Lowe’s recently started clearing out a lot of Craftsman V20 brushless power tools, and their motivations were unclear.
Well, it seems we have a partial answer – it looks like Craftsman is rolling out a new cordless power tool family at Lowe’s, dubbed Brushless RP.
ToolGuyd readers tipped us off about the new Craftsman products. There isn’t a lot of information out there about the new Craftsman RP tools, but there’s at least enough to get a conversation started.
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To start off, there’s a new Craftsman V20 Brushless RP circular saw.
However, it looks to be the same exact saw but with new Brushless RP branding.
This could suggest the imminent emergence of additional Craftsman V20 brushless saws, perhaps more entry-priced versions with RP designation reserved for the more premium models.
When Craftsman’s V20 cordless power tool first launched, there were already 6 different cordless drill/driver models, with half of them brushless.
RP could be Craftsman’s new way to differentiate the premium-performing tools from their more value-focused models.
Hypothetically, Craftsman’s cordless power tools could be organized as follows:
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- Good/entry-priced: brushed
- Better/mid-priced: brushless
- Best/premium-priced: Brushless RP
Dewalt, Craftsman’s sibling brand with both owned by Stanley Black & Decker, applies XR branding to their more premium 20V Max cordless power tools and higher capacity batteries.
If Craftsman V20 Brushless RP is a parallel to Dewalt 20V Max XR, this could foreshadow big changes or a major product line expansion.
Lowe’s has also listed a new Craftsman V20 Brushless RP cordless jigsaw (thank you to Steve for the heads-up!).
The new cordless jigsaw does look to have a more upscale design compared to Craftsman’s existing brushed motor models, and it has a premium price to match.
At the time of this posting, Lowe’s has the Craftsman Brushless RP jigsaw (tool-only) priced at $182.16. Craftsman’s brushed motor cordless jigsaw is $79 for just the tool, and $119 for the kit.
There’s one other tool that bares RP branding. Lowe’s has a new product page up for a “Craftsman V20 RP Brushless” cordless air compressor, but everything from the image to the description match that of their existing V20 brushless air compressor. It seems that they simply applied their RP label to this new tool-only compressor SKU.
To summarize everything, here is what we have seen so far:
1) Lowe’s clearanced out many Craftsman brushless tools.
2) The RP circular saw has a new model number but looks identical in appearance to the existing/previous model.
3) There’s a new unique Brushless RP jigsaw.
4) A new tool-only SKU for an existing cordless air compressor model was given RP branding.
So far, it looks like Craftsman’s RP branding will apply to new and existing tools alike.
In his comment to the other post about the clearanced-out SKUs, Steve brings up a theory, that Craftsman RP is a possible response to the new Ryobi HP tools at Home Depot.
This would indeed be interesting competitive positioning. Home Depot’s Ryobi HP is a relatively new line of compact and high-performing brushless power tools that are distinctly more premium than Ryobi’s other cordless power tools.
Or, Craftsman could be following in the footsteps of Dewalt. Dewalt Atomic, for instance, is a line of compact brushless power tools, and XR are their higher performing tools.
Dewalt Atomic is available at Home Depot (and not Lowe’s), while their 12V Max Xtreme subcompact tools are available at Lowe’s (but not Home Depot).
Home Depot has Dewalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage, while Lowe’s has Dewalt 20V Max Power Detect.
Stanley Black & Decker occasionally uses distinct branding to differentiate their retailer-specific power tool accessories.
Could Craftsman be expanding their cordless power tool presence at other retailers, such as Amazon? So far, Amazon seems to have a smaller selection of Craftsman cordless power tools than Lowe’s. Might the new Craftsman RP branding might be a way to designate certain tools as being Lowe’s-exclusives?
Craftsman recently launched a new line of V-Series hand tools. Could Craftsman RP be a parallel to that?
I am sure that more information and details are on the way. And if not, as Craftsman tends to be very reticent about their tool releases, we can at least expect additional Lowe’s product listings to clue us in over time.
Why does this matter?
I know that some readers, given what has happened in prior posts, will leave comments more or less saying “this doesn’t matter, nobody cares about Craftsman tools.”
