Has Anyone Used the Craftsman C3 Impact Wrench Professionally?

Techniker · Mar 20, 2011

Tonight I went to Sears and purchased my new Craftsman C3 Impact Wrench- I was able to get it down to $80. I have been watching it for months but kept putting off buying one; I have my own air tools which I am quite happy with and in a shop with plentiful air hose connections and compressed air, it seemed superfluous to buy it.

However, I now have a friend's vehicle who I promised I would work on for her (just replacing an O2 sensor I assume- I still have to check the wiring first though) and given the angle that I think it may be at and all of the parts around it, I may not be able to get enough leverage on it with a regular ratchet. And if it comes to needing a breaker bar, I'm doomed. Also, when I work on her car, I won't have access to shop air. Therefore, I decided that was enough reason to buy the impact gun.

The more I think about it also, the more I realize it would be nice to not have to hook into an air line or to be able to work outside if I want to. I can also haul it around to pull parts at the junkyard.

I was reading a couple of reviews online and there seems to be even a few professional users who are fans of the Craftsman C3 Impact Wrench. I am planning on keeping mine now mostly in my box at the shop. Has anyone here tried using it in a shop and if so, what do you think of it? How is it holding up?

Thanks,
Techniker

4x4gearhead · Mar 20, 2011

A guy i worked with had one and he liked it I used it a few times before I had a cordless didnt really compete with a my ct4850 but hey if it gets you laid you made out on top.

Techniker · Mar 21, 2011

What did he use it on? Did it at least get the job done?

Thanks,
Techniker

BajaBound · Mar 21, 2011

I have one but I am no pro... Works much better with the lithium. It's pretty dang strong for what it is.

Nosferatu · Mar 21, 2011

I just got one a couple weeks ago and used it this weekend to do a tire rotation on my girlfriends 3/4 ton van. It took a few hits, but it zipped all of the lugs off, which were torqued to 140ft/lbs

It's a good deal for the money.

Longevity is a crapshoot these days with C-man power tools though. I went through a few 14.4v drills within a year and had pretty much given up on C-man power tools, but this impact was such a good deal, I had to give it a try.

Techniker · Mar 21, 2011

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm really glad to hear that it can take out 140 ft-lbs. It says it can do up to 200 ft-lbs on the package but when I bought it, I decided that if it could take off light truck lugs, I would be happy so I am glad to hear another confirmed report.

I also went ahead and bought the 3-year extended protection warranty for $15 on it. I almost never pay for extended protection, but I decided that if I was going to use it in the shop, I may very well have to take advantage of it- if nothing else it's cheap peace of mind (and I'm an incessant worrier).

-Techniker

TireTracks · Mar 21, 2011

My grandpa's got one. I've used to to bust lug nuts loose on tractors and trailers. works fine. he carryes it in his jeep to change tires when they are traveling. holds a charge for months.

Mr.Nutcase · Mar 21, 2011

I have it, its is great.... strong
I have taken off struts bolts, ball joints, ect, and
I took engine with transaxle in junkyard afew months ago.....
It made the job fast.//

BajaBound · Mar 21, 2011

Today I rotated my tires with the impact on my 1ton dodge ram. I keep everything extra tight (breaker bar) as I travel to baja and spend as much time as I can in the dirt pre running and it busted everything loose and tightened it all back nicely. It has saved my tail in the dirt during the 2010 baja 1k.

Techniker · Mar 21, 2011

BajaBound said:
Today I rotated my tires with the impact on my 1ton dodge ram. I keep everything extra tight (breaker bar) as I travel to baja and spend as much time as I can in the dirt pre running and it busted everything loose and tightened it all back nicely. It has saved my tail in the dirt during the 2010 baja 1k.

Wow, that's so cool!

So at $80 (okay, really $99 after tax and warranty protection plan), did I do the right thing and buy it? I have made bigger purchases before but I am drastically (and I mean like 80%) over my tool budget this month. Normally I have better self control than this...

