Craftsman has quietly introduced a new V20 cordless air compressor, model CMCC2520M1. Here’s the first thing on my mind – is this a clone of Dewalt’s FlexVolt cordless air compressor?
The short answer is no. Dewalt’s FlexVolt cordless air compressor is powered by a FlexVolt 60V Max Li-ion battery, while this Craftsman is powered by a V20/20V Max battery.
There are a lot of differences, starting with the control panel. Dewalt’s was unique, with a one-turn air regulator, while Craftsman’s gauge and regular panel is configured similar to that on Porter Cable’s typically $99 pancake-style air compressor, but with a single air outlet port.
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The Craftsman cordless air compressor has a smaller tank than the Porter Cable corded compressor – 2.5 gallons compared to 6 gallons. Dewalt’s FlexVolt air compressor is the same size – 2.5 gallons.
Here are the Craftsman CMCC2520M1 specs:
- 2.5 gallon tank size
- 125 max PSI
- 1.3 SCFM at 40 PSI
- 1.0 SCFM at 90 PSI
- Weighs 19.4 lbs
- Can drive up to 700 nails on a single charge
- Brushless motor
- Oil-free pump
The “M1” kit comes with the CMCC2520 air compressor, a 4.0Ah battery and 4A charger.
Price: $269 for the kit
Buy Now via Lowes
Buy the Tool-Only via Lowes
Compare: Dewalt FlexVolt Kit via Amazon
Compare: Dewalt FlexVolt Kit via Acme Tools
(Dewalt’s FlexVolt kit is currently $299.)
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Discussion
Let’s look at the competition.
Ridgid has a 2-battery 1-gallon cordless air compressor.
Ridgid’s 18V air compressor might have a small tank, but that also makes it light and highly portable. It has grown in popularity over the years, and it’s ability to work with one or two batteries adds to its versatility.
Compare: Ridgid Bare Tool via Home Depot
Ryobi also has a 1-gallon air compressor, powered by their 18V One+ battery stystem.
While not quite as pro-oriented as the Ridgid cordless air compressor, Ryobi’s comes at a very attractive price point – it’s currently $158 for the 2.0Ah kit, $179 for the 4.0Ah kit, or $129 for the bare tool.
Compare: Ryobi Kit via Home Depot
Metabo also announced a new cordless air compressor in 2019, but it doesn’t seem to have hit the USA market yet.
Craftsman is showing off their new cordless air compressor being used with an impact wrench to remove lug nuts off a car or truck wheel, but that seems a bit extreme of an application for an air compressor of this size and capacity, cordless or not. From what I’ve seen, smaller and weaker air compressors can drive impact wrenches, but it can just be a very slow process.
Compressors of this size and airflow are often much better suited for construction-related tasks, such as driving air nailers, than more continuous-use air tools such as impact wrenches or die grinders. They’re also great for tire fill-ups, although cordless inflators are often more convenient, especially those with auto shut-off pressure sensors.
Powered by a 20V Max Li-ion battery, this new Craftsman compressor is going to be less powerful that Dewalt’s FlexVolt compressor. Still, it can reach a max pressure of 125 PSI, which is respectable. Dewalt’s FlexVolt air compressor can fill up its 2.5 gallon tank with a max pressure of 135 PSI, which means it’ll hold a bit more air.
The 2.5 gallon air tank of Craftsman’s new V20 compressor gives it an advantage over Ryobi’s 18V compressor, although it’s likely priced higher. To Ryobi’s advantage, they have 2Ah, 4Ah, and bare tool versions of their compressor. It’s unclear as to whether Craftsman’s air compressor will also be available in bare tool format, but after 2-1/2 years there’s still no FlexVolt bare-tool.
Overall, I’d say this is a nicely-spec’ed cordless air compressor from Craftsman, and it should serve DIYer’s needs quite well. It might not have as fancy a regulator as Dewalt’s FlexVolt, but the 2-gauge and separate regulator knob is typical.
Update: We’ve learned that the kit is priced at $269. Dewalt’s FlexVolt kit is $299.
John
That photo with the air impact is questionable at best. Rating for that Craftsman air impact is “Recommended Operating Pressure: 5 CFM” from the product info. The compressor creates 1/5 of that. Poor, misleading marketing. Buy a cordless impact wrench wth 250 ft/lbs from most of the name brands and have a better chance of breaking lugs loose.
These little compressors do have a purpose, but there are more cordless tool options these days so many users may never need them.
