Reviews about Portable Power Tools

cooltekmax says "This one is full of hot air!" about Craftsman 19.2 volt Personal Fan

cooltekmax — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:40:25 GMT

Craftsman "blew" it with this one. This fan hardly blows any air worth anything on low or high. I have a 12 volt fan that plugs into a cigarette lighter from an unknown china manufacturer and it blows a hurricane(well almost) wind. It has the same five fins and size as the Craftsman. But the difference is in the curvature at the base where it attaches to the center. The china brand I noticed has more curvature than the craftsman fins. Guess the research department has to work on this one to bring a better blowing personal fan that runs off the 19.2 volt DieHard battery. Sorry Craftsman. You "blew" it!...

fishfacejr2 says "one tuff hammer drill" about Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver

fishfacejr2 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:13:12 GMT

so i needed a drill that would handle anything, something portible and i did not want to spend a ton of cash on it. i looked at the other brands and did not like them, plus they cost 3x as much. i have other c3 tools and know they are built to last, so i picked up this drill. it has everything one could want in a drill and more. it drills holes in bricks like they are nothing. the battery last a long time too. me and my boss had to drill holes at work, she has the "yellow" brand and my drill left her in the dust, plus she had to use '100 of power cords. i love this drill, it is powerfull and at this good price, who would not love it?

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Rx-Handyman says "Great power, Perfect combo, and it's a good price too." about Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Combo Kit, Drill/Driver & Impact Driver

Rx-Handyman — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:33:54 GMT

I got this set as an upgrade to an old Makita drill I had, I can't tell you how excited and pleasantly surprised I was when I tried both of them and realised how much power and torque they really have. I can honestly say this set is perfect... with one very small exception, when I was using the impact driver to get a long stubborn screw out, the phillips bit that it came with ended up getting pretty torn up (the screw head was in perfect shape, so that's not why). The bit still works, it's just pretty marred up around the tip. There's definately nothing negative I could come up with about the drill or impact, but they (at least the impact) could use to come with some stronger bits. If I could I would score this 4 3/4 stars, but that's not an option. To make this combo even better, it gets you off to a great start with two batteries to expand into the tons of different things you can get from the C3 set of power tools. Definately worth every penny!

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fishfacejr2 says "very fun to use" about Craftsman NEXTEC 12 Volt Lithium-Ion Hammerhead Auto Hammer

fishfacejr2 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:58:00 GMT

when this first came out i thought it was a glorified toy... boy was i wrong! the more i saw videos on the craftsman youtube channel the more i liked it. so when it came up on sears liquidations for a cheap price i got one. i would not pay $99 for it tho but i did pay $30 + $10 shipping. and all i can say is wow, it has come in handy more than once. it is a lot louder than i thought it would be. it will not replace a nail gun but it sure beats swinging a hammer in the tight spots. it will also drive a 3 1/2 ring shank framing nail, and that shocked me! way to go sears/craftsman. you made a great tool... again!

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jphares says "The Mouse has big power on a small scale." about Craftsman Mouse Sander

jphares — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:43:38 GMT

I got the Mouse three years ago. I've used it to sand the finish off furniture. It's also good for sanding drywall joints. The kit is super extensive. It comes with a lot of sandpaper, bits for precision sanding, and other accessories. My first Mouse quit working after an hour's use, but Sears was awesome and replaced it quickly. The next Mouse has lasted the remaining time. One complaint is that replacement sanding sheets are hard to come by in most grit counts. I also wish the orbit was a bit larger, so the Mouse could sand more per orbit.

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mtg169 says "Craftsman professional electric brad nailer is junk..." about Craftsman Professional Electric Brad Nailer

mtg169 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:38:14 GMT

I needed an electric nailer as I do not have an air compressor. I read the reviews of cheaper ones and thought this more expensive one would be able to handle most jobs I would be doing. I intended on building some shelves for vinyl records with 1/4" and 3/4" plywood. I got maybe 50 shots out of this gun before a nail jammed. I removed the jammed nail according to the manual which was pretty simple.