Thanks,
Techniker

willysrule · Mar 21, 2011

I have one and like it...not the best out there but it does what I would expect!

bluebolt · Mar 22, 2011

I use mine a lot in my home hobby shop and in the junk yards when pulling parts. One of my favorite tools, rarely get the air impact out any more. One thing I can say if it won't loosen something don't sit there trying to get it out overworking the tool. I did that to mine and the socket retainer ball popped out. Was still barely in the one year warranty so took it back and got a new one which has worked fine.

porphyre · Mar 26, 2011

Sears is having a sale. I just picked up this kit:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00917339000P

For $107 after tax. Has the C3 19.2v Impact Wrench, a 3" impact extension, 2 batteries and a charger. Regular price is $169.99.

It will be used almost exclusively to do wheel swaps on track days. Only 80ft/lbs on the lugs, so I hope it'll do ok. I got tired of breaking the lugs w/ a bar then spinning them off with a drill.

ourkid2000 · Mar 28, 2011

Used mine today to take my wheels off for a brake job. My 06 Honda Civic has it's lugs torqued to 85 ft-lbs and being in the east coast of Canada, they're usually a bit rusted on after the winter.

Anyways, it hauled those lugs off without a struggle......piece of cake. Thumbs up for this tool.

KU_MechE · Mar 28, 2011

porphyre said:
Sears is having a sale. I just picked up this kit:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00917339000P

For $107 after tax. Has the C3 19.2v Impact Wrench, a 3" impact extension, 2 batteries and a charger. Regular price is $169.99.

It will be used almost exclusively to do wheel swaps on track days. Only 80ft/lbs on the lugs, so I hope it'll do ok. I got tired of breaking the lugs w/ a bar then spinning them off with a drill.

Shows up as $120+tax now. Is the $99 sale over, or is a coupon available?

porphyre · Mar 28, 2011

KU_MechE said:
Shows up as $120+tax now. Is the $99 sale over, or is a coupon available?

It was on sale for $119.99. I used a coupon code (SDEALS817) for $5 off $50 ($114.99) then they were having a 2-day online only sale for 10% off ($103.49) + tax.

Always put stuff into your shopping cart to see all the sales. Their daily sales do not show on the main item listings pages.

For instance, I just put this into my cart and see Sears is running a 5% off sale, today only:

SDEALS817 - $5 off $50 Total Purchase.
-$5.00
PromotionOnline Only! Extra 5% off tool items $79.99 to $199.99! Valid 3/28.
-$5.75

So you could grab it today for $109.24 + tax & shipping. ($0, if you do ship to store)

For a decent cordless impact, 2 batteries, a 1 hr quick charger, and an extension, it's a good price.

EDIT - Hot damn. Found a coupon code over in the hot deals thread. TLSTHANKS 10% off tools March 25th - April 8th, 2011. I just tried it and it stacked. $102.59. Go buy that sucker, KUMechE. Buying things will make you feel better after getting blown out.

WSMC633 · Mar 28, 2011

I bought mine on a whim, a couple of weeks ago I used it while lifting my truck. It pulled all 4 wheels, tore out the whole front end on an IFS GMC, tore apart and re-assembled the rear on a single lithium. Not one bolt it couldn't free and I didn't have to fight with air-lines. Big Thumbs up. It does work considerably better with the Lithiums though.

I just started a VW restoration for a client and tore it down this weekend. Only thing it couldn't break loose was to really rusted lug nuts. Took a breaker, a pipe and jumping up and down to crack 'em free.

Overall I think it's great for the money. It's never going to compete with a proper high-end Air impact, but for 90% of the time, it's nice to not be dealing with air-lines.

KU_MechE · Mar 29, 2011

So, I went to purchase today and found they're running a 15% off online sale and the $5 coupon stacks too. Free Pickup

Sale Price: $119.99
Tax: $8.58
Savings: $-22.25
Total: $106.32

porphyre · Mar 31, 2011

KU_MechE said:
So, I went to purchase today and found they're running a 15% off online sale and the $5 coupon stacks too. Free Pickup

Sale Price: $119.99
Tax: $8.58
Savings: $-22.25
Total: $106.32

Awww, dude, didn't you see my post about the TLSTHANKS code? 10% off. You coulda got it for like $92 +tax.

BTW, I got mine today. It zings off my 80ft/lbs lug nuts with ease. Doesn't even break a sweat.

Interesting thing to note is that the 3" extension that comes in the kit is NOT labeled Craftsman, no markings at all actually, so is not warrantable. Also, the papers that come with it say specifically not to use the extension with pneumatic tools.

