In this article, I am going to give you my quick review of all the NEXTEC tools available now. Craftsman just announced that they are greatly expanding the Craftsman NEXTEC 12-volt cordless power tools in May 2011, so it’s a good time to go over the entire lineup. The Craftsman NEXTEC QuickBoost Charger will hit shelves in May 2011 and will be followed shortly by a NEXTEC 12-Volt 3-in-1 Garden Tool, String Trimmer, Hedge Trimmer, Vacuum, Digital Inflator, Work Light, and Hammerhead Car second generation. Hammer.
I like the tools. I like the “Tim the Toolman Taylor” tools. Bigger is better! More power! Oo-OoO! So when Craftsman shipped the NEXTEC 12-volt cordless power tools to me last spring, I used them, wrote a couple of articles about these cute tools, and then quickly dropped them off in my basement shop. They were nice and light tools. They had a lot of power, but I still went back to my “big” tools. I basically forgot about them.
Then I walked into my local Sears around Thanksgiving and saw customers literally buy the NEXTEC Lithium Ion Drill / Driver as fast as the store staff could get them out. What was really weird to me is that these 12 volt NEXTEC drills were flying off the shelves, but no one was buying the DeWalt DCD710 12V MAX lithium drill from the display next to the NEXTEC. I knew it was good exercise, but I didn’t think everyone else liked it that much. The same was happening with the Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver that was selling well, but no one was buying the Dewalt DCF815 12V MAX 1/4 impact driver right next door.
During the winter I move to a room in the basement. It’s small, only 10 x 10 feet, so I don’t have room for many things. My router, a wooden pointed workbench, some hand tools, and an assembly table. There is no room for my table saw, miter saw, jointer and drill. I end up cutting my wood in the unheated garage, taking it down, laying it down, going back to the garage to drill holes or join an edge, going down the stairs … you get the picture.
Well, while winterizing the room, I came across the NEXTEC tools and decided to take a closer look at them.
I decided that I would use these tools exclusively in my downstairs workshop this winter.
What I like:
Weight. NEXTEC tools weigh only half the weight of even my lightest cordless drill.
Size. Easy to handle even for little hands. Don’t feel as small as small cordless screwdrivers for big hands
Can. They have as much power as the old 15.6 tools and I think much more power than the old 7.2, 9.6, 10.8 and 14.4 tools. More power than the 19.2-volt 17191 C3
In the rest of this article, I’ll give a quick review of each tool:
Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium Ion Driver Drill, Model 17586 What I like: It costs less than half the DeWalt DCD710 12V MAX drill. Weighs less at just 2.2 pounds. with the 12.0 volt lithium ion battery. It will fit in your hand and will easily slip into your work apron pocket. This is the most powerful drill on the market for its weight. It is 195 inch-pounds. of torque, which is sufficient for most of your household tasks. It has a 2-speed gearbox and a 3/8-inch single sleeve keyless chuck. Many slim types need a 1/2-inch chuck, but if you look at the wall of the nearest hardware store, 95% of the drill bits and screwdriver bits will fit this drill. 18-position adjustable torque clutch. Integrated LED work light. 30 minute quick charger What I don’t like: I really like this drill and the only thing I would put on it would be a battery charge indicator. It would be nice to know when the battery is about to run out.
Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver, Model 17562 What I Like: Although Sears claims it has only 700 pounds of torque, many of us feel it packs as much power as the Dewalt DCF815 12V MAX 1/4 impact driver for a lot less money. We also liked the right angle driving. It will go to places where the other drills cannot. What I don’t like: The right angle takes a bit of practice to get used to. When using for the first time … use both hands until you feel the impact driver. After that, you will enjoy using it.
Craftsman 17428 Nextec 12 Volt Compact 1/4 ” Cordless Impact Driver Model 17428 What I like: Same weight and feel as the Model 17586 Drill / Driver. What I don’t like: I could use a battery meter.
NEXTEC 12 Volt Multi-Tool Model 17438 What I like: Multi-tools are fast becoming the go-to tool for cutting, sanding, grouting, and scraping. This lightweight tool can easily do the job of a chop saw, jamb saw, drywall saw, detail sander, rotary grout tool, carbide cutter, and paint scraper. The Craftsman NEXTEC is one of the lightest of the bunch and will accept Fein accessories. This gives you the most versatility of all the multi-tools out there. It has a lot of power to do all these tasks around the home. The batteries last about 20 minutes during continuous use, they charge in 30 minutes, and you can get a second battery if you need it for under $ 25. What I don’t like: Eventually I’d like to see a quick-release blade change. Now it only takes 30 seconds to change the tool, but I want to do it faster!
NEXTEC 12 Volt Lithium Ion Hammer Head Automatic Hammer Model 11818 What I like: I don’t use my nails very often anymore. I use screws for most of my woodworking tasks, but the other day I put in a few more lights in the basement and Hammerhead was the right tool for nailing the outlet boxes into the joists. It only took 30 seconds to nail the box to the beam and there are NO BENDED NAILS! Dislike: Craftsman will release a remake of this in May 2011. I’ll wait to give you my point of view then.
Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium Ion True Finish ™ Sander, Model 61326 What I like: This is a “mouse” size sander but it has two great advantages over all other similar sanders on the market. One, it’s wireless! The battery lasts a long, long time. Two, it doesn’t make your hand numb! The built-in counterbalance cancels out the numbing hand vibration you’re used to. What I don’t like: NO ONE knows about this sander! It comes in a kit and you can get the “basic” tool online, but very few people realize how nice this sander is.
Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium Ion Circular Saw Model 61325 What I like: This is the only tool in the NEXTEC line that I really don’t like. It has enough power to cut even hard maple, but the design is wrong. The base plate “shoe” is too big for the saw. The saw mark on the shoe is too far from the blade. It doesn’t have a laser guide, the light is in the wrong place, the blades are too thick, and there is not enough choice of blade styles. What I don’t like: Wow, I already told you what I don’t like.
Craftsman 14299 Nextec 12 Volt Cordless Multiple Saw Model 14299 What I like: I use this saw a lot for its size, power, and versatility. It packs a lot of power for size and comes in handy for those quick cuts. It uses standard jigsaw blades that come in all sizes and styles. What I don’t like: It doesn’t have a “blower” to keep sawdust off the cut line.
Craftsman NEXTEC Model 14298 12 Volt LED Work Light What I Like: This is a great work light and flashlight for the house. It will run continuously for hours on one battery and the battery stays charged for over a year if you don’t use it. The head swivels for work under the sink and is self-supporting. What I don’t like: My wife saw it and immediately stole it to put on her nightstand! If only it came in decorative colors!
Craftsman Nextec 12 Volt Compact Lithium Ion Battery, Model 11221 What I like: You can buy extra batteries for under $ 25. Lots of power for the size. (much like your old 14.4 batteries) They will hold a charge for up to a year. With the newly announced Craftsman charger it will recharge to 25% in less than 3 minutes. What I don’t like: I would like a little clip so I can hang a spare on my belt.
Summary: Craftsman NEXTEC 12-Volt Cordless Power Tools are ideal for homeowners. They are light, strong and easy to buy in the wallet. They work surprisingly well for the size and cost a lot less than other brands. I highly recommend these tools.