Now that we’ve had the opportunity to test out the Craftsman V20 Brushless Hammer Drill (CMCD721), let’s dive into where it stands in the world of tools. Craftsman, a brand under Stanley Black & Decker, is known for its association with other reputable brands like DeWalt, Stanley, and Black+Decker. With rumors circulating about it potentially replacing Porter-Cable and gaining significant floor space at Lowe’s, we must determine whether it falls into the Pro, Prosumer, or DIY category.
The Advantages
- Professional-Grade Features and Design
- High-Speed Performance
- Lightweight Design
- Great Value for Money
The Shortcoming
- Limited Torque for Compact Tasks
Design
The Craftsman CMCD721 V20 Brushless Hammer Drill features a standard professional-grade design and a set of impressive features. The handle design closely resembles that of DeWalt, with its sleek curves and comfortable overmolding. Here’s a comprehensive list of its features:
- 2-speed brushless motor
- 1/2″ ratcheting metal chuck
- 14 clutch settings, including drill and hammer drill modes
- Forward/lock/reverse rocker switch
- LED work light positioned above the battery
- Double-sided belt hook
The only notable missing feature is the assist handle, which may be necessary for certain low-speed applications. Additionally, there is no bit holder included, although this is a minor inconvenience.
The bare metal drills weigh 2.7 lbs and 3.5 lbs respectively, and come with a 2.0 Ah battery pack. These weights are reasonable for compact Pro and Prosumer models, and they are slightly lighter than their closest competitors.
Craftsman Hammer Drill Performance
The Craftsman V20 Brushless Hammer Drill boasts a professional-grade 2100 RPM no-load speed. Its hammer drill hit rate is equally impressive, clocking in at 35,700 BPM. But what about its torque capabilities?
When it comes to torque, it’s important to note that Craftsman utilizes the concept of unit watts out (UWO), a metric adopted primarily by Stanley Black & Decker. Although it may not be widely recognized outside their realm, it can still serve as a point of comparison.
For reference, DeWalt’s DCD797 compact hammer drill boasts 460 UWO, while their DCD795 compact hammer drill has 360. According to our sources, these equate to 620 and 531 inch-pounds of torque, respectively. Craftsman’s 400 UWO falls somewhere between these two values, likely around 560-570 inch-pounds.
In terms of the professional market, Craftsman’s torque falls on the lower side. These numbers align more closely with compact hammer drills rather than premium models capable of delivering over 800 inch-pounds of torque. Other brands even offer models reaching 1200+ inch-pounds.
For instance, Ryobi’s P1813 Brushless Hammer Drill delivers 750 in-lbs of torque at 1800 RPM. On the DIY side, Black+Decker’s 20V Max BDCDHP220 offers 412 in-lbs and 1500 RPM.
Craftsman seems to fall somewhere between the Prosumer and compact Pro levels in terms of specifications.
Drilling with the Craftsman CMCD721 Hammer Drill
Craftsman recommends the following capacities for the CMCD721 Hammer Drill:
- Twist: 1/2″
- Paddle bit: 1-1/4″
- Hole saw: 2″
- Concrete: 1/4″
While these are just suggestions, I decided to push the drill further using some high-quality accessories. It’s no surprise that the V20 handled augers up to 1/2″ with relative ease, performing exceptionally fast.
I tested the drill with my Bosch Daredevil Spade Bit kit, drilling at high speed. I managed to drill up to 1″, but encountered some issues as I reached the exit point. Switching to low speed, I was able to drill 1-1/2″ into PT pine, reaching the upper limits of its capabilities.
Using the same PT pine, I tackled a 3″ hole using a Bosch Daredevil hole saw. However, beyond 2″ holes, the absence of a secondary handle made low-speed boring somewhat risky.
Working with concrete proved to be less challenging than expected. The hammer drill’s 35,700 BPM made light work of concrete with just a 1/4-inch Bosch multi-purpose bit. Impressed by its performance, I proceeded to use the largest bit available (3/8 inch), and the drill handled the task brilliantly.
Craftsman Hammer Drill Prices and Value
The Craftsman V20 Brushless Hammer Drill is priced at $119 for the bare tool (CMCD721B) and $179 for the kit, which includes two 2.0 Ah batteries (CMCD721D2). It’s also available as a combo kit with a Craftsman brushless impact driver for $249.
Here’s a comparison of some competitive pricing:
- Ryobi P1813 Brushless Hammer Drill: $149 for the kit with a 4.0 Ah battery
- DeWalt DCD797 Brushless Hammer Drill: $169 for the bare tool, $219 for the kit with two 2.0 Ah batteries
- Milwaukee 2902 Compact Brushless Hammer Drill: $119 for the bare tool, $229 for the kit with two 4.0 Ah batteries
- Black+Decker BDCDHP220SB-2 Cordless Drill/Driver: $94.54 with two 1.5 Ah batteries
In terms of pricing, the Craftsman drill falls above the DIY level but remains below DeWalt’s XR models. Interestingly, Milwaukee’s compact brushless model is available at a similar price to the bare Craftsman tool. While the kit may be more expensive, it offers twice the battery capacity.
In terms of performance, Craftsman could benefit from being more competitive with Ryobi.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the Craftsman V20 Brushless Hammer Drill seems best suited for the Prosumer market considering its design, performance, and pricing. Although it may not reach the full potential of the professional market, it does offer some entry-level capabilities.
What may give some users pause is the $30 premium compared to Ryobi. However, considering its performance and price within the 18V/20V environment, it still offers excellent value.
Craftsman CMCD721 Hammer Drill Features
- Proudly Made in the USA in Charlotte, NC, using global materials
- Part of the V20 cordless system
- Brushless motor provides up to 60% longer run time and increased durability
- 1/2″ metal ratchet chuck for improved bit retention
- LED lights improve visibility in dark work areas
Craftsman V20 Brushless Hammer Drill Specifications
- Models: Craftsman CMCD721D2 (Kit), CMCD721B (Bare)
- Power: Craftsman V20 20V Max battery pack
- Chuck Size: 1/2″
- No-load speed: 0 – 600/0 – 2100 RPM
- Blow rate: 35,700 BPM
- Maximum torque: 400 UWO
- Clutch settings: 14 plus drill and hammer drill
- Weight: 2.7 lbs bare, 3.5 lbs with 2.0 Ah battery
- Length: 7.99″
- Height: 7.76″
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $119 bare, $179 kit with two 2.0 Ah batteries, $249 combo kit with brushless impact driver