When I posted about the new Craftsman brushless drill a week ago, full technical specifications were not yet available, and so I guessed that its peak torque would be around 425 in-lbs. This was a conservative guess, and I expected the official torque rating would be higher.
600 in-lbs is a lot higher than I was expecting, brushless or not.
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I am impressed, and really eager to see if the drill performs as well as its on-paper specs suggest.
I also think that this is a strong indicator that Craftsman is absolutely looking to broaden their appeal to tradesmen and budget-minded pros.
Interestingly, a recent fact-sheet for a new Craftsman 19.2V C3 cordless multi-speed impact driver states that it is the perfect tool for the advanced DIYer or professional tradesman. Craftsman did not use this language in describing the new brushless drill, but I do think the message is implied.
It will be interesting to see if Craftsman comes out with additional tradesmen-level tools and how well they will compare against competing products.
Javier
Impressive. Hope this revitalizes their image
LORDDiESEL
That’s a lot of power. I’m guessing they want a slice of some of the bigger boys pie.
Michael Veach
many years ago they had two lines. a diy and a pro. and they had a strong customer base
Jerry
Way back, when I was in high school, a guy needed help installing a steel roof. My pay was not all that high, but he said if I stuck it out to the end, he’d give me one of the drill/drivers we were using, a charger, and two batteries. This was in the mid 1980s. For the job, he bought two new Craftsman Pro cordless drills, the top of the line model. It was variable speed, but no hi-lo gearing. I can say, I don’t think I ever had a higher quality cordless drill since, or battery pack, for tht matter. Everything g about it was precise, and it had more torque than anything cordless I had ever used up to that time. They also had a cheaper line, and I don’t know what those were like, though. I used it until you just couldn’t get batteries anymore, and the drill itself still worked great. Not too long after I gave up on batteries, and chucked the drill, those battery rebuild services started to pop up. Later, I went back to Craftsman cordless tools, which i really liked, but was frustrated by the batteries. Not long after I sold them, Craftsman lithium batteries appeared. I later used my old drill/driver with a lithium battery, and commented it was now the tool I always wished it had been. However, I now invested in another line of cordless tools, and want to use only one battery/charger. Now, I see what looks to be a driver with class/beating performance, but too late for me.
I think one of the things that frustrates me about Sears tools anymore, is they can’t seem to decide what they want them to be. Some tols seem to be cheapened up, others seem to be top of the line, or close to it. This indecision makes it hard for me to know what to expect when I stop in Sears anymore
Jimmy Conklin
It’s interesting Craftsman would do this. I think pro brands like Milwaukee Brushless have 600-700 in. lbs. Not sure if 600 in. lbs would urge me to step into this when their current C3 drill with the metal chuck claims over 550. I am intrigued but not sold.
Weird that this version has the led light above the trigger and not on the foot of the tool. Does the battery have a fuel gauge?
Stuart
I don’t think this version has a fuel gage. The XCP batteries do, but they cost a bit more than the basic li-ion batteries.
Daniel
Yes they do I have the two different sizes lithium and both I have have the fuel light just press front center of battery. There basic lithium does not and I bought the upgraded ones that do.
Jerry
Look carefully at the posted picture. I think the button on the front of the battery is the Indicator. I was messing around in Sears once, and they had a battery with a similar button. Press it, and the color indicates estimated battery charge by color (red, yellow, green).
Nicholas
I figured it might have 500 inch pounds or so. I’m suprised that they didn’t call this a craftsman professional along with the xcp batteries.
Nicholas
They also have a new hammer drill and a heavy duty drill (bare tool and brushed) out now
Daniel
Yes they do I have the two different sizes lithium and both I have have the fuel light just press front center of battery. There basic lithium does not and I bought the upgraded ones that do.
Steve Cox
Reg Price: $179.99
Savings: $27.00
$152.99
Not a bad price, and it has the new 2.0 AH battery
Ruben
Again, any idea when this item will be for sale?
Stuart
The new drill should be available really soon.
Matthew Sumner
Will all 19.2 volt craftsman batteries work on all craftsman 19.2V drills?
Stuart
C3 19.2V? Yes.