Are black and decker and craftsman batteries interchangeable

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Can I use Craftsman 20V battery on a Black and Decker?
What battery is compatible with Craftsman?
Are Craftsman and Black and Decker the same?
Are Craftsman batteries compatible with brands?

I think it would make more sense to have the different brands diversify a little. DeWalt should focus on the contractor grade power tools. Porter Cable could focus on fine woodworking tools. Bostich should focus on good quality nailguns and pneumatic tools. Craftsman and Stanley could focus on hand tools. Black and Decker could focus on the craptacular home user power tool market.

This kind of like how both Festool and Ridgid have a lot of comparable tools, yet they are meant for totally different markets and don't compete one bit.

There is no difference other than the color. They're the same battery, just different color schemes. The black and white color was the original color scheme when Black & Decker introduced their 20V system. Then Black & Decker changed the 20V batteries to all black when they recently changed the color scheme of their to… see more There is no difference other than the color. They're the same battery, just different color schemes. The black and white color was the original color scheme when Black & Decker introduced their 20V system. Then Black & Decker changed the 20V batteries to all black when they recently changed the color scheme of their tools, so the ones with white are probably older than the black ones. But they are both lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion cells don't deteriorate like NiCd cells, so even older lithium-ion batteries will give you good service. see less There is no difference other than the color. They're the same battery, just different color schemes. The black and white color was the original color scheme when Black & Decker introduced their 20V system. Then Black & Decker changed the 20V batteries to all black when they recently changed the color scheme of their tools, so the ones with white are probably older than the black ones. But they are both lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion cells don't deteriorate like NiCd cells, so even older lithium-ion batteries will give you good service.

Lithium batteries (which these are) can be left on the charger all the time. I have four of these batteries and three chargers and I only remove them from the charger when I need to use the battery. NiCad (nickle cadmium) batteries cannot be left on the charger after they are charged. They will overheat and cook, whic… see more Lithium batteries (which these are) can be left on the charger all the time. I have four of these batteries and three chargers and I only remove them from the charger when I need to use the battery. NiCad (nickle cadmium) batteries cannot be left on the charger after they are charged. They will overheat and cook, which is a fire hazard, and will ruin the battery. I won't buy anything that runs on NiCad batteries. see less Lithium batteries (which these are) can be left on the charger all the time. I have four of these batteries and three chargers and I only remove them from the charger when I need to use the battery. NiCad (nickle cadmium) batteries cannot be left on the charger after they are charged. They will overheat and cook, which is a fire hazard, and will ruin the battery. I won't buy anything that runs on NiCad batteries.

Several years ago I picked up a Sears Craftsman 20V drill & impact driver kit that included a charger and 2x 1.5Ah batteries. Nothing special or fancy and certainly far from high end or pro quality, and it's now an orphaned line what with Sears all but out of business, but for my needs it's worked out well.

Thing is, those 1.5Ah batteries don't last long, and even with a third one I picked up for $20 recently at an about to close local Sears store, they still often run out before I'm done with the day's work. The charger that came with the kit buys me some extra time, but it takes forever to charge.

Because of Sears' situation, they're no longer selling batteries for these tools, and never made or sold any with higher Ah capacity. They do still offer a kit with a fast charger and 1.5Ah battery, but at $50 I think it's overpriced and hard to come by in any case.

Anyway, since so many power tools these days are rebranded, I was wondering if any other maker's batteries are fully and safely compatible with these Sears Craftsman 20V tools, both physically and electronically. E.g. DeWalt, Porter, Kobalt, etc. I know that the forked-off Lowe's Craftsman V20 line's batteries are NOT compatible with them. But the DeWalts kinda sorta look the same.

It's not a huge deal and I can live with less than ideal battery capacity, but if something's out there that would work with these, from a maker whose line I might want to invest in for future tools (it would be nice to have a decent 3/8" impact wrench someday), then that would be nice.

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Can you post a picture to confirm which “version” of Craftsman 20V you’re referring to? If it’s the line I’m thinking of, the Porter Cable 20V and Black & Decker 20V batteries will fit.

Yep, the Porter Cable and Black and Decker 20V batteries will fit these tools.

You sure? The Sears Craftsman 20V battery has 5 vertical slots where it makes electrical contact with the tool while the Porter Cable & B+D have 4.

