I received the new C3 cordless 3/8″ impact wrench yesterday and I want to give you my first impressions. The impact uses Craftsman’s C3 19.2V battery platform. Its compact size allows it to fit into tighter spaces than a standard 1/2″ impact wrench.

Craftsman C3 19.2 v 3/8 Cordless Impact

The new Craftsman impact wrench features a 3/8″ square drive with anvil retention ring (hog ring), variable speed 0-2500 no-load RPM gearbox, 130 ft-lbs torque rating and it can deliver 0-2500 IPM. The mid-handle design with over-molded grip is designed for improved comfort,  and the impact is balanced well. It has an LED work light helps illuminate dim work areas and a battery monitor.

First impressions:

The kit I received has the compact impact wrench, one Nicad Battery, the new compact 1 hour charger, and manuals

The build quality is very good.  The impact feels great in your hand and I feel you will be able to use is all day long without any discomfort.

The impact is the same size as the Craftsman 17338 19.2-volt C3 Cordless Impact Driver.  Because this is a dedicated 3/8 impact though you will not need any adapters to use your sockets. This will make the wrench as short as possible allowing you to get into tighter areas than the impact driver could.

Just The Right Size

I used it for only a few minutes taking apart the zero-turn mower you see it sitting on.  The wrench had no problems with any of the 3/8 to 3/4 in nuts I removed.  It is rated for 130 ft lbs and I feel it is all of that.

The 3/8 inch drive has a hog ring instead of a ball and is designed for impact sockets instead of your standard Craftsman Mechanics Sockets.  Because of the power this tool has I highly recommend you purchase a set of 3/8 impacts sockets and use them for your fastening.

Here are a couple of 3/8 impact socket sets.

Craftsman Evolv Impact Sockets These are Craftsman’s economy line.  These will work very well with this impact wrench

3/8 Impact Socket Sets. Craftsman has a complete line of impact sockets.  Here is a sampling of the 3/8 inch sets available.

The impact wrench will be available as a kit (32741) 3/8 Compact Impact Wrench that comes with a Ni-Cd battery and charger. The MSRP is $130 and I expect it to be  for around $120. Later it will be available as an add-on.

Craftsman-C3-Cordless-Impact-Wrench-Add-on

Cheap cordless drills are one of the most popular tools for gifts. Just about everyone who lives in an apartment, condo, or house can use one for hanging pictures, drapes, assembling furniture or home improvement. You want a no-frills drill that can get the job done, but you don’t want to pay a lot for it. But the problem when you buy a cheap cordless drill for less than $50 they only last about 2 years. These cheap drills are heavy and nicad batteries that come with them never stay charged.

Over the last two years lithium-ion battery powered drill/drivers have become very affordable. Yes, they cost about $20 more than that cheap drill you bought two years ago but they have advantages you can’t get with your old drill. These new batteries will hold a charge for over a year so you will always have a drill ready to use. The Craftsman NEXTEC cordless drill is the most affordable and best value of all these drills.

The great thing about a Craftsman NEXTEC is you can buy an affordable drill and the battery and charger will work on a good selection of other cordless tools…tools that will make your home owner tasks much easier. You can buy a drill for a present this year and then have plenty of ideas for additional gifts for other occasions. The NEXTEC line uses a 12 volt lithium-ion battery.

Craftsman has expanded the NEXTEC 12 volt cordless tools considerably in the last few months. They have also updated many of the tools to include a battery monitor and add convenience factors like tool-less blade changes on the Multi-tool.  The original tools have all proven to be very good, but if you want all the latest features buy the G2 NEXTEC tools. It is time to review everything that is in the line.

New Craftsman NEXTEC Tools!

Craftsman Nextec G2 12V Drill/Driver

Craftsman Nextec G2 12V Drill/Driver This is the new drill.  It is an upgrade from the 17586 and now has 260 in lbs. of torque!  This is plenty to perform most drilling and driving tasks around the home. Couple this drill with an impact driver and you can tackle just about any task that needs a hole drilled or a fastener installed or removed. This kit includes the drill/driver, battery, Quick-Boost charger and carrying case.

Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver This is the lithium drill that is becoming the most popular home-owner/hobby drill on the market.  It is 195 in lbs strong, lightweight, and full featured. It come with the a battery and standard lithium charger. (charges in 30 minutes) This 3/8 drill and the G2 have 2 speeds, clutch, reverse and built-in light. I own this drill myself and it is the one I always pick up first. (I own and or test about 20 different drills a year)

Free NEXTEC Drill With RAID There is a great promotion going on right now.  Purchase the NEXTEC right angle impact driver with battery and charger and Sears will give you a drill.  The drill is the same as the one above but comes without a battery or charger.

Craftsman Nextec Model 01430 Cordless Drill/Driver

Craftsman Nextec Model 01430 Cordless Drill/Driver If you have plenty of batteries and chargers (you really only need two batteries and one charger) here is the bare tool of the drill I own.

Spare NEXTEC Battery

Spare NEXTEC Battery  One of the best features of the NEXTEC line is the battery, This lithium battery only cost $25 retail and will drive hundreds of screws per charge.  It charges to 25% capacity with the quick-boost charger or fully in 30 minutes.  It holds a charge for over a year so it is always ready doesn’t self-discharge or develop a memory like the battery in your old drill.

Craftsman Nextec Rotary Tool I just wrote a review of this new tool. Finally, A great cordless rotary tool! If you have a “Dremel” on your Christmas list seriously look at this new tool. I had a chance to demo one and it is the on the top of my Christmas list.

Craftsman NEXTEC R.A.I.D.

