Craftsman has quietly introduced their new C3 19.2V cordless brad nailer. The new SpeedShot nailer is engineered with Air Core technology, which we presume is akin to the built-in air compression technology Ryobi uses in their Airstrike brad nailer and new stapler.
The new nailer can drive 5/8″ to 2″ long 18-gauge brad nails and features single fire and sequential bump-fire settings. It also features tool-free driving depth adjustment and a tool-free jam-clearing mechanism.
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The kit comes with a single compact li-ion battery (60 minute charge time), and a charger. A pack of 500 starter nails and a belt clip are included in the kit and with the bare-tool version as well.
Buy Now(Kit via Sears)
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Sears)
MSRP: $140 for the bare tool, $220 for the 1-battery kit.
Thank you to Shawn for the tip!
First Impression
The only potential downside I could see is the price of the Craftsman Speedshot nailer, as Ryobi’s comparable Airstrike nailers are a little less expensive. But, with Sears being Sears, regular sales will likely bring down the price to near equal ground.
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Steve Cox
Looks great and i am happy that sears is expanding the C3 line. I just wish that the nailer, auto ratchet, and multi tool was in local stores or online. I have tried to order then for a month or so.
Jimmy Conklin
I have the C3 stapler and have been waiting for a good nailer. The C3 Brad Nailer will definitely be on my Christmas list. Looking forward to this one!
Jerry
It sounds like Craftsman is really working on filling in their C3 line.
Jason
Sears seems too be recovering after the failed 20v line and 4v line they have tried to launch over the past few years. The 4v line I think they gave up too quick on, but the 20v line was a mistake sears really wasn’t in a position to change battery platforms and should have kept on working too improve the 19.2 lineup like they are doing now. For the first time it’s line up is close to what the Ryobi cousin offers.
Porphyre
Dunno if Sears trolls this website, but I’d also like to express my pleasure that they are continuing to expand the C3 line. They brought out the 3/8″ Impact Wrench earlier this year and have just recently released a brushless 1/2″ drill/driver and a 3-speed 1/4″ impact driver. Add in the new 4ah XCP batteries and it’s easy to see that Craftsman is supporting the line.
Now if they would just get rid of the gimmicky 20V bolt-on stuff to avoid confusion….
Mini-review on the 3-speed impact: Bought it a couple weeks back. High speed is great for all driving tasks. Medium speed is perfect for installing pocket screws, door hinges, etc. Anything requiring precision that has a pilot hole. And I use it 50/50 vs high speed for removing screws (helped take down theater staging last week). Low speed is worthless.
I don’t know how other multi-speed drivers work, but in this one the turning speed and impacting speed are increased and decreased simultaneously. It makes sense to me to keep the impacts constant and only vary the turning speed. That’s what makes low speed worthless. It’s slow rpm and seems like only 1-2 beats/second.
Javier
This is a nice addition to the c3 line. Definitely a cool looking tool. I still don’t understand the whole 19.2v, is it virtually the same as 18v? Can someone school me on that?
Still curious as how these (ryobi and craftsman nailers) operate. Are they different than the dewalt xrp nailers?
Stuart
I just checked a 19.2V Li-ion battery pack, and it says 19.2V output. If I can find my multimeter I’ll check the voltages and then tear apart the pack to see what kind of cells are inside.
Most cordless nailers are electric, while the Airstrike, SpeedShot, and Senco’sFusion (https://toolguyd.com/senco-fusion-cordless-finish-nailer-review/) nailers have built-in cyclic air compression. Pneumatic-actuated nailers typically perform better than electric, which is why cordless nailers haven’t replaced air models yet.
Doug D
Javier, the individual cells in these battery packs are 1.2v each, so when you have a group of 15 of them, that adds up to 18v. Adding another cell give you 19.2v. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure that’s how it works.
Stuart
Craftsman’s compact “19.2V” Li-ion packs have (5) 3.6V cells.
