Craftsman has recently came out with a new cordless ratchet as part of their V20/20V Max cordless power tool system.
They didn’t exactly announce their new cordless ratchet, it quietly appeared at online retailers.
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Craftsman says that the new CMCF930B cordless ratchet delivers superior fastening speed of up to 300 RPM.
The new Craftsman ratchet features a variable speed trigger switch, 3/8″ drive, and is said to deliver up to 35 ft-lbs (420 in-lbs) of max torque.
Additionally, it is “VersaTrack-compatible,” meaning you can mount it to their special slat-wall-like organization system.
Craftsman says that the handle withstands powered or manual fastening, and it also has an LED worklight, which can be convenient for use in dim compartments and spaces.
Craftsman Cordless Ratchet Specifications
- 3/8″ drive
- 0-300 RPM variable speed
- 35 ft-lbs max torque
- 14″ length (tool only)
- Weighs 1.75 lbs (tool only)
- Forward and reverse switch
- LED worklight
Craftsman says that the CMCF930B cordless ratchet can be used for a variety of applications from automotive to maintenance and repair.
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Price: $79 – $99
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Lowe’s
Discussion
I know what a lot of you are going to say. “Where’s the Dewalt cordless ratchet?”
Well, Mac makes a Dewalt 12V Max-compatible cordless ratchet…
Craftsman has teased about a V12/12V Max cordless power system, but has not yet come out with anything aside from a V12/V20 charger.
I would have thought that a cordless ratchet would be one of the first tools to debut as part of a Craftsman 12V Max cordless power tool system, but they’ve instead launched it as part of their V20 system.
The new Craftsman ratchet has better specs compared to 10-year old technology, but is still bested by the latest Milwaukee M12 high speed ratchets of the same 3/8″ drive size. That’s not surprising, given the pricing.
It’s interesting that Craftsman only came out with a 3/8″ ratchet size, but perhaps they’ll also launch a 1/4″ cordless ratchet if this one proves to be popular. You can always use a step-down adapter if your working space allows for it.
Overall, the new Craftsman ratchet has reasonable specs, especially given its price – $79 or $99 for the bare tool, depending on whether you’re shopping at Lowe’s or Amazon.
It’s surprising and frustrating that Craftsman isn’t talking about their new cordless ratchet, quietly releasing it to the market without so much as a peep. Apparently they don’t think it’s something worth writing home – or to press/media channels – about.
While not very exciting, it’s good to see Craftsman spending more time and effort to expand their V20 cordless lineup, even if they’re doing it slowly.
It has been nearly a year since we’ve discovered new Craftsman cordless power tools – let’s hope that the next expansion comes sooner.
New Craftsman 7-1/4″ Brushless Circular Saw (CMCS550B) Looks Better Than Ryobi’s
Nathan
Well I’ll be dipped and feathered.
I’ve been wanting a MAC one for a while – but when you an find one off retail they seem to be highly abused. ALso I don’t have a 12V battery for it.
I’ve also been wanting a 20V model for a long time anyway. I think it makes more sense over all – at least in the 3/8 drive size.
Price for this seems right – feature set seems right. Shame they don’t advertise it at ALL. Now if I can get my yellow batteries to work on this so much the better . . . . .
Thanks for the heads up
PETE
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dewalt-Bauer-Hercules-20V-Battery-to-Craftsman-V20-Tool-Lithium-20-Volt/143825118749
Tom M
Craftsman 12V is likely being held up due to Lowes. Lowes already has the Dewalt 12V line as an exclusive, so they don’t have much incentive to also stock/promote a Craftsman 12V line in stores. If you don’t have a major retail partner on board, there’s no incentive to spend any effort on development. It’s the same reason Craftsman 60V all but disappeared once Lowes dropped the line.
Brian A
Lowes wont like this then since it will compete with their Kobalt 24v ratchet especially since it is cheaper.
Jared
Wow. I realize this isn’t cutting edge tech, but a ratchet seems like a highly desirable tool to introduce to a cordless lineup. I would have thought it merited some fanfare. Maybe they held back because it’s not market-leading? e.g. boast too loudly and everyone would highlight how M12 fuel has it beat?
The handle withstanding manual usage is great too – especially at this price point. Any details on what that means? A ft/lbs rating would be handy. I presume this means it can hold up to the same kind of forces you would expect from a regular-length 3/8″ ratchet (though it wouldn’t surprise me if users end up pushing on the battery and causing themselves issues).
My one gripe is the 20v size. I have the Ryobi ratchet now – it’s very handy, but I do find myself eyeballing the M12 for the compact size. Hopefully this really does herald a Dewalt 12v version!
Dave the tool
I got my son the Ryobi 18v Ratchet, mid range and high torque impact wrenches for Christmas. He is a DIYer. The Ryobi looks very similar to the Craftsman I had 5-6 years ago except I don’t believe the Craftsman had the rotating head like the Ryobi. It did however have the ability to use “pass through” sockets with a quick change out piece on the head. Me, myself I have the Milwaukee M12 brushed 3/8” ratchet and the 1/2” brushless ratchet. The Milwaukee 3/8” is one of my favorite automotive tools!
Jeff
Who wants a 20v ratchet? I wish Dewalt would make a 12v ratchet. My Milwaukee is fat handled and uncomfortable.
Tom D
Can someone show how it mounts to the versatrac?
PETE
I was thinking the same thing, https://www.craftsman.com/NA/PRODUCT/IMAGES/3000x3000x96//CMST22000/CMST22000_E4.jpg?resize=600×600
Tom D
That’s … almost interesting.
Maybe I’ll remove the belt clips on some of my M18 tools …
Nathan
I wonder then if a dewalt would fit like that.