Craftsman NEXTEC Right Angle Impact Driver You need a drill/driver and you don’t know it yet, but you also need an impact driver.  This NEXTEC R.A.I.D. looks weird and looks different than the other impact drivers out there, but has become my favorite.  It actually has more driving power than all the large 18 and 20 volt drill/drivers on the market. You can buy bits for all the different screws, bolts and fasteners you will find around your home and garage) If you do woodworking, home repairs and small engine repairs buy one…you’ll be glad you did!

Craftsman NEXTEC Impact Driver

Craftsman NEXTEC Impact Driver The “regular” version.  Most of the impact drivers on the market look like this one.  Small, powerful and once you use it.. .indispensable.

Craftsman Nextec Impact Driver Model 61189 Tool Only

Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Hammerhead

Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Hammerhead How do you make the wildly popular cordless electric hammer better?  Make the head so it angles!  If you use nails or just the upper half of a hammer handle :) this is the tool for you.

Craftsman NEXTEC Auto Hammer

New Lower Price! Craftsman NEXTEC 12-volt Hammerhead Auto Hammer Original Auto-Hammer. Still a winner and even better at $79!

Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Multi-Purpose Work Light

Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Multi-Purpose Work Light This light is bright! You can hang it a dozen different ways and if that’s not enough it has a built-in magnet.

NEXTEC LED Worklight

Craftsman NEXTEC LED Worklight My wife saw this when I got one in a kit last year and the next thing I knew it was on her bedstand.  This little palm-sized light is bright, stands by itself, runs for about 8 hours on a battery charge and the battery will hold a charge, ready to go for over a year.

Craftsman NEXTEC True Finish Sander

Craftsman NEXTEC True Finish Sander This is a “Mouse” style sander that is cordless and has a built-in counter balancer that makes it a breeze to use.  No more numb hands. I have one of these and it is the FIRST sander I pick up when I am woodworking.

Craftsman NEXTEC G2 VOLT Vacuum

Craftsman NEXTEC G2 VOLT Vacuum ”Dust Busters” are so 80′s This powerful little vac comes with attachments so you can pick up litter on the floor, clean the crumbs off the couch and dust the blinds and furnace ducts.  It comes with a hose so it will get where no other household hand vac can go.

Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Cordless Inflator

Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Cordless Inflator  Blow up balls, balloons, bicycle tires, lawn tractor tires, and basketballs.  It’s cordless so you don’t have to be within 6 feet of your car lighter! It has a neat preset feature.  Set the pressure you want and it automatically shuts off when it gets there.

Craftsman Nextec G2 Multi-Tool

Craftsman Nextec G2 Multi-Tool By now you know if you need one of these or not.  The G2 now features tool-less blade changing and variable speed. It does the work of over $500 worth of tools … jamb saw, grout removal tool, rasp, detail sander, paint scraper, keyhole saw and flush-cut saw.  This new tool comes with a battery, case and Quick-Boost Charger.

Craftsman 17438 Nextec Cordless Multi-Tool

Craftsman 17438 Nextec 12-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Multi-Tool ENERGY STAR Still a good tool. At $79 a great value. I just used mine this morning to clean the underside of my mower deck, sand between rungs on an antique chair and scrape excess dried glue off cutting boards I am making for Christmas presents.

Craftsman Nextec Multi-Saw Model 14299 - Tool Only

Craftsman Nextec Cordless Multi-Saw Model 14299 – Tool Only This is a cordless sabre saw. It works great for cutting drywall etc, but lacks a blower to keep the cut line clean. I use it, but not very often. If I was a hobbyist I would use it more.

Craftsman NEXTEC Circular Saw - Tool Only

Craftsman NEXTEC Circular Saw – Tool Only This saw cuts 3/4 inch deep.  It cuts slowly and will use up a battery in about 8 feet.  I have about 20 other hand and powered saws so I don’t have much use for this. If I just did small woodworking hobbies or if I needed a saw to cut modern trim ……… On second thought, don’t buy this. Every tool line has a dud and this is the NEXTEC DUD! If you want a small saw I suggest buying a corded one.  The new Dremel SM20-02 120V Saw-Max Tool Kit is a great choice.  Yes, Craftsman sells the Craftsman 10872 Mini Circular Saw and I own one, but I like the Dremel better.

Combo Kits:

Here are some NEXTEC combo kits:  These can be great deals if you want multiple tools.

Craftsman NEXTEC Drill and LED Light Combo Kit

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Drill and Impact Combo Kit

Craftsman 17588 4-pc. Nextec 12-volt Cordless Combo

Craftsman Nextec 6-tool Combo Kit with Storage Tool Box

I made a few videos using NEXTEC Tools over the last year. Here is one showing a few of these tools and I go into the NEXTEC Right Angle Impact Drive in Detail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWkYEKHFoQo

Yard Tools:

Last, but not least.  Craftsman also make a line of cordless yard tools that fit the NEXTEC battery.  I like each one of them for small yards and gardens.  But, these items are out of stock right now and won’t be back until spring.

Nextec 3-In-1 Garden Tool

Nextec 3-In-1 Garden Tool

Nextec Grass Trimmer and Edger

Nextec Grass Trimmer and Edger

NEXTEC Replacement Flail Pack

NEXTEC Replacement Flail Pack

Craftsman NEXTEC 2-in-1 Pole Pruner

Craftsman NEXTEC 2-in-1 Pole Pruner

Nextec Hedge Trimmer

Nextec Hedge Trimmer

We all have or need a Dremel style tool (rotary tool).  These rotary tools can do hundreds of tasks from polishing to cutting to trimming your dogs nails.

