Question 1

after not using it for a few months, my v20 drill won't turn on even with a battery i know is good, totally dead.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This is often a corroded battery terminal connection or a tripped internal protection circuit in the drill from a minor voltage spike. FIX First, perform a hard reset. Remove the battery. Hold the drill's trigger down for a full 30 seconds to discharge any capacitors. Then, firmly reinsert the battery. Try the trigger. This often wakes up the electronics. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check for green or white corrosion on the battery contacts inside the drill's port. Clean them thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol and a stiff brush. Corrosion creates an insulating layer that blocks power. HEADS UP If the drill was stored in a damp place like a garage, moisture may have damaged the main control board. In that case, it's often more economical to replace the tool than to repair it.

Question 2

craftsman v20 drill makes a high-pitched whining or grinding noise in speed setting 2, is the gearbox shot?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A whine or grind in high gear (setting 2) points to worn or dry planetary gears in the gearbox, not the motor. FIX The gearbox needs lubrication. You must disassemble the drill to access the gear assembly. Clean out any old, gritty grease and apply a moderate amount of high-quality lithium grease (not heavy grease) to the planetary gears and sun gear. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the noise persists after lubrication, the nylon gear carrier or the metal planetary gears themselves may be worn or chipped. You'll need to source a replacement gear set specific to the CMCD700 model. HEADS UP Running it with dry or damaged gears will cause rapid failure. The whine is a warning. Continuing to use it will strip the gears entirely, leaving you with a drill that only makes noise.

Question 3

my drill works fine but the led worklight doesn't come on anymore, can i replace just the light?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The LED itself rarely burns out. The issue is almost always a broken wire or a bad connection where the LED board attaches inside the drill's nose. FIX You need to open the drill's clamshell housing. Once open, trace the two thin wires from the LED assembly back to the main board. Look for a wire that's pulled free or a cold solder joint on the small LED circuit board. Resolder any broken connection. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The LED is a simple component soldered to a tiny board. If it's truly dead (unlikely), you can source a generic 3V white LED of similar size and solder it in place, observing polarity. HEADS UP Be extremely careful with the thin wires when reassembling. They are easily pinched or severed by the housing, causing the exact problem you just fixed.

Question 4

the chuck on my cmcd700c1 wobbles slightly when i run the drill, is the chuck broken or can i tighten it?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A wobbling chuck usually means it's not seated properly on the spindle or the internal jaws are damaged/worn. FIX First, try to reseat it. The chuck is held on by a screw with left-hand threads (tightens clockwise, loosens counterclockwise). Insert a long Allen key into the chuck, hold the chuck body, and give the Allen key a firm clockwise turn to ensure the retaining screw is tight. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The wobble might be in the spindle bearing or the gear assembly. This requires opening the drill. If the spindle itself wobbles, the tool needs professional repair. HEADS UP A wobbling chuck will make every hole oversized and uneven. Don't use it for precision work until fixed. Replacement chucks are standard 3/8" keyless types and are relatively easy to swap if the spindle is okay.

Question 5

why does my craftsman drill slow down and sound strained when i put any pressure on it, even with a fresh battery?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The drill is likely in a high-torque, low-speed gear (setting 1 on the collar) or the clutch is set to a low number. It's bogging down because it's geared for power, not speed. FIX Check the adjustable clutch collar behind the chuck. Turn it to the drill icon for maximum power without clutch slip. Also, ensure the gear selector (above the trigger) is set to "2" for higher speed when drilling into anything but the hardest materials. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK You might be using a dull bit or drilling without a pilot hole in hard material. The motor lacks the raw torque of higher-voltage tools and will bog if the bit isn't sharp. HEADS UP Forcing it like this repeatedly will overheat and kill the motor. Let the tool do the work. If it bogs, ease up, use a sharper bit, or pre-drill.

Question 6

v20 drill battery won't click into the drill solidly, it just falls out if i tilt it, how do i fix the latch?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The plastic battery release latch on the drill is either broken or the spring behind it has dislodged. FIX Inspect the black plastic latch on the drill's battery port. If it's cracked, you need a new battery port housing. If it's intact but loose, remove the battery and use a small flathead to gently pry the latch outward to see if the spring is missing or misaligned. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Sometimes the problem is on the battery side. Check the notch on the V20 battery pack for cracks or deformation. A damaged battery case can prevent a secure lock. HEADS UP Don't tape the battery in place. A loose battery connection under load can cause arcing, heat damage, and is a safety hazard. Fix the latch properly.

Question 7

craftsman cmcd700c1 drill gets super hot in the handle after like 5 minutes of use, is that normal?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS No, excessive heat in the handle points to high resistance in the battery contacts or a failing motor drawing too much current. FIX First, clean the battery contacts on both the drill and the V20 battery pack. Use a pencil eraser or contact cleaner on the metal terminals. Heat is often caused by dirty contacts forcing electrons to work harder. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The motor armature may be shorting. Listen for a burning smell or see if sparks are visible through the vents. A shorted motor needs replacement; it's not worth rewinding. HEADS UP Stop using it immediately if the heat is severe. This can damage the battery's internal protection circuitry, ruining a battery that costs nearly as much as a new drill.

Question 8

my craftsman v20 drill just clicks but the chuck doesn't spin at all, battery is charged, what's wrong?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This is a classic trigger or motor brush failure. The click is the electronic switch engaging, but power isn't reaching the motor. FIX The primary suspect is worn motor brushes. Open the drill's housing (you'll need a Torx T10 or T15 bit). Locate the two carbon brushes in the motor end cap. If they're worn down to less than 1/4 inch, replace them. Craftsman sells brush kits for this model. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The trigger assembly itself may have failed. You'll need to test it with a multimeter for continuity. If it's dead, the entire trigger/switch module must be replaced as a unit. HEADS UP Don't just keep pulling the trigger hoping it'll work. A failing brush can arc and damage the motor commutator, turning a $15 fix into a dead tool.

Craftsman V20 Cordless Drill CMCD700C1

Other Power Tools