BEST cordless tool lineup?

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I have almost all the Craftsman C3 19.2volt cordless tools. Started buying in 2006. Use them on the race car and around the house (hedge trimmer is awesome) all the time. Bought the impact wrench the first time it went on sale after introduction. All my batteries (3 of the 5 from 2006) are ni-cads that charge quickly and hold a reasonable charge. The newer charger supports the li-ion batteries and appears to shut down after the ni-cad is charged.

I bust the lug nuts off and the on the stock car all the time. When I have a reasonable charge in the battery and put the lugs on with the impact and then make the rounds with the torque wrench set at 90#, the lugs don't move (impact took them to more than 90#).

Used the V/S drill to put the screws in the slatwall and steel ceiling of the garage and could charge a dead battery faster than I used one up.

I'm a hobbyist and weekend racer and would recommend the C3 series to anyone with similar needs. Great price point. They just came out with an angle grinder.

 

[dodge610]

I have almost all the Craftsman C3 19.2volt cordless tools. Started buying in 2006. Use them on the race car and around the house (hedge trimmer is awesome) all the time. Bought the impact wrench the first time it went on sale after introduction. All my batteries (3 of the 5 from 2006) are ni-cads that charge quickly and hold a reasonable charge. The newer charger supports the li-ion batteries and appears to shut down after the ni-cad is charged.

I bust the lug nuts off and the on the stock car all the time. When I have a reasonable charge in the battery and put the lugs on with the impact and then make the rounds with the torque wrench set at 90#, the lugs don't move (impact took them to more than 90#).

Used the V/S drill to put the screws in the slatwall and steel ceiling of the garage and could charge a dead battery faster than I used one up.

I'm a hobbyist and weekend racer and would recommend the C3 series to anyone with similar needs. Great price point. They just came out with an angle grinder.

**** do you know what the stock # is for the angle grinder. I would like to add one of those to my set thanks.

 

[03protege]

How long do you think Sears will support the c3 system now that they have that gimmicky bolt on thing?

That was my biggest fear with keeping them. Also the c3 1/2" impact is only 89.99 right now with batter and charger, awfully tempting but I am going to hold out.

 

[vga]

I have all Dewalt and love it.

 

[randomtwinkie]

Another vote for the C3 system. My drill/driver has always worked well, and i especially like the hi/lo speed selector. This past summer, I used the small circular saw daily for anything from 3/4 sheets to pegboard to rough cuts on dimensional lumber. never skipped a beat, being used for hours each day.

 

[6-Speed]

How long do you think Sears will support the c3 system now that they have that gimmicky bolt on thing?

That was my biggest fear with keeping them. Also the c3 1/2" impact is only 89.99 right now with batter and charger, awfully tempting but I am going to hold out.

Well they just introduced a new line of high capacity C3 Li-Ion batteries; the big one is rated at 4 Ah. I'm not impressed with their new bolt-on tool system; I don't think that line will replace the C3 tools.

 

[GSteg]

**** do you know what the stock # is for the angle grinder. I would like to add one of those to my set thanks.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-c3-4-1-2-in-angle-grinder/p-00934407000P

Item# 00934407000
Mfr. Model# FS2600


I bought one of these not too long ago. You can catch them during their 15% off sale. I got it for $38+ tax. I thought it would ****, but it's actually not too bad. I wouldn't dream of using the Nicad batteries for a power-hogging tool like this.

I have a corded dewalt angle grinder that's more powerful/higher RPM, but I really hate having to deal with extension cord. So far this grinder is good, but I'm also using lithium batteries.

 

[GSteg]

How long do you think Sears will support the c3 system now that they have that gimmicky bolt on thing?

That was my biggest fear with keeping them. Also the c3 1/2" impact is only 89.99 right now with batter and charger, awfully tempting but I am going to hold out.

For $90, just go for it. If the batteries ever go bad and Craftsman no longer supports C3, you can rebuild the battery pack for under $50 and you're good to go again.

I don't see Craftsman supporting the C3 line for too long. A lot of stuff seems to come and go for craftsman power tools (remember the 20v "professional" series?)

