Craftsman’s very new V4 4-volt compact cordless tools are 75%-off this weekend. We picked up a flashlight at 50%-off two weeks ago, and 3 of the screwdriver and cutter combo kits last night at about $18 each.
We also tried to order a few spare batteries and separate tools (rotary tool, headphones, additional flashlights) without success. At less than $4 each, we had other uses in mind for those lithium ion batteries. And at 75%-off, the other tools would have been in handy.
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Unfortunately, all but the 2-tool combo set found in stores have been sold out. Either that, or management pulled the batteries from display and execs capped stock levels online to stretch the sale longer.
Last week these tools were advertised at 50%-off, and now 75%-off. Why? Our guess is that perhaps these tools are being discontinued. Here is a conversation we had with a full-time tool dept. associate at our local Sears:
TG: Do you have any of the Craftsman V4 batteries in stock?
Sears: The what? I’m not familiar with that, could you describe it?
TG: They’re the new compact 4V tools. There was a display over there, but it looks like the batteries were all sold or moved.
Sears: Let’s walk over there, I’m still not sure about what you’re referring to.
*We walk over to the Craftsman V4 display that has been up for at least 4 weeks.*
TG: Here’s the display.
Sears: Oh, wow, this is the first time I am seeing these tools!
This Sears associate has effectively helped me out in the past, and usually knows the tool department like the back of his hand. The V4 display at my local store is not near the mass of bins holding the holiday specials, nor is it near the power tools. It’s positioned in somewhat of a transition aisle, along with a few other small Craftsman and holiday tool displays.
So why didn’t these tools start selling until Sears dropped the price by 75%? Were they too expensive? Is there simply no market for 4V light duty tools? Or was this their plan all along?
You should still be able to find the screwdriver and cutter combo sets online for shipping or in-store pickup. At less than $20, it’s a reasonable deal. Coupons do not apply.
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John
I just picked this up for $17.49. At that price it is good for a cordless screwdriver. Overall it does feel kind of cheap. Too bad the didn’t design the body to hold one of the bits. Just curious, but what other uses did you have in mind for the spare batteries? Do they fit the Ryobi Tek4 line?
Robin
Wonder if these tools are just a Holiday Only tool?
Stuart
I figured that 4V/3.6V would be great for simple lighting circuits. Or gang 2 together in series to power a microcontroller or small robot.
I didn’t think that this was a holiday-only line. If the tools were meant for such purposes, then Sears and Craftsman handled the whole situation very poorly. Zero adverising, zero marketing, and low visibility means little awareness and poor sales.
Paul
These tools look surprisingly 🙂 like the Ryobi Tek4 that appears not to be selling well at the Home Depot either.
I managed to get two of the headphones. They have active suppression and speech amplification. They are really cool and worth the original $60.
I was told this was an experiment and Sears decided to cut their losses because NO-ONE is interested in 4 volt tools.
There are also some really great deals on the original NEXTEC HammerHead, Multi-Tool, drill and the combo kits.
greg e
the only batterie power tool line sears stands behind fully (will show any real support for) is there 19.2v series every thing else is unpredictable and at this point not worth investing in. i learned that the hard way when i got the 20v set and started to build it up only for them to stop caring them in the store months before i even heard the line was going to be discontinued, more proof of this is when i had to throw an absolute fit to get a refund for the 20v. batteries themselfs WITH the recite (i was with in the 90-days policy) for batteries that stop holding a charge after about a week of working with them :(. some may have heard me complain a little about this before. so just buy with caution but that goes without saying for everything these days.
Kevin
ordered the screwdriver/flashlight combo for 14 bucks, I just couldnt resist even though I already have a bosch and milwaukee 12volt compact drill/driver .Figure this will be my kitchen drawer/loan to neighbor/family unit and I can alway use another flashlight.
Phillip
I bought one of these flashlights because of the Lion battery and I work in a truck garage, often in the dark doing road service and other emergency repairs. I bought the screwdriver/shear kit and a rotary tool because the same battery will interchange in all tools, these went on sale before Christmas and was a smokin deal. I am disappointed because I lost the super bright flashlight and I can not order a replacement anything from Sears for all the V4 tools I bought in December 2011. I am just going to buy my tools from a more reputable dealer such as Matco or Snap-On to avoid being stuck with obsolete junk 🙁
Wimpod
I too bought into this super deal. I’m so glad I had the forthought to buy extra batteries at the time also. Eight of them to be exact. At just under $4, I wasn’t going to pass that up. Moving into a new house, painting and such, these little drivers are great for the kids to remove the wall plates and reach into tight spots. I would never have paid the full price though but at the 75% plus off price, I bought 8 eight sets and gave some away for Christmas.
D R Lucy
After purchasing a spare battery in October 2016 the charger quit functioning.
Are there any chargers available anywhere.
I would buy the complete set to obtain a charger.
It was my favorite tool for light and delicate work