Weird, eh?

BajaBound · Mar 31, 2011

The price is killer right now!

KU_MechE · Mar 31, 2011

porphyre said:
Awww, dude, didn't you see my post about the TLSTHANKS code? 10% off. You coulda got it for like $92 +tax.

I did try TLSTHANKS but it didn't stack with the automatic 15% online discount.
I played with one in the store and the trigger control felt awesome. Very precise. Anyway, Thanks for the coupon codes and I can't wait to use it.

porphyre · Mar 31, 2011

That is so weird. I'm sorry it didn't work for you; it works for me (even if I didn't get to use it on this item). The 15% sale goes until midnight tonight.

I just did this:

No Image Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt Cordless 1/2" Wrench Kit 17339
Sears item # 00917339000 Mfr.model # 17339

Reg Price: $169.99
Savings: $50.00
$119.99
$ 119.99
PromotionThank you! Take an extra 10% off Tools Sold by Sears!
-$12.00
PromotionOnline Only! Extra 15% off tools! Applies to items Sold by Sears.
-$16.20
Item Total $ 91.79
Pick Up

Estimated Pre-Tax Total: $ 91.79
Enter zip code to estimate sales tax

OK Cancel
Subtotal: $ 91.79
Est. Pre-tax Total: $ 91.79
Coupon Savings: $ 12.00
Total Savings: $28.20

tool_enthusiast · Apr 6, 2011

I have owned my Craftsman C3 Impact Wrench for over a year now. I am not a professional, but I used it plenty of times on my cars and my friends' cars and so far there has not been any lugnut this thing could not remove. I once had the Makita BTW450 LXT impact (with 325 ft. lbs of torque) so I have something to compare with. For some reason, the power on the Makita didn't feel any different than the C3. Even though the C3 is only rated at 200 ft. lbs, I felt it removed lugnuts better than the Makita did. Plus the C3 has other advantages over the Makita such as:

(1) C3 has variable speed, the Makita did not
(2) C3 was much smaller and lighter than the Makita

I have been completely satisfied with mine. I would probably just recommend that you buy the lithium ion battery because they work so much better than the standard 19.2 nicads. Plus they have a battery level indicator built in which is very useful.

bowlofturtle · Apr 9, 2011

^ too bad i couldn't get it for $90 something. I have a 19.2v battery and charger already.

I've been thinking about getting one. I have a 25-33 gal compressor and a IR 2135TI impact but i hate having to fire it up everytime i want to rotate tires or swap in my coilovers. I wish this came out a couple years back before i bought the compressor. ebay has it refrurbs for about $110 shipped no taxes. Refrubs done by sears store, 2 battery, gun and charger. So no "bag" or extention.

Aspen · Aug 31, 2011

Sears is having another sale on these and ends today. Comes out to $101.15 plus shipping and any applicable taxes. Comes with 2 batteries and charger.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917339000P

I went into the store and they had a Dewalt next to this one. The Craftsman felt lighter and more balanced than the Dewalt which sort of surprised me.

I know Dewalt is better overall but for the price difference, I was willing to give this a try.

jon619 · Sep 1, 2011

Aspen said:
Sears is having another sale on these and ends today. Comes out to $101.15 plus shipping and any applicable taxes. Comes with 2 batteries and charger.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917339000P

I went into the store and they had a Dewalt next to this one. The Craftsman felt lighter and more balanced than the Dewalt which sort of surprised me.

I know Dewalt is better overall but for the price difference, I was willing to give this a try.

Thanks. I used coupon code ONEDAY to get 15% off. I gave it a shot for under $120 total.

occupant · Nov 27, 2013

I'm looking to possibly use one for roadside assistance work. Other $100-$150 cordless impacts seem to be less than stellar. So I did a Google search for the part number (17339) and lucky me, I found a GJ thread talking about the exact way I'd like to use it.

I'm digging up this old thread to ask those of you who did take advantage of some of these decent sales, how has it been working for you over the last two years.