 

[dodge610]

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-c3-4-1-2-in-angle-grinder/p-00934407000P

Item# 00934407000
Mfr. Model# FS2600


I bought one of these not too long ago. You can catch them during their 15% off sale. I got it for $38+ tax. I thought it would ****, but it's actually not too bad. I wouldn't dream of using the Nicad batteries for a power-hogging tool like this.

I have a corded dewalt angle grinder that's more powerful/higher RPM, but I really hate having to deal with extension cord. So far this grinder is good, but I'm also using lithium batteries.

I think I am goin to get one plus a few of the lithium batterys. The better battery just to step up the game a little bit. I might get 4 of the lithium for back up in case they cut out the C3 system. For that new gimmicky system they have out now I dont see the C3 being cut but you never know with sears,

 

[dodge610]

For $90, just go for it. If the batteries ever go bad and Craftsman no longer supports C3, you can rebuild the battery pack for under $50 and you're good to go again.

I don't see Craftsman supporting the C3 line for too long. A lot of stuff seems to come and go for craftsman power tools (remember the 20v "professional" series?)

Besides I am pretty sure with the lithium batterys you can rebuild them. not sure about the Ni cads.

 

[BDFan1981]

I think the early '90s lineup of Black & Decker and DeWalt professional cordless tools are better than any cordless power tools currently being made.

Think of the following:
DeWALT
- DW944K 3/8" (10 mm) 9.6 Volt Cordless Versa-Clutch Driver Drill Kit
- DW945K 3/8" (10 mm) 12.0 Volt Cordless Versa-Clutch Driver Drill Kit
- DW946K 3/8" (10 mm) 12.0 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill Kit
- DW947K 3/8" (10 mm) 13.2 Volt Cordless Drill Kit
- DW948K 1/2" (13 mm) 13.2 Volt Cordless Drill Kit
- DW949K 3/8" (10 mm) 13.2 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill Kit

BLACK & DECKER PROFESSIONAL/INDUSTRIAL/INDUSTRY & CONSTRUCTION
- 1963K/2663K 3/8" (10 mm) 9.6 Volt Cordless Drill Kit
- 1966K/5912K 3/8" (10 mm) SUPER CYCLONE 12.0 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill Kit
- 2651K 3/8" (10 mm) KODIAK 13.2 Volt Cordless Drill Kit
- 2661K 3/8" (10 mm) KODIAK 13.2 Volt Dual Range Cordless Drill Kit
- 2664K 3/8" (10 mm) CYCLONE 9.6 Volt Cordless Versa-Clutch Driver Drill Kit
- 2665K 3/8" (10 mm) SUPER CYCLONE 12.0 Volt Cordless Versa-Clutch Driver Drill Kit
- 2666K 1/2" (13 mm) KODIAK 13.2 Volt Cordless Drill Kit
- 2764K (like 2664K, with keyless chuck)
- 2765K (like 2665K, with keyless chuck)
- 5991K 3/8" (10 mm) KODIAK 13.2 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill Kit

~Ben

 

[GSteg]

Besides I am pretty sure with the lithium batterys you can rebuild them. not sure about the Ni cads.

Nicads are the ones that can be rebuilt easily. It's the lithium that are more costly to repair, and you won't find too many people who are willing to do it. It's a trade off for longer run-time, more consistent performance, and lighter weight. I figure in a couple more years when lithium-ion becomes the standard battery chemistry, the price of a rebuild/replacement will go down.

 

[03protege]

For $90, just go for it. If the batteries ever go bad and Craftsman no longer supports C3, you can rebuild the battery pack for under $50 and you're good to go again.

I don't see Craftsman supporting the C3 line for too long. A lot of stuff seems to come and go for craftsman power tools (remember the 20v "professional" series?)

The c3 line is at least 6 years old, which as we all know in technology years is Jurassic. I like the c3 system and considered updating all my batts and adding more tools but I am really scared about them dropping the line. I don't think any current manufacturer uses the large stem batteries like this. They just take up too much room.

BUT with all that said I think I will pick up this impact and see how she does, I can always return it if I don't like it. I can't foresee me getting the m18 tool line anytime soon because I plan on picking up the m12 first.

