This trimmer is bunk May 02, 2011

I bought mine two summers ago for my small yard. Summer number one it worked ok, not great not badly. Summer two the battery pooped out before I could finish the lawn, not happy. This summer the thing wouldnt hold juice for more than five minutes. I will never buy another one of these considering the replacement battery cost more than half the price of the trimmer when it was new.

Cordless trimmer doesn't hold charge at all August 09, 2010

Not impressed at all. returned it after 3 weeks. Charged the battery for 1 full week, because we went on vacation. Got back, used it for 15 minutes before it died completely, and all I was doing was trimming the edges.

Went with Gas powered. Lot more expensive, but it works forever...

Love it for small to medium-sized yard July 28, 2010

I received the Craftsman 18v Convertible power handle and trimmer combo from my wife as an early Father's Day gift (actually got it in late April, I think).  I have been using it at least once a week every since.  The trimmer/power handle combo came with a charging station, and my wife got an extra battery, which I would recommend for anyone purchasing this unit.  I charged both batteries before using the unit the first time, according to the instructions.

First thing I noticed right away was that the charging station, although advertised as charging two batteries "at the same time", is not actually correct.  It charges the first battery inserted in the station first, then moves to the second battery when the first is fully charged, so you have to plan for that when rotating two batteries.

The second thing I noticed was even after charging both batteries for the first time, they didn't last very long during my first two trimming jobs.  However, being Ni-Cads, that's fairly normal.  By the third time I used the batteries, I could have done my entire medium-sized property with one of the batteries (But I use both each time anyway, half and half to do the property).  The two batteries now last about a half hour each (estimate).

Third thing I noticed was that the original twisted line that comes with the unit is the best line to keep using (.080" twisted line).  I tried loading the spool with some angular-cut .080 line that I had laying around, but it did not feed off the spool well, and it also did not hold up well.  I went through one whole spool of line in one job.  The line that comes with the trimmer is the best I've found so far.  I should have realized that they sent that type of line with the unit for a reason.

The trigger on the Power Handle is a little tricky and hard to hold at first, but I would say that after using the unit for a month, I was completely used to it.  I found that it wasn't that the trigger was bad, but rather that I was used to a different type in the past.  Once you see how the unit rotates in its collar, you'll realize why the trigger was made the way that it is.

Just like other reviewers, my first attempt at edging is always the worst each year, whether using this trimmer or another.  I started off this year edging with this unit, and it took over an hour to dig out the edge of the grass after the winter (Ohio, don't you know).  But I edge each time I mow the yard, so now it's a ten to fifteen minute job for edging, and much easier going.

Summary:  Actually, I love the trimmer.  I would not want to use it on a field of hay.  But for a small to medium sized yard, it's great.  It's light and convenient.  I love not having to drag cords around anymore, and even better, not having to wind the cords back up anymore.

I have not tried other attachments for this unit yet - maybe soon.  Hope this helps someone - I like it!

Craftsman trimmer: worst appliance I've ever purchased. June 10, 2010

The Craftsman 18 volt cordless trimmer is pure junk.  It was marked down to $59.88 but isn't actually worth 59 cents!  It's so cheap that I can't afford it!!  Here's why - the salesman told me to charge it for 24 to 48 hours before use.  I actually had the battery in the charger for about 90 hours before I got around to using it.  Trimmed grass around the edge of the deck and four tree trunks, a total of about ten minutes, before the thing ran out of power.  How can they sell something that works for a total of 10 minutes and then dies???!!??  Sears has been on the ropes for years.  Kenmore, Die Hard, and Craftsman are really all they have going for them - and now they are selling "Made in China" junk like this under the Craftsman name!  They are doomed.