Craftsman Batteries - 50% Back in Points

[Super Sport]

Sears is again offering 50% back in points on Craftsman power tool batteries.

"Members get 50% in points when you purchase a Craftsman Brand Portable Power Tool Battery at Sears. Points awarded the next day and valid for 14 days. Instore and online"

http://www.sears.com/tools-power-to...rs/b-1021228?Brand=Craftsman&filterList=Brand

This can stack with coupons and surprise points unless the item is listed as a Hot Buy. Note that the 50% back is based on how much you spend out of pocket.

 

[71goldss]

Thanks for posting. I would like to try one of the 4.0 XCP batteries for my C3 tools, but even with this deal, I'm having a hard time paying an initial $99.99 for just one. Added the fact that I just spent only $174 for four of the Milwaukee m18 5.0 batteries last week with the Toolup deal doesn't help my decision to buy or not on this deal either! What to do???

 

[XJPat]

I hear you on the price but those 4.0 xcp batteries make all my stuff run so much better. World of difference.

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[Ign]

Thanks for posting. I would like to try one of the 4.0 XCP batteries for my C3 tools, but even with this deal, I'm having a hard time paying an initial $99.99 for just one. Added the fact that I just spent only $174 for four of the Milwaukee m18 5.0 batteries last week with the Toolup deal doesn't help my decision to buy or not on this deal either! What to do???

Interesting point. Plus Ryobi has made it pretty easy to find 2-packs of their 4.0's at $99, esp this time of year. Pretty soon those will be clearancing down to $75.06, $50.03 etc.

 

[2manytools]

Interesting point. Plus Ryobi has made it pretty easy to find 2-packs of their 4.0's at $99, esp this time of year. Pretty soon those will be clearancing down to $75.06, $50.03 etc.

They didn't last year. Lowest I saw them get was $89

 

[71goldss]

I hear you on the price but those 4.0 xcp batteries make all my stuff run so much better. World of difference.

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Yeah, I'm debating on this one. I do use the standard lithium C3 batteries already, but they seem to drain during storage much faster than my Milwaukee m18's 4.0's. All too often I have to charge a battery before I can use one of my C3 tools, even though it was fully charged since it's last use! I would like to try an XCP battery to see if it would eliminate this issue?

Can anyone that has both platforms please chime in? Would the XCP hold a charge during storage longer than the standard C3 lithium?

 

[Super Sport]

Yeah, I'm debating on this one. I do use the standard lithium C3 batteries already, but they seem to drain during storage much faster than my Milwaukee m18's 4.0's. All too often I have to charge a battery before I can use one of my C3 tools, even though it was fully charged since it's last use! I would like to try an XCP battery to see if it would eliminate this issue?

Can anyone that has both platforms please chime in? Would the XCP hold a charge during storage longer than the standard C3 lithium?

I don't have any Milwaukee, but my C3 batteries don't seem to have that issue. I can almost always grab a battery and go with it, even if it's been sitting for a month or more. Most of my use is with a drill or impact though, not constant hard use like running a saw or grinder.

Thinking about it, I don't own any of the current line of regular lithium. I have XCP and the older lithium that had the charge indicator lights. Maybe the newer ones are cheaper quality?

 

[71goldss]

I don't have any Milwaukee, but my C3 batteries don't seem to have that issue. I can almost always grab a battery and go with it, even if it's been sitting for a month or more. Most of my use is with a drill or impact though, not constant hard use like running a saw or grinder.

Thinking about it, I don't own any of the current line of regular lithium. I have XCP and the older lithium that had the charge indicator lights. Maybe the newer ones are cheaper quality?

Thanks,
All of my lithiums have that indicator light in the post and lights up the "C3" in the tool handle, so they are the upgraded models, but the early one's before the xcp's came along. One of them is still basically new and just recently unboxed and put into use. I should point out that they typically sit a month or two between use, and maybe it's normal for them to have drained over that period of time, but my m18's can sit for months with very little, if any drain. The C3's are 2.0 ah and the m18's are 4.0 ah, so maybe that makes a difference?

 

[Colin Len]

^ I only have the XCP battery for my drill driver and it has no problems with staying charged over time (while not in use). I'm always surprised at how little the battery needs charging. Even when I drain it all the way it only takes a short period of time until it's ready for use again.

Overall I've liked my C3 drill (this is my second, the first needed to be replaced a year after I bought it) and want to get another battery, maybe some other add on tools. But... I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to just jump ship and join the Milwaukee bandwagon before I start expanding my tool collection.

