Craftsman Cordless String Trimmer/Edger

Craftsman has long been a respected name in the world of tools, and my recent experience with their Cordless String Trimmer/Edger, model CMCST900B, has been a mixed bag of triumphs and frustrations. This tool is designed to make light work of trimming grass and edging along sidewalks and flower beds, and it certainly has some features that stand out. However, my overall experience left me questioning whether it lives up to the Craftsman name.

Build and Design

The first thing I noticed about this trimmer was its relatively lightweight build, clocking in at just 7 pounds. It’s easy to maneuver around the yard, and the telescoping pole allows for adjustable height, which is a boon for users of varying statures. The 13-inch cutting width makes quick work of larger areas, and the auxiliary handle adds to the ease of use.

One of the standout features is the automatic line advance, which is supposed to feed the line without the need for bumping. In theory, this should save a lot of time and hassle, making it easier to maintain a consistent cutting action.

Performance

I was excited to put the two-speed settings to the test, which offer the choice between more power or extended runtime. The high-efficiency motor certainly provides a good amount of power, making short work of grass and lighter weeds. However, I noticed that when I switched to the lower speed setting to conserve battery, the performance noticeably dropped.

Speaking of the battery, it’s worth noting that the trimmer doesn’t come with a battery or charger, which are sold separately. This adds to the overall cost, and if you don’t already own other Craftsman 20V MAX* Lithium Ion tools, you’ll need to make an additional investment. The battery life itself, when using a fully charged 4.0AH battery, gives around 30 minutes of runtime, which is decent for small to medium-sized yards but may require multiple batteries for larger areas.

The Line Feed Issue

Here’s where things start to get problematic. The automatic line advance feature, which should be a major selling point, has been a consistent source of frustration. Initially, it worked well, feeding the line as needed without any manual intervention. However, after a few uses, the line feed mechanism began to fail.

I spent a considerable amount of time trying to diagnose and fix the issue. I cleaned the spool housing, used silicone spray to reduce friction, and even replaced the line and spool. Despite these efforts, the line feed would only work sporadically, if at all. This meant I had to frequently stop and manually adjust the line, which defeats the purpose of having an automatic feed system.

Assembly and Use

Assembling the trimmer was reasonably straightforward, although the instruction manual left much to be desired. The grey ink and poorly illustrated diagrams made it difficult to follow at times, and I had to rely on my own intuition to figure out certain steps. Once assembled, using the trimmer was simple enough, provided the line feed was cooperating.

The VERSATRACK™ wall organization system compatibility is a nice touch for those who like to keep their tools neatly stored, but it’s not a game-changer.

Durability and Longevity

Durability is another area where the trimmer falls short. After just a few months of regular use, the line feed button stopped working entirely. This lack of durability is disappointing, especially for a brand like Craftsman that is traditionally associated with robust, long-lasting tools.

Conclusion

In summary, the Craftsman Cordless String Trimmer/Edger has several features that make it an attractive option for light to medium yard work. Its lightweight design, adjustable height, and decent power are all points in its favor. However, the recurring issues with the automatic line feed mechanism are hard to overlook. This single flaw significantly detracts from the overall usability and convenience of the tool.

Would I recommend this trimmer? Unfortunately, my answer is no. While it has the potential to be a great tool, the consistent problems with the line feed system make it more of a headache than it’s worth. For those who don’t mind manually feeding the line, it might still be a viable option, but for most users, there are better, more reliable choices available on the market.

Craftsman needs to address these issues to restore confidence in their cordless trimmer lineup. Until then, I would suggest looking elsewhere for a more dependable solution to your yard maintenance needs.