Announcing the Craftsman NEXTEC Cordless Rotary Tool.  Finally...a good quality cordless rotary tool for the homeowner and hobbyist!

Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman Nextec Rotary Tool

New Craftsman Cordless Rotary Tool

I had the chance to take one of these out of the box at my local Sears and stick a wood rasp in it. I took it over to the store’s Innovation Station and gave it a quick, five-minute workout.  I was impressed with the speed control, work light, weight and feel of the tool.

I was mainly interested though in the power of the unit.  Most cordless rotary tools are much weaker than their corded counterparts.  This tool however was strong!  A lot stronger than I expected! This rotary tool is easily as strong as my Dremel 4000 corded tool!

The first thing I will do after I get one of these is to purchase a Milescraft Chain Saw Sharpener attachment for it.  With a couple of batteries I will be able to cut firewood all day long out in the timber.  I’ll also get the lawn mower blade sharpener kit and I’ll be able to sharpen my mower blades right on the mower!  Of course that’s if I can get it away from my spouse.  She’s a big crafter and having a rotary tool without a cord….

I like the Craftsman Nextec Rotary Tool offers the power and freedom to tackle any project, anywhere. The tool’s variable speed control allows you to set the speed of the tool anywhere from 5,000 to 30,000 rpm to match any of the 40 included accessories bits to the task at hand.  In addition the NEXTEC Rotary Tool is completely compatible with all 1/32-inch -1/8-inch shank accessories allowing you thousands of cutting, grinding, sanding and polishing options.  It also looks like it will handle most threaded attachments.

The major feature though that sets this rotary tool from the others is it uses the inexpensive and reliable NEXTEC lithium-ion batteries and the new NEXTEC Quick-Boost Charger.  No need to have yet another charger cluttering up your work bench. These Lithium-ion batteries deliver longer life and run-time with fade-free power.  The Quick-Boost charger means never having to run out of battery.  If you do use up a charge or forgot to charge it the last time you used it the Quick-Boost charger will give you a 25% battery charge in 3 minutes!  Plenty of charge to do most of those little tasks you need this rotary tool for.

The NEXTEC battery and Quick-Boost charger included in this kit is compatible with all your NEXTEC multi-tool, Auto-hammer, Cordless Drill, impact driver and a rapidly growing line of cordless homeowner tools.  At $25 retail these batteries are the most cost-effective on the market.  I do a lot of woodworking and small projects around the house and the NEXTEC tools have quickly become my go-to tools.  I especially like the Craftsman NEXTEC 2-in-1 Pole Pruner and the Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

OK, you’ve never owned a rotary tool and you don’t have a clue what you would use one for around the home.  Here are just a few things we use it for.

• Carving and engraving: We use high speed cutters, engraving cutters, structured tooth carbide cutters, tungsten carbide cutters and diamond wheel points. we use it to drill holes in stained glass.
• Cleaning and polishing:  Rubber polishing points, polishing wheels and polishing brushes. We use these bits for taking old paint and rust off of metal furniture or cleaning up tools and grills.
• Cutting jobs: I use cut-off wheels to cut off rusted bolts. I also have cutting and shaping wheels, diamond wheels, cutting bits and rip and crosscut blades. I use these bits for cutting through wood, metal, ceramic and more.
• Grinding and sharpening jobs use grinding stones, grinding wheels, chain saw sharpening stones, abrasive wheels and abrasive points. Carbide bits tend to work best on metal.
• Routing jobs: I use router bits for small detail and finish work. There are straight router bits, keyhole router bits, corner router bits, groove router bits and more.
• Sanding jobs: I use sanding bands, sanding discs, flapwheels, shaping wheels and finishing and detail abrasive brushes. I use flapwheels to distress paint on furniture to make it look old and worn.
• Small drilling jobs:

It is one of those tools that can do just about anything.

Order Here From Sears: Craftsman Nextec Rotary Tool Have it shipped to you home or pick it up at your local Sears!

New 12 volt Lithium Cordless Drill/Drivers. The Best of the Best For Christmas!

12 volt is the new 10.8 volt. 12 volts is not better, it just represents the voltage nomenclature you are familiar with. If you live in Canada or Europe these are still labeled 10.8.  But most of these new lithium Drill/Drivers are stronger than your current 14.4, 15.6 and 16 volt tools!  For example the new Craftsman Nextec 12V Drill/Driver boasts over 260 in/lbs of torque and has all the features of a full-size cordless drill!

Don’t let the small size fool you! All of these cordless drills will have plenty of power for you around the home, apartment or acreage. Inch/lbs is the real measure of the power of the drill and is the standard rating for them.  Many interior construction and remodeling contractors are switching to these because they can get into tight spaces and they are so much lighter and easier to use than the old Nicad cordless tools. Cabinet makers and installer especially like them for their compact design.  They can now use power tools to install cabinets!  I regularly use these 12 volt tools for woodworking.  They don’t take up much room on my workbench and have all the features and power I need to do this rewarding hobby.  Buy the brand you are used to or if you want my opinion, buy Craftsman.  In my opinion the Craftsman cordless lithium drills gives you the best value for the price for this Christmas season.

Plain and Simple: Don’t waste your money on a drill that uses Nicad batteries.  Today’s Lithium-ion powered tools are affordable, lightweight and more dependable than tools that use a Nicad battery.  The new Lithium-ion batteries are a huge improvement over Nicads.  They don’t self-discharge. Even if you only use your drill two or three times a year they will be charged and ready to use.  They don’t get a memory. You can leave them on the charger and/or charge them back up every time you use them without worrying about the battery going bad. They last 3 to 4 times longer and will give you many years of daily use.

