Drills Discussion Board

C3 Li-Ion Battery Performance overall

DaveVanatta — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:48:09 GMT

I have the 1/2" drill / driver with 19.2 LI; I haven't noticed a weight difference, it has more power than older models, I haven't noticed memory issues as with Ni-Cad. I intended to buy an electric drill while building a deck, but was told the battery would last all day so I got it. Sadly to say, but not surprising it needed charged at least once throughout the day. I do not use nails 99.99% of the time, therefore my drill is my primary tool overall. the working lite built into my drill is definately of great use. However, the keyless chuck needs constant attention, bits fall out frequently from loosened chuck while using torque settings. A keyed chuck and a quick connect bit attachment is highly recommended. Along with spare battery.

C3 Li-Ion Battery Performance overall

JasonB122 — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:25:16 GMT

The Li-Ion batteries are handy. The standard one that came out a year or so ago is roughly the same weight as the Ni-Cad battery...it's a little lighter, I think, but you can't tell tell the difference. The compact Li-Ion is significantly lighter to use...both do come with a push-button battery life indicator. You hit the button and you get, green for good, yellow for middle, and red for a next to dead battery.

craftsman

GardenTractorMan — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:54:56 GMT

Hmmm.....after reading all of your input I would have to say what Sears stands for today.

S - SEARS

E - EMPLOYEES

A - ARE

R - REALLY

S - SMART

craftsman

Kevin-Pace — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 04:13:38 GMT

You are always better buying a combo packing than buying the tools and batteries separately. The combos are considerably more fiscally reasonable. Your options on batteries will basically be Ni-Cad or Li-Ion. Here's a breakdown:

Ni-Cad batteries are $34.99 each when bought alone, in most chargers will take 1 hour to charge from empty to full, are heavier and bulkier in size than Li-Ion, will discharge when sitting on a shelf up to 10-15% of the battery capacity a month so there's a chance if you need it in a pinch and haven't used it in a while, it won't be charged, have a life cycle of approximately 1,500 recharge cycles if take care of properly, are susceptible to the "memory effect" if not charged properly, and will lower their power output during the last 10% of capacity causing the tool to slow down and become less effective.

Li-ion batteries cost $79.99 when bought alone, charges in 45 minutes, from empty to full, are smaller and lighter weight than Ni-Cads, only discharge approximately 1% of capacity when sitting on a shelf for 1 month so are basically ready to go anytime no matter how long since you last charged them, have a life cycle of approximately 4X that of Ni-Cads or 6,000 recharge cycles, are not susceptible to the "memory effect", and do not lower their output when they reach low capacity, they operate at full effectiveness until they are empty and just stop.

Obviously, the Li-Ion battery out specs the Ni-Cad battery in every area. It's up to you if you feel it is worth the price difference. The drill kit that includes the multi-chemistry charger, 1 compact Li-Ion battery, and carrying bag is usually on sale for $99.99. The charger and battery separately are over $130 so a kit is the way to go.

craftsman

GardenTractorMan — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 04:00:07 GMT

A lot of tool manufacturers offer rechargeable tool combo packs. It seems logical that the batteries would be expected to interchange as well as have quick recharge time, and long lasting charges. I expect power tools to be able to do a hard job and work reliably for extra long periods of time in harsh conditions. A cheaper price is always welcome but garbage is not welcome.

craftsman

Kevin-Pace — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 04:42:34 GMT

That's a fairly open ended question.

It depends heavily on how often you'll use the battery, in what tools, and how hard the tools will be used as well as how you equate monetary value to worth in battery performance.

craftsman

GardenTractorMan — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:52:53 GMT

Of all of the rechargable batteries, which of the Craftsman batteries is the best?

craftsman

Kevin-Pace — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:40:47 GMT

My 19.2 drill is still kicking along after 3 years. I have loved having it during both my recent moves for putting stuff up and doing some basic move in installations and repairs.

craftsman

GardenTractorMan — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:11:48 GMT

I have seen some Craftsman drills I wanted to try out. Maybe some day I will grab one and see how well they do. Proper care of tools can add to the service life of them.

craftsman

manuelflako45 — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 22:16:38 GMT

i think craftman drill are verry good for work just depends how you care about them

Replacement Batteries for Craftsman 12 Volt Cordless Drill # 315.271210

BlueCrewGuyInMA — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:32:25 GMT

The Craftsman drill from 10 years ago was made by a different manufacturer. So, it's very little surprise that a different battery would be used now, and as it's 10 years out, there is no legal obligation to support that product anymore, nor much reason to, as so few exist that haven't been replaced in the meantime with bigger/better products. But, for what you would have paid for two replacement batteries, you can get a 19.2v Craftsman drill with two batteries, or probably even a two-piece drill/impact driver or drill/right angle drill combo kit. And, the 19.2v series is the flagship tool of the Craftsman line-up, with some 30 or so tools powered by the same battery. The 19.2v C3 series is here to stay, and has a lithium-ion option as well. If you want a stable platform, that's it.

