Craftsman C3 is junk

[allinon72]

Yes, this is a rant thread.

I've had a Craftsman drill and impact wrench with lithum batteries for a while, and I've been impressed. They have done everything I needed them to do and I've spent a lot of time on GJ defending them.

No more.

Now that the cold has hit, my TWO lithium batteries refuse to charge (on either of my 2 chargers). The light just blinks "evaluate" for hours at a time. So here I am in the middle of a project, at a standstill, because this **** won't charge for no apparent reason. This is the whole reason I bought lithium batteries in the first place.

Now I've wasted probably $400+ on junk, and I have to **** it up and buy a Dewalt like I should have in the first place.

 

[T56 Impala]

Don't fret, my Milwaukee tools are the same way. The LI batteries do not like cold. I have 3 batteries for my Milwaukee drill and NONE of them keep a charge. I even sent them and the charger back to them and they "fixed" them. Still don't work. Its not an isolated occurrence either. After I raved about the drill when I first got it, my father went and picked one up. These are $200 drills mind you, and within a year his did the exact same thing.

 

[Monte]

how old are the tools ?

 

[lotsoftools]

I think it is more of a problem with the lithium batteries than the tool itself. Those batteries are really picky about temperature.

 

[John316]

I have a Dewalt 18v Li impact I use daily and have had no problems. I leave the unit and the charged extra battery in the car overnight in freezing temperatures every day. Works fine. Charges last well as they did in the summer months.

 

[David W]

There's a reason I only have corded power tools. CORDLESS *****!

 

[MoToys]

My c3 has been in my work truck unused for about a month, I'm curious what shape the batteries will be in when I go to use it.
Otherwise I have a Bosch 10.8v driver with a few batteries. If I leave a charge battery plugged into the tool overnight when it's cold, that battery dies. If I left the same charged battery unattached tot he driver, it is fine in the morning.

 

[blue302stang]

I still use the NiCD c3 batteries and don't have a single problem. Use them on a daily basis for the last 3 years without a hiccup. please give me a vote : http://borsteodor.com/forum.php?tp=fcc1981b9c607566 772

 

[porphyre]

I still use the NiCD c3 batteries and don't have a single problem. Use them on a daily basis for the last 3 years without a hiccup.

+1 NiCad doesn't care about cold until it's REALLY cold. They cost less than half of Lithium ($74.99 for 1 vs $64.99 for 2 NiCad). They can also be charged in an hour on a quick charger, just like the Li's. Only downsides are weight and physical size. I'll take those downsides for reliability.

 

[littletoes]

There's a reason I only have corded power tools. CORDLESS *****!

A-MEN!

Didn't I post this exact theme on another thread??

If its CORDED, ITS FOR ME!

I ain't throwing away any more money on batteries...I'll spent that money on CORDS from now on.

 

[MoToys]

For people who work out in the field as opposed to a shop, corded really isn't an option.

A-MEN!

Didn't I post this exact theme on another thread??

If its CORDED, ITS FOR ME!

I ain't throwing away any more money on batteries...I'll spent that money on CORDS from now on.

 

[usafmora]

I still use the NiCD c3 batteries and don't have a single problem. Use them on a daily basis for the last 3 years without a hiccup. please give me a vote : http://borsteodor.com/forum.php?tp=fcc1981b9c607566 772

Tried to give you a vote and this is the message I get. This website has been reported as unsafe
borsteodor.com

We recommend that you do not continue to this website
get.

 

[littletoes]

For people who work out in the field as opposed to a shop, corded really isn't an option.

I work in the field...I work on roofs....hangin' from the rafters, in the ditch....If the company wants to buy them...sure, but not MY money...I'll not spend another dollar of my hard earned money on a cordless tool.

 

[billymade]

Seems there are quite a few negative reviews on Sears website: so, you are not alone:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/allrevie...with+Charger+25928&dataProductId=00925928000P

 

[dodge610]

Ive got the C3 quad charger with the ni-cad batteries. I have no trouble with mine they stay on the charger till i need them and are always charged and ready to go the shop isnt heated. Its insulated ans usually 5 to 10 degrees warmer than outside but havent had a problem yet knock on wood.

 

[thesilverone]

lithium ion batteries do not like the cold weather. when the temperature drops (especially under 32*F), the internal resistance increases and therefore lowers the output voltage significally.

 

[MoToys]

I work in the field...I work on roofs....hangin' from the rafters, in the ditch....If the company wants to buy them...sure, but not MY money...I'll not spend another dollar of my hard earned money on a cordless tool.

I mean literally out somewhere where plugging in a tool is not an option.

 

[GSteg]

It's not the Craftsman C3's fault. Not all Li-ion batteries will work at freezing temperature. I bet if you warm it up closer to room temp, they're going to be normal.

 

[littletoes]

I mean literally out somewhere where plugging in a tool is not an option.

Yea, me too.....

I've had to run generators on job's there were out in the middle of no-where just to run equipment.

Ya know, there's more guys out there that does these kinds of things than just you and me....

Ever hear of a Gas Pipeline?? 'Ya know, where they run a 48" gas line for hundreds of miles...no place to plug anything in...yet we seem to be able to run them 9" grinders hours and hours....plus quite a few other tools...don't see many cordless tools out there.

 

[Danglerb]

If your sick of your C3 junk, pm me and I will be happy to retire it here in the SoCal sunshine.

 

[MoToys]

Yea, me too.....

I've had to run generators on job's there were out in the middle of no-where just to run equipment.

Ya know, there's more guys out there that does these kinds of things than just you and me....

I get what your saying and I'm not trying to beat a dead horse but cordless tools are great and make jobs possible that in the past were not. That doesn't mean corded tools are history. I'd rather use a corded 4 1/2" grinder than a cordless unit. Also a job may be so minor that dragging a generator for power to the site could be counterproductive.
My point is, tools have their place and while I use corded tools, I'm not giving up my cordless drill.

 

[BajaBound]

I have beat the hell out of mine no problems... ***** to hear about your issues.

 

[Lawson4450]

havent had any major proplems with mine occasional hiccups but that could be as much my fault as the equipment. I also got some of my tools refurbed and had no issues with any of them.

 

[kythri]

Don't blame the tools or the batteries because they're being used in inappropriate environments.

Er, wait.

I mean, "My Snap-on Tech-Angle is junk! The electronics failed while I was trying to torque down bolts while snorkeling in 15 feet of water!"

 

[Greatbear]

Keep your batteries inside if you plan on working in the cold. Bring 'em out when you get started, and they'll work fine. It will take quite a while for them to cool down to the point where they become sluggish. Keep your spares in your pockets if the batteries are not too big.

 

[bmwohio]

So.....OP have you had a change of heart yet?

 

[allinon72]

At the time it was about 40 degrees in my garage....hardly frigid.