I like my belt clips but they are only on one side.
Big Richard
These were on Lowe’s shelves back in October. They had a “buy this get that” deal with this bare ratchet and a 4Ah battery starter kit, for $99. I walked around the store 3 or 4 times contemplating buying it, but ultimately passed. Still kinda wished I would’ve bought it.
They had a similar deal at the same with their V20 stick vacuum, another tool you have to wonder if they will put on the DeWalt platform.
Steve
Another person who wants a Dewalt stick vac right here. 🙋♂️
Andrew
I have been getting ads on facebook for this tool for over a month now. Never looked for this tool, although I do own their hand tools.
Mike
I think the M12 form factor is already large enough. Maybe a full time tradesman/pro will need/want 20V and the big form factor, but I’ll stick with my M12’s…
Argie
No, I wouldn’t. Milwaukee’s m12 non fuel is 35ft lbs while the fuel has a lot more power at 55 – and it comes with the rest of the ideal (IMO) m12 lineup including the 3/8 stubby impact I use for 80% of my day.
Greg
Cool but I just can’t get it out of my head that Craftsman is too wishy washy. I guess it’s been the years of gutting by Sears with gimmicky crap that has left a lasting bad impression.
My concern is the staying power of the Craftsman battery platform if I was going to invest in it. It’s the same concern and reasoning for why I haven’t gone crazy with Dewalt 20v, bought any Kobalt 24v, or anything else. I’ve stuck loyally to Milwaukee and Makita for anything serious because they are glued to 12v / 18v and 18v / 36v platforms respectively. I do have Ryobi for the odd ball once in a while tools and Dewalt for some of the big Flexvolt tools but that’s it outside of red and teal.
Jared
I highly doubt the Craftsman V20 line is going anywhere. I appreciate the big box stores are the customers, but SBD spent and invested a lot in Craftsman.
The bigger question might be how quickly the lineup expands – introductions like this are encouraging. This might indicate Craftsman really will someday be a Ryobi competitor with a substantial breadth in the tool portfolio.
Steve
I don’t think you have to worry about Dewalt and Craftsman 20Volt systems going anywhere. They’re as solid a play as any 18/20V system gets. SBD has literally invested billions of dollars in those systems and they probably make up somewhere around 90% (an educated guess) of the cordless power tool sales for the largest power tool manufacturer. Dewalt’s 12V and 60V systems even offer cross compatibility of chargers and/or batteries with their 20V system and it looks like the Craftsman V20 system is directly derived from the Dewalt 20V technology. I think they are very safe bets.
Nathan
So on the battery and form factor questions. If you’ve not looked at other prosumer ratchets you might not notice how this is similar. Look at the battery layout. It’s laid down behind the handle. So un like a post battery with the slide on – this is as narrow as it can be and it also helps heft behind your hand.
Put another was – the perhaps number one cordless ratchet maker is not milwaukee but Ingrasol Rand. Yes they make the air stuff too but they’ve been in cordless and electiic for years. Their cordless ratchets which also come in 18V/20V form – are setup the same way. Their egronomics are fantasic from the few I’ve used.
I see this working alot the same way and how I would like to see it made. The nice thing about the milwaukee 12V pattern is that is does reduce the tool length a bit but it fattens up the handle alot. I also liked the MAC tool device when I used one – as it fit the hand well – but again slide on battery off the back made for the short form batteries.
Eitheway – It has a lot going for it, I just wish it was in yellow.
Grady
I got my first Craftsman cordless ratchet in the mid 70s.
Travis
I call b.s.
Argie
Twas a joke as the regular old school (non powered) ratchets are ‘cordless’.
I appreciate a good dad joke. Thanks Grady lol.
Mike (the other one)
Neat idea, but this seems kinda bulky. A 12 volt slim battery pack might make more sense. Sure, you don’t have to manually use a ratchet, but the weight and bulk don’t seem to be worth it. I’d have to handle one to get a better feel for it.
Kizzle
I’ve never seen the draw in cordless ratchets. I’ve always preferred impact wrenches. Where I can’t fit an impact wrench I usually don’t want to use a power tool anyway. I dunno. They’ve just always felt slow and bulky. I’m clearly in the minority though, since everyone else loves ’em.
Big Richard
Automotive work. You will have some of the tightest spots imaginable where no impact wrench can fit, you can only get a few degree rotation on a traditional ratchet/wrench, and most bolts are torqued to <35 ft lbs. I bought one specifically for this reason (I just went with the rechargeable Husky for $60, as I use it sparingly).
Nathan
when you can manually break free the bolt – then press a button and run it out. you saved some time. Taking a head off an engine you do that 10 times and you saved minutes. couple that with all the crap you have to take off to get to the head – you saved more minutes.
For alot of mechanics the shop works on book rate. IE shop manual says job take 4 hours. Jimmy tech manages to do the job in 2. Shop still charges customer for 4 hours x shop rate, and jimmy tech gets a bonus.
For me the DIY guy – I like saving time when I can because my shop rate is quite high. Put another way my time is valuable to me.
I will say though I use my impact driver for a number of things when I have the room. I don’t always have the room. That’s where this comes in.
@maintenance_essentials
Wall mount sinks. Cordless ratchets are the best tool when installing wall mount sink basins
Bob
Want this in yellow please!
NoLivesMatter
If it was brushless with more torque I would definitely buy.
Flotsam
How long has the Milwaukee M12 ratchet been available? The specs on this seem almost identical to the original offering.
I know this is a 20v model but not brushless, i would have expected a better first effort.
Big Richard
This is currently $79 ($20 off) and eligible for a free 4Ah battery and charger over at Lowes. I didn’t pass it up this time.