Which power tool combo?

[IBJanky]

My cheapo drill finally died. As an x-mas present to myself, I decided to invest in a quality power tool combo that will last me a few years. I am not a contractor or mechanic, but I do enjoy doing various projects at home.

That being said, if you had to pick between these two, which one would you go with? And please, no smart-*** answers ie. none of those, neither, get a Makita/DeWalt/(insert your preferred brand here) instead

Milwaukee M18™ Cordless LITHIUM-ION 2-Tool Combo Kit 2691-22

or

Craftsman 19.2V C3 Lithium-Ion 2-pc Combo Kit

Both are Lithium Ion, with fast chargers.

Milwaukee combo is $199 shipped (no tax from Amazon). Craftsman combo is $165 after tax (from Sears)

Milwaukee has a 5-year warranty. Craftsman only has a 1-year warranty.

Milwaukee comes with a nifty hard carry case. Not sure if the Craftsman combo even comes with a carry bag, as it doesn't say.

I'm leaning towards the Milwaukee combo myself. The 5-year warranty is worth the $35 difference in my opinion.

What do you guys think?

myke

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Choice is clear, Milwaukee.

I have no faiths in Craftsman power tools anymore.

 

[TruckTech915]

Milwaukee over the crapsman! The crapsman batteries Have been junk for me. A co-worker has a Milwaukee combo and they are very nice!
Sorry just read a little closer and my old crapsman are not lithium. I still would go with the Milwaukee

 

[bobcatdan]

The milwaukee will smoke the craftsman three ways to Sunday. You will be amazed the power a cordless drill can have if never had a good one.

 

[jjjrmx5]

While back had a buddy offer me several of his CMan C3 cordless tools with batteries and charger for a very tiny fee (and really could have got them for free if I nagged) and I politely declined .

I do use on occasional Craftsman corded tool if necessary, but not by choice, but no way for the cordless tools.

If Craftsman wants to tell me or publish WHO makes each cordless and corded tool for them under the CMan banner, I may grow a heart and produce a wallet at the counter.

Until then, I steer clear.

Bosch, Makita, Porter Cable and Dewalt tools all live and prosper happily in my toolbox tho.

 

[Honda 1]

My 14.4V Craftsman just bit the dust. One replacement battery,shipped to my house,is $52.00. The drill is old and I think I paid $75.00 for it when I bought it new.
I have been looking at the DeWalt 20 V package. It sells for $270. Also, Makita has a nice set for about $200.
Since it's close to Christmas, I've decided to wait and watch for the sales before making my final decision.
I thought that this time around I would upgrade from the Craftsman to another brand.

 

[IBJanky]

Thanks. Looks like I was leaning towards the right choice anyway

myke

 

[RobertMo1988]

i would never buy a craftsman cordless power tool. milwaukee sells quality tools, they are great, i like makita too(thats what i use everyday and it takes a beatin(18v-LIon)) I dropped my makita 18v impact when i was standing on the second from the top of a 12 foot ladder landed on its chuck and it didn't even phase it.

Hell, Black friday will be here soon enough, maybe one of the better cordless manufacturers will have a killer deal then?

 

[toolmaker1]

I use the **** out of my m18 tools and have had no problems at all. On the other hand the m12 tools have seen very little use and the batteries are shot. I would guess that they have had maybe had 5 or 6 hours use in the last 3 years and both batteries flash bad battery when put on the charger Of course the battery warranty is only 2 years

 

[oldtools]

Milwaukee is professional. Craftsman is not. For only $35 difference, I would definetlly go with Milwaukee.

 

[fr0mastaj]

I am also NOT a fan of cman cordless tools. My gf has the pos Nextec drill, quality is terrible.

Milwaukee!

 

[muddyjoe15]

Craftsman versus Milwaukee.......Milwaukee hands down!!!!

 

[metal1313]

i have the m18 stuff, compact drill, hex impact with the small batteries and it has served me well. i eventually invested in the kit with the sawzall, hammer drill, light, and circ saw. i have to say i love the cordless saws. they hold a charge for doing a pretty decent amount of work, the sawzall has become my go to pruning tool for when loppers cant handle the job, and a chain saw isnt needed.

i did drop the light into a foot of water in my basement, after drying the battery in a bowl of rice and charging it it works fine, the light may be dead(gotta get a new bulb) but i hardly ever use it. i will be adding the 1/2 impact, hi-torque which has around 450ftlbs and is around 160 for the bare tool.

btw home depot should have the milwaukee kit linked for 200, but it may be hard to actually find in the store(they have them but kinda hide them)

 

[TheFarmer]

Another vote for Milwaukee.

 

[CoryZ]

Had to toss a cman drill when we couldn't get a new battery for it. I vote Milwaukee.

 

[camarotoolman]

Dewalt, cause you can get add on tools later, they are good and cheap.

 

[bacpacker]

Milwaukee for sure. Last 2 places I've worked has had multiple Mil's and never a problem with any of them, with fairly heavy usage.

 

[ijroorda]

As stated above, Milwaukee is the clear choice; the warranty alone is worth the price difference. If you want to add other tools to your collection later, Milwaukee also has a better selection than Craftsman. Milwaukee's 1/2" cordless impact is rated for 450 ft-lbs vs Craftsman's 200.

My dad had the Craftsman 19.2 stuff for quite a while and it worked pretty well for him, but when his batteries wore out he switched to DeWalt rather than replacing them. I also chose DeWalt for a variety of reasons (not least of all that my dad has the same tools), but I looked hard at Milwaukee; based on everything I saw, you won't be disappointed.