Craftsman Cordless 13 in WEEDWACKER String Trimmer/Edger

Navigating the world of yard maintenance tools can be tricky, and finding the right string trimmer is no exception. Today, I’m sharing my firsthand experience with the Craftsman Cordless 13 in WEEDWACKER String Trimmer/Edger, model CMCST910B. This tool is designed to offer flexibility and ease of use, but does it live up to its promises? Let’s dive into the details.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that caught my eye about this trimmer is its ergonomic design. The adjustable-length pole is a thoughtful feature, allowing users of different heights to operate the tool comfortably. The overall build feels sturdy, although it’s predominantly made of plastic, which raises some concerns about its long-term durability.

The trimmer is part of Craftsman’s V20 battery platform, which I appreciate for its versatility. However, it’s important to note that the tool does not come with a battery or charger, which means an additional purchase if you don’t already own compatible batteries.

Performance and Power

The Craftsman trimmer is equipped with a high-efficiency brushed motor and offers two speed settings. The lower setting conserves battery life, while the higher setting provides more power for tougher jobs. I found the power to be sufficient for light to medium-duty tasks, such as trimming grass and small weeds. However, it does struggle with thicker vegetation, where a more powerful gas trimmer would excel.

The 13-inch cutting swath is a sweet spot for residential use, offering a good balance between coverage and precision. The tool is also VERSATRACK compatible, which makes storage a breeze if you use this system.

Usability and Comfort

One of the standout features is the push-button feed for line control. In theory, this should make the trimmer extremely user-friendly, eliminating the need to bump the head to advance the line. Unfortunately, this feature proved to be the tool’s Achilles' heel.

From my experience, the line feed mechanism worked inconsistently at best. Initially, it functioned as expected, but it wasn’t long before I encountered issues. The line would often get stuck, requiring me to stop frequently to manually adjust it. This not only disrupted my workflow but also became quite frustrating over time.

Battery Life

Battery life is always a concern with cordless tools, and this trimmer is no exception. Using a 4.0Ah battery, I managed to get about 30 minutes of runtime on the lower speed setting, which is adequate for small yards. On the higher speed setting, the battery drained significantly faster. If you have a larger yard, you might find yourself needing multiple batteries to get through a single session.

Assembly and Instructions

Setting up the trimmer was relatively straightforward, though the instruction manual left much to be desired. The grey ink and unclear diagrams made the process more cumbersome than it needed to be. For a tool that prides itself on ease of use, this was a disappointing start.

Customer Support and Warranty

Craftsman offers a 3-year limited warranty on this trimmer, which provides some peace of mind. My interactions with customer support were a mixed bag. While they were responsive and eventually resolved my issues, the process was slow and required multiple follow-ups.

Pros

• Ergonomic Design: Adjustable-length pole and lightweight build make it comfortable to use.
• Versatility: Compatible with the V20 battery platform and VERSATRACK system.
• Power Settings: Two speed settings allow for adjustable power and runtime.

Cons

• Line Feed Mechanism: The push-button line feed system is unreliable and prone to failure.
• Durability: Predominantly plastic construction raises concerns about long-term durability.
• Battery Not Included: Requires an additional purchase if you don’t already own compatible batteries.
• Assembly Instructions: Poorly designed manual makes initial setup more difficult than necessary.

Final Verdict

So, would I recommend the Craftsman Cordless 13 in WEEDWACKER String Trimmer/Edger? It’s a bit of a mixed bag. If you’re looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use trimmer for light to medium-duty tasks, and you already own V20 batteries, it could be a decent addition to your toolset. The ergonomic design and adjustable pole are definite highlights.

However, the unreliable line feed mechanism is a significant drawback. It turns what should be a convenient feature into a source of frustration. For those who need a more robust, reliable tool for heavy-duty tasks, or who don’t want to deal with the hassle of manual line adjustments, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.

In conclusion, while the Craftsman Cordless 13 in WEEDWACKER has some commendable features, its performance is marred by a critical flaw. Therefore, I can only recommend it with reservations, primarily for light-duty use and for those who are already invested in the V20 battery ecosystem. For others, there are more reliable options available on the market.