I visited a local Sears to pick up a DeWalt Drill/Driver. Then, I happened to notice the 19.2V 1/2" Chuck Craftsman C3 series Drill/Driver. It produces 420 in. lbs. of torque. With two 19.2 batteries, a charger, and an accessory worklight it's under $100. A hammerdrill version without an accessory light is $103.
I returned home and charged the battery so that I could try it out. It effortlessly raises the roof of my 12' GTE Niagara with an A/C on the roof. There is absolutely no strain on this Drill/Driver. And, it only cost about 1/3 the price of the DeWalt that I was going to buy!
I also went online and searched for reviews. It seems to get consistently high ratings by folks that have been using it as long as four years. Not one complaint of a broken gear box, so I don't know if it has plastic or metal gearing. If anything, the variable speed switch has gone bad on a couple of reviewers. I also found mention that it's made by Ryobi for Craftsman.
Has anyone else tried the Craftsman 11541 C3 Series 19.2 Drill/Driver?
I've had that drill for a couple of years and have used it to raise and lower the bal scissor jacks on our 30ft tt and now I use it to raise and lower the top on our pup and the jacks also, along with everything else I use it for around the house. I don't know about the gears but it hasn't let me down.
Quote from: badabing67I've had that drill for a couple of years and have used it to raise and lower the bal scissor jacks on our 30ft tt and now I use it to raise and lower the top on our pup and the jacks also, along with everything else I use it for around the house. I don't know about the gears but it hasn't let me down.
hey just wanted to know do u have to use any kind of addapters never used any kind of drill to raise our roof
Quote from: rm9802hey just wanted to know do u have to use any kind of addapters never used any kind of drill to raise our roof
Yes, I use
Socket Jenie Adapters for the lift, and the stabilizers. The BAL leveler accepts a standard 3/4" socket, (I use a swivel socket).
Some folks use the cut end from a extra regular crank handle that they happen to own.
.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911542000P?keyword=c3+drill
Now on sale for $88.99.
Larry
Quote from: brainpausehttp://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911542000P?keyword=c3+drill
Now on sale for $88.99.
Larry
Thanks for the heads-up Larry. I just ordered one. ;)
With tax & shpg it was only $105.....not bad.
Quote from: waveryThanks for the heads-up Larry. I just ordered one. ;)
With tax & shpg it was only $105.....not bad.
No prob. Wish I needed one...I'd get it. But I've got 2 drills now.
Larry
Sears strikes again :swear: .
I haven't done business with Sears for 20 years. I had too many bad experiences with their product claims and customer service.
I got an email on the 17th stating that this drill had been shipped and should be delivered by April 21st. It didn't come on the 21st so I figured, "No big deal". It didn't come on the 22nd, so I checked with UPS using the supplied tracking #. UPS told me that the shipping label was printed on the 17th but the pkg has not been shipped yet.
I called Sears.com and their comment was, "It could take 10-20 days to receive your package". I said, "Your website says 4-6 days". She told me that was a website error and their "Terms of service statement" states that they are not responsible for website errors :eyecrazy: .
It's not a big deal because I don't need the drill right now but I hate false advertising. :banghead:
Some things just never change with these big companies. It'll be a cold day in hell when I do business with them again.
Quote from: beacherYes, I use Socket Jenie Adapters for the lift, and the stabilizers. The BAL leveler accepts a standard 3/4" socket, (I use a swivel socket).
Some folks use the cut end from a extra regular crank handle that they happen to own.
.
How do i find one that will life a coleman PU. I see they are only listed for Starcraft on this website
You can get the socket jenie (http://www.puxtradingpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=150&products_id=157&osCsid=99eea9208d22fa6e948960cfd060003b) from here. But like beacher mentioned to you, its cheaper to buy another crank handle from your dealer and cut off the handle end.
Quote from: RecumbentmanYou can get the socket jenie from here. But like beacher mentioned to you, its cheaper to buy another crank handle from your dealer and cut off the handle end.
maybe a stupid question. But if i do that, how do i get the one end to stay in my drill? Its round, so how will it get a grip. Thanks
Quote from: Jamiekmaybe a stupid question. But if i do that, how do i get the one end to stay in my drill? Its round, so how will it get a grip. Thanks
How does a drill grip a drill bit :confused: its round :eyecrazy:
Quote from: RecumbentmanHow does a drill grip a drill bit :confused: its round :eyecrazy:
anyone eles understand what i mean??
Quote from: RecumbentmanHow does a drill grip a drill bit :confused: its round :eyecrazy:
That's what a
drill chuck does!
By sheer compressive force, (and likely some metal displacement caused by sharp edges cutting into and grabbing the metal), it holds any bit placed within it's jaws.
If you tighten the chuck well, if the bit starts to spin it will shear some metal and the chuck will grab even tighter. But most 1/2" chucks can be made REALLY tight. Spinning is unlikely.
