Craftsman has recently released their second-ever heavy duty XCP C3 cordless tool – a 1/2″ impact driver. The first tool of this lineup was a heavy duty drill/driver that I found to be a quite capable performer.
The new impact is bundled with an XCP 4.0Ah Li-ion battery pack and can deliver an impressive 300 ft-lbs (3600 in-lbs) of nut-busting torque.
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Features & Specs
- 1/2 square drive
- 0-3000 RPM
- 0-3000 IPM
- 300 ft-lbs max torque (presumably reverse direction)
- LED work lights
- 8″ length
- Weighs 5.25 lbs, with 4.0Ah battery pack
- Charging time of 1.5 hours (4.0Ah with included charger)
- Compatible with all Craftsman C3 19.2V battery packs
- Kit includes multi-chemistry charger and (1) Li-ion battery
Price: $160-170
Buy Now(via Sears)
First Thoughts
It has been quite some time since Craftsman’s first XCP cordless tool launched. So long in fact that I had wondered whether there was ever going to be another. While I would have thought that the second XCP tool would have been an impact driver, a heavy duty impact wrench is certainly most welcome.
The lack of an XCP impact driver just yet isn’t surprising, as Craftsman probably isn’t too eager to compete with their own relatively multi-speed C3 impact driver. But on the other hand, it doesn’t look like the multi-speed impact ever hit the market. It was supposed to be released in Fall of 2013, but it still isn’t listed in Sears or Craftsman’s product catalogs.
Correction, the ID2025K kit and ID2025 bare tool were released a while back. I haven’t seen them in-store, and were elusive in the Sears.com search listings when I checked. Double-checking with Craftsman reps confirmed that the 3-speed impact launched and is still available.
The front end of the new Craftsman impact wrench shares similarities with Ridgid’s 18V heavy duty impact wrench ($139 for the bare tool, via Home Depot), indicating that TTI could be the OEM for this model.
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While the new Craftsman impact won’t turn a lot of pro’s heads, value-minded pros, weekend warriors, and DIYers will probably appreciate the decent torque rating and great bang-for-the-buck value. Craftsman C3 users will definitely also appreciate the new impact option. The C3 lineup doesn’t always offer the latest and greatest cordless innovations, but there’s great selection and you can be sure that the platform will be around for a while longer. I’m optimistic about this one.
Martin
What is “IPM” as in 0=3000 IPM?
Joshua Latham
I believe “IPM” stands for impacts per minute. Similar to “BPM” or blows per minute in hammer drills.
Hang Fire
Impulses (impacts) Per Minute.
Paul
Search: 39319 and the 3 speed impact driver add on tool will come up on sears.com.
Search: craftsman c3 19.2-volt 3-speed impact driver and the kit with batteries comes up.
Paul
Oh, You can get up to 20% more power from it using the XCP batteries.
Porphyre
Just wanted to chime in w/ Paul. The 3-speed has been out since at least November of 2013. I own one. Nice tool. I like the nose-mounted LED’s (which this new impact wrench also has) much better than the older base-mounted style. Low-speed is mostly useless, but speeds 2 and 3 are great depending on task.
I currently own the regular 1/2 C3 Impact Wrench and have been happy with it. I haven’t tried anything heavy duty with it (axle nuts, suspension bolts, etc) but it busts lug-nuts with the greatest of ease.
I continue to be happy that Craftsman is still supporting and expanding the C3 line. Might be time to put my money where my mouth is and pick up the brushless drill/driver.
Jordan
I’ve got the old Craftsman c3 1/2″ impact. I’ve had it for close on 2 years now and it’s been a solid performer. It’s been more than powerful enough for lags and most car work. The only thing that my old impact hasn’t been able to remove was a crankshaft bolt and a side engine mount bolt.
What it lacks in power, it more than makes up for with it’s portability.
If mine ever goes belly-up, I’ll probably look to get this guy.
Thanks for the heads-up!
Cody
The craftsman 3 speed impact driver has been on sears website forever 78.00 for bare tool and 139.00 for the kit.
