I can’t believe I’am asking this. The other day a while killing some time I wandered through Sears and looked at a 14.4 cordless drill/2 batteries. Has anybody seen a review on this drill ? Thought I learned my lessons about Crapsman but am now wondering I three of those drills will outlast one DeWalt.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Replies
I bought the red 14.4V Ryobi made Craftsman combo kit about 3 years ago on sale. It's fine for light use but those batteries dont' hold charge too long under load. I scored some free 16.8V batteries that fit with some minor modification...they offer alot more life than the 14.4V.
...dunno about twice as long as one DW.
$69 doesn't seem like a super deal IMO.
You can also get them at Kmart. Sometimes cheaper than sears.
Wasn't it P.T. Barnum who said something about there's a sucker born every minute? Apparently you have not learned your lesson about Crapsmen or you wouldn't be considering the purchase. Or perhaps the suggested behavior falls under the legal definition of insanity, repeating the same behavior expecting a different outcome. You obviously need help, more then we can give you here.
Well I beg to differ just a bit. If your post was with your tongue planted in cheek, then all bets are off! <G>
I have a 10", as you call it, Crapsman RAS that I bought back in '73, that's 1973 some 34 odd years ago. It still runs as good as when new, and it holds it's settings too. Very little futzing around.
Also have a large assortment of mechanics tools that are guaranteed for life! Not all that expensive either.
Last year I purchased a combination 19.2V cordless drill set (1 straight, 1 90° angled, 2 batteries, a charger and carrying case for $99. Except for the weight, they work great. My only regret is that I didn't get 2 sets!
Call it luck.................................
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
I agree with you, Bob. I have Craftsman mechanics tools that have now lasted for over 30 years. The only problem is that I have lost various sockets and wrenches over time. Craftsman mechanics' tools are made by Snap-on, an industry-leading brand.Also, I was cutting Osage Orange last week on a '70s model 12" Craftsman bandsaw. While it is true that some other band saws are easier to adjust, or service or change blades (the cover on this is a pain), it is also true that it works perfectly well 30 years after it was sold. All I have done to it was to change the tires and go to a link-belt for the drive. With a sharp 1/2 inch skip-tooth blade, it rips North America's densest hardwood with ease.Joe
Bob, I am glad that your vintage '73 RAS still runs and performs well. My experience with Craftsmen power tools leaves has left a very sour taste in my mouth. They have proven to be all promise to make the sale and have not ever lived up to their hype. The list includes, in my experience: table saws, lawn mowers, and tool boxes. I to have a good collection of their mechanics tools, and am very pleased with those, but had to argue with them and hold their feet to the fire when the 1/2" drive socket wrench died in the middle of rebuilding a VW engine. Sears is very loose about plastering the Craftmen name on many tool associated items but do not honor the waurantee that used to go with the name. But if you take your complaint far enough they will be happy to sell you another one for 10% off. To be quite honest, in light of how Sears operates these days, I still feel that Crapsmen tends to be a lot closer to the truth.
No tongue in cheek, "sometimes" Sears does have a respectable product depending on the outsource Mfg.
I use their wrenches, sockets & screwdrivers. And one of their air compressors is a twin to my Porter Cable (DeVilbis). I all boils down to the tools Genes and Mfg.
Anybody know the pedigree of the drill?Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
working in the tool industry I can tell you that the majority of the cost of cordless tools is in the batteries. So if a Mfg Tool Co has $45.00 of total cost in a tool, $30.00-$40.00 of it is the battery. That's why there are so many combo kits available on the marketplace. Tool companies can offer multiple tools while lowering the overall cost. Given that assumption, your Sears model either has two inexpensive, cheaply made batteries or Sears is selling them below their cost just to get rid of them.
I own a Craftsman radial arm drill press that was made by Emerson Electric Company that is well made and a fine machine. I think when people bad mouth Craftsman, it's their cordless tools they're talking about but Sears never marketed their cordless tools to the pro anyway.. DIYer's shop on price the majority of the time.
Edited 8/20/2007 2:58 pm ET by mvflaim
Read message 37288.10. The mechanic tools are very well made. I have rebuilt many engines with mine over the years. However I have had the exact opposite experience with several of their other products; and learned that the brand name Craftmen plastered across the front does not neccesarily mean that the item has any waurantee at all. When shopping at Sears, it is buyer beware.
BruceS If it is the Professional or Industrial series model, it might be worth it. I had one of those that outperformed the DeWalt it replaced and the the P-C I replaced it with. Would not buy the regular model unless it was a spare.
Bruce,
I think this is a tool I have now. It came with a flashlight which used the same batteries, a tool bag, and a few screw bits. It was about $70. We bought it for the rechargable flashlight(out kids played flashlight tag with the other kids in the hood), and as a backup drill. I usually buy higher quality tools, but we gave it a shot. I've now owned it about 5 years, and am about to toss it out. Both batteries are gone, and I don't plan on getting new ones. The drill was OK, but not as good as a higher priced/quality drill, and the flashlight saved us the $70 in batteries.
We talk about value often around here. And I think this was a good value. I got my $70 worth from the tool I bought. If I had to earn a living with this tool I might think again, but that wasn't the case. It's more of a homeowner's tool, not a pro tool.
I now have a PC cordless drill. I like it much better..But I do miss that flashlight.
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