I am only including drill/drivers with chucks.  These drill can use all of the drill bits and driver bits you currently have.  I will write about the 12 volt tools that use the 1/4 locking hex chuck in another article. (Like the Rockwell 3RILL)

Black & Decker

BLACK & DECKER 12-Volt Lithium Drill/Driver

New, Lightweight, and Compact!

I want to start out with the drill I don’t really recommend.  Black & Decker makes some great products and this drill is built well, but it has some shortcomings over all the other drills in this article.

It has only one speed and it’s slow (about 600 rpm) While this is ok for mounting curtain rods, it lacks the speed to quickly and efficiently handle other tasks. For a few dollars more you can buy a full featured drill like the Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

Buy Here From Lowes:
BLACK & DECKER 12-Volt Max. Lithium Ion Cordless Drill/Driver LDX112C

Buy From Sears: Sears only sells this drill at the Full-Line (Mall Stores) If you want to buy this little drill from them you will have to go to the store.

Bosch:

Bosch 12-Volt 3/8" Cordless Drill/Driver

This Bosch 3/8 inch drill has a price that goes with the high quality you expect from them.  This drill is more expensive than the Craftsman drills and it has no more features than they do, but if you are a Bosch fan, this is the 12 volt you need!. This full-featured drill has a 350 low speed for power fastening and a 1350 high speed for drilling and light fastener tasks.

The keyless chuck stays tight and the the 20 clutch settings allow you to set a screw in any type of wood. Bosch boasts this drill is the lightest weight of all these drills.

Buy Here From Lowes:
Bosch 12-Volt 3/8″ Cordless Drill/Driver PS31-2A

Craftsman:

Craftsman Nextec 12V Drill/Driver

Craftsman G2 Lithium. This drill is new.  The Generation 2 (G2) NEXTEC has over 260 in/lbs, and features the new quick charger. If you want the latest and best from Craftsman this is the one!  This drill rounds out an already great and affordable line of Craftsman NEXTEC tools.  The other tools that fit this battery include the multi-tool, auto-hammer, sander, two lights, air compressor, impact driver, trim saw, sabre saw, grass trimmer, hedge trimmer, multi-gardening tool and the great R.A.I.D. (right angle impact driver).

Buy here from Sears: Craftsman Nextec 12V Drill/Driver. Order this drill on-line for the best deals and pick it up at your local Sears (or have it shipped to your home)

Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver. 

Sears struck a home-run with this drill last year and it continues to be the best value on the market.  You can regularly get this drill, battery and charger for less than $60!. The batteries fit the growing line of NEXTEC home-owner tools so you don’t end up with an orphan drill that has batteries that will be hard to get in a few years.

Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

DeWalt:

DeWalt 12V 3/8 in. Drill Driver Kit

New From DeWalt. Lightweight, Powerful, Compact: This drill has the highest capacity battery of all the 12 volt drills.  The battery also fits a growing line of great contractor tools.

Buy Here From Sears: DeWalt 12V 3/8 in. Drill Driver Kit

Buy Here From Lowes:
DEWALT 12-Volt Max. 3/8″ Cordless Impact Driver DCD710S2

Milwaukee:

Milwaukee M12 12 Volt Drill/Driver

Amazon has the best price for Milwaukee! Free Shipping, Fast Delivery: Don’t bother going to Home Depot, Amazon has the best deals.

This is part of the M12 line. This battery fits many contractor grade tools. If you are a Milwaukee tool fan this is the 12 volt drill you need to round out your tool kit.

Buy Here From Amazon: Milwaukee 2410-22 M12 Drill/Driver

Panasonic:

Panasonic EY7441LZ2S 14.4-Volt Drill

The Best of the Best! This drill is the one industrial users buy. This is the most expensive 12 volt drill! But it also has more power than most 18 and 20 volt cordless drills on the market.  If you use your drill every day, all day long you will appreciate the quality and dependability of this drill.

Buy Here from Amazon: Panasonic EY7441LZ2S 14.4-Volt Drill

Porter Cable:

PORTER-CABLE 12-Volt 3/8 Cordless Lithium Drill/Driver

If you are a Porter Cable fan this is the 12 volt drill for you.  The quality you expect from Porter Cable.

Buy Here From Lowes:
PORTER-CABLE 12-Volt 3/8″ Cordless Lithium Drill/Driver PCL120DDC-2

Rockwell:

Rockwell 12V Lithium Drill Driver

This is a great, powerful drill for the money. Free battery replacement for life!

Buy Here From Sears: Rockwell 12V Lithium Drill Driver

New 20 volt Lithium Cordless Drill/Drivers. The Best of the Best For Christmas!

 Plain and Simple: Don’t waste your money on a drill that uses Nicad batteries.  Today’s Lithium-ion powered tools are affordable, lightweight and more dependable than tools that use a Nicad battery.  The new Lithium-ion batteries are a huge improvement over Nicads.  They don’t self-discharge. Even if you only use your drill two or three times a year they will be charged and ready to use.  They don’t get a memory. You can leave them on the charger and/or charge them back up every time you use them without worrying about the battery going bad. They last 3 to 4 times longer and will give you many years of daily use.

20 volt is the new 18 volt. 20 volts is not better, it just represents the actual voltage you get with the new lithium batteries.Some of these manufactures choose to list a different voltage like 18 or 19.2, but for you they are all the same.  Inch/lbs is the real measure of the power of the drill. All of these cordless drills will have plenty of power for you around the home or acreage.  Buy the brand you are used to or if you want my opinion, buy the Craftsman.  in my opinion the Craftsman cordless lithium drills gives you the best value for the price for this Christmas season.

