Sears is offering a deal right now on this Craftsman digital multimeter with auto-ranging and non-contact voltage detector.  It’s listed at $40 but when you add it to your shopping cart the price drops to $25, a handsome $15 savings. Besides auto-ranging, the multimeter features non-contact voltage measurement from 100 to 600 VAC, AC/DC voltage measurement with a 0.5% accuracy, resistance measurement, diode and continuity testing, and a back-lit LCD screen. It also comes with test stand, rubber holster and test leads.

82314 Digital Multimeter [Sears]

Aptly named after American inventor Thomas Edison, the Edison Project is Craftsmans answer to other tool companies’ more active means of finding new ideas for hand tools, power tools or garden tools. They want you to bring your ideas right to them!

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Last Christmas we passed on a brief reader recommendation of the Autoloader, and almost a year later it still catches our fancy.  In short: it’s a screwdriver with bits loaded in its body sixgun-style.

The load of bits includes a P1, P2, slotted 1/4″, 3/16″, 1/8 “i, and T6 Torx, but you can customize it by replacing them with bits of your choice.  To us, it seems perfect for a car tool kit — just add bits specific to your vehicle and save a ton of space.  The pump action handle makes switching between bits as easy as pulling back, turning and lining up the arrow to the bit you want.

Franklin also licenses the design to Craftsman.  Both versions can be had for about $20.

Autoloader [Franklin Tool]
Quick Change Screwdriver [Craftsman]
Via Amazon [What's this?]

Sears is holding a post-labor day tool sale.  The more you buy, the more you save:

• Spend $279 - $399 and receive 10% off
• Spend $400 - $499 and receive 15% off
• Spend over $500 and receive 20% off

And if you’re not looking to spend that much, maybe the 50% off deals will interest you”

• There’s a Companion 3.2A jigsaw for $12.49, and if you buy it online you’re entitled to a free 12 piece blade set that’s worth more than the saw itself.
• There’s also a 54 piece driving set for $12.49,
• an 8 LED worklight for $14.99,
• and a 20″ plastic toolbox for $9.99.

Note: The sale prices don’t appear until you get to the checkout page, so don’t be alarmed if at first you only see regular prices. 

Today’s Sale Flyer [Sears]

If you’re in the market for a gas mower, check out this one over at KMart for $155.  It’s a Craftsman 6-3/4 hp rear bag mower with a 22″ deck.  Features include a Briggs & Stratton Quantum motor, front propel drive, and the option to bag or mulch.  It comes with Craftsman’s standard 2-year limited warranty.

Craftsman Rear Bag Mower [KMart]

Admittedly, we’ve had poor results with Craftsman’s other 4.8V offerings.  But maybe the impact version overcomes the others’ puny torque output.  Regardless, you can try one out for just $20.  Craftsman claims that with impact action this one can deliver 175 in-lbs of torque at up to 1,800 rpm.  It’s got a two-position handle and quick connect bit holder.

Craftsman Impact Driver [Sears]

Through September 5th, Craftsman mechanics gloves are on sale at Sears for $9.88 a pair.  For less than $10, you get comfortable gloves which can handle a moderate amount of abuse.

I picked up a pair a while ago, and they’ve endured everything from picking up broken glass shards to moving a cummulative two thousand pounds up three flights of stairs. In addition to an extra protective layer on the thumb and forefinger, they feature finger grips which help reduce the fumbling associated with picking up small parts.  They’re also quite comfortable even if worn for an extended period of time.

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Craftsman introduced the CompuCarve last year to great fanfare, but we have yet to try one out — or hear much from reliable sources who have.  We’re hoping some of you Toolmongers may have first-hand experience with one.

If you own (or have owned) one, let us know about your experiences in comments.  Is this as powerful a tool as it seems?  How difficult is it to use, and what are its realistic limitations?

Craftsman CompuCarve [Sears]

Sears is having their Saturday sale on tools today so be sure to get down there if your in need of something shiny. The 13 drawer, 26 in. red combo storage set in the picture is going for about $50 less than it normal price. That’s enough to get a wrench or screwdriver set to put in it.They aren’t the best storage on the market but they are a great buy for the money and if they are well cared for they can last longer than you do.

Craftsman Storage Combo [Sears]

TM reader Stuey writes: “Craftsman.com is currently running a contest. Via their entry form, you can at the very least sign up for a $5 off $50 coupon (Craftsman branded products only). You also have the option to sign up for a Craftsman Club membership.”

It’s good to see Craftsman doing their best to get us on the Craftsman mailing list with their 80th sweepstakes giveaway. I must say, though, the $10,000 shopping spree alone would do it for me. I could lie awake at night figuring out ways to spend that kind of scratch for tools at Sears.

Craftsman 80th Anniversary Sweepstakes [Craftsman]

This Craftsman sander from the Sears site is on sale today for $10, which is down from the “never gonna touch it” price of $35. We’re guessing they just can’t stand looking at them gathering dust anymore and are shipping them out as best they can.

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It looks like the Compucarve — which has received mixed response from the woodworking command seems perpetually unavailable for review — isn’t the only digital-age ace up Craftsman’s sleeve.  Check out their AXS storage chest line, complete with LCD “information center” and integrated LED task lighting.

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This jack from Craftsman functions like a regular jack, lifting up to 17-inches.  But after you’ve lifted whatever it is you need to lift, the front part detaches to leave a “jack stand” in place.  It’s a neat idea, assuming that the stands are stable.

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From the Sears clearance section: a 16″ camouflage toolbag for $8.97.  It has a waterproof bottom, padded strap, and Realtree “hardwoods green” camouflage.  You get a total of 14 internal pockets and five external pockets.  Just don’t leave your tools in a wooded area – you might never find them again. 

Craftsman 16″ Tool Bag (#40987) [Sears]

Sears changed the Craftsman Club discount policies a few years ago so that they only apply to items in the flyers — and only for a limited time.  So if you’re one of the people who still receive the flyer, you should know that the current savings period ends this weekend.

Personally, we didn’t see a lot in the flyer that excited us this time.  We did notice that the 19.2V combo kit is on sale, but that’s about it.  (And while we really like the 19.2V hammerdrill — it’s a great bargain tool — we’re not so sure about the rest of the kit.)

Anyway, if you’ve been planning to jump on anything in the current flyer, now’s the time.  And if you want to join the Craftsman Club, remember to contact Sears instead of us.  We can’t help.

Sears is listing their 6-piece 19.2V  combo kit for $160.  The kit includes a 1/2″ 2-speed drill/driver, a 5-1/2″ trim saw, a 4-position orbital-motion jigsaw, an orbital sander, a bagless hand vacuum, and a fluorescent light.  You also geat a tool bag, changer, and two 19.2V NiCd batteries.  I already own the drill from this line, which is in constant use during my house renovations and has performed fantastically – and stood up to the, erm, significant abuse I put my tools through.

Craftsman 19.2V Combo Kit #11514 [Sears]

These combo wrenches are short, flexible, and on sale over at Sears through Saturday. For $100 you get sevenwrenchs in sizes 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, and 18mm. The ratcheting box end flexes through 180-degrees and locks into 9-position. They’re pretty thin and also boast a 5-degree ratcheting arc — great for digging yourself out of low-clearance messes.

Craftsman 7 Pc. Metric Stubby Wrench Set #42041 [Sears]