Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver Proves Its Worth for Budget-Minded Users
Hot on the heels of our hammer drill review, the Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver (CMCF820) is up for its evaluation. It boasts mid-range Pro-level power, so we’ll see if it rises to the level that Pros expect across the board.
Pros
- Made in the USA with global materials in Charlotte, NC
- Lightweight (under 3 lbs with battery)
- Comfortable handle design
- Brushless motor
- 3 LED surrounding the collet
Cons
- Performance lags behind its closest competition
Craftsman CMCF820 Impact Driver Performance
Impact drivers do most of their work driving screws and that’s where the speed and impact rate come into play. At 2900 RPM and 3800 IPM, it’s in the range that we expect our Pro models to live in, though it is short of what premium models have. It’s very close to what Ryobi’s HP brushless model has.
That said, there’s enough driving speed here that you shouldn’t feel slighted in the least. It’ll handle everything from drywall screws to deck screws easily and quickly.
When you want to go beyond a basic 3-inch screw to something like a timber screw or RSS screw, you’ll need more torque. We prefer to keep our 18V/20V Max models over 1500 in-lbs, and Craftsman gives you 1700 to work with.
Arguably, you should move up to an impact wrench if you’re doing a lot of work with longer, thicker fasteners, but this will work for occasional use on them. Realistically, you’ll want to stick with 1/4-inch screws or thinner. You might get away with a 3/8-inch lag, but you’ll be pushing it.
Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver Key Features
3-Speed Brushless Motor
The overall feature set isn’t the deepest we’ve ever seen, but Craftsman does a good job with what they include. Having a brushless motor has its benefits.
Going with three speed settings isn’t groundbreaking. However, Craftsman puts its switch above the battery. Normally, you’ll see electronic push-button control down there or a mechanical switch above the motor. What I like about this design is that there’s an obvious click when you move from one mode to the next and it seems less likely to fail over time than some of the blister buttons models that are susceptible to cracking in extremely cold conditions.
One-Hand Bit Insertion
Craftsman’s 1/4-inch collet is a one-hand effort, letting you slide the bit in without having to pull the collet out to receive it. You also get a spring-loaded ejection. Those are a couple of little things that make it just a bit more convenient to use.
LED Lights
Finally, the Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver uses a three-LED configuration that surrounds the chuck. I love this style for eliminating shadows and getting a lot of light on the fastener.
Additional Features
- Reversible belt hook
- Forward/lock/reverse rocker switch
Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver Ergonomics
Like the hammer drill, Craftsman’s brushless impact driver shares a DeWalt-esque handle design that contours to your hand well. The slide pack battery style gives it more flexibility there. Textured rubber overmold helps secure your grip and offers better comfort.
Without the battery, the driver weighs 2.1 pounds. The compact 2.0 Ah battery adds just 13 ounces to make it ready to work at 2.9 pounds. Keeping it under 3 pounds with a battery is a win in my book.
Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver Price
The Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver sits between Pro and DIY/homeowner models with a kit price of $169 with two 2.0 Ah batteries and a bare tool price at $99 at Lowe’s.
That pricing matches up well on the Prosumer/entry-level Pro side as a bare tool and as a kit.
The Bottom Line
The Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver suits the needs of DIYers, Prosumers, and Pros with solid specs and an ergonomically excellent design. There are some luxury features missing that you’ll find on premium (and much higher priced) models, but we really like the overall design.
The biggest challenge for Craftsman is going to be setting itself apart enough in performance and price to compete with newer models targetting the same users.
Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver Key Features
- Proudly made in the USA with global materials in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Part of the V20 Cordless System
- Brushless motors provide up to 100% more runtime and improved durability
- Quick release chuck for easy one-handed bit changes
- Variable 3-speed settings
- 3-light LED system surrounding the chuck
Craftsman V20 Brushless Impact Driver Specifications
- Model: Craftsman CMCF820
- Power Source: Craftsman V20 battery pack
- No Load Speed: 0-1,300/2,600/2,900 RPM
- Impacts/Min: 3800 IPM
- Torque: 1700 in-lbs
- Chuck Size: 1/4″ hex
- Number of Speed Settings: 3
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 5.5 x 2.8 x 7.8 in.
- Weight: 2.1 lbs. bare, 2.9 lbs. with 2.0 Ah battery
- Warranty: 3 years limited
- Price: $99 bare, $169 kit with two 2.0 Ah batteries