Sears Craftsman 20V:

Porter Cable:

B+D:

Here's what the Lowe's Craftsman V20 battery looks like:

I think you're confusing the 2 Craftsman batteries and lines. The Porter Cable & B+D appear to be interchangeable with the Lowe's, not the Sears Craftsman battery. I have the latter set of tools.

FWIW the DeWalt 20V has give slots:

Sears Craftsman 20V again:

That doesn't make it interchangeable, but definitely closer. I might just take one of my batteries to HD and see if it fits on any of the 20V tools.

Last edited: May 8, 2021

if you are doing a lot of renovation and use those two tools a lot, it might be more logical to think about switching platforms, and save this "crafts" man as home use... Not sure if it is worth it to start going all out searching for something that was short lived...

Just saying...

or start googling or finding some one that can 3D print you adapters.

Check thingiverse and see if there are anything there for you.

It's just like my 19.2V craftsman platforms, when they die, they will be replaced with another platform... and the tool will be recycled for projects.

You sure? The Sears Craftsman 20V battery has 5 vertical slots where it makes electrical contact with the tool while the Porter Cable & B+D have 4.
That doesn't make it interchangeable, but definitely closer. I might just take one of my batteries to HD and see if it fits on any of the 20V tools.

I'm pretty sure. The Craftsman "20V Max" line was made by Stanley Black & Decker, and I've personally discovered and verified that the batteries are cross-compatible between the "20V Max"-labeled lines of Craftsman, Black & Decker, and Porter Cable, (with a tiny modification). These are NOT cross-compatible with the new Craftsman "V20" line, nor are they compatible with DeWalt 20V Max. I know, I tried them all when the V20 Craftsman stuff was released.

I wouldn't go by some internet images that a Sears liquidator is hosting on their site - look at your actual battery and compare. Here's an old Craftsman Die Hard 20V Max battery that still I use on some Porter Cable and Black & Decker 20V Max tools:

Having said that, I whole-heartedly agree with what dogdog said, and wouldn't spend another DIME on any of these platforms. I discovered this cross-compatibility about 5 years ago when all of these platforms were still alive, but aside from being "dead" platforms, the tools are old and just not that good - especially compared to what you'll spend in time and money hunting down new batteries vs buying into any "current" battery platform which will offer vastly superior tools and batteries.

Craftsman tools fetch a premium used. I would sell them and go with another platform but probably not porter cable because they have almost no support eather. I sold my craftsman c3 stuff and went dewalt myself but the ryobi line would work fine for everything but a 1/2in impact for me.

Sell them all. Most other platforms, including SBD Craftsman will give you a wider range of products, and will be more cost effective in the long run.

Ryobi, Ridged, Kobalt, Metabo HPC, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita...the list goes on and on. The only brand I would be hesitant to get is Porter Cable, since their product offering is limited, and I'm not sure what SBD is planning to do with the brand.

Sell them all. Most other platforms, including SBD Craftsman will give you a wider range of products, and will be more cost effective in the long run.
Ryobi, Ridged, Kobalt, Metabo HPC, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita...the list goes on and on. The only brand I would be hesitant to get is Porter Cable, since their product offering is limited, and I'm not sure what SBD is planning to do with the brand.

their going to be sbd's white box brand

BkeRider (and anyone else who finds this thread), I don't think they ever made a larger size than 1.5 Ah. EDIT! They did make one! https://www.mtobattery.com/collecti...708-craftsman-lithium-battery-rebuild-service

javyLSU, what you have is "Bolt On", which is indeed the same as Black and Decker "Matrix". What he is talking about is different. He is talking about "20v max", which is Sears, not Stanley, Black & Decker Craftsman (Lowe's) v20 line of tools.

Last edited: Nov 21, 2021

Can I use Craftsman 20V battery on a Black and Decker?

These are not interchangeable and we do not recommend it.

What battery is compatible with Craftsman?

V20 4.0Ah Lithium Batteries (2 pack) were built for those take charge individuals. Made of two rows of premium grade cells and offers 3x longer run time of a standard V20 lithium battery. It is compatible with the CRAFTSMAN® V20 20V MAX cordless power tool and outdoor tool lineup.

Are Craftsman and Black and Decker the same?

Craftsman is a line of tools, lawn and garden equipment, and work wear. Originally a house brand established by Sears, the brand is now owned by Stanley Black & Decker.