Craftsman V20 Brushless RP Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit: A Practical Upgrade for Your Tool Collection

Introduction

Upgrading from a single drill to a drill and impact driver combo can feel like an unnecessary expense, but the Craftsman V20 brushless RP combo kit makes a strong case for the switch. For $199 you get both tools, two 1.5 Ah batteries, a charger, and a storage bag, and Craftsman backs the tools and batteries with a three-year warranty.

This kit is aimed at homeowners and DIYers who want more versatility without paying the premium of buying tools separately. Here is how the two tools perform and who should consider the upgrade.

Why a Combo Kit Beats a Drill Alone

If you are thinking you only need a drill, there are good reasons to reconsider. Having both tools makes you more versatile and your work more efficient. You can keep a twist bit in the drill and a driver bit in the impact driver, so you can drill pilot holes and then drive screws without switching bits mid-task.

The division of labor also matters. The drill specializes in steady-state torque: it drills holes and, with its clutch, drives screws that stop flush or sink slightly into the material. The impact driver delivers impact torque, driving larger screws with more authority, and with a nut driver or socket it can break loose stubborn nuts and bolts on the smaller end of the scale.

In short, each tool does what it is best at, and together they cover far more of a typical project list than a single drill can.

The Drill: Craftsman V20 CMCD713

The CMCD713 drill uses a brushless motor, which brings high runtime and performance. It is a two-speed drill with a gearbox switch on top of the motor housing. In first gear you get the most torque and a maximum speed of 600 RPM; second gear jumps up to 1,900 RPM when you need speed more than torque. Overall, the drill produces up to 350 unit watts out of power, enough for a wide range of jobs and bit types.

That power level pairs with a 1/2-inch keyless chuck, which accepts larger bits such as self-feed and auger bits that a 3/8-inch drill cannot handle.

Control is well covered. The variable speed trigger can be feathered to slow things down when precision matters, and twisting the collar above the trigger switches between drilling mode and one of 15 clutch positions to limit torque while driving screws. An LED light automatically comes on when you pull the trigger, lighting the space in front of the drill so you can see what you are working on.

With the 1.5 Ah battery installed, the drill weighs 3.4 lbs. The handle contours ergonomically in the hand, and the overmold provides both comfort and grip security.

The Impact Driver: Craftsman V20 CMCF813

The CMCF813 impact driver also uses a brushless motor, with a maximum speed of 2,800 RPM and an impact rate of up to 3,500 blows per minute. Combined with a maximum torque of 1,500 inch-lbs, it is the go-to tool for driving a wide range of screws, including larger quarter-inch structural screws, and for working with smaller nuts and bolts.

Design-wise, it is lighter and more compact than the drill. It measures just 5.5 inches across the head and weighs 2.9 lbs with a 1.5 Ah battery installed. It shares the same handle, variable speed trigger, forward/reverse switch, and LED light as the drill, so switching between the two tools feels very natural.

Buying Advice

The value argument here is hard to ignore. A combo kit is much less expensive than buying the tools, batteries, and charger separately. At $199 for both tools, two 1.5 Ah batteries, a charger, and a bag, the price is about the same as the bare tools by themselves, which effectively makes the batteries, charger, and bag free. Select V20 combo kits have also been eligible for a free 4 Ah battery at Ace Hardware or Lowe’s, worth checking when you shop.

One more point in favor: those V20 batteries are compatible with more than 100 other Craftsman V20 products, which opens up a lot of room to grow your collection over time. With the three-year warranty on the tools and batteries, this kit is an easy recommendation for anyone building a cordless tool lineup around a single battery platform.

Conclusion

The Craftsman V20 brushless RP combo kit succeeds because each tool is genuinely good at its job: the CMCD713 drill handles holes and controlled screw driving with a 15-position clutch and a 1/2-inch chuck, while the CMCF813 impact driver brings 1,500 inch-lbs of torque in a compact 5.5-inch head. At $199 with two batteries, a charger, a bag, and a three-year warranty, it is one of the more sensible ways to upgrade your tool collection.