Craftsman recently announced 2 new V20 Brushless RP cordless power tools, expanding their lineup of more premium tools that “deliver the runtime and performance that professionals demand.”
Shown above is a family photo with all of the current Craftsman V20 Brushless RP tools.
The first new tool is a cordless jig saw, CMCS650B ($119 at Lowe’s), that we’ve known about for several months now, and the second is a cordless 23 gauge pin nailer, CMCN623B ($179 at Lowe’s).
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The new Craftsman V20 brushless RP 23 gauge pin nailer can drive nails 5/8″ to 1-3/8″ long. It features a brushless motor, tool-free jam release, low nail lockout, and LED light.
Only the tool-only SKU is available at this, but there are plans for a 1.5Ah kit version, CMCN623C1, which will be priced at $229.
The new Craftsman cordless pin nailer very closely resembles the also-new Dewalt 20V Max Atomic cordless pin nailer, model DCN623, which was announced last month.
The Dewalt DCN623 is priced at $249 for tool-only, and the Craftsman CMCN623C1 is $179.
The Dewalt drives nails 5/8″ to 1-1/2″ and the Craftsman 5/8″ to 1-3/8″.
The Dewalt is advertised as having a tool-free driving depth adjustment, something the Craftsman doesn’t seem to feature.
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So, the Craftsman seems to be a scaled-back version of the Dewalt, with a $70 lower price point. Dewalt 20V Max and Craftsman V20 tools and batteries are not natively compatible with each other.
Stanley Black & Decker has done something similar with certain other tools before, with premium tools going to Dewalt and less expensive versions released under Porter Cable branding.
The Dewalt and Craftsman 23 gauge pin nailers look nearly identical, although it’s unclear if or how they might beneath the surface.
This is not quite a “lick and stick” relabeling situation, as the tools are seemingly slightly different in power, and the Dewalt has a feature the Craftsman lacks, namely tool-free depth adjustment.
Craftsman announced a kit with battery and charger, and with a price that’s less than the Dewalt tool-only price.
Will more price-sensitive Dewalt users choose the Craftsman model?
Speaking frankly, 1-1/2″ seems long for 23 gauge pin nails, and I think a lot of users would be okay downgrading to a pinner than can only drive 1-3/8″ nails. How might this marginal difference in max nail length spec equate to power or performance in different situations? Or do both tools have the same motor, with the Craftsman designed with a 1-3/8″ max nail size compatibility for the sake of differentiation?
The tool-free depth adjustment might be the more significant difference. And so here’s another hard question. Was the Craftsman cheapened a little for the sake of differentiation? Who wants to use a screwdriver or hex key to adjust nailer driving power?
$70 is a big difference in price.
Honestly, I’d feel better if the price difference was smaller. Otherwise, I can’t shake the feeling that something is going on beneath the surface. Are there more differences between the two tools that I can tell, or does 1/8″ of extra nail driving capacity and tool-free depth adjustment carry much greater value than I would have guessed?
Craftsman nailers are excellent, by the way. I loaned out my cordless narrow crown nailer stapler sample and so I had to make do with a cordless air compressor and my owned Hitachi/HPT air nailer. The air nailer is far lighter, but the Craftsman’s cordless convenience was totally worth it.
I don’t doubt that the V20 pin nailer will be a great performer. But I also cannot easily understand why Craftsman would compromise a tool that’s supposed to be part of their premium Brushless RP line. Tool-based driving depth adjustment? Maybe I’ve been spoiled, but – uch.
Sometimes it takes me a couple of tries to get driving depth dialed in correctly for a given nail size and the material I’m working with. This is a quick process with tool-free adjustments. Having to do this with a screwdriver or hex key is going to get old fast.
I’d say skip the Craftsman and go for the Dewalt, unless you have cordless platform preferences, but the price difference is not insignificant.
Back when Dewalt had a variable speed router and Porter Cable the same router but with single speed, that made sense. Here? The differentiation almost seems forced.
Most users will stick to their brand of preference and might not even be cognizant of the other; the Craftsman will be sold at Lowe’s, and the Dewalt Atomic nailer at Home Depot and independent dealers.