Impact Drivers are all the rage:  If you do a lot of fastening.  If you are planning on doing a remodeling project, building a deck or want to screw fasteners (wood screws, nuts, lag bolts) faster, buy a combo kit that includes an impact driver. You still need the drill for making holes but the impact driver will cut your fastening time in half.

Black & Decker

BLACK & DECKER 20-Volt Lithium

New, Lightweight, and Compact!

Buy Here From Lowes:
BLACK & DECKER 20-Volt Lithium Ion Drill/Driver with Case LDX120SB

Bosch

Bosch Lithium

Dependable Winner!

Buy Here From Lowes:
Bosch 18-Volt 1/2″ Lithium Cordless Drill with Case DDS180-02

Buy Here From Lowes:
Bosch 18-Volt Litheon Cordless Compact Drill & Impactor Driver Combo Kit CLPK23-180

Craftsman:

Craftsman 19.2 Lithium

This drill continues to be the best value on the market:  Always a great deal!

Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman 17310 19.2-volt C3 Lithium-Ion Drill-Driver

The best value combo kit for this Christmas!

Combo Kit From Sears: Craftsman 19.2V C3 Lithium-Ion 2-pc Combo Kit

DeWalt

DeWalt 20 volt Lithium

New From DeWalt.  Lightweight, Powerful, Compact:

Buy Here From Sears: DeWalt 20 V MAX* Lithium Ion Compact Drill / Driver

Buy Here From Lowes:
DEWALT 20-Volt 1/2″ Cordless Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver with Case DCD780C2

Combo Kit From Lowes:
DEWALT 20-Volt Lithium-Ion Compact Drill and Impact Driver Cordless Combo Kit DCK280C2

Combo Kit From Sears: DeWalt 20 V MAX Lithium Ion Combo Kit

Kobalt

Kobalt 18 volt Lithium

Lowes Exclusive:

Buy Here From Lowes:
Kobalt 18-Volt 1/2″ Cordless Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver with Case KT200A

Milwaukee

Milwaukee 18 volt Lithium

Amazon has the best price for Milwaukee!  Free Shipping, Fast Delivery:

Buy Here From Amazon: Milwaukee 2601-22 18-Volt Li-ion Compact Drill Kit

Combo Kit From Amazon: Milwaukee 2691-22 18-Volt Compact Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit

Panasonic

Panasonic 21.6V Li-ion Drill & Driver

The Best of the Best!

Buy Here from Sears: Panasonic 21.6V Li-ion Drill & Driver

Porter Cable

Porter Cable 18 volt Lithium

Buy Here From Lowes:
PORTER-CABLE 18-Volt 1/2″ Cordless Lithium Ion Drill with Case PCL180DRK-2

Porter Cable Combo Kit From Lowes:
PORTER-CABLE 3-Tool 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit PCL318IDC-2

Rockwell

Rockwell 18V Lithium Tech Drill Driver

This is a great, powerful drill for the money. Free battery replacement for life!

Buy Here From Sears: Rockwell 18V Lithium Tech Drill Driver

Buy Combo From Sears: Rockwell 18-volt Lithium Combo

Lithium Cordless Screwdrivers are the way to go. These small battery operated tools have always been very popular and now with lithium batteries they are worth buying.  They are great for any screwdriving task you need to do around your home.

The batteries last 3 to 4 times longer than the old, heavy nicads. You can leave most of these plugged in all the time so you can be ready for your screwdriving task.  In addition, these will hold a charge for up to a year if you leave them lying in your kitchen drawer. These drivers are dependable, easy to use and last a long time.

I have picked four drivers and two drill-drivers for you to look at.  I included the drill/drivers because for just a few dollars more you can get a more versatile tool that is about the same size as these cordless screwdrivers.

Lithium-ion Cordless Screwdrivers

BLACK & DECKER 3.6-Volt 1/4″ Cordless Lithium Ion Screwdriver

BLACK & DECKER 3.6-Volt 1/4" Cordless Lithium Ion Screwdriver

New for 2011.  This little driver is a great buy. My wife uses last year’s version for her stained glass hobby all the time and loves it. Buy Here From Lowes:
BLACK & DECKER 3.6-Volt 1/4″ Cordless Lithium Ion Screwdriver LI3100 A

Craftsman V4 Battery-Powered Screwdriver

Craftsman V4 Battery-Powered Screwdriver

Craftsman has just introduced the V4 line.  The same battery will power this screwdriver, stereo headphones, an LED light, powered scissors, soldering iron and more!

This screwdriver has a two-speed gearbox!  Low speed for driving screws, high speed for drilling holes! This is one of the best values on the market!

Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman V4 Battery-Powered Screwdriver

Craftsman 4 Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/4 In. Screwdriver

Craftsman 4 Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/4 In. Screwdriver

This little driver has been wildly popular!.  It has a surprizing amount of power for it’s size and easily slips into your pocket. Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman 4 Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/4 In. Screwdriver

BLACK & DECKER 12-Volt Max. Lithium Ion Cordless Drill/Driver

BLACK & DECKER 12-Volt Max. Lithium Ion Cordless Drill/Driver

For about $20 more than a cordless screwdriver you can get this single speed drill from Black & Decker.  The nice feature here is you can use regular drill bits in it. Buy Here From Lowes:
BLACK & DECKER 12-Volt Max. Lithium Ion Cordless Drill/Driver LDX112C

Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

I included this NEXTEC drill/driver because for about $50 you can get a full featured, powerful tool that will do all the tasks you can think of around your home or apartment.  This drill features a high speed for drilling holes, a low speed for driving screws and a clutch so you don’t set the screw into your wood project to far. In addition the inexpensive battery in this drill powers a dozen other items that will save you a lot of time around the home. Click on the link and type “NEXTEC” in the search box to see all the tools it powers.  Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

Skil 4-Volt Max Palm-Sized Screwdriver

Skil 4-Volt Max Palm-Sized Screwdriver

Skill has a nice small lithium driver also. If you like the Skil brand, this is the one to buy. Buy Here From Lowes:
Skil 4-Volt Max Palm-Sized Screwdriver 2354-01

Accessories For Your Screwdriver

You need 1/4 inch hex driver bits to use these tools.  There are hundreds of kits out these  but I found you two that include a handle so you can use your bits without the cordless screwdriver. The Craftsman set carries a lifetime unlimited warranty.

