Craftsman power tools

[Joseph Miller]

Hello I am brand new to this forum stuff, but I would like to get some opinions from people who have used certain tools. I just purchased a craftsman 19.2 volt DieHard combo set with drill and 2 saws. I know Craftsman power tools are generally regarded with great disdain, but I would like to know if anybody has any input on this so I can return it within my 90 days if I need to.

Thanks, Joe

ps. I have already had some noise going on with the clutch or break when besides the normal noise of the break engageing when you let off the trigger. I just hope it's not the gears giving out. they are probably plastic.

[Todd Davidson]

Kim (LOML) and I have a small remodeling business which mostly consists of finish work and cabinet installations. Two years ago I bought a Craftsman 19.2 volt combo kit (drill/driver, recip saw, circular saw, light). Since then I've purchased 3 more 19.2 volt combo kits (drill/driver & circular saw - drill/driver & right angle drill - drill/driver & recharg screw driver). Although the recip saw hasn't seen much use all three drill/drivers, both circular saws, and the right angle see much day long use (80+ kitchen remodels).

I'm sure you'll read many gripes about Craftsman tools as this thread continues - it's a boat people love to jump on. I've worked as either a carpenter or in a cabinet shop for the last 20 years and have always had at least a few Craftsman tools in my collection and they've performed as well as many other brands.

In peace, Todd

[Dave Right]

Just realize that you generally get what you pay for and if this is what you can afford and it is the beginning for you then that is OK. Have to start somewhere and the prices at Sears when on sale are good prices. I have purchased plenty of tools from Sears but the tools fill the need at the time and I know this tool is not meant to be a lifetime tool.

[Steve Stube]

I can't speak to the power tools from Sears in the recent past as I have not purchased new power tools in several years from them. I sure do have some of the older variety Craftsman tools in my shop and am well satisfied with them all.

That said, welcome to Saw Mill Creek!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Welcome to SMC Joe. Like Todd said you are going to hear a lot of different views on Craftsman. I have a Craftsman 2 hp router that I just can't kill it. It just keeps going. I also have the 18v drill and saw that it just keeps on going also. I got this 19.2v drill and saw combo for Christmas. I had trouble with the drill clutch within 20 to 30 days. About 70 days later had trouble with the saw. Took them both back and they gave me a new set which so far has held up for a little over a year now. If you are hearing a grinding noise other than the break kicking in I would get it back for a exchange.

[Russell Svenningsen]

Many folks gripe about Craftsman tools. I own many of them. I have the set you speak of, and have for about 6 months. Other than the chuck occassionally dropping bits for no reason, I have no complaints. It is worth noting that the drill that this particular one replaced was a Dewalt and it too would drop bits. And yes, I do know how to tighten a chuck..... :p

I also have the large contractor saw, and a couple of routers. All have worked just fine for me.

Best,
Russell

[Ray Dockrey]

The noise you are talking about may be the spindle lock engaging. If it is making a clacking noise when you let off the trigger, that is what it is. Some drills make this sound louder then others. I have a Ridgid 12 volt drill that does this. I also had a DeWalt 12 volt XRP that did the same thing. I called DeWalt's tech support about the noise and this was their explanation. The spindle lock is what keeps the spindle from turning when using the one handed chuck. When you left off the trigger, it ratchets until the spindle slows down enough for it to lock in place. Hope this helps and good luck with your drill.

[Vaughn McMillan]

Welcome to the Creek, Joseph. I've also got the Craftsman 19.2V drill, and I've had no problems at all with it. I've not put it to real heavy use, but it hasn't balked at anything I threw at it. My kit was the drill, a little power screwdriver, a pair of batteries, and a stud finder. (I don't think the stud finder works right. When I put it on the biggest stud in the house -- me -- it just sits there and does nothing.) I've also got a corded Craftsman drill that's been worked hard over the past 20 years or so, and it's still running like a champ.

