know this is an old thread, but I have the Ridgid versus of this impact wrench and with the 4.0ah battery the 300ft/lb is legit. If used with the compact battery packs the battery drains very quickly, and the tool does not perform well. For automotive use, I have yet to encounter a bolt this wouldn't break. It is perfect for the home mechanic like myself. The Milwaukee and IR guns are much more powerful, but when you factor in the low cost, and the light weight, I would take the craftsman/ryobi/ridgid 1/2" impact (all the same tool,) any day over the Milwaukee or IR. plus they get the job done equally well. The Milwaukee and IR impacts are incredibly strong, but bulky, heavy, and can EASILY over torque fasteners in a heartbeat.