Features

• Belt Tracking Adjustment Knob sets and maintains belt in correct operating position
• Front wheel sands 3X closer to the edge of adjoining surfaces and reduces the need for flush sanding
• Retractable locking hood exposes the top of the sanding belt for versatility and use in a variety of applications
• Adjustable handle locks in three different positions to adapt to a range of projects maximizing control and comfort
• Single Action Belt Release Lever makes paper changes fast & easy

Amazon.com

Quiet, lightweight, convenient, clean: Black & Decker’s built a great mower for the homeowner. The electric 9-amp motor is plenty powerful for the average homeowner’s yard without the hassle of pull-cord starting, no mixing gas and oil, never running out of fuel, no smelly fumes and no pollution. Because it’s so light (just 39 pounds), even the least brawny homeowner can handle this cutter without trouble. Another nice feature is the one-touch lever that raises and lowers all four wheels at once from 1 inch to 3-1/2 inches, saving the trouble of adjusting each wheel’s height. Assembly is minimal. It’s a great mulcher, but if you prefer to bag, you can add the side bag attachment that’s sold separately.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Lightweight at only 39 pounds
• Electric 9-amp motor means no gas, no oil, no pull-starts
• Single lever height adjustment form 1" to 3-1/2"
• Mulch, side-discharge, or optional side bag (BA-075)
• 18-inch cutting deck, made of super tough polymer, is guaranteed for life

Reviews (11)

Great mower for the price
This mower mulches very well, and goes through the thicker parts of our lawn just fine. It's well-designed and solid-feeling. Mowing with a cord is a bit of a hassle, but our lawn is on the small side and it's worth it not to have to deal with gas, oil, filters, plugs, etc. Plus, if you use other electric tools on your lawn, you're going to be getting the cord out anyway.

Brand new yard gets 1st cut.
First of all, the mower was delivered faster than I had expected, especially since I used Super Saver Shipping. It was easy to assemble...took me about 10 minutes tops. I have an upward slope in my backyard, and even with tall unmown grass, the mower was up to the task. I figured it would be a good mower under regular conditions, but it exceeded expectations by handling the hill. In fact, its lack of a gas engine made it lighter and easier to maneuver. At the end of the afternoon, I was pleased with the look of my yard. Make sure you have an ample amount of extension cord and all is well!

You HAVE to get this!!!
WOW!!! After a QUICK assembly (no tools needed) I was off to the races! My much neglected yard was no match for this little work horse. When I got into the REALLY thick stuff I was thrilled to reach down and VERY EASILY move the deck up.. and back to work. Now, it will be a pleasure to mow as needed before it gets so bad!!! It's light & quiet and pure pleasure to use.
And OH!!! I didn't even put the chute on, It mulches BEAUTIFULLY! No clumps of grass or "tracks" on the lawn. Buy This!! Bravo Black & Decker!!!

Good mower unless you have an uneven lawn
One of the problems we've found with this mower is that the height adjustment lever will rachet down to the lowest setting half way through cutting the lawn. This happens in a faster timeframe if you have an uneven back lawn that's slightly hilly. Unless you like your grass closely cropped if may be worth checking out other mowers that have better height adjustment levers (for example something that is easy to lock in and not slide out, as what happens with this model). Apart from that its easy to clean although I thought the diagrams in the manual were pretty misleading on the first glance at them.

Simple Solution
After my husband's death, I moved into a small house, but there was still minimal yard to keep mowed. I had to rely on family or pay to have my yard mowed. I am still able to walk and get around and felt I could still mow. My biggest problem was starting the mower. When I saw this mower I felt it was the answer. Sure enough when it arrived I took it out of the box , read the directions and in a short time I was mowing the mower is light and easy to push. No more gas cans or oil etc. I mow at my pace and can stop at anytime to rest or move something and then with a simple squeeze of the handle I am off again. The electric cord is not a problem I followed the suggestion in the guide and found it is simple to mow and not get tangled up in the cord. Another feature I love is the adjusting wheels some of my lawn is heavier than others. With a simple flip of the leaver and I can adjust the height of the blade. I am saving at least $25.00 a week , and no longer have to depend on others to mow, Not to mention getting some much needed excercise. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Every home enthusiast needs a reliable trimmer. When it comes to performance in the front yard or back, the Black & Decker GH600 14-inch Grass Hog lives up to its name. The unit is powered by a 4.8 amp electric motor that spins the line at 9,500 rpm. An automatic line feed system eliminates the need to bump the trimmer against the ground every time the line breaks. And the 30-foot, factory-wound spool is easy to install and replace. Head adjustment is quick and easy, too. Just press the button, rotate the handle and wait for it to lock in place. The Grass Hog comes equipped with an auxiliary handle for added comfort and control. The handle rotates a full 360 degrees and can be moved up and down the handle to ensure the perfect fit, whatever size the operator may be. A flip-down edge guide ensures precise trimming and edging work. And, at just 5.2 pounds, the Grass Hog is easy for just about anyone to use.--Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Soft grips for maximum comfort
• Automatic line advancement -- no bumping required
• Powerful, 4.8 amp motor
• Groom 'N Edge head rotates 180 degrees for edging work
• Patented cord lock secures extension cord during use

Reviews (18)

Better stock up on string
I have a small yard so I got a lightweight model. Everything about the Grass Hog works just fine except one thing, the automatic string feed mechanism. I thought that automatic string feed was a great convenience when I bought it, but after just one use, it spent the entire spindle. I'm going to return this so I can get one a trimmer that requires bumping. At least that way I won't have to buy a new spindle each time I do some trimming.