 

[Skin]

How long do you think Sears will support the c3 system now that they have that gimmicky bolt on thing?

That was my biggest fear with keeping them. Also the c3 1/2" impact is only 89.99 right now with batter and charger, awfully tempting but I am going to hold out.

you can hold out indefinitely, won't change the fact that everyone refreshes their cordless too lines every 2-4 years. Just get a proven established line, not something new that ends up getting kicked to the curb in short order (Milwaukee 28v- what hunks of ****)

 

[balane]

I got really hooked on the C3 line and went kind of nuts buying all kinds of the tools. I have the weed whacker, sawzall, jigsaw, circular saw, light, 3/8" drill, 1/2" drill, impact driver and 1/2" impact gun. I like the tools, none have failed me and they have all done what I've asked them to and that's from an avid shade-tree mechanic, home-owner fixit type guy. I use them fairly often.

I have two nicads and two lion batteries. The nicads are pretty weak imo, they don't get used much and I'm sure will eventually just die on me but they still work. The lions are adequate. Nothing special but certainly good enough. I can use the weed whacker and do the entire front and back yard on a charge and still have juice left.

One thing I am certain of is that these tools are designed for people like me, homeowners and I would question how well they would survive in an abusive shop environment. Honestly, I don't know what tool I would trust in that situation... Bosch probably. The Craftsman tools might be a bit on the bulky side too. But I'd have no problem recommending them to anybody using them at home, even a heavy user.

 

[Marlin]

Do you own any other Makita tools? Again, I am still in the open with this, so I am considering other brands.....

I really wish IR had a full tool lineup with their impact wrench....

The W7150 is just the first tool on the new battery platform, there'll be plenty of additions in the future.

 

[bimmerZ5]

The W7150 is just the first tool on the new battery platform, there'll be plenty of additions in the future.

I wish you guys would provide some details. if I know what to expect down the road, I can hold off buying another brand and just use hand tools... not asking for promises, as plans can change in the future, but a future roadmap of the products would be really helpful. so far the impact wrench is the only meaningful tool in the 20v lineup, the flashlight is not worth talking about.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Do you own any other Makita tools? Again, I am still in the open with this, so I am considering other brands.....

I really wish IR had a full tool lineup with their impact wrench....

If you just want the 1/4" hex or 3/8" impacts, a drill, etc, there's nothing wrong with Makita. I've had my LXT set for a couple years. Bought the kit with the drill, impact, sawzmost, grinder and circular saw, and got the bigger, better drill and a spare pack with a rebate. I replaced the impact with the original brushless one (that's got 3 power levels, which the newest one lacks) and love it. The downsides... I bought the 1/2" impact gun, and I wasn't impressed with either its power or quality, the battery "shoe" wiggled loose the first time I used it, and the display model at the store had the same problem. I returned that within a day, and I won't be giving it another chance. Downside 2, I have 5 3aH batteries, and a pair of 1.5aH batteries, and right now I have 4 of the big batteries sitting in my truck, dead, waiting for me to take them to the warranty center. One came from a new kit I bought just for the batteries, and died within a month... how many they warranty will decide whether I stay Makita or not.

I really like the look of the new Milwaukee brushless stuff, and it might well be my next kit. Their brushless impact driver especially looks freakin' sweet.

Honestly, it might sound goofy, but I use all my Makita tools in the shop. The grinder and sawzmost are great when you just have one or two things to do but need more than a pneumatic, you don't have to drag out an extension cord. The circular saw sees the least use, but there's plenty of times I just need to cut one piece of wood for something, works great for that.

 

[kunkernator]

The W7150 is just the first tool on the new battery platform, there'll be plenty of additions in the future.

I wish you guys would provide some details. if I know what to expect down the road, I can hold off buying another brand and just use hand tools... not asking for promises, as plans can change in the future, but a future roadmap of the products would be really helpful. so far the impact wrench is the only meaningful tool in the 20v lineup, the flashlight is not worth talking about.

I agree, even if you are vague about it, I would like to know at least something more about the IR 20v product line. I would definitely hold out on purchasing.