 

[Super Sport]

Overall I've liked my C3 drill (this is my second, the first needed to be replaced a year after I bought it) and want to get another battery, maybe some other add on tools. But... I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to just jump ship and join the Milwaukee bandwagon before I start expanding my tool collection.

I like the C3 line, and think it's a great value for the $$, but it seems like Sears is not really going to continue adding to it. Ryobi has brought out a number of new tools that Craftsman hasn't rebranded. If I didn't own a number of C3 tools and batteries already, I'd consider switching to Ryobi or Milwaukee.

If it weren't for that ugly green, I'd have likely already switched to Ryobi. I am considering making an adapter of sorts to use my C3 batteries in Ryobi tools so that I can buy a few things Craftsman does not sell.

 

[GasEngineer]

If I had to do it all over again I would have gone with Ryobi or Milwaukee. 75% of the C3 line is the same tool as Ryobi (made by TTI) with a slightly different plastic case. Like Super Sport said Ryobi is continually expanding their line and craftsman has not come out with much lately. That probably won't change until Craftsman is bought from Sears.

Most of the Ryobi stuff is more than adequate for the heavy DIY level guy.

 

[71goldss]

^ I only have the XCP battery for my drill driver and it has no problems with staying charged over time (while not in use). I'm always surprised at how little the battery needs charging. Even when I drain it all the way it only takes a short period of time until it's ready for use again.

Overall I've liked my C3 drill (this is my second, the first needed to be replaced a year after I bought it) and want to get another battery, maybe some other add on tools. But... I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to just jump ship and join the Milwaukee bandwagon before I start expanding my tool collection.

From someone that has an investment in both platforms, I would definitley jump ship and go with Milwaukee if I were you. I've been very satisfied with most all of my C3 tools (with exception of my "HUGE" C3 right angle drill), but the quality and enormously vast selection of Milwaukee makes it a no-brainer for me! I haven't given up my C3's and I try not to duplicate tools from both platforms, but I now select Milwaukee first when needing anything new. My 2 cents.

 

[kn51]

I like the C3 line, and think it's a great value for the $$, but it seems like Sears is not really going to continue adding to it. Ryobi has brought out a number of new tools that Craftsman hasn't rebranded. If I didn't own a number of C3 tools and batteries already, I'd consider switching to Ryobi or Milwaukee.

If it weren't for that ugly green, I'd have likely already switched to Ryobi. I am considering making an adapter of sorts to use my C3 batteries in Ryobi tools so that I can buy a few things Craftsman does not sell.

God yes and agree with with every post above.

Another Sears fiasco on letting something die on the vine. An adapter would be great.

 

[Ign]

Ditto for Nextec. That platform HAD a lot of potential but Sears just kinda wandered away from it. And they don't seem to have much desire to upgrade battery capacity, I mean the biggest Nextec was supposedly 1.6ah if you bought the dumb battery w the light on the bottom.

Meanwhile Milwaukee's got 3.0 compacts and 6.0 XC's in 12 volt.

A manufacturer's desire to upgrade battery technology has added a second factor to the market - - used to be who made the best tools or widest selection and all li-ion batteries were pretty damn similar.

And then if you really want the greater amp hours a manufacturer has to be willing to release rapid chargers. Right now it seems unlikely Sears or Craftsman cares enough or even knows they offer cordless tools. Maybe I'm wrong and they'll release 18V 6.0's and rapid chargers in the spring, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[JoJoSnap]

I like the C3 line, and think it's a great value for the $$, but it seems like Sears is not really going to continue adding to it. Ryobi has brought out a number of new tools that Craftsman hasn't rebranded. If I didn't own a number of C3 tools and batteries already, I'd consider switching to Ryobi or Milwaukee.



If it weren't for that ugly green, I'd have likely already switched to Ryobi. I am considering making an adapter of sorts to use my C3 batteries in Ryobi tools so that I can buy a few things Craftsman does not sell.