Julian Tracy
Is that seriously a bubble level on the front of the battery?! Is there no limit to the ridiculous features Craftsman will add to their tools whilst leaving off truly useful ones?
Had a 12″ Steel framed Craftsman bandsaw recently, of the Rikon design variety – amazing how poorly the blade guides were thought out as well as the blade being a huge pain to change…
Is there ANY reason to shop at Sears these days other than clothes on clearance or appliances?
JT
Cody
It’s not a bubble level; it’s a battery fuel gauge indicator
Seth
Obviously you don’t shop at Sears or else you’d know that isn’t a bubble level on a battery. If you ever got anywhere near the tools you are deriding you’d have had a salesman show you how the indicator lights work.
It’s too bad that the internet is awash with speculation – for example the 3-speed impact driver has been orderable for a year and is available in select stores, but Stuart has never found it in his local store and thus doesn’t think it ever was launched. Regardless of what the brand’s marketers do, mis-promotion by third parties or poor speculation can hurt a new product the most; because honestly who reads craftsman.com or rigid.com or similar to hear about new products? That’s what toolguyd is for.
Stuart
Yup, I was mistaken about the 3-speed impact. I hadn’t seen it in store yet, and when I searched the online product catalog I couldn’t find it listed anywhere. I checked with Craftsman, and it did launch and is available.
Colin
Not a bubble level, that’s the battery charge indicator.
Steve Cox
I just picked one up tonight, It is OEM code 315. so it is a Ryobi. I will test it tomorrow and report back.
Mizzourob
Are there any C3 products that are not by Ryobi/TTI? When comparing the C3 lineup to the One+ lineup the prouducts have almost a 1:1 match. Some products were killed off of the C3 line up but still exist as one/one+ tools (caulk gun, planer, buffer, fan, rotary tool, etc), and others will killed from the Ryobi lineup but still exist as C3 (portable vacuum). Others have begun as a Ryobi then become a C3 (Airstrike guns), and others appear to be exclusives one way or the other (hammer head, max access ratchet, and garden sprayer[discontinued] as C3, or Jobplus multi tool and wet tile saw for Ryobi). Based on the overlap, it seems reasonable that there might be a new full size C3 radio, inflator, jig saw, recip saw, finish nailer, and hopefully a hand vac. I’d love to see the fan make a C3 return and have the C3 lawn tools include the battery/cord plug from Ryobi.
The older C3 tools are easy to spot; they lack the clear C3 logo on the handle; the older One+ tools are blue.
Stuart
Chervon makes certain C3 tools for Craftsman.
Hammerhead nailers were Chervon designs. Ryobi’s was completely separate.
Jason
Really some C3 tools were made by Chevron? I just found the 12v nextex tools were chevron I always though they were made by TTI. I never knew the C3 line has some chevron tools also.
Stuart
I can’t tell you which ones, aside from the auto hammer, but that’s probably not the only one. Some of Craftsman’s entry and mid-level C3 tools are uncharacteristic for TTI.
Rob
Where is the source of this info? I have been trying to find a comprehensive list of new c3 and current c3 tools, but sears site is junk. Any recommendations?
Steve Cox
The craftsman site is better, check there for a list of the current.
Joey K
I’ve been extremely happy with my regular 1/2″ impact wrench I bought from Sears a while back, and even happier with the new 4.0amp battery. It’s a workhorse for me across my many vehicles, and family vehicles. I’ve been waiting for a heavier-duty model to come out. I do hope they sell the tool separate. Though, my enthusiasm for Craftsman and tool products has been crappy lately.
Wali
So would this ID2030k be a good buy for a DIY’r? I dabble in some home repair and some automotive things. Personal and not for business. I would like to purchase an impact wrench but don’t want to spend a few hundred dollars since I will not be using it all of the time and definitely not for big jobs. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Stuart
No, I would not recommend Sears’ Craftsman C3 tools to anyone these days. Craftsman (from Lowes) or Ryobi would be safer choices.