Craftsman has expanded their 12V Nextec power tool platform with several new lawn and garden power tools. These tools are lightweight, compact, and easy to use, and look to be great for quick maintenance tasks or for homeowners and those who have smaller garden areas to maintain.
The new line will include a grass trimmer and edger, an articulating and rotational hedge trimmer, a 2-in-1 pole pruner, and a 3-in-1 garden tool.
I had the chance to preview some of the new gardening tools a few weeks ago, and they seemed to be reasonably well built. I liked the features and thought the 3-in-1 tool to look particularly handy. I think that these tools will be especially well received by urban homeowners who are usually faced with 2 options – manual hand tools and full-size power tools that are overkill for their usual gardening tasks. All of these tools will be available at Sears stores by May or June 2011.
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Craftsman Nextec Grass Trimmer and Edger
The trimmer features a flail cutting system with 9-inch diameter cutting swath. Its telescoping shaft can be adjusted match the user’s height, and its rotating head transforms the tool from a trimmer to an edger. The grip handle can be adjusted up to 15 degrees for a more comfortable grip.
The kit is priced at $80 and includes a 12V battery, 30-minute charger, and 12 replacement plastic flails.
Craftsman Nextec Articulating and Rotational Hedge Trimmer
The shaft of this tool also telescopes out, with a maximum reach of 5-1/2 feet. Its 135° rotating head adjusts via an easy grip twist, and has 8 lockable positions. The laser-cut 12″ blades are made from corrosion resistant hardened steel and can cut through shrub material up to 3/8″ thick.
The kit is priced at $100 and includes the tool, battery, and charger.
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Craftsman Nextec 2-in-1 Pole Pruner
The pruner has a 3/4″ cutting capacity and can be extended up to an additional 12″, or separated from the pole for easier hand-held use. It also features a dual action safety trigger to prevent accidental starts, and a generously long squeeze-switch for better tool balance and easy operation.
The 2-in-1 pole pruner is priced at $100 and also includes a battery charger.
Craftsman Nextec 3-in-1 Garden Tool
The 3-in-1 garden tool comes with 3 interchangeable tool heads – a grass shear, hedge clipper, and three-finger reciprocating claw for loosening and aerating soil.
The 3-in-1 garden tool is priced at $100.
David
12v? What do you guys think? Is 12v enough to power these tools?
Stuart
There’s no real reason why they shouldn’t be able to do the job. I imagine that Craftsman did a lot of testing to match tool capacity to the available battery power. For example, the trimmer does not have the cutting span of larger battery-powered or cordless tools.
It’s not as if they took the 19.2V lineup and rewired them to make them work with 12V batteries.
Ken Thienhardt
I purchased the 12V Craftsman Nextec trimmer last summer as I already had a Bosch I-Driver and a 3/8″ drill in 12V lithium Ion batteries. They have great torque right to the end and the trimmer does too. I am pleased. I purchased a 2nd battery as I have a lot of bed edging but the two batteries handle the chores well.
Does it replace a string trimmer? Not entirely. I do have a 30′ rock retaining wall that has a rough surface. The solid flail does not do as well as string. I don’t miss my gas unit however.
Kathy Brandt
Are you able to find replacement flails for this trimmer? Please let me know where they’re available if you can….
cecil shearon
I had to go to the Sears Warehouse / Service Center in Raleigh NC.
They ordered them for me but they were expensive.
Kathy Brandt
We purchased the 12v trimmer that uses flails rather than line….it is easy to handle, not too powerful, but fits our needs….however I cannot find the replacement flails for this trimmer….very frustrated…..
MCarp
I can convert yours to a line trimmer like i did mine! email me: [email protected]
Esther Mauricio
i tried to reorder replacement flails and found they no longer make them and the replacement flails will not be available until July 31,2012 per Craftman spokeperson and also chat line of sears. Very upset the store salesperson told me to try Home Depot for a Craftman product!
David
Consider yourselves lucky. They do not sell these Nextec items in my area. I have all the other Nextec tools in the series and have been pleased with them. I guess I will try online elsewhere, ebay, or just wait for my local Sears to carry them. I will say I have been more and more disappointed in Sears and Craftsman in the recent years…
MCarp
I converted my lawn trimmer to a line trimmer because they dont make the flails anymore. I can do the same for you, email me: [email protected]
Melody
This trimmer is a piece of crap. Sears doesn’t even sell it any more, the flails break if you breathe on them and you can’t buy them anywhere. Wasted my money on one, used it a few times and Sears won’t provide any compensation toward a different trimmer.
JR
Craftsman Nextec Articulating and Rotational Hedge Trimmer I bought this at Christmas and have used it the entire summer on hedges in my yard. It performs outstanding light weight and the battery last a long time. I’d recommend it for those of you who have light trimming on high bushes with the extension handle it makes the job less exhausting to hold for those high trimming jobs. I’m over 60 and can’t use something heavy to do extended work.
Alice Pakravan
i live in San Antonio Texas and I need to buy the flails for my trimmer edger model no 320. 74906. Thank you in advance for your help.
Phoenix57
I have 3 ten packs of these flails with an additional 6 not in a package. I loved the trimmer but when the flail holder broke on the trimmer I couldn’t use it anymore.
I think I paid $10.00 per pack. Let me know if you’d like to buy them. I would only charge what I paid plus shipping from California.
malcom
I’m interested in buying those flails from you. where in California are you shipping from? I’m in the san Francisco bay area myself.
James
Do you still have any flails left. I’m on my last one. Thanks
James
If not i’ll figure out something. thxs
Judi Gill
I need part # 2823127001 for my Craftsman 12.0 volt lithium Ion 3- in -1 Garden tool. Cordless Grass Shear, Hedge Clipper and Garden Cultivator.
Do you by chance have this transmission assembly or know where I can find it?
Thank you
Judi Gill
Gloria Thomas
I’m looking for a “Craftsman 4209 Nextec 12.0 Volt Hedge Trimmer” it’s light-weight and I love it. which you’re showing here. How I get it?
Stuart
Sorry, it hasn’t been sold in years.
MarylandUSA
Check out two Makita CXT 12V (10.8V) compact tools: the MU04Z (grass shear) and the HU06Z (8-inch hedge trimmer). Each sells for about U.S. $80 to $100.