Reviews about Hand Tools, Carpentry

The57Reader says "More handy than you might think" about Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Right Angle Drill/Driver

The57Reader — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:41:28 GMT

I bought this as a companion to my larger and heavier 1/2" 19.2 drill. The most obvious application is in tight places (including drilling studs for wiring), but the drill has enough torque and speed that I find myself going to it for a wider range of uses than just that. It's very handy for reaching high and for drilling from the side of objects.

Construction and features are solid. Very happy.

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stradt03 says "Finds the Studs" about Stanley Tools Stud Sensor

stradt03 — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:57:37 GMT

Nice small and accurate stud finder. It easily finds the studs with 1/2" 3/4" or 5/8" drywall. Another nice feature is that there are "edge" of stud lights that will let you know when you are at the edges of a stud. Super simple to use.

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dirkdaddy says "Bar of a 10,000 uses, tool box necessity! Good quality." about Craftsman 8 in. Curved Blade Pry Bar, Red Handle

dirkdaddy — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:51:14 GMT

I have worked on cars nearly my whole life as a shade tree mechanic, and never really thought of these before but was window shopping in Sears and saw a 3 pc set of these.

After months of using them, I can't understand why I did not have these from the beginning! I have used them for such a wide variety of things. I'd get the short, med and fairly long versions.

The metal is strong and not like cheap tools that bend in your hand when putting some torque on. Just used yesterday when installing a bolt in a alternator and needed to move it a little bit for alignment.

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Vstil says "Love my Craftsman Drill - all 19.2 volts!" about Craftsman Cordless 19.2 Volt Drill

Vstil — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:36:18 GMT

I picked this tool up specifically for a project I was building - my chicken coop. My ancient 'other' drill died so I looked for its replacement. Without hesitation I turned to Craftsman - and I wanted something 18+ volts that was not huge and bulky. I picked up this 19.2 volt cordless drill and give it a go.

One chicken coop later - I was sold. It lives on my counter for quick repairs around the house and ready for any other project I have. I like the quick change ability for bits - made swapping out for different sizes a breeze. The thumb switch for lock and reverse is in a great position and fits my hand well.

I can quickly adjust the torque and speed from high to low - everything is intuitive and positioned for access.

The only thing I would have liked to make this the perfect tool - but it's close - is a level on the very end - the one on it is on top so I have to be above it to use the guage and I'm not always tall enough or in a position that a ladder helps my viewpoint....

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BROOKLYNBILT says "years of service" about Craftsman 22-Piece Drill Bit Set model no. 90990535

BROOKLYNBILT — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:29:17 GMT

Bought this set back in the early 90's and they are still reliable and work just as they did when first purchased.

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jerimi2010 says "great working drill set espcially for the money " about Craftsman Cordless Drill 19.2 Volts

jerimi2010 — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:16:28 GMT

love this set its powerful and easy to use great carrying case charger is great cuz its a one hr charger im a service tech for dish would recommend to anyone...

RetiredGuy777 says "Another solid Craftsman buy!" about Craftsman Cordless Drill 19.2 Volts

RetiredGuy777 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:03:28 GMT

There's already multple reviews on this Craftsman 19.2 volt C-3 Combo Set... so much of what I might say as praise or criticism is previously stated... so, I will emphasize that this set is one of the "must haves" in the C-3 line.

I watched and waited for the "DRILL DRIVER AND RIGHT ANGLE DRILL COMBO KIT" (#911548) to go on sale at the price I had seen it for earlier in the year. My patience was rewarded a couple of weeks past and this one came home with me for just under $100. If I recall correctly, Sears' sale price saved me almost $70.

While I already had two other Craftsman C-3 drill drivers (a 1/2" and 3/8")... and this kit offered yet another 1/2" drill/driver, it was the 3/8" right angle drill (#10154) that I wanted most. However, the 1/2" drill/driver as included (#11485) offers a bit more torque than the 1/2" drill/driver (#11910) that I already owned. A plus factor in my opinion.

To top this deal off, Sears added two (2) of the standard sized Ni-Cad C-3 batteries...

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SHEWEST says "excellent everyday tool to have around the house" about Black & Decker Cordless Drill

SHEWEST — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:20:33 GMT

I purchase this drill about one year ago. It has been very dependable and is lightweight to handle. It holds a good charge for me also.