Again, welcome -

- Vaughn

[Dale Rodabaugh]

I have had two Craftsman drill drivers,both 14.4 volt.The first one was AOK,i used it for several years before the batteries gave out.I bought a new one a couple yrs.ago and it is a piece of sh--.Drive 3 or 4 screws with it and the battery needs recharging.I dont like to run down any partiocular brand,but the next one I buy will not be a Craftsman.:rolleyes: :( :mad: :cool:

[Corey Hallagan]

Let's face it, many of us would never have gotten into wood working if it wasn't for Craftsman tools. I started out with a 8 inch benchtop table saw, 8 1/4 inch miter saw, several routers, drills, cordless stuff, sanders etc. I moved up to a 10 inch contractors saw that I really liked, however the motor burned up and I was upset, but that ended up being a product of my wiring in the shop. Fixed that! I now have upgraded some tools like the table saw is now a Delta and Routers are Dewalt etc. I still love my 18 year old 16 in Drill press and still using my 1 1/2 Cman Router. If I bought a Cman product and I didn't like it, back it went. I returned a benchtop jointer as it was just a paper weight and the same thing with a 15 in scroll saw I bought, didn't have it 2 days. Some stuff works others are dogs! I have a Craftsman 12V drill and a Ryobi 18V set. Both are made by ITT/OWI. For hobby work, these are just fine. No cordless product is a lifetime product,don't kid yourself. You will eventually be replacing a Dewalt, Milwaukee etc. They all die eventually so I choose to spend 100. or less and replace the whole unit in 3, 4 or 5 years. Anyway, Craftsman has a place or has had a place in many peoples shops. It appears they are making an effort to upgrade the quality of some of their wood working equipment like the jointers, table saws and bandsaws. That's my take,for what it is worth.
Corey

[Corey Hallagan]

Oh, one other dog. This one scared the heck out of me. Wife bought a Craftsman Recip saw for me. My first project was to saw out a door jamb. It went thru 2 nails and a couple shims and bam, the blade flew out and plastic everywhere. Turns out the collet was all plastic on that model. She took it back and they said, we don't make that one any more. ( this was 2 months later than she bought it) I wonder why! Anyway, they replaced it with the new model which has a metal guide and chuck and have torn out patio doors and five or six other doors, work on relatives places etc. Good saw.
Corey

[James Ayars]

Vaughn, I give you an A+ on the stud finder comment.:D


Most of my dad's power tools are Craftsman and he is happy with most all of them. He wasn't happy with his Cman 14.4 volt drill till he tried a couple other brands and found they performed about the same as his Cman. At first he expected his cordless to do what a corded drill would do.

I've got several Cman power tools and, aside from the CMS blowing up, have been pleased with them.

On other tool forums I read posts from people that swear Dewalt is junk but Milwaukee is great or Milwaukee is junk and Bosch is great etc. People often form an opinion of a company based on one or two of their tools. Someone buys a Cman sander that goes bad too soon and they will swear that all Cman stuff is worthless but you really can't say that based on one or two examples.

Two of my friends claim that all Cman stuff is garbage and they buy only Dewalt. Now between the two of them, they might actually use their tools a total of 4 hours a year. I think they don't like Cman because it is too "middle class" for them.

Kind of the same reason that some people respond with "Well they're not as good as SnapOn." when you say you use Cman hand tools. Most SnapOn is better but it also costs 8 or 10 times as much so it should be better.

My rant isn't directed at anyone on this board. It is more about the people I know who think serious wood working is sharpening a pencil and like to constantly run down Craftsman and who think all Cman users are unsophisticated hicks.

So Joe, if the only power tools I could use the rest of my life were Craftsman, while they might not always be my first choice, I could get by just fine.

James

[Rob Littleton]

Joe,

this forum is a really great place to hang out and get advice and suggestions. It sure is a friendly place and people that make this forum are like a big family. Just like family, one mans meat is another mans poison. You will get very valid experience reports of tools and techniques but what works for me, may not work for you.

That said, I started out with Craftsman and still have many of the Craftsman tools I started out with but, did manage to 'upgrade" to other brands as I grew in my knowledge and experience.

Give your drill a shot, and if you are not happy with the way it performs for you, then you know next time, to look for an improvement in your next purchase.

Feedback is always welcome from your experience.

Welcome aboard bro.........

[Steve Rowe]

I pretty much agree with Corey on this one. I started WW with mostly Craftsman and some Shopsmith tools. They served their purpose since it was what I could afford at the time. I know that they aren't the greatest but they are not the worst either. In the past 25 years I have replaced nearly every WW tool or machine I ever bought (some more than once). The only Craftsman power tool I still have is a 3/8 drill which is the oldest power tool in my shop and it has performed flawlessly to this date. Craftsman and several other brands are typically made to sell at a particular price point so that they could be sold in volume. Manufacturing tools in this fashion always has compromises but usually, the tool will perform the function it was designed to do.