Im going through same thinking already! Brushless version did not even jump in production. Only one...regular drill..what about the rest? Truth speaking here.. Im still using professional line platform power on 20volt batteries. Lucky I get away with buying batteries from third party. Just wish Sears stick with the 20 volt family (im not talking about the black decker look alike.. THE PROFESSIONAL) I been using my impact wrench and driver to build decks and working under my truck.. its still breathing. Hard for me to say good bye to my red craftsman power tools... they are def the heavier duty than C3. I consider c3 too toyish


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[Super Sport]

Im going through same thinking already! Brushless version did not even jump in production. Only one...regular drill..what about the rest? Truth speaking here.. Im still using professional line platform power on 20volt batteries. Lucky I get away with buying batteries from third party. Just wish Sears stick with the 20 volt family (im not talking about the black decker look alike.. THE PROFESSIONAL) I been using my impact wrench and driver to build decks and working under my truck.. its still breathing. Hard for me to say good bye to my red craftsman power tools... they are def the heavier duty than C3. I consider c3 too toyish


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I first got into power tools with that 20V line, and still have my tools. Wish I bought more when they were available, but I did stock up on batteries and have yet to have any issues with them. Due to the cost to pick up the impact driver and wrench off Ebay, I just decided to jump into the C3 tools. The C3 stuff doesn't feel as heavy duty, but I have no complaints with what I have.

 

[GasEngineer]

I still have my 20 volt professional stuff. The 20 volt professional line is definitely heavy duty and I think was made by Chevron.

This guy has some new in box stuff on ebay if you want to round out your collection.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/wizofstozz/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

 

[JoJoSnap]

I still have my 20 volt professional stuff. The 20 volt professional line is definitely heavy duty and I think was made by Chevron.

This guy has some new in box stuff on ebay if you want to round out your collection.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/wizofstozz/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

Yes it surely is heavy duty! Im still waiting one day for batteries to upgrade from 4 amp to 5 + amp. Ridgid/Milwaukee/Bosch are up there now


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[JoJoSnap]

I just wish Sears could sweep Craftsman C3 off the display dump them in garbage. Give the 20 volt a chance to make another rerun and change them to brushless. That will be a big vast improvement if sears want loyal customers back


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[leadfoot415]

I still have my 20 volt professional stuff. The 20 volt professional line is definitely heavy duty and I think was made by Chevron.

This guy has some new in box stuff on ebay if you want to round out your collection.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/wizofstozz/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

I only have the 20v professional drill, but it is a very stout unit and still has great power and the battery seems to last a decent amount of time. I think it even has a Rohm chuck on it.

 

[JoJoSnap]

Something needs to be revamped with their power tools... c3 is so behind the innovation since it came out what year??? 2008? And nothing is moving along. What are they in dinosaur era.. bring back the 20volt!


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[KinzeMech]

I just wish Sears could sweep Craftsman C3 off the display dump them in garbage. Give the 20 volt a chance to make another rerun and change them to brushless. That will be a big vast improvement if sears want loyal customers back
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How about dump the 20 volt and keep the C3? I was about to reinvest in a new tool line when I tried my first XCP battery and suddenly all my old tools ran like new. That's one thing they've done right where everyone else has done wrong. Others made their new lithium ion batteries mechanically incompatible with the older tools (with no technical reason for doing so).

There's a few things the could do better. I'd love an impact wrench with serious power (600+ ft.lb.) and a grease gun, and they offer neither. To pursue the 20 volt in lieu of the C3 would be the same as other tool manufacturers...to break battery compatibility with no good reason.

 

[Doohickey]

I don't see the 2.0 Ah battery that comes with the brushless drill, but this old chart may help a little.

 

[KinzeMech]

I don't see the 2.0 Ah battery that comes with the brushless drill, but this old chart may help a little.

That battery, and the charger that comes with it, are unique to the rest of the others. The battery has a vent port, and the charger has a blower fan that pushes air through it while charging. It will charge on regular chargers, but exhibits odd behavior. Sometimes it only charges halfway. If it's left on the charger after charging, sometimes it will self discharge. Sometimes the charger never comes out of "testing" mode to initiate charging.

If charged on the charger that comes with the drill and battery set, it works just fine.

 

[JoJoSnap]

There's a few things the could do better. I'd love an impact wrench with serious power (600+ ft.lb.) and a grease gun, and they offer neither. To pursue the 20 volt in lieu of the C3 would be the same as other tool manufacturers...to break battery compatibility with no good reason.

Cant go wrong with purchase kobalt 24v impact wrench brushless. It was 199 dollars on black friday and comes with two batteries (2 amp and 4 amp).. its rate at 650 ft/lbs

C3 aint gonna go any farther beyond the today trends. If i were you staying too stuck up on this crappy 3 tools, definition of MOVE ON is the only way you can think of by switching to ridgid... guarantee you ridgid will go brushless. I own sliding miter saw 18 volt dual brushless alot better than ryobi and c3



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