Still, Stanley Black & Decker is a huge toolmaker with many brands, and Lowe’s – Craftsman’s primary retail partner – is an extremely influential and impactful retailer.
Whether Craftsman RP impacts you or not, and whether Craftsman RP is simply a marketing-focused competitive response, or tied to an entire new family of brushless cordless power tools, things like this don’t happen in a vacuum. Developments like this can be very significant, as they tend to shape and reshape the cordless power tool industry, little by little.
The big question is what will this mean for users?, and we don’t have an answer to that yet. Talking about it is the best way to get there.
Sure, we could wait for Craftsman or Lowe’s to tell us what they want this to mean for end users, but where’s the fun in that?
Hon Cho
A version for every pocketbook, a version for every retailer. Underneath the label and skin, similar or identical components. It’s maddening how many choices there are from a single manufacturer like SB&D (or TTI, et.al.) At least in the Good Ol’ Days ™ Sears just had Good, Better & Best knowing that the vast majority of sales would be of the mid-tier “Better” version while a few customers would always buy the low end “Good” and some would buy the “Best” without regard for the functional or quality differences at the different price points. Remember, ultimately, it’s not about customer needs, it’s about revenue and profitability for the brands and retailers.
Rog
Once again, SBD (and Lowe’s) out here with no clear direction and–what feels like–just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.
What is this? WHY is this? Where’s the promotion and strategy behind it so consumers can understand why a rebadged RP model is better and worth the extra cost over the other model that looks identical.
sunny
its the same thing they were trying to do with the brushless IMHO just more clearly marked this is obvious, its a better tool people say sbd is directionless but they have taken this stuff in a pretty clear direction and have a strategy for this, the none RP stuff is porter cable the RP stuff is rebadged Dewalt clearly distinguished
Tom
I’m still waiting for Craftsman V12!
AlexK
I’m a brand loyalist. Craftsman needs to rebuild trust by making good tools and be stable. It no longer has the “good quality, made in America” reputation. It’s just another brand. For it to earn my trust and my dollars, it needs to be a stable company. I had my Dewalt xrp kit which was great, but they lost me when Lithium came out and they were still on Nicads. As soon as I needed to replace batteries, I went with Milwaukee. I still have a difficult time buying dewalt, even though they have great ergonomics and well made tools. It’s been over 15 years and it still bothers me. I still like getting some Ryobi tools because I appreciate that they made sure that their older tools can work with nicad as well as lithium batteries.
I’m sure there are people here who can explain how groups of investors get a company, milk it dry
by savings that affect the product, and dump it. I don’t feel that way about milwaukee, dewalt, makita, Bosch or Ryobi and Ridgid. Those are a lot of choices before I risk craftsman.
Everything is so international, that it’s tough to say I’m proud to buy American. That used to mean great quality, but corporate bottom line means products won’t have the longevity they used to. As I’m writing this, I realize it turned into a mini,low key rant. Where are other companies like Lee Valley/Veritas? Companies that make things that will last. And have at their helm, a “Capt of the ship” – Where employees and the product are as important as the bottom line.
Jim Felt
Clint Eastwood once starred in a film that to me kinda describes the world of retail tool design and marketing “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”…
And the corollary film must be “For a Few Dollars More”…
IronWood
All to try and figure out how best to spend “A Fistful of Dollars.”
Matt the Hoople
Not sure why the different levels (good,better,best) for a brand like craftsman. These aren’t really going to be considered by pros or serious diyers. To me, this makes craftsman more geared towards the homeowner that just wants a reasonably priced drill or saw for occasional use from a name they are familiar with. Seems to me they would do better with levels of “budget” and “passable to decent”. But then I guess that might cut into the black and decker brand sales.
MM
Pure marketing, I suppose.
I remember having respect for Craftstman hand tools back in the 90’s and early 2000s, but I never cared for their power tools. I had bought a couple as a teenager because they were affordable but their performance was never very good. I had a neighbor who did a lot of carpentry and I’d often borrow his tools. He had a few Craftsmans too and they weren’t great either. Meanwhile his old aluminum-housed Black & Deckers, as well as new tools from Porter-Cable, Bosch, etc, were great. I never considered Craftsman branded power tools after that, and at the moment I don’t see any reason to. I’ve got a lot of Milwaukee and Dewalt and both systems have done everything I have asked of them and more.