After screwing the safety pin and plate back on, the nailer no longer feeds or shoots any nails. I took it apart 5 or so more times to see if anything was stuck in it still, but it's clear. Appears that the first jammed nail caused internal damage. I was using 1-3/16" Craftsman nails recommended for the gun and tried using smaller 3/4" Craftsman nails also reccomended, but it still wouldn't fire any. Just keeps shooting "blanks". I read other reviews of this gun that stated the exact same problem, but for the money and being that I was only nailing thin plywood, I thought I would have better...

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jospinks says "A mighty fine tool in most situations." about Bosch Tools 3-1/4 in. Planer with Case

jospinks — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:28:33 GMT

While I'm not overly fond of power hand planers, this one certainly has its place in my tool box, and I use it more than I ever thought I would. It is my third power hand planer and I bought it to finish a job that I could not finish with a hand plane due to an injury. I had bought a BOSCH when I bought the first one, then maybe I would have more experience with it and would have gained confidence in this power tool long ago. The Bosch power hand planer sure has changed my attitude toward it, but I have to admit, I still perfer the feel of a hand plane to a power planer.

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jcordasc says "A workhorse as good as "big" brands at a reasonable price!" about Craftsman drill/driver

jcordasc — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:51:04 GMT

I've been through all the other brand name driver/drills and I can say that the Craftsman products are among the best there are. The price make Craftsman a must buy. Now with the new C3 battery system, you can use your batteries in all of your power tools, a win win situation. Finally, I recommend buying the extended warranty if you're real DIY-er. Any drill will wear out after 3 years of good use, but Sears stands behind their products with full replacement should anything go wrong --- as long as you buy the warranty.

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andybrooklyn says "Great item with quick and long lasting charge." about DieHard 19.2Volt Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger Combo

andybrooklyn — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:22:23 GMT

I needed to replace one battery for my old charger and discovered the DieHard 19.2 Volt Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger Combo as I was browsiing for a new battery. I spoke with Deminan at Sears Tyrone store in the lawn and garden section about the merits of replacing my old battery or purchasing the Lithium Battery and Charger Combo. Deminan is very knowledgeable and I trust his imput as I have dealt with him many times. He really knows the products. After a brief discussion, I purchased the product. I am very happy with it as it charges quickly and the charge lasts a long time. I can also charge my older batteries in the charger which is a plus. Am definintely very pleased with this product.

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baworley says "This Craftsman Nextec is everything I expected it to be. " about craftsman nextec s08447

baworley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:14:38 GMT

The Craftsman Nextec Model #11812 is everything I expected it to be. At 12 volts It is a small, light, powerful cordless drill. It came with two lithium-ion batteries which is an added bonus. This is a very well thought out tool that even includes a light that comes on when you depress the trigger so you can actually see what your drilling into. Smart! When I went to look for a new drill for my frame shop I knew that I wanted a Craftsman because I feel it's the most trusted tool company there is. I own a corded drill that belonged to my grandfather that must be at least 25 years old. Guess what? It still works great and has come in handy more times than I can count. So when I was on-line researching drills I came across the Craftsman Nextec. It looked different than all the other drills. For one thing it didn't have the big bulky, heavy battery I was accustomed to. On this model the lithium-ion battery, when attached, just looks like part of the drill! I couldn't...

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buckdog says "The C3 trim saw is a very handy, nice, light, easy to handle saw" about Craftsman C3 19.2 volt DieHard Cordless Trim Saw

buckdog — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:30:22 GMT

I've never owned or used a cordless circular saw before. I have a large, heavy and powerful corded circular saw that is really overkill for many jobs that I do. That's what prompted my purchase of the C3 trim saw.

So far, I have mixed emotions about it. I really like the size, weight and handling of the saw, but it really lacks power compared to my main saw. I tend to overpower the saw and stall the blade at times, usually by trying to cut too fast. I need to spend more time with the saw to better learn its limitations and its strengths. I have no doubt that most of the problem is my lack of skill and knowledge with this type of saw. Ultra thin kerf saw blades and using the more powerful li-ion batteries would probably go a long way to helping with power issues as well.

Having said that, I've also had lots of positive experiences with the saw. It's so nice to snag the saw, snap the battery out of my drill and put it in the saw, cut the piece and be done with it. No muss,...