Craftsman Ratcheting Magnetic Screwdriver with Bit Storage

Craftsman Ratcheting Magnetic Screwdriver with Bit Storage

Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman Ratcheting Magnetic Screwdriver with Bit Storage

Kobalt 57-Piece Variety Pack Screwdriver Set SF257

Kobalt 57-Piece Variety Pack Screwdriver Set SF257

Buy Here From Lowes:
Kobalt 57-Piece Variety Pack Screwdriver Set SF257

Alligator Pliers are a variation of the tongue and grove pliers (commonly called Chanel-locks after the original pliers)

These tough pliers from Knipex fix some of the agrivating design issues all the other tongue and groove pliers have.

-Pinch guard protects against hand and finger pinching

- Optimum adjustment for different size work.  It will grab the smallest piece of wire and pipe up to 2 3/4 inches on the 10″ size.

- Wear resistant, hardened teeth grip objects of any shape.

Use these pliers to grip just about anything, pipe, metal rods, pull brads out of wood.  Yes, it will mar delicate surfaces but for plumbing and general use this is a great choice for a pliers that will last you a lifetime.

Buy at Sears.com.  Buy online, get the best deal, pick up at your local Sears or have it shipped to your home.

Knipex 10 in. Alligator Pliers

Knipex 12 in. Alligator Pliers

Knipex 7 1/4 in. Alligator Pliers

There are a thousand different types of wrenches out there and most of them are redundent. This in not one of them!  The Knipex Plier Wrench is one wrench that will replace a whole toolbox.  It’s not a gimick wrench like the “bionic” wrench.  This one works and does things you always wanted in a wrench.

Won't damage fittings

So what’s so great about it?

- The smooth jaws grip all parallel surfaces tightly without damaging the surface.  They will be you go-to pliers for finish plumbing.

- They will grip a large range of sizes.  These pliers work so well they will replace a full set of standard and metric open-end wrenches.

- They have a 10 to 1 grip transmission ratio so you can use them to grip, hold, press and bend workpieces.  You can even use them as a small vice.

- The zero backlash jaw surface (parallel faces) pressure prevents damage to edges of sensitive components.

- Instantly adjustable at the touch of a button.  You don’t have to remove the tool from the workpiece to adjust it.

- The instant adjustment will let you use it just like an open-ended ratchet.

- Chrome vanadium electric steel, forged, oil-hardened.  This tool will last a long as the ones I inherited from my great grandfather!

Buy Here at Sears.com: Knipex 10 in. Plier Wrench Grips to 1 3/4 inch.

Buy Here at Sears.com: Knipex 12 in. Plier Wrench Grips to  2 3/8 inch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_RLWKMXrqk

Buy Here at Sears.com: Knipex 3 Piece Pliers Wrench Set

 

Adjusts quickly

Grips Tightly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An adjustable that ratchets!

Craftsman just announced that they are greatly expanding the Craftsman NEXTEC 12 volt Cordless power tools in May 2011 so this is a good time to go over the entire line. In anticipation of this I am going to give you my quick review of all the NEXTEC tools available now.  The Craftsman NEXTEC QuickBoost Charger will hit shelves in May 2011 and will be followed shortly by a NEXTEC 12-volt 3-in-1 garden tool, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, vacuum, digital inflater, work light and second generation “Hammerhead” Auto Hammer.

I like tools. I like “Tim the Toolman Taylor” tools.  Bigger is better! More Power! Oo-OoO! So when Craftsman sent me the NEXTEC Cordless 12 volt Power Tools last spring I used them, wrote a couple of articles on these cute little tools and then promptly put them down in my basement workshop.  They were nice, lightweight tools. They had plenty of power, but I still went back to my “big” tools. I basically forgot about them.

Then, I went into my local Sears around Thanksgiving and I saw customers literally buying the NEXTEC Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver as fast as the store personnel could put them out. What was really strange to me is these NEXTEC 12 volt drills were flying off the shelves, but no one was buying the DeWalt DCD710 12V MAX lithium drill from the display right along side the NEXTEC’s. I knew is was a nice little drill, but I didn’t think everyone else liked it that much. The same thing was happening with the Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver was selling well but no one was buying the Dewalt DCF815 12V MAX 1/4 impact driver right next to it.

(During the winter I move into a room in the basement. It’s small, only 10 X 10 ft so I don’t have room for a lot of stuff.  My router, a workbench with a wood vise, a few hand tools and a set-up table.  There is no room for my table saw, miter saw, jointer and drill press.  I end up cutting my wood out in the unheated garage, bringing it downstairs, fitting it up, going back out in the garage to drill the holes or joint an edge, back down stairs……you get the picture.)

Well, while I was getting the room ready for the winter I found the NEXTEC tools and decided to take a good hard look at them again.

I decided that I would use these tools exclusively in my downstairs workshop this winter.