My experience with cordless tools is that eventually the batteries will go bad long before the tool dies. The higher voltage batteries in particular are very expensive to replace and sometimes, just buying two batteries by themselves can exceed the price you paid for the entire kit. When the price starts approaching the price for the tool, I just replace the tool to get the latest in technological advances.
Steve

[aurelio alarcon]

Many people complain about the Craftsman brand. And many of them have reason to. I'm not one who does. I have a bunch of Craftsman tools. They all perform quite well. Recently I've had a problem with a miter saw that doesn't want to turn (cuts perfectly but having trouble turning the table). I will be getting it checked out. I'll post when I get it diagnosed and let anyone who cares, know what it was. It does seem to be minor what ever it is. I have three cordless Craftsman drills. Two of them are of the Professional grade drills (these two are really nice, strong, reliable and come with a single sleeve chuck) and one of them is the 14 volt EX. They all perform quite well. And I use them pretty regularly. It is going on about two years now and still no let downs.

[John Bailey]

Joe,

Decades ago, when I had next to no money, (maybe not so long ago) I bought a skill saw, circular saw, and a radial arm saw, all Craftsman from Sears. It's the best I could do at the time. With those tools I've remodled two houses, built a dingy for my sailboat, built a couple dozen mountain dulcimers, a heavy duty doghouse and inumerable other projects. 25 yrs. later I am just now beginning to buy some quality tools. The new tools are much better, but I got great service and enjoyment from the Craftsman. They have their place.

John

[Jimmy Walker]

Todd I started with Cman tools and still have some. Thru the years some worked and some didn't. That's the nice thing about Sears, if it don't suit ya, take it back.
I bought the new hybrid saw last Nov and have nothing but praise for it. Had an old CS before it and worked like a champ and before that had a cheapy Sears bench top TS and it worked fine too.
Having said this, I expect a certain "use" from a tool and if it can't meet that use then it goes back. In 25+ yrs have only returned a 1hp router. That was 20+yrs ago.
I think you'll do fine with your new drill combo set.

Jimmy

[Joseph Miller]

Wow, you guys really are a lot of help. I am only 22 so I haven't had a lot of time to experiment with different brands and whatever. I really apprecieate the feedback I have gotten. I am not a proffessional carpenter or anything, I have done a bit of carpentry in my time (short as it is) and I want to do more. Most of it has been adding onto our house, church building projects, etc. I also built an hourglass dulcimer a few years ago. I really love music, and play guitar. Eventually I do want to build a guitar. But that will be a ways off...

Thanks again for all the help guys!! :) keep it comin'

p.s. I hope my non-professional carpentry status doesn't bar me from the forum:eek:

[James Ayars]

Joe,

I'm a high school teacher and gymnastics coach and havn't been kicked of the forum yet. I think many of the posters here range from novices to serious hobbyists to some pros. I think I would only qualify as a serious hobbyist-second class, but have found the folks here to be quite friendly and tremendously helpful with advice.

And this is also the most civil forum I participate in. I don't think we'll see anyone go into a profanity filled tirade at another poster because they prefer forstner bits over spade bits. :)
James

[jay hanks]

I have Craftsman Pro 14.4 v drill that is still going strong after 5 years give or take a little. It took a nose dive off a roof and I thought it was a goner but it fired right up, just bumped and brused. I did replace the batteries when they died but it still serves me well.
I think a lot of it depends on what you want it for, I bought a different 14.4v drill not the pro stuff and it's charges only last about a 3rd of the other drill. It also has about nothing as far as power, a big disappointment.

[scott spencer]

I don't really pay all that much attention to the brand name on the side. Craftsman tools are made by several manufacturers, some to varying quality levels. IMO it's better to evaluate each tool based on it's purpose, price, construction and features relative to other similar tools.

I've got a Ryobi made Craftsman 14.4v drill/saw/vac combo that's "ok"....the price was great, the performance average.

My Ryobi made Craftsman CMS is pretty poor.

My Ryobi made Craftsman router is a little star that won't quit, although I've read of others having troubles with it.

My Orion made Craftsman 22124 is the jewel of my shop and was a great deal to boot. Stellar saw IMO.

I've used other Emerson made Craftsman saws that I'm glad I don't have to use regularly, even though they're pretty rugged.

The Bosch made Craftsman router looks like a winner to me.