Meaning, the coexistence of both models isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things. However Craftsman is still well behind their competitors with respect to cordless breadth and selection. If introducing dialed-back Dewalt tools as V20 Brushless RP offerings is part of their expansion plan, it won’t be long before users take greater notice.
Right now, it looks like Craftsman’s nailer is a version of Dewalt’s that was compromised for the sake of lower pricing. If this happens enough, how long until users notice resemblances and take to believing Dewalt offerings are simply slightly upgraded Craftsman tools?
Going back a few years, many users shunned the-new Porter Cable cordless power tools, which they described as being relabeled Black & Decker tools.
It makes sense for a company like Stanley Black & Decker to offer similar tools that share the same core engineering, and it’s usually not too much of a problem for hand tools.
Will it be a problem that Craftsman and Dewalt are more noticeably sharing the same DNA when it comes to cordless power tools?
In this instance, the resemblance isn’t a problem for me. What I’m unhappy about is the price difference and that the Craftsman seemingly leaves out tool-free depth adjustment. But that’s just me.
Roger
I have the Ryobi 18V version and it doesn’t drive 1-3/8 all the way sometimes. Especially at an angle. If the Dewalt can drive “up to” 1-1/2″ then maybe I can assume that it will perform better for 1-3/8″. Looking forward to getting the Dewalt, but not rushing after it.
MM
That’s basically my take on it. I don’t think I have a need for 1.5″ pins but if the tool can drive 1.5″ pins then I tend to think it’s more capable for the shorter ones too.
I’m waiting for my local HD to get some in stock then I can do a side-by-side comparison with the M12.
nKhosi
Craftsman 19.2 brader drives 2″ just fine!
Stuart
We’re talking about pin nailers, not brad nailers. I don’t think I’ve seen any [cordless] pinner that can handle 2” nails. Also, Craftsman 19.2V has been obsolete for a few years – that was a Sears line of cordless products, with V20 now made by Stanley Black & Decker.
Big Richard
I’m assuming you mean cordless pin nailers, because my pneumatic DeWalt can certainly take 2″ pins.
Stuart
Sorry – yes.
Munklepunk
Hah. I was just looking through Craigslist and there is an unused one for $40. With an adapter it could be a cheap entry if it’s a good gun.
Steve
I think they are mostly going to go to people already in those respective platforms. Of those not too committed to one platform Craftsman will pick up a few sales from those buying one out of need for a specific project.
Franck B.
I haven’t changed my Dewalt pin nailer from how it came, I just push the nose down hard and it always sinks it.
However, the Dewalt was already a compromise with only 1-1/2″ length support (I prefer the 1-3/4 of my Porter Cable versions). When pinning trim edgewise, the length is useful, even if it is only to hold it while glue sets. I bought the Ryobi and was happy except for the 1-3/8 support, so I was glad to get some back with the Dewalt, but I will be settling again with the Craftsman.
The reason I’ve invested in Craftsman instead of my sitewide Dewalt tools is because 1) They had some mechanics tools that Dewalt was slow to release, 2) They are less appealing to workers at my site to borrow, especially the batteries, and 3) For many of the tools, the spec differences on paper are non-existent in actual use (like the top impact driver, for instance).
Also, the Craftsman tools have one feature that the Dewalts lack–integration with Versatrack hangers, you can have a nice wall display.
Franck B.
Oops, the PC is 2″, and why I have unopened 2″ pins in the cordless pinner toolbox.
Big Richard
It makes sense for SBD and their relationship with Lowes, since they wouldn’t be able to sell the DeWalt pin nailer as it part of the Atomic line. But they will be able to sell a Craftsman version.
Franck B.
So what do you know about a 12V Xtreme Dewalt version to sell at Lowes? 😀
Stuart
I don’t think there will be a 12V Max Xtreme Subcompact version.
There are a couple of crossover tools, where there are similar Xtreme and Atomic tools in 12V Max and 20V Max systems, but in this case I think the pricing would be way off compared to what users would expect to see. And while perhaps fitting for the Atomic line, it’d be too big for Xtreme Subcompact. Unless of course Dewalt develops a brand new model for the 12V Max line, but I don’t think that would fit their engineering pattern of the past few years.