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buckdog says "The C3 Hammer drill is terrific." about Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver

buckdog — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:30:20 GMT

I'm involved in a rather lengthy home remodeling effort, requiring a lot of drilling and driving long screws. I have a "cheap" 1/2 inch SDS hammer/drill that I've been using to drill into concrete block. I broke the chuck on that drill, after several days work and while drilling half-way into a block. I used a corded, standard drill to finish the day, but that was some rough going at times. The drill bit is small, provided in the box for for 1/4" tapcon concrete anchors, so I really needed another hammer drill that would work with that drill bit.......

I already had a C3 driver drill that I find very impressive, so it didn't take much for me to run back over to Sears and look at the C3 hammer drill offerings that they had in stock. I came home with the kit that had the 2 ni-cad batteries, charger and case. In retrospect, I should have opted for the bare drill and bought a full-sized li-ion battery. But, I was trying to be frugal..... The extra goodies, case 2 batteries...

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buckdog says "The C3 Drill/Driver is a very nice combination tool." about Craftsman 19.2 Volt C3 Drill Driver

buckdog — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:30:19 GMT

I had a portable Milwaukee portable driver/drill combination tool for years. When it finally died, I wanted something equal to or better than that drill. After a great deal of research, I decided to go with the Craftsman C3 line of tools, mainly because of the 19.2 volts of power and the Craftsman name.

I purchased the kit with the compact lithium ion batteries and multi-charger. This drill has met and exceeded my needs and expectations. It has plenty of power and torque and the batteries are long lasting. With the small batteries and smallish size of the drill, it's a real pleasure to use, balancing well and is not too heavy.

As a drill, it works as well as any I've used. As a driver, I've driven a lot of long screws into fresh treated 2x4s and concrete lag screws into concrete block. I'm really impressed with the power and longevity of the compact li-ion batteries for these rather difficult tasks. The clutch works as advertised, easily adjusted and not over-tightening or...

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danzcraft says "Outstanding Craftsman Router Combo Kit !" about Craftsman router combo kit

danzcraft — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:24:09 GMT

This Craftsman Router Combo kit is an outstanding tool for the money !

The 11 amp,variable speed,2 hp motor has all the power I'll ever need not to mention you get both a fixed and plunge base in the kit. Having both a 1/4" and 1/2" collet will give me a much wider range of bits that I can use and give me many more options when making molding,etc.

I also like the fine depth adjustment and the locking mechanisms on both bases.There are more nice features on this combo kit but, if you need more info you should buy it and check it out for yourself . You won't be disappointed !

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DHGranstrand says "Absolutely Indispensible Around The House !!" about Craftsman C3 19.2 volt 6 pc. Cordless Combo Kit with Multiple Tools

DHGranstrand — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:52:18 GMT

The set I received as a gift includes the drill, reciprocating saw, circular saw, jig saw and fluorescent light all powered with the C3 19.2 volt rechargeable batteries.

The drill is very ergonomically designed and quite comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The drill chuck is kind of tricky to use as it seems to require two tightening motions inorder to keep bits from falling out while in use. You have to tighten it once with power applied and then release the trigger and hand-tighten it again. Once you get used to that it seems to function okay. Plenty of wrist-snapping torque!

The riciprocating saw has the much desired quick change blade system utilized on more expensive saws and it works great! No more looking for the allen wrench to loosen or tighten the blade holder. Plenty of power and with the right blade will pretty much cut anything. I really use the recip a lot and it is quite durable. Great for pruning (wife LOVES it on gnarly Rose bushes), cutting nails off when removing...

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FMMICRO says "Excellent performance and not noisy" about Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver

FMMICRO — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:17:54 GMT

This Drill has been in use for 2 years and 10 months without a problem at all. I've used an electric drill that I thought was quite but this one amazingly quitter.

I do allot of drilling into wood and metal and the controllability is excellent with the HI/LO gearing and the variable speed adjusts very smoothly for excellent control when working on things. I also work with PC circuit board and can drill holes with precise control.

I think the weak link to the Drill is the Batteries with the Fast Charger sold with it.

