Craftsman has come out with the Nextec 12V Power Source, their own version of the Milwaukee M12 PowerPort device charger. The Power Source allows you to use a Craftsman 12V battery to charge a variety of electronic devices including MP3 players, digital cameras, GPS’s, cell phones, and smartphones.
The charger features two USB ports and a 12-volt auto adapter that can all be used at the same time. An LED power gauge lets you know how much battery juice is left.
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MSRP is $30, but a quick look shows that it’s already on sale for $18. Nextec battery and charger are not included.
Buy Now(via Sears)
Craftsman does not provide an output rating for the Power Source, but we assume it’s going to be low to avoid damaging smaller batteries. What this means is that devices with larger batteries that require higher charging rates may charge extremely slowly or not at all. This is a concern whenever you use a charger not explicitly designed for a particular product.
Dan Richards
Nextec tools always have a good price. Makes me think how much I’m paying for the Milwaukee name, when they’re made by the same people.
Stuart
Some of the Nextec are quite good as well, and I’d recommend them DIYers without hesitation.
I don’t think Nextec tools are made by TTI. Maybe some of them, but others are made by Chervon. Maybe Chervon makes some tools for Milwaukee/TTI, I’m not sure.
In any case, look at Bosch and Skil. They’re both owned by the same parent company and make similar tool styles, but quality and capabilities are very different.
teicher
I can tell you from experience that the drill is plenty good for a serious DIY/weekend warrior. I had the first generation nextec drill and remodelled an entire bathroom with it. I’m talking about a tear it down to the studs and floor joist and rebuild from scratch kind of remodel, too. It didn’t choke on any task and easily drove the screws through the cement backerboard before I did the tiling. I was so impressed that I bought the 2nd generation drill this Christmas and sold my original to a friend. The new one has a lot more torque and the quick charge boost charger, which helps if you are in a pinch. I was tempted by the milwakee version with the metal chuck, but at $100 more than the cman I didn’t think it was worth the extra cash.
Fred
The current Nextec 12v drill (redesigned from yours, looks more like a ray-gun) is the perfect size to fit inside a gallon ziploc bag for cleaning purposes. It works great with my DrillBrushes.
I just bought one of the chargers, thanks for the heads up on the sale price. Honestly, I don’t think I would pay $30 for it although I really like the idea of getting more use out of those 12v batteries (I have a lot of 18v tools and go to them for most projects)
Robin
The Nextec Manufacturer code is 320. Others have said that 320 is TTI, they could e wrong..
Steve Wylie
I have the Milwaukee powerport and love it. And teenagers go nuts over it. It’s the only “tool” in my shop they ask to borrow to go out with friends.
Fred
Mine just arrived today. It’s pretty lightweight, the plastic ‘door’ that covers the ports probably won’t last the years but otherwise it’s pretty solid.
Dan
0f course once I figure out I want this, Sears has discontinued it. Perfect.
Stuart
I’m not sure why the Nextec device charger is no longer available; perhaps this is only temporary.
Dan
If l see one at a Sears store, I’ll pick it up. I’d like to have it to pair with a DLC3 adapter for computer memory retention during battery-out operations. There are other options of course, including a dedicated unit from Snap-On, but seeing as I’m fond of Nextec flashlights, I’ve always got that battery charged and ready. And budget of course.
Dan
The old 9V battery cigarette lighter adapters aren’t nearly as effective as they used to be.
Stuart
There’s also the Milwaukee M12 version, and new 4.0Ah batteries should hit the market in early 2013. This option is of course more economical if you already have one or more M12 tools or plan to get one soon.
Dan
I do have an M12 impact driver, but I don’t keep it at work. I keep the Bosch there, it has better power. Bosch doesn’t make one of these though. If I can’t find the Nextec, I’ll pick up the M12 version.