Stuart
It’s not something I would use a small compressor for, but it is possible, but the compressor will just cycle very frequently leading to long and inefficient work. I’ve seen examples of small compressors being used to pulse impact wrenches that are typically only used with much larger air compressors.
Lance
Marketing to DIYers who might not know better. Sad.
andy
It would work just fine for lug nuts on a car like in the photo though.
Jp
Any educated guesses as to when milwaukee will make a cordless compressor? I’ve been waiting forever
Big Richard
Surprised it is V20 and not V60. That leads me to question what, if anything, SBD will do with DeWalt. If 20v is enough juice to power a 2.5 gal compressor, will they make a 20V DeWalt version and/or a larger FlexVolt? I think a “full sized” 6 gal pancake FlexVolt version would be a nice update over the original.
Lance
If you’re using small nailers, which is a reasonable task for a battery compressor, then a smaller tank is better. Large roofing/framing nailers and continuous flow tools use way too much air for battery compressors, which kinda makes larger tank versions unnecessary. IMO
I own a Makita 2400 (beautiful machine!) and then bought the cordless Ridgid, which is a nice small compressor but has its limits. Since then I’ve bought 18v Hitachi framing and finish nailers, as well as the M12 inflator, so now I don’t really have a use for compressors.
I’ll keep them for my HVLP paint gun (which I may replace with the cordless Graco airless), but if I was starting today I’d just skip the compressors, generators and hoses and just go cordless everything.
Steve Goodman
Interestingly enough I experimented running FlexVolt compressor to roof a 15 square with my old bostich gun. While my framing experiment did not work out well the roof is there and the compressor is too. Did a lot better than I expected.
Big Richard
It took a year or so, but I was half right-ish. DeWalt now has a 20v FlexVolt Advantage air compressor, DCC2520.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2-5-Gal-140-psi-Portable-20-Volt-Cordless-Air-Compressor-with-Flexvolt-Advantage-Tool-Only-DCC2520B/315591765
Still wanna see a 6 gal or larger FlexVolt.
Jared
What?! Nice! That’s a lot more tempting to me than the Flexvolt version. It would let me bring more of my Dewalt batteries to bear on keeping it running. Thanks for the heads up.
Big Richard
Yeh, it’s nearly the same as the FlexVolt, slightly lower scfm and less nails per charge (assuming both ratings use the 6Ah FlexVolt battery), but being able to throw any old 20v on there in a pinch would be nice. I’m not about to sell my FlexVolt, but if I was in the market I’d likely be leaning toward this guy, too.
Marko
“better suited for construction-related tasks, such as driving air nailers, than more continuous-use air tools such as air nailers”
Contradiction?
Stuart
Thanks! Sorry, impact wrenches.
MT_Noob
I’m still hoping that Makita will release one of these in soon.
Tim D.
Same here. Makita keeps touting they have the largest 18v collection of tools, yet I keep finding myself looking at other brands bringing things to market that Makita doesn’t have,
PlaneGrain
Think Michael Jordan will bring something to compete in this market?
Big Richard
I was wondering the same thing. I mean, Air Jordan’s have been extremely popular, but that can only get you so far today. And air compressors are the next logical step in their portfolio. I doubt there will be anything this year, maybe next.
Philip Proctor
I wonder if I can hack my DeWalt batteries to run it???
Matt
Pretty nice but I wouldn’t be running an impact wrench with it. Kind of odd marketing. And I didn’t even know SBD Craftsman had an air powered impact wrench? Everything on their website is Sears stuff that’s no longer available. They really need to update it. I already have several chargers and batteries so I wouldn’t want the kit but as a stand alone tool it might not be a bad buy.
A little off topic but Lowe’s has a 7 1/4 V20 circular saw listed on their website there and it says “20 Volt Max”. I wonder if there’s other batteries coming that could power this or if the “Max” is tool specific? I suppose it could be an error too…
Big Richard
No special battery, all V20 batteries are 20v MAX. Generally, any SBD tool that is 20v will say 20v MAX (Porter Cable, DeWalt, Craftsman, etc.), because of the whole nominal vs. max voltage nomenclature. That saw was one of the earlier releases of SBD Craftsman, it is a clone of DeWalt’s 20v MAX DCS361 7 1/4″, minus some of the nicer features. So it is not a new release or anything. And I can attest that the DeWalt is a great little saw.
