Craftsman Updates Its Belt Sander Catalogue with Cordless Brushless Power
Craftsman’s V20 battery platform is home to more than 100 cordless solutions, featuring power tools, DIY-friendly products, and more. However, the brand has thus far been lacking any cordless belt sanders— that is, until now. The V20 Brushless RP Belt Sander is the first of its kind for Craftsman. I got ahold of it to see what it has to offer and what types of work it would benefit.
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Craftsman V20 Brushless RP Belt Sander Performance
- Model: Craftsman CMCW223
- Max speed: 950 FPM
- 5 speed settings
- Variable speed dial
- Power source: Craftsman 20V battery
- Brushless motor
The Craftsman V20 CMCW223 belt sander reaches top sanding speeds of 950 FPM with five speed settings to choose from. You can adjust your speed using the variable speed dial located above the handle.
Compared to detail sanders and even orbital sanders, belt sanders provide plenty of surface area for larger sanding projects.
As Craftsman’s first cordless belt sander, I appreciate how they went with a brushless motor for optimum performance. In fact, this model is the brand’s only brushless sander to date, with the rest of the lineup being either corded or brushed.
Craftsman V20 Brushless RP Belt Sander Design
- Dimensions: 12.4 x 6.4 x 10.2 inches
- Weight: 6.8 pounds (bare)
- Sanding belt size: 3 x 18 inches
- 3-position auxiliary handle
- Airlock or dust bag compatible
- Tool-free belt tracking
- Tool-free belt installation
- Trigger lock-on
This sander weighs just under 7 pounds as a bare tool. While that may seem hefty, this tool actually weighs less than some other belt sanders we’ve tested over the years. For example, Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel belt sander weighs 7.5 pounds bare, while DeWalt’s 20V model clocks in at 8.5 pounds.
Considering those models are targeting slightly higher performance levels than Craftsman is here, this weight is right on par with what we’d expect.
The CMCW223 uses 3×18-inch sanding belts. Craftsman includes one 80-grit sanding belt in the box to get you started. Installing and adjusting the belt is also a tool-free process, with a clip to allow installation and a knob for tracking adjustment.
The auxiliary handle can also be adjusted between three positions. To adjust it, loosen the locking dial by turning it counter-clockwise and then set the handle to your preferred position. Then re-tighten the locking dial.
Using the Craftsman V20 Brushless Belt Sander
I grabbed some scrap wood pieces to test out this tool’s sanding capabilities, and it performed quite well at a variety of speed settings. The dust collection bag came in handy too— I like the zipper design that lets you empty it easily when it fills up with sawdust. You can also hook up a vacuum hose to the same port if you prefer that over a bag.
Additionally, balance was no issue using the 2.0Ah battery I employed during testing. If you’re after more runtime, I imagine larger-capacity batteries will likewise be as balanced.
One detail I found useful was the power-locking function. To combat fatigue, Craftsman included a trigger lock-on button that lets you keep the tool powered on without the need to constantly hold the trigger. Using it is easy: just hold the trigger and engage the lock-on button. To release, simply press the trigger again.
Craftsman V20 Brushless RP Belt Sander Price
This sander retails for $129 as a bare tool and there are no kit options at the time of writing. Craftsman backs your purchase with a 3-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
The CMCW223 belt sander provides a welcome update to Craftsman’s sanding lineup, bringing brushless technology and competitive performance levels. A well-balanced design coupled with plenty of choice gives this tool an advantage in DIY and homeowner spaces. If there’s something missing from your V20 collection, consider picking up this sander to help fill the gap.