What I like:

Weight. The NEXTEC tools weigh only half of even my lightest cordless drill. My old 18 volt DeWalt “compact” drill/driver weighs in at a light 6.2 lbs.  The NEXTEC 12 v weighs in at only 2.2 lbs.

Size. Easy to handle even for small hands.  And it doesn’t feel too small in big hands, like the little cordless screwdrivers.

Power. Don’t get hung up on volts.  More volts does not mean more power nowdays. Has as much power as the old 15.6 tools and I think a lot more power than the old 7.2, 9.6, 10.8 and 14.4 tools. It even has more drilling and driving power than the C3 19.2 volt Model 17191.

In the rest of this article I will give quick review of each tool:

BUY HERE: NEXTEC 12 v Lithium Tools

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver Model 17586

What I like: It costs less than half of DeWalt DCD710 12V MAX Drill. It weighs less at only 2.2 lbs. with the 12.0 Volt Lithium-Ion battery. It will fit in your hand and easily slip into the pocket of your work apron. This is the most powerful drill on the market for the weight. It has 195 in.-lbs. of Torque which is plenty for most of the tasks around your home. It has a 2-Speed Gearbox and a 3/8-Inch Single Sleeve Keyless Chuck. A lot of guys thin they need a 1/2 inch chuck, but if you look at the wall at your nearest hardware store 95% of the drill bits and screwdriving bits will fit in this drill. 18 Position Adjustable Torque Clutch. Integrated LED Work Light. 30-Minute Quick Charger

It will easily handle a 3/4 inch spade bit which is about the largest hole size you will need for repairs around the house.  It does wimp out using the new 3/4 Irwin Speedbore Max bits but these bits are very aggressive and many drills won’t handle these.

I do a lot of woodworking.  I use a tapered pilot bit to pre-drill the holes in wood so I don’t split the wood and this drill is just perfect for that.  I keep the pilot bit in this drill and the screw driving bit in an impact driver.  Life is good!

What I don’t like: I really like this drill and about the only thing I would put on it would be a battery charge indicator. It would be nice to know when the battery is about to run out.

BUY HERE: NEXTEC 12 v Lithium Tools

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver Model 17562

What I like: Even though Sears states this has only 700 in lbs of torque a bunch of us feel it has as much power as the Dewalt DCF815 12V MAX 1/4 impact driver (900 in lbs) for a lot less money.  We grabbed the R.A.I.D. and the DeWalt at the local Sears and put them through a little impromptu test at the Innovation Station.  We also liked the right angle drive. It will get into places the other drills can’t.

What I don’t like: The right angle takes a little practice to get used to. When you first use it…use both hands until you get the feel for the impact driver.  After that you will enjoy using it.

Craftsman 17428 Nextec 12-volt Cordless Compact 1/4” Impact Driver Model 17428

What I like: Same weight and feel as the Model 17586 Drill/Driver.
What I don’t like: Could use a battery meter.

BUY HERE: NEXTEC 12 v Lithium Tools

12-volt NEXTEC Multi-Tool Model 17438

What I like: Multi-tools are quickly becoming the go-to tool for cutting, sanding, grout removal and scraping. This lightweight tool can easily do the work of a trim saw, jamb saw, drywall saw, detail sander, rotary grout tool, carbide cutter and paint scraper. The Craftsman NEXTEC is one of the lightest of the bunch and it will accept the industry standard Fein attachments (Most of the other brands use their own proprietary mounting.) This gives it the most versatility of all the mulit-tools out there. It has plenty of power to do all these tasks around the home. The batteries last about 20 minutes during continuous use, charge in 30 minutes and you can get a second battery if you need one for less than $25.
What I don’t like: Eventually I would like to see quick release blade changing. It only takes 30 seconds to change the tool now, but I want to do it faster!

NEXTEC 12-volt Lithium-Ion Hammerhead Auto Hammer Model 11818

What I like: I don’t use nails very often anymore. I use screws for most of my woodworking tasks, but the other day I put a few more lights in the basement and the Hammerhead was the right tool to nail the outlet boxes into the rafters. It only took 30 seconds to nail the box into the beam and NO BENT NAILS!
What I don’t like: This was the first of the NEXTEC line so it is ready for an update. Craftsman is coming out with a new version of this about May 2011.  I will wait to give you my viewpoint then. Stay tuned……

BUY HERE: NEXTEC 12 v Lithium Tools

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion True Finish™ Sander Model 61326
What I like: This is a “Mouse” size sander but it has two big advantages over all the other sanders like it on the market. One, it is cordless! The battery lasts a long, long time. Two, It doesn’t make your hand go numb! The built in counter balancer cancels out the hand numbing vibration you are used to.
What I don’t like: NO ONE knows about this sander! It comes in one kit and you can get the “bare” tool online but very few people realize how nice this sander is.

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Circular Saw Model 61325

What I like: This is the one tool in the NEXTEC line that I really don’t like. It has enough power to cut even hard maple, but the design is all wrong. The base plate “shoe” is too big for the saw, The saw mark on the shoe is too far away from the blade. It doesn’t have a laser guide, the light is in the wrong place, the blades are too thick and there is not enough of a selection of blade styles.  Every tool line has one dud…and this is the one in this line.
What I don’t like: Oops, I already told you what I don’t like.

Craftsman 14299 Nextec 12-volt Cordless Multi-Saw Model 14299

BUY HERE: NEXTEC 12 v Lithium Tools

What I like: I use this saw a lot for the size, power, and versatility. It has a lot of power for the size and is really handy for those quick cuts. It uses standard jig saw blades which come in all sizes and styles.
What I don’t like: It doesn’t have a “blower” to keep the sawdust away from your cut line.