Adam
Those are clearly two different saws. Didn’t you notice the new bevel lock lever? 😆
I have to think its more a marketing change than anything. Compete with the Ryobi HP moniker.
Matt the Hoople
Yep. I’m sure it’s simply so that Lowe’s will have a big name house brand to compete with HD’s big name house brand. Change the designation and add 100 RPM or 10 in-lbs of torque and call it improved.
I know a couple people that have bought into the Craftsman 20v line (moderate diyers) and the products are decent. Same as every entry level to one step up power tool offering. I’m curious as to how long the battery line will be around and available. I learned years ago to stop buying power tools from non-major players with established battery platforms. When I was much younger (and didn’t know any better) the extra 2.2 volts of the B&D 14.2 or Craftsman 19.2 systems sounded like a good idea… for about a year until they were discontinued and you couldn’t get other tools or additional batteries in the same platform. Fortunately I came to my senses and returned the craftsman set after 5 months (They weren’t happy about it but Sears used to have the “return it within 6 months if you’re unhappy with it for any reason” policy) and upgrade to Makita. Haven’t looked back since.
Chris Dolbeare
They are still around after all the time 19.2 you can get any battery you want to fit in them they are so good reliable and durability. Well the Makita breaks down you have to buy a new one 19.2 is still in use I just got to buy battery any company. And so you know Black & Decker Stanley they own all those brands. And they use the Craftsman brand to upgrade on all their high-end tools. So the Craftsman circular saw is actually better than the DeWalt pro circular saw. I watched all the test. Well these other made you brands break down at work I use DeWalt your constant replacing tools. But my private tools that I keep at work I have not had to replace a single one of them and they’re all 19.2.
Bryan
SBD Craftsman has gone at least to me from irrelevant to irrelevant and confusing. I jumped off the Craftsman power tool train back in 2016 or so and went to Milwaukee for a few power tools but now mostly Ryobi. Glad I did.
Andrew
Still waiting for USA hand tools from Texas.
Nathan
+1
Nathan
OK so any idea to what RP stands for because it’s telling that my first thought was Reduced Power?
They should really think that though and perhaps get out of the gate with why. Next are they Dewalt XR tools with different colors – then I would think you would need dual row batteries to get advantage of it.
OR is there now going to be a craftsman 60V like FV and is it going to have some RP like designation such that these 20V RP tools will have improved performance with those batteries? way to vague.
Big Richard
Runtime & Performance. It is just premium brushless tools, it doesn’t appear to be like DeWALT’s Power Detect and/or FlexVolt Advantage that are designed to operate at higher power levels with large capacity batteries (just about every tool does get a little bit of a boost from higher capacity batteries, but not as much as tools that are designed for it like the aforementioned DeWALT lines, Milwaukee M18 HO, or Bosch Core).
Chris Dolbeare
And if you look they did a test on the Craftsman tools with the 9 oh battery and it performed even better or just as good is DeWalt Makita another high-end brands. The problem is people and they’re testing them and buying them with the small batteries. Then they put them up against the DeWalt with the massive battery on it and it’s a Craftsman tool sucks because it’s not apples to apples but once you place an apples to apples it outperforms or is just as good but the good news is it’s cheaper price why buy a DeWALT circular saw for twice the price when you can buy a Craftsman which is made by the same company for half the price and it’s a better tool and was upgraded off the DeWalt saw it’s actually the same platform just a different name and it doesn’t have that belt clip on it
Steve
Doesn’t matter. It says Craftsman on the label and they lost me a long time ago. Craftsman, when they were good, made pretty poor battery operated tools anyhow and everyone passed them up and made better so why anyone would drop back to buy their junk now is a mystery to me. If price is the sole criteria buy xyz from china and at least you’ll know your buying cheap with no expectation of quality.