Replacement Batteries for Craftsman 12 Volt Cordless Drill # 315.271210

mrsnowski — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:59:09 GMT

I have a 12 Volt Cordless Drill # 315.271210, probably about 10 years old 5 years ago I purchased two replacement batteries. Shock and awe, now I need 2 more. Trouble is, Sears parts says they are discontinued. Anyone know where I can get new batteries? It's really not cool of sears to make a tool that they know is going to need lifetime battery support, then discontinue the battery trying to force another purchase. My dewalt has used the same battery design for 15 years, they just upgraded the core to lithium ion. If I can't find a replacement, battery my new drill certainly won't be a craftsman.

C3 Li-Ion Battery Performance overall

wolverine63 — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:44:17 GMT

Form my previous thread, you can read that I've not used my drill for any serious work. Only charged one pack to check out the speed and features etc..Don't want to charge the second pack until I need to.

Can folks on this thread give me some heads-up on their experiences with Craftsman's Li-Ion batteries in general. Looking for their performance, charge retention, usage, durability etc...I know Li-ion do not have memory issues, lighter, higher power but want to make them last a long as possible so any tips would be appreciated.

I know from talking to the salesmen that Sears do not manufacture their stuff and OEM them from well know companies so I am hoping their drill came from well known and well made company.

Li-Ion drill just as heavy :(

TheTradesman — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:12:18 GMT

wolverine63 said…

. I have not had to use the drill yet, but find myself playing with it every other day. Do I need to see a shrink ?

Only if you take it to bed with you or sing it a lullaby before you park it in the garage....

like I do with my Harley-Davidson.

Thankfully my wife is an understanding gal, and supports me in my Harley obsession with free mental health care...(she's a licensed marriage family therapist with her Masters in psycology)....just kidding.....about the obsession, not my wife!

Li-Ion drill just as heavy :(

wolverine63 — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:59:48 GMT

Drill has nice torque and the 2-speed comes in handy for what I typically use it for. I guess I was expecting the whole thing to be lighter and not be tiring but can't have everything. BTW the model that has the identical spec is 17310. I have not had to use the drill yet, but find myself playing with it every other day. Do I need to see a shrink ?

Li-Ion drill just as heavy :(

BlueCrewGuyInMA — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:45:53 GMT

The drill has just as powerful a motor, but a more compact body. Nobody said the drill itself would weigh any less. :) It's a great set, though, and for the price you paid, a ridiculous bargain!

Li-Ion drill just as heavy :(

wolverine63 — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:48:37 GMT

Went to use my yellow drill is over the weekend but could not find it. The two ni-cad batteries are useless anyway so I bought a new Li drill at a local Sears HW store. The stock number is 911910 (cannot find the model online for some reason). This new 19.2V C3 model came with two Li-Ion batteries, charger and bag for $117 which I thought was a good deal.

Anyway, the drill seems to be just as heavy as my yellow one. The battery sure is lighter but the drill itself is Freaking heavy. Must have a HD motor or something. Looking forward to using the drill though. The red color is a nice touch.

Older 3/8 electric drill

AdamO — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:09:10 GMT

Those non-screw chucks were from the "good-ol" days, when no one made a mistake, requiring the drill to be run in reverse.

The Drill/DRIVERS absolutely need that chuck screw, though - what with all the putting in and taking out of threaded fasteners...

Older 3/8 electric drill

BlueCrewGuyInMA — Tue, 04 May 2010 15:58:35 GMT

I had a customer bring in one of the older B&D-made Craftsman drills, and the chuck was simply threaded onto a post. Run the drill in reverse and the chuck comes off. There wasn't the screw inside the chuck that runs into the post coming from the drill body like we usually see. Not the best design.

Older 3/8 electric drill

AdamO — Tue, 04 May 2010 04:11:03 GMT

The 315.10410 drill is on the Sears Parts Direct.com site.

The chuck and screw is still orderable.

Like, just about all the old drills' spindle gears and shafts are no longer available.

Great news is all you need is a new chuck or in my case, the trigger switch - although not all electrical switches are not available for the whole range of corded drills.

Old Craftsman catalogs are sold on the e of Bay.

My oldest tool catalog is back from around 1934.