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falcondrgn says "Nice set for the money" about Craftsman 22-Piece Drill Bit Set model no. 90990535

falcondrgn — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:10:29 GMT

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JoeyJingles says "Easily carried and versatile with staple lengths" about Craftsman Staple Gun, Multiple Purpose

JoeyJingles — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 03:19:04 GMT

In my past I did many carpenter type jobs and the Craftsman Staple Gun worked well installing insulation and other jobs at the construction site. In my neighborhood I have a rep for someone who has the tool you need and many have borrowed this staple gun for garage sale signs, Christmas decorations, and more. As a shooter I use it mostly now at the range to staple paper bullseye targets onto the backstops provided. This is handy because there is not much weight or space needed to pack coming or going from home and the stapler performs perfectly. This Craftsman can use a variety of different staple lengths so you may match your staple to your particular job. Leverage is good and the staples are set well. Jobs this stapler can do are endless and this is yet another tool you will be glad to own....

jack-in-the-box says "This is the Ultimate Utility Knife." about Craftsman Folding Lock-Back Utility Knife

jack-in-the-box — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:30:25 GMT

On many construction projects, I need to cut drywall, insulation, rope, linoleum and even sharpen my construction pencil. Those slide-out blades wear out and slip with poor grip on the handles. With the Craftsman Folding Lock-Back Utility Knife, I have a solid grip on this tool that has full view of the blade locked in place. I like the quick blade change lever, giving me fast flip action to use the other side of the blade in seconds. No screw driver necessary. It also folds into itself, taking up less valuable room in your pocket, sheath or tool box.

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JoeyJingles says "Outstanding quality stapler for home or trade use" about Stanley Sharpshooter 4-in-1 Staple Gun

JoeyJingles — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:33:04 GMT

There are many tools you may not start out with but eventually have a need to own and a quality stapler can be one of those unique category tools.

My first need for a stapler came as I was helping a friend make yard signs. We were stapling plastic signs to wooden stakes and bought the Stanley Sharpshooter and 1/2 inch staples. The stapler set these long staples easily into 1by pine boards.

My sister next bought an antique chair and wanted to recover it. The seat wood was 1/2 inch so we used 3/8 inch staples and again with professional results.

I have used the stapler so many times at the gun range to staple paper targets to backstops that it now resides in my truck with 1/4 to 1/2 inch staples.

The Stanley is easy to load or unload. The handle is set to crank out powerful stapling effects. The nose is easy to align where your shot will hit and it gets in close to edges or skirting.

Sooner or later you may have a need and the Stanley Sharpshooter is an excellent choice.

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JoeyJingles says "Lightweight clamps open easily and clamp snug" about Great Neck Nylon Spring Clamp

JoeyJingles — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:52:40 GMT

I have invested in Cowboy Shooting lately and bought several steel targets. One has an adapter for mounting paper targets onto 1 x 2 styles. I bought these clamps to hold body silhouettes of cardboard to the 1 x 2 styles.

These are some slick clamps. Weight cannot be felt. Handles have non slip texture and are a good sized rounded shape to be comfortable on your hands. They open wide and have special non marring block tips at the business end of the clamp. The springs are strong but yet seem to open easier than their tension would lead you to believe. These are not metal c'clamps but spring clamps meaning they are meant for quickness.

I place bullseye paper targets 3-6 inch diameter onto my cardboard body targets for sighting in and use a clamp at bottom and top of each side. The clamps have exceeded my expectations because they remove and reposition quickly and they have great grip power on the 3/4 inch 1by style.

I see these in a wide range of applications and they have worked very well...

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Johnjuan says "Heavy duty" about Craftsman Folding Lock-Back Utility Knife

Johnjuan — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:55:58 GMT

This knife is heavy duty, well made, and sturdy as heck. It comes with a removable razor blade so you can change the blade when it gets dull, and is foldable and lockable for ease of carrying. I've bought knives that were somewhat like this model but the difference in build quality between this one and the others is extremely noticeable. The others were always coming loose and needing to be constantly tightened, but this thing is solid as a rock. It's good to know some things are still well made.

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JoeyJingles says "Built specifically to extract stubborn nails easily" about Craftsman 11-1/2 in. Claw Bar

JoeyJingles — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:42:45 GMT

I have used many nail pullers over the years but this is by far the best.

One of the problems with most nail pullers is the opening is just not designed to "bite" a nail head because they are a compromize in design built more for leverage than bite. This nail puller is designed to work well and it does by grasping the head of whatever you might be pulling. You simply get as close as you can to the head and hit the puller with your hammer to "drive" it onto the nail. The backside of where the heads rounds over is where your hammer does this driving.

In addition this nail puller is much more compact in size meaning it leaves a smaller "bad spot" if you happen to be pulling from a material you want to save or is going to be left in place.

In addition the handle of this claw bar fits nicely into your nail belt and can be retrieved or put back in the belt quickly.

I have had the same nail puller over 20 years and it is still going strong. If you need leverage you might add another bar type with...

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