EmailBest Reviewed
Cordless Drills
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- Cordless drill for construction projects Makita BDF452HW *Est. $200
- Budget cordless drill Hitachi DS12DVF3 *Est. $75
- Best cordless screwdriver Hitachi DB3DL *Est. $65
- Best cordless impact driver Panasonic EY7540LN2L *Est. $315
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- Low price
- Good performance
- Built-in LED light
- Kit includes work light
- 5.3 pounds is hefty
- Nickel-cadmium batteries give short runtime
- Charging is a lengthy process
- Some quality-control complaints
The 19.2-volt Sears Craftsman 11542 is a cordless drill/driver that comes in a kit with a cordless flashlight, a stabilizing handle, a carrying case, drill bits, two 1.4-amp-hour nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries and a one-hour charger. Reviewers recommend this cordless drill as a budget model. Several critics rank it higher than 18-volt cordless drills by other budget brands, including Ryobi, Black & Decker, Firestorm and Skil. The Craftsman drill also outperforms some more expensive models, but it's a compromise compared to the lighter Makita BDF452HW (*Est. $200).
We found the best comparison review of the Craftsman 11542 cordless drill/driver at ConsumerReports.org, which tested it against 50 other cordless drills. Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide compares a tool kit containing this drill with eight other kits. The Craftsman drill performed well in this test, better than its companion circular saw. A review at ToolMonger.com praises this drill for standing up to abuse during a home renovation, and more than 60 owners report on this drill at Sears.com, giving it very good reviews, although a few complain of quality-control problems.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
This review at ConsumerReports.org covers the same Craftsman C3 19.2-volt cordless drill (though the model name is different because the work light isn't included) -- comparing it against 42 other cordless drills, based on earlier 2007 tests that covered 51 models. All the drills are ranked based on tests for handling, battery life and performance.
Review: Cordless Drills, Impact Drivers, Cordless Combo Kits, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, June 2009
This customer-satisfaction survey rates 10 cordless drill brands based on six factors, with drill performance most important. Ridgid gets top ranking, but Craftsman ranks fourth, above the industry average and far above other budget brands in this J.D. Power and Associates survey.
Review: Cordless Drill Owners Particularly Pleased with Lithium Ion Battery Technology, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, June 5, 2008
3. Taunton's 2008 Tool GuideDetails/Subscribe
This review in the Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide compares a Craftsman cordless tool kit that includes the Craftsman 11542 with eight other 18-volt cordless combo kits. The Craftsman drill performs much better in tests than its circular saw, so the drill is still a good buy. Readers of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking rank the Craftsman low on the list, but above the Ryobi, another budget brand.
Review: 18v Cordless Combo Kits, Andy Beasley, Sept. 2007
This buyer's guide at ToolMonger.com recommends the Craftsman 11542 19.2-volt drill and light kit as a good budget choice. One of the authors, Stephen Cooke, praises the drill, saying he's had it in constant use during his house renovations, where it performs well and withstands significant abuse.
Review: Selecting Your Next Cordless Drill, Chuck Cage and Stephen Cooke, May 18, 2006
5. Sears.com
At the time of this report, more than 65 owners reviewing cordless drills and tool kits at Sears.com give the Craftsman 11542 cordless drill and light kit a near-perfect average rating of 4.6 out of five stars. A few complain of quality-control problems with the chuck or batteries.
Review: Craftsman C3 19.2 Volt DieHard Cordless Drill/Driver with LED Light, Contributors to Sears.com
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