I typically do 2-3 tire changes a day roadside. I'm a cheap miserable ***** and have been working a Harbor Freight 4-way to death for the last four months. It's starting to bend in the middle and looks like a pinwheel now when I spin it. The last time I drove a tow truck in 2007 I purchased a Snap On CT4850HO and it cut my tire change times by a huge amount. Instead of taking 10 to 15 minutes with cars whizzing by my ****, I was knocking them out in 2 to 3 minutes. Now I really wish I was making enough money to afford another one of those, and I'm still looking out for a used one, but $145 for one of these new sounds pretty good. I have an inverter in the back of my Suburban that would charge it just fine in between uses. From reading reviews on Amazon and Sears/Craftsman websites, it seems the $85 High Capacity Li-Ion battery is a worthy upgrade. So I'd also love to know who is still using the stock NiCads and who has decided to try out the optional batteries.

bluebolt · Nov 27, 2013

I have had one for about 4 years and love it. Mostly use it with Ni-Cads but I ahve one Li-Ion I occasionally use. The high amp hour battery is on this holidays wish list.

teamarctic · Nov 27, 2013

Im an auto technician and use it multiple times a day since april with no problems.. Only really use it for taking tires off, but it does just fine at that. I will more than likely upgrade to a snap on once this one dies.

6-Speed · Nov 28, 2013

Stick with the Li-ion batteries.

stioc · Jun 9, 2014

Thread-revival since it has good info.

They seem to be discounted again, I just picked one up with tax and free shipping for $97 out the door. They wouldn't let me apply any coupons because it's a 'Hot Buy'

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00931305000P

I bought it on a whim because I too hate firing up my 25gal air compressor for smaller jobs like rotating tires. I had sworn off C-Man drills/drivers since the 9.2v days (10years ago?) and had been using Bosch as my new fav 1/4" drill/drivers. However, when I started comparing the prices on the 1/2" impact wrenches I had to give this one a try especially after reading this thread.

GSteg · Jun 9, 2014

The Craftsman is a gem for the price. It's not the most powerful, but it does fine for most tire jobs. Of course, I had to have lithium. The nicad battery that comes with the kit is average at best.

quattroJoe · Jun 9, 2014

Agreed on the lithium vs nicad issue. I picked up this kit a while back for home use for $80 or $90. The nicad battery is pretty 'Meh,' but with a lithium pack it's like a whole different tool. The higher capacity packs seem to produce a bit more torque too. I bought the larger XCP pack just for use with the impact, goes on sale for $80 about once every month or two (normal price is $100.)

stioc · Jun 10, 2014

Good info on the Li-Ons but $80 on sale for them is a bit steep and brings the total cost up to the Milwaukee, Dewalt etc level. Is the charger different too for those or can you at least use the one that comes with the kit?

Zapp Branigan · Jun 10, 2014

I just picked up the 1/2" impact & 4-1/2"angle grinder combo for $179. Came with two Li-ion batteries, one compact and one high capacity. Also comes with a multi-chemistry charger. I already had a bunch of C3 stuff so I stayed with it for this. So far I'm pretty pleased with it. The whole experience of ordering from Sears is another story though....

GSteg · Jun 10, 2014

Russell said:
Good info on the Li-Ons but $80 on sale for them is a bit steep and brings the total cost up to the Milwaukee, Dewalt etc level. Is the charger different too for those or can you at least use the one that comes with the kit?

Unfortunately, you'll need the dual chemistry charger for the lithium battery. it's still a better value than the Dewalt to me. The Dewalt is a POS for the price. Sorry if I offended anyone. The closest Milwaukee you'll get is the M18 Fuel compact gun.

Super Sport · Jun 10, 2014

This week Sears has a C3 drill on sale for $70 or $80, and it comes with two lithium batteries and the charger you'll need. It's cheaper to buy a kit with a drill than to buy them separate.

ssbtech · Jun 16, 2014

I have the 1/2" C3 Impact as well as a drill I got in a kit with charger and Li-Ion battery.

For the price they're hard to beat. Both feel well made, the drill seems better made than my homeowner/DIY grade Dewalt drill.

My only complaint about the C3 line is the limited selection and high prices in Canada. I'd like the 4AH XCP battery but it's nowhere to be found up here.

mikebramel · Jun 19, 2014

Buy the kit with the grinder, it has two lithium batteries and the charger for like 180. pretty good gun... grinder...eee nice polisher lol

Has Anyone Used the Craftsman C3 Impact Wrench Professionally?

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