The 19.2 volt Batteries are I believe 1.3 Amp Hour NiCad Rechargeable and I Charge mine with a power supply feeding at 140 MA constantly until there recharged, and to this day no problem with any of my batteries. But Believe me that's me because I never thought it was good to fast charge the batteries ! Overall I never worked with anything this good and felt good about spending the extra money on this product.

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sassal says "Good Sturdy Saw" about Craftsman Laser Trac 5.0 amp Orbital Jigsaw with Scrolling Action and Carrying Case

sassal — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:41:16 GMT

I had a bit of difficultly controlling my cuts on large round cuts (cutting out a 6' diameter table on 3/4" plywood). Did not turn out very good on my side, but then watched my son, who has been working as a carpenter for a year cut a fairly perfect other half. We have used it on several projects since then and have no problems other than it does not seem to get returned to the workshop and therefore I can't find it when I need it! Very handy tool. Wish I would have gotten one years ago.

I do wish you could see where the blade was going more easily though. This would be very helpful when making irregular cuts.

I prefer getting tools like this in cases where I can easily stow the instructions in the case, along with extra blades. I write our name on the side of the tool, and then the name of the tool on the top and sides of the case, along with our name on the top of the case. Put your name up front and in the open. This way I can easily retrieve it out of the cabinet I...

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eleventeen says "Good value, solidly built, good purchase." about Craftsman 10 in. Buffer/Polisher

eleventeen — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:50:28 GMT

As the owner of a new Volkswagen GTI, it was pretty much imperative that I'd need something better than old towels and ripped up sweatpants to clean and polish my new ride. Before this I'd always owned used cars where appearance wasn't necesarily a priority (or even a requirement!) I'd been looking for a quality polisher/buffer so that I could clean up my last hand waxing job, as well as put a good shine on the car for a while to come.

I usually pull out the Sunday ads and flip through them, my girlfriend and I have a Sunday ritual where we pull all the ads up and divide them up: mine are tools, electronics, auto shops, and the like, she usually gets the homewares, clothing, and bedding ads. Ads like the Sears ads usually get pulled apart for this reason, I always manage to find the tool ads pretty quickly, if anything to drool over.

There wasn't any specific ads but I was reminded that my father had an old Craftsman buffer that was ancient and still in use so I decided to go down to the...

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DisctGuru says "Dreadful disappointment: flyweight punch, air-hammer loudness." about Craftsman NEXTEC 12 Volt Lithium-Ion Hammerhead Auto Hammer

DisctGuru — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:43:40 GMT

The NEXTEC Auto Hammer should NEVER be used w/o ear-protection: 3,600 impacts/minute produces a noise greater than a chainsaw. Unfortuneatly, the impacts are about what you'd get from lightly swinging a tack hammer so there's very little resulting total impact. I can turn my hammer sideways & produce a greater impact when there's "little space to swing a hammer" & get the job done much quieter & quicker. Even an electric staplegun has more impact. The only real use I would have for it would be driving brads into picture frames...IF I had a LOT of softwood picture frames.

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Tomosauruswrecks says "The C3 1/2" Cordless Impact is a comfortable, compact bargain." about Craftsman 19.2V C3 Impact Wrench Add-On

Tomosauruswrecks — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:19:49 GMT

The C3 1/2" Impact Driver is a great tool to have for taking your car to the track. It has ample power for removing the lug nuts (mine are usually torqued to 90 ft lbs) and the caliper bracket (for removing the rotors). The 3" extension included in the kit has a warning to not use it with pneumatic impact tools, which is strange. Like a cordless drill, it has a variable speed trigger pull, so you can start out gently but it is at full torque very quickly. Once the bolt is free it comes off very fast. I didn't break anything while taking it apart though. 2 weeks before doing my brakes, I did my wifes brakes (we have similiar cars) and broke one of the caliper bracket bolts when using a 24" breaker bar - this is a better way to go.

As far as asthetics, the craftsman tools are typically in black, which is the easiest color to lose, but it looks good and remains looking good when covered in grease. The grip are comfortable for my hands, which I consider to be small (I wear medium...

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