As doug stated, Craftsman’s 19.2V NiCd packs have (16) 1.2V cells.
(I just disassembled one of each type of battery pack.)
Matthew Sumner
Always happy to see new 19.2V tools. I can just buy the individual tool and don’t have to buy a whole new set. Sears keep adding new 19.2V tools. This is the best thing you have going after sending nearly all hand tool production overseas.
Matthew Fant
This looks like a really solid entry from craftsman. I actually prefer this one to the Ryobi one. Looks likes they might be from the same manufacturer.
Mark State
I’m waiting for the appearance on the market of a 3-1/2″ Craftsman air-strike-type nailer with magnesium body for low weight (arm’s reach overhead nailing, etc.). BTW, I have a Ryobi Air Strike 5/8″ – 2″ Brad Nailer, and I love it. We call it the “whiz-bang” because of the sound of the compressor just before it fires.
Stephan Peters
I have used this new brad nailer once and it worked fine all day. About a week later I picked it up again to do a little nore work, it did not function at all. I tinkered with it forever, but could not get it to work, so I guess this is just a piece of junk as well.
Stuart
That’s surprising, seeing as how the Ryobi version’s been doing so well with seemingly few complaints. I hope you just got a lemon. Did you try exchanging it for a replacement at Sears?
Jimmy S
Just got it for xmas. First impression, HOLY S%$# is it heavy. It weighs as much as my framing nailer if not more. And it is supposedly…specifically designed for one handed use only. How are you suppose to hold a 10 pound gun sideways perfectly still against a half inch quarter round at your ankle and place an accurate pin nail straight in without kickback or splitting the piece… That will be determined tomorrow when I test it. I love the built in LED lights that come on when you pull the trigger. And I love the new rubber grips they are putting on tools now. But another con that Craftsman for some reason NEVER addresses during their testing phases…the tool is unbalanced. How many craftsman tools come out that don’t stand on their own? Like every other one! Seriously Craftsman….when you put the tool down, it should stand up easily without having to carefully balance it. Its not rocket science.
ajw1978
I was hoping Santa would leave one for me, but there more I think about it, the more I’m hoping he swings by HD and grabs one of the last Ryobi pancake compressor/three-gun packages. Just a few bucks more and more bang for the buck (unintentional pun).
ajw1978
Just finally got this in my hands — Sears, as always, made it way more difficult than it needs to be — and I absolutely love it. For what I need and what I do, not to mention my limited budget, experience and storage space, it’s the perfect alternative to a compressor set. Can’t imagine using it for heavy-duty, above-the-head work, but for the small projects and DIY repairs on my plate … exactly what I needed.
Not a bad way to close out my “loyalty” to Craftsman/Sears.
Ray
Man I loved how it worked! I say “worked” because it has died!!! Purchased end of nov 2014, bought new batteries for it and protection policy. When I called for help (protection policy) found out that the cashier put protection plan on BATTERIES and not the nail gun! Oh but sears will give me a gift card for what I purchased it for which was 109.99 but now the price is 139.99! so for me to replace it even if the protection policy can help it still costs me 30 bucks plus tax on it not including the price for policy! I am so frustrated angry and PO.
Erik
This article is old, but this is a solid nail gun, I rented a dewalt finish nailer when I moved into my house in aug 15′. 70$ for 4 hours, to nail some baseboard. Didn’t think I’d need one again so didn’t go for this one. Wrong, when re doing my kitchen floor I needed to re attach baseboard and new quarter round molding.
Forget renting one again, plus the dewalt was loud as hell and heavy. I picked this craftsman nailer up on sale and points for like 90$. It did the kitchen no problem, adjustments to set the depth perfectly. I’ve since used it for modifying a cabinet, doing door trim, baseboards, shimming studs etc. It’s a little heavy but this thing is a great tool for the money! Now if Craftsman would expand their stalled C3 line.
bet
how to unjam the speed shot plse advis
Stuart
Have you checked the user manual? If that fails, you might need to contact the manufacturer for servicing.