You’ve seen them everywhere. That specific shade of red—CRAFTSMAN Red—sitting on the shelves of Lowe’s or Ace Hardware. For a lot of us, that logo is a core memory. It’s the smell of a grandfather’s garage or the heavy, indestructible feel of a 1980s socket set. But things changed. The brand moved from Sears to Stanley Black & Decker in 2017, and honestly, the transition left a lot of DIYers wondering if the quality stayed behind in the suburban mall era. If you’re looking at a craftsman power tool set today, you aren't just buying a drill; you’re buying into a massive battery ecosystem called the V20.
It’s easy to get confused. People see the price point and assume it’s just a rebranded Porter-Cable or a "budget" DeWalt. That’s a mistake. While Stanley Black & Decker owns all three, Craftsman occupies a weird, specific middle ground. It’s for the person who isn’t a full-time contractor but definitely does more than just hang a picture frame once a year. It’s for the weekend warrior who wants a tool that won't die during a deck build.
Why the V20 Battery System is the Real Story
The heart of any modern craftsman power tool set is the V20 lithium-ion platform. It’s the "gas" for your tools. Back in the day, every tool had its own battery style, which was a nightmare. Now, that one 20V Max battery slides into your drill, your circular saw, and even your leaf blower.
But here is where it gets technical. Not all V20 batteries are equal. If you buy a cheap starter kit, you’re likely getting 2.0Ah (Amp-hour) batteries. They’re light. They’re fine for driving a few screws. But the second you put that battery on a high-draw tool like a reciprocating saw or a grinder, you’ll feel it bog down. For real work, you need the 4.0Ah or even the 6.0Ah packs. They have "premium grade" high-capacity cells that provide longer runtime and, more importantly, less fade under load.
Basically, if you're shopping, don't just look at the tool count. Look at the "Ah" rating on the batteries included in the box. A 5-tool kit with two 2.0Ah batteries is often a worse deal than a 2-tool kit with 4.0Ah batteries. Trust me on that.
The Brushless vs. Brushed Debate
If you walk into a store, you'll see two versions of almost every craftsman power tool set. One is cheaper. One is "Brushless."
📖 Related: Why New York Giants Nike Sneakers Are Still Impossible to Find
What’s the actual difference? Honestly, for a lot of people, the brushed motors are totally fine. A brushed motor uses physical carbon brushes to deliver electricity to the rotor. They spark a little. they get hot. Eventually, those brushes wear out. But "eventually" usually means ten years of casual home use.
Brushless motors are the smarter, sexier sibling. They use a small circuit board to manage the power. No friction. No brushes. This means the tool is usually smaller, runs cooler, and gets about 50% more runtime out of the exact same battery. If you’re planning on building a whole shed or doing a kitchen remodel, spring for the RP (Runtime + Performance) brushless series. It’s noticeably punchier. You can feel the torque difference the second the screw hits a knot in the wood.
Real-World Testing: The 7-Tool Combo Kit
Let’s talk about the specific tools you actually get in these big boxes. Usually, a standard craftsman power tool set includes:
- The Drill/Driver: The workhorse. The V20 version has a half-inch chuck, which is good because it fits larger bits. It’s balanced well. It doesn't feel "front-heavy" like some older models.
- The Impact Driver: This is the tool people didn't know they needed 15 years ago but now can't live without. It uses a hammer-and-anvil mechanism to drive long lag bolts or structural screws without stripping the head. It’s loud. It’s effective.
- The Reciprocating Saw (Sawzall): This is for destruction. Cutting through pipes, 2x4s, or branches. The Craftsman version has a tool-free blade release which is pretty much industry standard now, but still nice to have.
- The Oscillating Multi-Tool: The "save your life" tool. It vibrates at high speeds. It’s what you use to cut a hole in drywall for an outlet or trim a piece of baseboard without taking it off the wall.
One thing people often overlook is the LED work light. It feels like a "filler" tool to get the piece count up—and it kind of is—but having a light that stands up on its own and runs for 10 hours on a tool battery is surprisingly useful when your power goes out or you're crawling under a sink.
What Nobody Tells You About the Warranty
Craftsman's reputation was built on that "Full Lifetime Warranty." You’d break a wrench, walk into Sears, and walk out with a new one. No receipt. No questions.
With the craftsman power tool set, the rules are different. Power tools are NOT lifetime warranty items. They generally carry a 3-year limited warranty. The batteries usually have a 2-year warranty.
You need to keep your receipts. Seriously. Take a photo of it and email it to yourself. If the electronics in the drill fry in year two, you’ll need that proof of purchase. The good news? Stanley Black & Decker has been pretty decent about honoring these through their online portal, but the "hand it to a guy at a counter" days are mostly over for power tools.
Comparing Craftsman to the "Big Three"
How does it stack up against Milwaukee, DeWalt, or Makita?
If you are a professional plumber or electrician who uses these tools eight hours a day, five days a week, you might find the Craftsman triggers a bit less refined. The plastic housings might not take a 10-foot drop onto concrete as well as a DeWalt.
But for the rest of us? The gap has narrowed significantly. Most people don't need a $200 drill. They need a $79 drill that works every time they pull it out of the bag. Craftsman hits that "value" sweet spot where you aren't paying the "Pro Tax" but you aren't buying junk either.
Common Misconceptions and Errors
A big myth is that Craftsman tools are still made in the USA across the board. The company did open a massive plant in Fort Worth, Texas, recently, and they do assemble many of their hand tools and some power tools there using global materials. However, many components of a craftsman power tool set are still manufactured overseas. Does it matter? Not necessarily for performance, but if "Made in USA" is your primary buying factor, you have to read the fine print on the specific box.
Another mistake? Buying the "bolt-on" system. Some older Craftsman stuff used a single motor body with interchangeable heads. Stay away from that for heavy work. Stick to the V20 dedicated tools. Individual motors are always better than a "Swiss Army Knife" tool that tries to do everything and ends up being mediocre at all of it.
Actionable Steps for Choosing the Right Set
Don't just grab the biggest box on the pallet. Follow this logic:
- Assess your immediate project. If you’re just doing "honey-do" lists, the 2-tool starter kit (Drill and Impact Driver) is the best value.
- Check the charger. Some cheap kits include a "wall-wart" style charger that takes 5 hours to charge a battery. Look for the "Fast Charger" (usually 2-amp or higher) that sits on a bench. It makes a world of difference.
- Prioritize Brushless for Saws. Drills don't need to be brushless for home use, but circular saws and reciprocating saws really benefit from the extra efficiency.
- Register your tools immediately. Use the Craftsman website. It saves your serial numbers and purchase dates so you don't have to hunt for a fading thermal receipt three years from now.
If you’re starting a tool collection from scratch, the V20 ecosystem is a safe bet. It’s expanding into lawn mowers, chainsaws, and even vacuums. You buy the batteries once, and the rest of your life gets a lot easier. Just remember to buy the 4.0Ah batteries for the heavy stuff, keep your receipts, and don't expect a $99 kit to build a skyscraper. It’s built for the garage, the backyard, and the kitchen remodel—and for those things, it’s plenty of tool.
Next Steps for Your Workshop:
Start by identifying the three most common tasks you handle. If you find yourself cutting wood frequently, prioritize a kit that includes the 6-1/2 inch circular saw. If you are mostly doing assembly and repairs, the V20 Cordless Drill/Driver and Impact Driver combo is your mandatory baseline. Always verify the battery capacity on the box before checkout to ensure you aren't getting underpowered 1.5Ah cells.