Michael Martin
Sounds to me like we’re all just overthinking this. Seems pretty simple to me. As a retail veteran of 45 years most retailers release items without any fanfare because changes are constantly being made including the power tool world. Simply put you know what your needs are, you know what your budget is so go out and buy the best tool you can afford whether it be Craftsman or dewalt or Ryobi or whatever. I personally been using Craftsman tools for well over 40 years that have had good luck with them no matter what I throw at them on my 16 acres and two houses.
Lloyd Griffith
Truth, my dad had them for years, I’m 62 and they’re still going strong.
Mike
Should be Craftsman RIP.
I am a DIYer. The majority of my screwdrivers, wrenches, etc are the old made-in-the-US Sears Craftsman and my first drill was a Craftsman 19.2 volt. In the day, Sears was the place for well-made, reasonably priced tools with great warranty.
However, I see nothing compelling in the current Craftsman line
A-A-Ron
The first thing I thought of when I saw this was, “This is Craftsman’s equivalent of Kobalt’s XTR line.” They’ll throw this branding on a few items and that’ll be a day, and then they’ll continue to fill their line with middling stuff that’s careful not to overstep DeWalt.
Chris Dolbeare
Because the same company that makes the high-end items that you were talking about Owens Craftsman so you’re high and items Black and Decker Stanley DeWalt Makita Darling by the same company and this company bought Craftsman tools for billions of dollars and then they took all their high in items and his slap Craftsman names on them and improved them a little so you buy Craftsman tool at half the price and you’re buying in the DeWalt but you’re not paying three times the price this is why you buy Craftsman
A-A-Ron
…huh?
Mike
The craftsman is better than the kobolt check out some videos on YouTube between the two recip and circ saw craftsman is better
Ryan
Youtube Kobelt 5s1p battery vs Craftsman 5S2P 5S3P battery circular saw video?
Steve
Thanks for the write up Stu! I agree with your line of thinking here and it will be interesting to see where this all leads.
R E Stadnik
When it comes to craftsman’s and lowes do yourself a big favor. DO NOT buy anything from them that has a motor, whether electric or gas they do not back up their products. Excample bought new pressure washer never used it until over 30 days of purchase had passed. As soon as I started it up it was pouring out gas from beneath the tank all over the hot motor. Both of them said it was over 30 days they washed their hands of it. I got it fixed at my expense.
Fyrfytr998
I certainly hope they are gonna clear thing s up. Right now they have 3 tiers of offerings between their drills and impacts, but you wouldn’t know it.
Brushed – Chinese assembled
Brushless – Chinese assembled
Brushless – American assembled
The American assembled ones are direct clones of DeWalt models. If they continue that with RP being American assembled DW clones I’m fine with that.
Thom
Although I want to see the Craftsman line succeed (I’m from that generation) honestly it’s better to spend the extra $20-$30 and upgrade to the DeWalt XR. Of the 3 Craftsman cordless tools I purchased this year 2 smoked on me within 3 months of moderate use.
Fyrfytr998
Were they the American assembled Brushless or the Chinese ones?
Ryan
This is often related to design, not production
Fyrfytr998
Correct, but this is how I differentiate the quality of the tool. Craftsman has like three tiers so far.
1) Brushed Porter cable clones that are very cheap.
2) Brushless Chinese Assembled that are PC and DeWalt clones.
3) Brushless American Assembled that are decent DeWalt Clones (Specific to the impact, drill and hammer drill.)
If he bought ones from the first category, I wouldn’t be surprised. If 3rd category tools did it I’d be surprised as they test very well and are the flagship Craftsman items.
Ryan
Brush?
If the overload is maintained, it does smoke quickly, unless there is a brush tool for overload protection
Ryan
Today I saw the Brushless RP circular saw in the store, the packaging is different from the previous style
R Laney
Just got the 1/2 impact wrench R+P model all the same specs as 1/2 inch non R+P and same price.
Does say 26% more run time and box says “RUNTIME + PERFORMANCE ” R+P…..
Couldn’t find non R+P in any stores near me so I’m thinking just a logo change…
Jim
Maybe they’ll come out with some RP batteries with 21700 cells. That would be something I’d buy.