Craftsman NEXTEC 12 volt LED Worklight Model 14298

What I like: This is a great work light and flashlight for the house. It will run continuously for hours on one battery and the battery stays charged for over a year if you don’t use it. The head swivels and stays where you put it so under the sink work is easy. It stands up or lays down all by itself.
What I don’t like: My wife saw it, and immediately stole it to put on her nightstand! Now if it only came in decorator colors!

Craftsman 12 Volt Nextec Compact Lithium-Ion battery Model 11221

What I like: You can buy additional batteries for less than $25. A lot of power for the size. (as much as your old 14.4 batteries) Will hold a charge for up to a year. With the new charger Craftsman just announced will recharge to 25% in less than 3 minutes.
What I don’t like: The 1200 mah size is quite adequate but I can’t wait for the next pack.

A Taste of New Items coming this spring!

This video has a very short segment showing you the new cultivator, hedge trimmer, string trimmer and inflator.

Craftsman NEXTEC Quick Boost Charger

httpv://www.youtube.com/user/craftsman#p/u/10/4zndCP_cd3c

Summary: The Craftsman NEXTEC 12 volt Cordless power tools are great for homeowners. They are lightweight, strong and easy on the wallet to buy. They work surprisingly well for the size and cost a lot less than other brands. I highly recommend these tools.  BUY HERE: NEXTEC 12 v Lithium Tools

Craftsman NEXTEC RAID 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Model 17562 Review

Update: When you get through with this post go here: Tools For Christmas – Impact Drivers.  I have a few updates for you and lots of videos showing the Impact Driver in action.

Affectionately called R.A.I.D. Has 700 in.lbs. of torque, more than enough for all your around the home tasks. It quickly drives, drills and fastens into tight spaces, and it’s designed to take the pressure off your wrists. As part of the Craftsman NEXTEC line it uses the same 12 volt lithium battery and charger as your NEXTEC autohammer, multi-tool and drill.

The kit includes battery, charger, four drilling, driving accessories and a storage case.

Buy Here: Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver Order it online. Pick it up at your nearest Sears or have it shipped to your home.

My Review:

I am very impresses with this new $99 impact driver. It rivals the $400 Panasonic Drivers for the smoothness of the speed control, and has plenty of power for all the tasks around your home. I used this impact driver at the “Innovation Station” at my local Sears to drive a bunch of different sized screws, lag bolts and spade bits. It takes just a minute to get used to the right angle feature and from then on…..it is very intuitive to use. This tool will become an indispensable part of your home repair kit.

Is This the Right Impact Driver For You and do I even need an Impact Driver?

Impact Drivers are the new tool for homeowners.  They make all you screw-driving tasks easy.  I haven’t stripped a Phillips screw since I got an impact driver.  They are faster than a drill/driver and it will quickly become your favorite tool.  Will it replace your drill/driver?  No, impacts only use 1/4 inch hex shank bits and there are certain size drill bits that don’t come in the hex version.

I have the pistol grip version of the NEXTEC impact and it is the one tool that is always on my bench.  This new right angle version is much more ergonomic and natural to use.

I especially like the speed control.  The model I tried at the store’s “Innovation Station” was exceptionally good throughout the whole speed range of the tool.  In fact, I feel it is comparable to the speed control of the Panasonic Impact Drivers.   ToolGuyd posted a review of the R.A.I.D. demo model that Craftsman sent him and he stated, “Although its variable speed trigger seems to skip slow speeds altogether, it offers reasonable control of the medium-high speed range.”   After reading his review I went back to my local Sears, took a new one off the shelf and tried that one out.  The one I took directly out of the box was just as smooth and responsive as the RAID I tried at the Innovation Station.  Manufactures will sometimes send us tools that are pre-production or early models and may not be the exact model that you buy in the store.  I am wondering if that is the case with the RAID ToolGuyd recieved.

Key Features and Benefits:

700 in. lbs. of Torque. DIY’ers can use it for assembling a bicycle, hanging pictures, and quick repairs. Carpenter’s will use it for cabinet installation, cabinet construction, and furniture making.  Mechanics will like it for changing headlights, trim screws and other small screwing tasks.

Versatile: The high speed impacting mechanism provides the power to drive long screws and lag bolts into wood, plastic, metal, and delivers maximum torque in both forward and reverse.

0-2100 RPM and 0-3400 BPM: (beats per minute) This combination transfers all the power to the job, not your wrists like a drill/driver does.

Compact Right Angle Design: You will really like the weight and feel of this Driver.  It weighs only 2.2 lbs with the battery and the right angle design makes it very comfortable to use.

Industry standard 1/4 inch quick connect: You can change screw bits, 1/4, 3/8 sockets and drill bits fast.  The hex collet keeps the drill bit from turning in the impact driver. (A common problem with drill/drivers)

Variable Speed Trigger: The variable speed trigger switch is one of the smoothest I have used.  It has great control all through the whole range of movement.  It is better than almost every other impact I have used.

30 Minute Charge Time: The 1.3 amp Hour Die-Hard NEXTEC battery charges quickly.  The lithium-ion battery gives you much better service than the old nicad batteries of just a year or two ago.  Smartchip technology prevents over-discharging, over-charging and high temperature discharge failure.

Integrated LED Work Light:  Located right where you need it in the front of the impact driver, the light illuminates when the trigger is pulled.  You can see well inside that cabinet, under the sink, or just about any indoor drilling driving task.

Buy Here: Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver Order it online. Pick it up at your nearest Sears or have it shipped to your home.

Accessories:

Sears has a full line of hex bit tools. Myself I also use the Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Bits and Drills. You can get them quickly from Amazon.com