Craftsman came out with a new 20V Max Compact Personal Fan, model CMCE010B, and I’d say it looks to be entirely true to its name.
The new fan is part of Craftsman’s V20 cordless power tool system.
It features a double-knuckle pivot design that adjusts for easier aiming and collapses for transport and storage.
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The fan head can pivot up to 180°.
Key Features & Specs
- V20 battery compatibility
- Up to 200 CFM air flow on high setting
- Variable speed dial
- 180° pivoting head
- Up to 46 hours of runtime (on low speed with a CMCB204 4Ah battery)
- Weighs just 0.9 lbs (tool-only)
Pricing & Availability
The Craftsman compact cordless fan is available as a bare tool.
Price: $24 (tool-only, CMCE010B)
ETA: Available Now
Discussion
Part of me is thinking: where’s the clamp? Where are the multiple mounting options? But, I like that it’s simple and can fold over and collapse for storage.
This seems like a solid accessory for Craftsman V20 cordless power tool users looking for a compact and highly portable fan.
If you need or want something larger, Craftsman also has a V20 jobsite fan:
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Steve
You said the same thing I did, “where’s the clamp”?
Big Richard
They have a few fun new little tools.
Their rotary tool is finally available: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-V20-Rotary-Tool-Bare/5013068599
Soldering iron should be available soon: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN/5013090773
Jared
Very Ryobi like – both in design and pricing. I don’t care about the clamp – I like that it sits on the battery as a base. This looks pretty tempting!
I’m glad SBD is fleshing out the product line. Craftsman power tools were very promising at launch, but so far they haven’t really grown into a true Ryobi competitor.
Stuart
Not quite – the Ryobi is completely different. https://toolguyd.com/ryobi-cordless-fan-pcf02/
Jared
“Completely” different? 🤔 Nah! 😛
I shouldn’t have used the word “design” there – that’s not really what I meant. I realize Ryobi made a clamp fan with a different pivot style and a two-speed control rather than a dial. There’s no copying going on or anything like that.
I just meant these seem like very similar tools – two very compact “personal”-sized fans for sale at similar price points. In that sense these two fans are direct competitors.
Sean
I still don’t see the appeal of the Craftsman line when they’re so many DeWalt options with a more comprehensive line. DeWalt has budget DIY offerings all the way to pro level.
Craftsman also has limited retailers whereas DeWalt deals can be found from a wide variety of vendors.
Franck B.
If Craftsman has what you need, then those nearly identical tools are often 50-75% the price of the Dewalt versions. I often have both versions of the same tool from the two lines and in most cases their performance is the same in actual use, despite some small differences on paper.
But if you don’t see the appeal, that’s no problem–Dewalt is there to take your money!
Jared
The “homeowner to pro” marketing when these Craftsman tools launched seemed appealing. Kind of like “one line to rule them all”.
They haven’t got there yet though – and I think Ryobi is proactively seeking to steal SBD’s thunder.
It seemed like Craftsman’s initial plan was to have Ryobi-level breath and entry-level pricing – but also include Dewalt-level premium options. Instead they painted a bunch of Porter Cable and Dewalt designs red.
I can’t hold it against them if it was just a stop gap to get the brand started, however it is heartening to see NEW designs starting to appear in the lineup.
Meanwhile, Ryobi already has a Ryobi number of innovative tool offerings – and I can’t help but wonder if the higher tier “HP” line of tools was a direct shot at SBD’s plan for Craftsman.
MIKE GUENTHER
The larger Craftsman job site fan is reminiscent of the Ryobi. I haven’t looked at the C fan, but the two Ryobi fans I have are hybrids. Can use 18v battery or you can plug into an extension cord.
Franck B.
The Craftsman and Dewalt 511/512 jobsite fans both work with the battery or line voltage. The heads on the two fans are nearly identical designs, but the “upgraded” Dewalt version is more similar to the Craftsman. The way the batteries mount in the base is different, and the Craftsman has 3 speeds instead of infinitely variable speeds. For that different and to use Dewalt batteries, it costs more than twice as much at sale prices.
Stuart
That is incorrect; the Dewalt DCE512 does not have an AC port.
https://toolguyd.com/dewalt-cordless-fan-dce512b/
Franck B.
I stand corrected. But they all use the same fan part number!
Franck B.
I was confused because I typed “DCE512” on Amazon and the listing comes up with both versions, with the DCE511 selected, and displays all the relevant specs for the old one.
Stuart
I’ve fallen for the same thing a couple of times too!
And with the DCE512, it’s not obvious that it lacks an AC power option.
Roberto
How cute. It looks like a cartoon character I can’t quite place. Maybe Lumière from Beauty and the Beast, or maybe some other puppy dog eyed character hopping around on a foot.
L
Made me think of Pixar’s desk lamp mascot, Luxo Jr.
Robert
That’s the one. Shame Pixar and Craftsman have lost their magic.
Nathan
it’s a neat idea as was the ryobi one. I sort of want a clamp model but maybe not.
maybe a belt hook option for the base. thinking it could hook on the belt – blow up at me – while I say Mow the yard – in august.
I could also maybe see using this under a car or to cart up to a attic etc. vs the other jobsite fan.
Don Julio
I have both the Craftsman and Ryobi 4” fans in hand. Tried them this evening. If the lack of a clamp is a deal breaker or you’re invested in Ryobi, go with the green tool. It’s nice and and you won’t regret it.
That said and otherwise, the Craftsman 4” fan is a superior accessory. Far more flow. Also noise, but the top speeds here aren’t close. If you dial the Craftsman variable speed knob way back to match the Ryobi’s top speed, the noise level is similar.
The lack of a clamp allows the Craftsman model to collapse far more compactly than the Ryobi.
The clamp is the whole game for the Ryobi. Too bad the Craftsman doesn’t have a rafter hook that would do the job of a clamp.
Big Richard
New for 2023 is a cordless misting fan – https://www.craftsman.com/product/cmce003c1/v20-cordless-misting-fan
Mounts right on top of a 5 gallon bucket and you just let its siphon hose hang in the bucket of water. You can also attach it directly to a garden hose.