.
If you're really concerned about it, you could grind 3 small, flat surfaces on the shank for the chuck to grip. That's what they did on the Socket Genie.
Quote from: waveryIf you're really concerned about it, you could grind 3 small, flat surfaces on the shank for the chuck to grip. That's what they did on the Socket Genie.
That's what I did, using a bench grinder.
Larry
OK.....I got my new Craftsman 11541 C3 Series 19.2V Drill/Driver today :-() .
It runs the top up OK....It starts straining toward the end but I like it. It runs about half the speed of my 110v drill motor but that's a good thing.
It will be interesting to see how long the battery lasts. The good thing about this deal is that it comes with 2 batteries. The battery alone retails for $80 but if they think that I will ever buy one at that price, they're crazy :eyecrazy: . Sorta reminds me of the printer companies that sell a new printer for $100 then want you to pay $80 for a toner cartridge because you're a captive market.
I think that I will use the 110v drill at home to extend the life of the batteries. I run it up at home 3 times as much as I do while camping.
I used this drill for the 1st camp-out this weekend.
It ran my Bal-leveler about half way up and the battery ran out of juice. I never even considered bringing the 2nd battery.
IMHO, the battery life on this thing sucks.....big time. I charged it just before leaving so the battery was fully charged.
I ran the top up at home one time and it worked OK. I didn't get to try it on the top this time because the battery was dead :swear: .
Quote from: waveryI used this drill for the 1st camp-out this weekend.
It ran my Bal-leveler about half way up and the battery ran out of juice. I never even considered bringing the 2nd battery.
IMHO, the battery life on this thing sucks.....big time. I charged it just before leaving so the battery was fully charged.
I ran the top up at home one time and it worked OK. I didn't get to try it on the top this time because the battery was dead :swear: .
That's not supposed to happen! :confused:
While you guys were having fun at Pt. Magu, the family and I were camping at San Clemente, (we stayed in a hookup spot this time).
I brought my extra battery, but I didn't need it. I used the C3 for the roof, BAL, and stabilizers. All with one battery for the weekend. We will need to compare drivers at Lopez Lake.
Have you completely discharged and re-charged the batteries a few times? NiMH batteries sometimes improve after their first few cycles.
.
Anyone that can confirm this C3 is the answer to raising the camper?
I have a Coachmen Clipper and I tried a 16 volt hammer type drill/driver but
it labored far too hard and couldn't raise the roof.
I used the Craftsman 11541 C3 Series 19.2V Drill/Driver again this weekend to raise the roof on my Coleman 12' roof with and AC on top.
It did the job but I had to use both (freshly charged) batteries to get the roof up. The 1st battery got it about 1/2 way. The 2nd battery just barely finished the job.
I will try lubing the whiffle tree, pulleys and corner posts before our next camp-out. I want to give this thing every benefit of the doubt.
I look forward to hearing the outcome of the next outing with this drill.
Does it seem to really drag while it works? How can you tell you aren't
just burning it up?
Quote from: waveryI used the Craftsman 11541 C3 Series 19.2V Drill/Driver again this weekend to raise the roof on my Coleman 12' roof with and AC on top.
It did the job but I had to use both (freshly charged) batteries to get the roof up. The 1st battery got it about 1/2 way. The 2nd battery just barely finished the job.
I will try lubing the whiffle tree, pulleys and corner posts before our next camp-out. I want to give this thing every benefit of the doubt.
Quote from: waveryI used the Craftsman 11541 C3 Series 19.2V Drill/Driver again this weekend to raise the roof on my Coleman 12' roof with and AC on top.
It did the job but I had to use both (freshly charged) batteries to get the roof up. The 1st battery got it about 1/2 way. The 2nd battery just barely finished the job.
I will try lubing the whiffle tree, pulleys and corner posts before our next camp-out. I want to give this thing every benefit of the doubt.
We've just gotten the socket genie and a pop up. Still trying to figure out which drill would be best. You've had time to check this out and give it the benefit of the doubt :-) How do you feel about it now? Should we look at this or go with your other recommendations?
Thank you,
j
Quote from: JohnnaWe've just gotten the socket genie and a pop up. Still trying to figure out which drill would be best. You've had time to check this out and give it the benefit of the doubt :-) How do you feel about it now? Should we look at this or go with your other recommendations?
Thank you,
j
It depends on a number of things.
We had a 12' roof with A/C. Probably one of the heaviest roofs around. This drill will lift it fine but it takes one entire battery so we would be sure to take 2 batteries or be prepared to crank the last few revs. It seems that these batteries are very low capacity for the price.
Would I buy it again???? Yes, I would buy this again for $89 before I'd go out and spend $300 for a drill that I use for 1 minute, once or twice a month.