Craftsman is coming out with a new gyroscopic-action cordless screwdriver (CMCF604), and it looks amazing.
A couple of years ago, Black & Decker launched their Gyro cordless screwdriver, which turned fasteners in the same direction you turned your hand. A year later, Dewalt came out with a pivoting-handle 8V Max gyro screwdriver. Dewalt later released two more inline-style screwdrivers.
The new Craftsman gryo screwdriver looks to pack similar technologies in an even more compact package. It’s powered by a built-in rechargeable 4V Max Li-ion battery pack, which helps to keep the size.
Craftsman says that their new gyro cordless screwdriver feels like a manual screwdriver. It features a spindle lock, and so it could also be used like a manual screwdriver.
The new Craftsman cordless screwdriver is intended to tackle repetitive fastening tasks, and not high torque applications. It tops out at 5.5 Nm in powered mode, which converts to ~49 in-lbs. In my opinion and experience, that’s about right for 4V Max Li-ion cordless screwdrivers.
The Craftsman gyro screwdriver is said to be a great fit for working with cabinet hardware, switch plates, light fixtures, furniture assembly, and other similar tasks.
Gyroscopic Action? Hold the screwdriver in your hand. Twist it to the right (clockwise), as if you were turning a fastener, and the shaft turns the fastener to the right, using motor power. Turn your wrist to the left, and the motor rotates in the counterclockwise direction .
Past gyro-action cordless screwdrivers had a speed controller that was tied to your hand action. Twist the handle further, and the motor rotates faster. A more gentle hand rotation would result in slower motor speeds.
Controlling motor speed and direction using gyroscopic sensing and the motion of your wrist is a lot quicker and easier to get used to than you might think. Looking at the new Craftsman CMCF604 screwdriver, I think that it has the *perfect* form factor for something like this.
The Craftsman gyroscopic screwdriver can drive up to 325 screws on a single battery charge, and an LED fuel gauge shows you the battery power status.
Previous Stanley Black & Decker tools had an activation switch, and this one is no different. Gripping the screwdriver activates the gyro sensor and motor, and there’s a small lock-off switch that lets you use the screwdriver in manual mode.
There’s a micro USB charging port at the rear of the tool, and a charger is included with the screwdriver.
Features & Specs
- Built-in 4V Max rechargeable battery
- 200 RPM
- 5.5 Nm (~49 in-lbs) max torque
- Drives up to 325 screws (#6 x 1″ into 1.5″ pine) on a single battery charge
- Manual screwdriver size and feel
- Lock-off switch (for unpowered use)
- Spindle lock allows for manual use
- Micro USB charging
- LED fuel gauge
The screwdriver comes with an assortment of bits: Phillips #0, #1, #2, Torx T20, T25, Slotted #4, #6, Hex 5mm, and Robertson (square) #1, #2.
Price: $39
ETA: Q4 2019
Discussion
As I titled the post, I think that this screwdriver will be a big hit. (In other words, I can’t wait to get my hands on one, it looks awesome!)
I know that gyro-sensing cordless power tool motor control is sometimes seen as a gimmick, but it’s a gimmick that works, and it works well.
With this tool, Craftsman came out with a cordless gyro screwdriver that looks like a regular screwdriver. I don’t have one in-hand yet, but in the product images the screwdriver handle looks just a little wider than I would expect for a manual driver. I could live with that.
The new Craftsman gyro screwdriver is said to feel like a manual screwdriver, and from the product images, it looks like they got the size and user interface just right.
This kind of tool isn’t for everyone. But based on my experiences with the Black & Decker Gyro screwdriver and Dewalt gyro screwdrivers, and what I know and think about the new Craftsman gyro screwdriver, I have high expectations.
