TL;DR
Get business pricing on tools and workshop supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
Craftsman has launched the CMCD600D1, a budget cordless drill kit priced at $59 that includes a 2Ah battery and charger. The brand advertises ‘MORE POWER VS. RYOBI’ compared to Ryobi’s entry-level model, though it does not quantify the claim.
Craftsman has launched a new budget cordless drill kit, model CMCD600D1, priced at $59 including a 2Ah battery and charger, according to a report from ToolGuyd. The launch stands out for its marketing: Craftsman is advertising that the drill delivers more power than Ryobi’s comparable entry-level model, escalating a back-and-forth between the two brands.
The CMCD600 is currently Craftsman’s least expensive drill, according to ToolGuyd, with a lower regular price than the brand’s other budget-focused models. The kit bundles the drill with a charger and 2Ah battery, and was priced at $59 at the time of the report.
Confirmed specifications include a 3/8-inch keyless chuck, a motor rated at up to 191 UWO (units watts out, a measure of drill power output), and speeds of up to 620 RPM. Craftsman’s marketing states the drill delivers more power versus Ryobi, but the company has not quantified the difference beyond noting it is compared against Ryobi’s lowest-featured entry price point model.
Availability is currently split: Amazon is already shipping the drill, while Lowe’s shows the listing as “no longer available”. ToolGuyd attributes this to the recent launch, noting Lowe’s frequently handles new releases this way before stocking them in stores.
What the $59 Price Point Means for Buyers
The launch matters because entry-level drill pricing is highly competitive. Ryobi’s comparable offering, per ToolGuyd, is currently priced at $50, and was offered for as little as $35 as a Black Friday doorbuster last year. A $59 Craftsman kit undercuts or matches other Craftsman budget models on regular price, giving first-time buyers and light-duty users another option in the most crowded segment of the power tool market.
The direct competitive call-out also signals how heated the rivalry between the brands has become. ToolGuyd reports that Ryobi has criticized Craftsman in social media comparisons, and that Hart, Ryobi’s sibling brand under the same parent company, has also posted comparisons unfavorable to Craftsman. The new drill’s marketing amounts to Craftsman returning fire, though shoppers should treat the unquantified power claim as marketing rather than verified performance data.
Craftsman, Ryobi and the Budget Tool Rivalry
Craftsman, now owned by Stanley Black & Decker and sold prominently through Lowe’s, has been rebuilding its cordless power tool lineup around the V20 battery platform. The brand has positioned several models at budget price points to compete with Ryobi, which is sold through Home Depot and has long dominated the affordable cordless segment, along with Hart at Walmart.
According to ToolGuyd, the rivalry has played out publicly, with Ryobi and Hart posting comparison content aimed at Craftsman on social media. The CMCD600D1 launch, with its explicit “MORE POWER VS. RYOBI” advertising, is Craftsman’s most direct response to date in the entry-level tier. The comparison targets Ryobi’s lowest-featured entry price point model, not its broader drill lineup.
Unverified Power Claim and Pricing Questions
The central uncertainty is the power comparison claim. Craftsman says the CMCD600 delivers more power than Ryobi’s entry-level model but provides no figures showing the size of the difference, and no independent testing results have been published yet.
Other open questions include whether the $59 price is a launch price or the permanent regular price, when Lowe’s will actually stock the kit in stores, and whether Ryobi or Hart will respond with new comparisons or price adjustments of their own. ToolGuyd also notes the CMCD600 “looks the part” of a low-cost model, suggesting possible build-quality trade-offs, but this has not been independently evaluated.
Expected Rollout and Hands-On Testing
Watch for Lowe’s to begin stocking the CMCD600D1 in stores and online, which ToolGuyd expects soon given the brand’s retail relationship. Independent reviewers will likely publish hands-on testing and torque measurements that either support or undercut the “more power vs. Ryobi” claim. Pricing movements are also likely: with Ryobi’s comparable kit at $50 and holiday promotions approaching, the effective street price of both kits could shift, and Ryobi’s Black Friday doorbuster pricing from last year may return as competition.
Key Questions
How much does the new Craftsman CMCD600D1 drill kit cost?
The kit is priced at $59 at launch, according to ToolGuyd, and that price includes the drill, a 2Ah battery, and a charger. It is not yet clear whether this is a temporary launch price or the regular price.
Is the Craftsman CMCD600 really more powerful than Ryobi’s drill?
Craftsman claims it delivers more power than Ryobi’s lowest-featured entry price point model, but the company has not quantified the difference. No independent test results have been published yet, so the claim remains unverified.
What are the specifications of the CMCD600?
The drill features a 3/8-inch keyless chuck, a motor rated at up to 191 UWO, and a top speed of 620 RPM. These are single-speed, entry-level specifications suited to light-duty drilling and driving tasks.
Where can I buy the new Craftsman drill?
Amazon is already shipping the CMCD600D1. Lowe’s currently lists it as “no longer available,” which ToolGuyd attributes to the typical rollout pattern for newly launched tools rather than a discontinuation.
How does it compare in price to Ryobi’s equivalent drill?
Per ToolGuyd, Ryobi’s comparable kit is $50 at regular pricing right now, making it $9 cheaper than the Craftsman kit, though it dropped to $35 as a Black Friday doorbuster last year. Competitive holiday pricing could change the comparison.
Source: rss
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
