Tools & Materials
Craftsman - Craftsman 12v Drill and Impact Driver
Comes with one stick-style battery
Dec 04, 2014
Second Battery Needed
Drill test – 3/8-in. holes: 18
Drill test – 3/4-in. holes: 5
Driver test – 3-in. screws: 47
Driver test – 4-in. screws (inches driven): 1-15/16 in.
Street price: $110
Batteries: 1.3 amp-hours
Strangely, the Craftsman kit comes with two tools but only one stick-style battery. The driver did well on raw power, but both drill and driver performed more poorly in the other tests. When you add the price of a second battery, you’ll find better tools for the money.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Bosch 12V Trim Router
Trim routers are easier to handle when you cut the cord, and the Bosch’s compact, curvy shape and unique base give it unmatched control.
Festool Cleantec CT 26 E HEPA Dust Extractor
The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.
Craftsman Random Orbit Sander
While this sander is among the least expensive models in the test, its performance ranks among the best. The stock removal was excellent, and dust collection was solid when used with a vacuum. It handles really smoothly, too, and has a tall body that fit my hand nicely whether I was holding it from above or around the waist.
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