It really all depends....I just calls 'em as I sees 'em. :D

[Jeff Sudmeier]

I Have a lot of craftsman tool. Do I plan on replacing most of them? You bet!! Am I glad that I bought them when I did and for the price I did? you bet!

If I waited to buy everything Like a lot of people say to do, I would currently have a DJ20 and that is it! :) I have built some nice projects with what I have and am proud of them!

[Frank Pellow]

When I first started to buy my own power tools about 40 years ago, Craftsman tools were all that I knew about. That pretty well remained the case for the next 10 years and I acquired quite a few Crafstman tools that stood me in good stead for a long time.

About 20 years ago, I gradually started replacing some of my Crafstman stuff and earlier this year, I replaced my last Crafstman tool -a router.

[Joseph Miller]

Yeah, I looked at the dewalt, and ridgid and Miluakee combos and just couldn't justify that kinda money for them, I had to at least give the craftsman a shot. I got the drill, skil, sawzall, and light set for $170.

I am probably gonna buy the house my wife and I are renting, and it needs some help, new roof being #1, and I needed some new tools. I have a nice Craftsman mechanic's tool set and i really like it, so I figured I would try the power tools.

I will let you all know how it turns out.

[Charles Bruno]

Welcome Joe,
I have three cman tools, a jigsaw, finishing sander and a 1hp router I've had for 20 years. All three have performed well. The jig saw must be made by Bosh, it an exact copy except for the color. The finishing sander has plenty of power and the sheets are easy to change and lock in good. The router is well used and is still in use today. I've not had any experance with thier cordless tools but, I would consider them if I were in the market for one.

[Rob Littleton]

p.s. I hope my non-professional carpentry status doesn't bar me from the forum:eek:[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, we only allow professionals on this forum..........ARE YOU KIDDING? ALL levels of experience are on here and thats what makes this place so awesome.

From novices to people that are professional and don't know it (you know who you are :D )

Stick around bro, you gonna love hanging out here. By the way, fill out your location. It's always good to know where people are located.

Enjoy........

[Bill Neely]

When my FIL passed away about 35 years ago I inherited a nonworking 15 year old metal cased Craftsman drill. I put a new armature and brushes in it (~$7.00) and it just gave out last year. Needed a new armature which unfortunately is no longer available. I won't be around to see it but I'd be greatly surprised if any of the portable tools that I have in my shop, regardless of brand, last 50 years.

[Joseph Miller]

Rob,

Well, that is good to hear. I live in Fonda, NY about 35 miles west of albany. Nobody that's not from Fonda knows where Fonda is. And I don't blame them...

I look forward to learning a lot from you all.

[Joseph Miller]

Anybody know how I can tell what company made my Craftsman set? (i.e. bosch, ryobi, etc.)

Thanks

[John Hart]

I have lots of Craftsman tools in my shop...including the Table Saw, Lathe and Router. All have performed well except that little 3-D Sander thing. Cool idea but it just couldn't handle the stress. My cordless set, nearly 10 years old, is finally dying, but I think that more because the battery packs were left out in the rain than anything else. For the most part, I am very pleased with my selections.

Oh....and, Welcome to the Creek!!!

[Todd Davidson]

Joe~ For a decent (although not complete or up to date) manufacturer's list check out: www.owwm.com/craftsman/manufacturers-prefix.asp (http://www.owwm.com/craftsman/manufacturers-prefix.asp) .

[Scott Coffelt]

I have a few Craftsman items, mainly nail guns that I have had for years. They have served me well. I've not tried their cordless tools. In this area I generally try to stay with the major brands for two purposes, usually they are designed for folks who use them for business, thus they usually are built better and secondly, I don't have to worry about who manufactured the item.

I can't personnally tell you to keep or buy something else with regards to their cordless products.

[Dennis McDonaugh]

All my tools were Craftsman when I started out woodworking. My dad laughed at them. He was a professional carpenter and his "Top of the Line" was B&D. This was in the late 60s and B&D must have been different then. Anyway, I guess that's all I used until the late 80s and early 90s when one by one, they started to fall apart on me, not because they were bad tools, but because they got a lot of use. I've since replaced all but a couple of them with Milwaukee, Bosch and Dewalt. Those brands are built better than my Craftsman tools were, but they cost a lot more tool for tool, sometimes double the price of a similar Craftsman model. If they were all I had to choose from when I started out, I probably wouldn't be woodworking today because I couldn't have afforded to enter the hobby.