Franck B.
I figured if Milwaukee can make an M12 cable stapler, then there’s not much stopping Dewalt from making a 12V Xtreme pinner, except like you said, there’s not much market for it.
On the other hand, the Big D has a lot of tools which I didn’t think there’s a market for, like a 1/2″ impact wrench in the Xtreme line… and a lot of tools they don’t make that I think people would want (well I want them at least).
How about a Flexvolt truck starter? Dewalt sells them with SLAs, so they’re low on battery just when you need them, or ruined if you leave them plugged in.
Sorry for digressing.
Stuart
Milwaukee also has an M12 pin nailer – https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-m12-cordless-pin-nailer/ .
It’s a valid prediction, about a potential 12V Max Xtreme model, I just feel that it’s unlikely.
Will Dewalt devote limited R&D resources to develop a 12V Max pin nailer that might not be appreciably smaller, lighter, or less expensive than the Atomic model?
An Xtreme version of the Atomic nailer might still cost too high to drive sufficient sales volume, while a standalone Xtreme design might also be hard to justify.
Is there a market for it? Absolutely. But is that more limited market large enough for Dewalt to develop such a tool?
With Milwaukee, they went M12 – which they can due the system’s popularity – and that’s it so far. It wouldn’t be wrong or unexpected for Dewalt to simply offer the Atomic model unless or until they can scale things down significantly.
Big Richard
DeWalt has a battery jump starter that runs off of their 20v/FlexVolt batteries as well. It says it can do “certain V8s”, so depends on what you have in your truck.
https://www.dewalt.com/product/dxae20vbb/20v-max-cordless-professional-battery-booster-tool-only
Jared
The lack of tool-free depth adjustment does seem like a significant compromise. Looks like there are other aspects that were downgraded too – e.g. there’s a bit of metal housing that’s plastic on the Craftsman, less rubber pads… is the pin capacity lower for the Craftsman? It looks shorter.
None of that seems as bothersome as the depth-adjuster though.
When I think back to that chart showing how SBD thought Craftsman would span the market from homeowner to pro, I wonder if this is a change or right in-line with that plan. E.g. I interpreted it as there would be tools under Craftsman livery every bit as premium as the Dewalt offerings – but also lower tier budget versions.
It seems like Craftsman is stopping short of being a direct Dewalt competitor though. Not that Craftsman’s RP offerings aren’t good, even pro-grade tools; just that it seems like maybe the highest-tier is being reserved for Dewalt.
Nathan
something typical of manufacturing these days is making additional product with short spec items.
Intel probably pioneered this but I’m not sure. Device X is supposed to perform with specs _____. as you make them and 100% unit test them you find some 34% or more of your batches don’t make it. but they still function to some degree, well OK them use them in another product line that is less capable. This is the I7 vs I5 selling points for example.
I have always said HF tools come from this as well. They are similar to other products becasue they are made in the same factorys. and when motor X does make the torque or draw spec for Dewalt, Milaukee, etc – it goes in a bin. That bin is bought wholesale by HF and they make a tool with the part.
In this case I can see where perhaps the motor and maybe the motor controller are both short spec devices that fall out of the Dewalt production. But they are good enough to still work at a lessened capacity. Hence the shorter nail bit.
To further differentiate the product – they remove a few more bits like the adjustment knob and call it a day while lowering the price enough to differentiate it from the Dewalt premium. To be fair if I wanted a 23 ga pinner I’d be temped to get one even with a different battery platform.
Jim Felt
I always think of those now ancient 286 series still being employed as toaster elements. (An old joke from my distant past). Groan.
bob
well, dewalt makes quality tools.
fact is, however anal i am, yellow gets dirty quickly, and just doesn’t clean up nicely. at least red hides the dirt better.
hence, no yeller in the crypt, save for the dws780 and dw735
Julian Tracy
Not taking about ratchets, lol. If you’ve got dirty hands while using a pin nailer, you’re already behind the 8ball in terms of how you handle final finish carpentry – the general use-case for pin nailers.
Ddot
Function first then form.