Matt
No, it’s a new release for Craftsman. It’s not even available in stores yet. I do understand it’s already out in yellow though. Their earlier release was a chintzy 6 1/2 saw. I understand the potential marketing angle of 20V Max but what I didn’t understand is this saw is the only tool Craftsman has used the 20V Max language. Why not use it on all of their tools then?
That aside, I think this compressor kit would be a Far greater buy if it had the 6.0ah battery with it instead of the 4.0ah. If any tool needed the bigger battery it would be a compressor. Especially if folks are led to think they can run their impact wrenches off of it.
Big Richard
Sorry, I thought you were referring to their 7 1/4″ miter saw, I now see you did say circular saw, whoops. I’m the goose. They do have a new brushless circular saw coming out.
But still, when I search “Craftsman V20” on Lowe’s website, every result (tools and batteries) comes up as saying “20 Volt Max”, so I’m still not sure where you are getting that.
Stuart
Officially, it’s Craftsman V20*, and you’ll see V20 20-Volt Max on retailer’s websites. Same thing, just a matter of marketing.
Ecotek
I have the Ridgid 18V compressor and was just using it today. I can tell you that if you use it with reasonable expectations, it is a great item to have. It will run any one air gun perfectly well. Even roof and framing guns, you just have to go a little slower. But if you’re in someone’s house doing a punch list or need space in the truck, or just need a quick grab and go, it’s small size and cordless convenience are all worth the trade off. My helper today remarked, cordless miter saw, cordless vac, cordless compressor? Yep, and all three together are smaller than my 12″ CSMS.
Philip Proctor
Punch list stuff is exactly what I was thinking.
Toolfreak
I hope Kobalt comes out with a similar cordless compressor in their 24V line.
Would be nice if the Craftsman was available as a bare tool without the battery/charger for those who already own enough V20 batteries/chargers for other V20 tools.
Perry
I like the options available for cordless compressors. Cordless nailers dont have the precision of pneumatic trim nailers, and after running a few for a day, the weight of cordless nailers do take a toll.
Having said that, the price point for this one (like quite a few other craftsman offerings) doesnt seem to make sense compared to the other options out there.
AngryDrumGuy
Still waiting for a Milwaukee version. Sigh…
Jp
Me too man. I wonder if any Milwaukee engineers, or other brass visit this website. There is a market for an m18 compressor. I’d pay up….
PlaneGrain
Should be able to create a Dewalt two Flexvolt 120 volt system. The same as the miter saw. Could handle larger air tanks and higher CFM’s. The same platform could upgrade cordless Vacs also. The price point must not be there yet, which would have a reasonable cost to the consumer.
Philip Proctor
That would be nice, say with a 6 gallon tank.
andy
I’m waiting for a variable speed compressor with the ability to run for a short boost at a higher CFM, especially if it has a high capacity battery. Milwaukee High Output or DeWalt felxvolt are capable of outputting 2HP. Then it could be quiet under normal circumstances but ramp if if you’re shooting off a volley of nails.
Nathan
I use a 6gal pancake corded device and It’s more than needed to nail gun activities. framing or finishing. So I’m sure this would work nearly as well or as well.
You don’t need 2 taps off of it either though nice to have.
I’d like to see how long this takes to get to 90PSI – and then see how it airs a tire I think that would be a good task set point. as I think it would be a common task set point.
On the impact wrench I wonder what the specs of the wrench in the picture are – I but it runs well at 90 PSI and sub 200 ft – lbs probably works great. again potentially slower on this compressor. But I bet it’s capable of 300 ft lbs at 120 psi with ease and that should be plenty for a DIY’er on nearly any car they might own short of say an HD truck.
JoeM
Okay… I gotta say, if it was available in Canada anywhere but Lowe’s, I might actually consider this one. I only ever need an air compressor for three things: Tire fillup, Compressed Air Blower for dust, and the odd very-small airbrush use. Since I don’t do large jobs with air, something small does make some sense.
But, frankly, at the prices stated, it seems the DeWALT FlexVOLT may well be where I go with this. Augmented with the DeWALT Tire Inflator as a dedicated tire service device. That ends up more money, but… More money out of Lowe’s filthy hands is money well spent in my mind. They’ve done some awful things here in Canada.
jj
Trim nailers and inflating low tires, that’s were this thing should excel. The bigger the battery the better. For the price of a cordless 16 gauge you can use existing guns, pinners, staplers. Wouldn’t even consider this on a rotary tool or impact.