Craftsman 12 Amp Variable Speed Blower/Vac Reviews

I bought this last fall to clean up yard debris. It's not the most efficient way to go, but it works pretty well and will chop up small sticks with ease. I was secretly hoping it'd suck up and chop up all the apples that are littering my yard, not quite enough power, but I can deal with that. It's a little awkward to tote around with the vacuum bag, but it's well designed and hasn't failed me yet.

I've had this blower/vac for two years and am VERY happy with it. Yes, there are some downsides, but after having two gas powered blower/vacs by two different mfgrs, I find this much superior to either.

MOST IMPORTANT: Whether you go for this machine or not, if you plan to do any amount of vacuuming, be SURE to get a machine with a METAL impeller!!

The suction is really excellent. 2/3 of my front yard is ivy (too much shade to grow grass), and the vac pulls the leaves out of the ivy extremely well-- better than either of my gas powered vacs. It's also great for vacuuming leaves out from between...

I had a great experience with Sears on this item. I bought it as an open box on clearance for $22. When I looked at all the parts I noticed that I was missing the plastic holder that keeps the vacuum bag closed. I checked out Sears Part and Repair website, and after shipping the price would have been about $18. I went back to Sears and told them my story and the manager asked no questions and said that he would order the part for me for free and ship it free as well. Thank you Sears!

Back to the review. I love this blower. I don't have to move the blower side to side with the oscillating end....

I haven't put this completely through its paces yet, but overall I think this blower works very well, given the price.  I had a LOT of leaves in my driveway that were heavy and wet and this blower moved them very well.  I had to use the highest setting, which is to be expected, but it still felt easy to use and maneuver.  It was a strong enough gust that it blew around pebbles as well.  I'm excited to use it on the rest of my yard. 

I was impressed with the over-all performance of the electric blower/vac.  It has a metal turbine to chop the leaves.  Some models I have seen this part is plastic and does not hold up to crunching up the leaves if a stick gets sucked in there.   It is not complicated to change from blowing to the vac attachment but simpler would be better.  Otherwise I am totally happy with my purchase.

After less than 10 hours of total use in a year, the motor burned out, starting with smoking and then sparks/flames. Luckily, I turned it off in time. I don't know how it got such good reviews from others.

While I stil consider this to be an excellent blower/vac, I was STUNNED to discover that a replacement bag costs $60.00!!! SIXTY BUCKS!

An entire new complete blower/vac with bag is selling for about $70. So instead of purchasing a replacement bag, I decided to buy a whole new unit.

To my way of thinking, this is NUTS!

Are you listening, Sears/Craftsman??

We bought this to suck up leaves. We did suck up sticks, rocks, dirt, or anything else. Only leaves. We bought this Tuesday evening, and returned it wednesday afternoon because the motor burned up after 45 minutes of use, with breaks. We returned it, got another, and returned to Sear's again two hours later with our second one, because the motor burned out after only 15 minutes of use. I used the third one the next day, and after about 30 minutes of use, the motor burned up again. Seriously. All three vacuums, they were working one minute, and then just quit worked one second later. Makes absolutely...

This is definitely the best leaf blower I ever used.  I have had several previous leafblowers from various retailers, but this definitely was the most powerful and really moved the leaves out of tight spaces, gardens, bushes, off a wet lawn, patio, or driveway easily. 

This is also the first leaf vacuum I ever used, and it really did a great job when you have "rounded up" a pile of leaves in the back and can finish the job there, rather than raking onto a sheet and pulling it to the front.

Cons are few such as the "jet engine" sound on high, which I easily ignored with earplugs and the extension...

The Blower/Vac performed to my expectations. The variable speed allows just the right amount of power. The Vac was very useful in picking up leaves and small twigs from lawn, patio, or garden with minimum of effort. The bag is easy to empty. The blower is easy to carry in both modes. The metal impeller works well to break up everything. Do not buy one with a plastic one. I would definitely promote this product.

Does its job without being too loud.  Vacuuming should only be done with dry leaves.

I have never owned a leaf blower before, but after several years of trimming bushes and trees in the front yard I decided to ask for a blower. What I got for Christmas last year was this Craftsman variable speed blower/vac.

Let me say, this thing works great! I generally hate portable gas equipment because of the 2-cycle mix issues and starting problems. However, I was a little skeptical that this blower would have the ooomph to blow leaves and tree clippings where I wanted them, but this one does it just fine. It's also a great way to clean out the dust and debris that accumulate in your garage...