Everyone should be like this
Excellent product. Much easier to use than the bump kind.

Autofeed plastic mechanism melted.
The white autofeed plastic part melted on the first day and the GH600 stopped feeding string. Useless. I had to return it immediately. Now I'm looking for a reliable electric trimmer.

I would definitely recommend this
I have a small lot (8500 sq. ft.) and the rear portion had a fair amount of tall grass growing in a non-landscaped area. This thing chopped that stuff down no problem. I had a McCullough gas trimmer that couldn't take that stuff down.

I haven't had it long enough to comment on the line use issues, but i think for ~$50 this is a great value. It does a lot better edging my bermuda lawn than the dedicated Craftsman edger that I had (used a blade).

So basically this outperforms 2 units that had a combined cost of around $200 for me. So far I am thrilled with it. Don't worry about it not having the power to do basic trimming. This has converted me to electric trimmers for the foreseeable future.

Trimmer knife breaks.
I've had the trimmer knife break off twice. The trimmer knife is used to automatically cut the string to the desired length. Without the knife, the trimmer cannot be used. The first time the knife broke off Home Depot reluctantly accepted the exchange. The second time I riveted a sheet of sharpened metal to where the knife used to be. I'm looking around for a better model. This model eats line like crazy, particularly the non-round kind, leaving pieces of trimmer line everywhere. On the plus side, it is light and easily adjusted. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Don't think you're man or woman enough to handle a piece of power equipment? Fear no more. Black & Decker's bump feed string trimmer is a great buy for even the beginning gardener who needs to whack weeds regularly. Its 3-1/2 amp motor munches medium-to-thick weeds with precision and ease, even when weeds are a tangled web. The 12-inch cutting path and 10,000 rpm get the job done fast. This Black & Decker is easy to maneuver and can be used to trim weeds in some hard-to-reach places where other trimmers fail. It will also challenge thicker weeds, but watch out for vines, which can get tangled up above the cutting spool. To feed the spool, simply tap the trimmer against the ground.

Black & Decker definitely keeps the consumer in mind by providing comfort with an adjustable, textured top handle for firm gripping and maximum control. This string trimmer is not too heavy, either; weighing about 5 pounds, it's a good fit, even for smaller gardeners. You may start to feel a light vibration in your hands after a long trimming job, but it's minimal. This Black & Decker model can be used regularly and doubles as an edger. The Groom 'n' Edge button rotates the trimmer head 180 degrees to convert the trimmer to an edger and back again. In seconds, you can turn the head, and you'll hear the snap when it's in place. An edge guide provides precise trimming and edging around sidewalks and driveways and does a good job of keeping you at a safe distance from rocks or even the side of your deck or house.

This string trimmer, as well as most other electric trimmers, is best suited for small yards that are accessible with extension cords. Because electric trimmers are generally lighter and more comfortable, they are easy to handle. If you're looking to whack unruly weeds on your otherwise well-maintained yard, this electric trimmer is a less-powerful yet long-lasting alternative to more expensive gas-powered trimmers. Be sure to wear hand, eye, and foot protection when operating any trimmer. A 30-day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty are included. ... Read more

Features

• 30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty
• Groom'N'Edge button rotates 180-degrees for convert from trimming to edging
• Edge guide assists for precise trimming and edging
• Textured and adjustable top handle assits for maximum control
• Cord retention prevents accidental disconnection

Reviews (11)

Very Reliable
I've used the Black and Decker ST4000 string trimmer for several years; I have been quite pleased with it except that it doesn't seem to hold up to frequent use. I do only my own yard, so I don't think I've been abusive to it.

B&D in for the sale...not for customer service
B&D will not provide instructions on-line for rewinding the spool. They will only tell you how to buy new spools. Their own spools have a "REWIND LINE" directional arrow...but this is a single line spool and they don't tell you which of the four holes or two anchor notches to use, or the manner in which to secure the line.

Can't call them...they work bankers hours Mon-Fri...useless for the average weekend warrior. I certainly don't do yardwork in the middle of the workday. Nor would my employer appreciate my use of the phone for weed whacking advice.

I am forced to go to the local hardware store and buy a new spool and do the detective work myself. This seems a bit selfish of B&D. ..withholding the information just so they can sell new spools.

Also, after three uses, the string guard broke off. Now, there is nothing to keep the proper distance from walls, shrubs, trees, etc. So the string breaks faster. But at least B&D will sell you a new spool!

Recommendation: tell B&D to post a manual on-line, and give honest information to customers. Otherwise, I'll spend the extra money to buy a brand that cares about customer service more than the upsell.

Bad Plastic
Just about everthing on this item that is plastic has cracked and broken. I do not mistreat my tools and am disappointed with the quality of this item

B%D TRIMMER
Buyers should be aware this trimmer requires a cord. You will need to buy a long extention cord for this. Has no battery. Once you buy the cord at your local hardware store and try it, the trimmer does work fairly well for light work.

gift
this was a gift so i cannot say one way or another how this product is. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What sets this trimmer apart from the pack is its clever AFS line-feed system. It automatically senses when more line is needed and feeds it in fractional increments without bumping through centrifugal force. The spool is surprisingly easy to replace, too. When you’re done trimming, convert the unit to an edger by rotating the Groom 'N' Edge head 180 degrees in just a few seconds.Unlike other trimmers, this one has an auxiliary handle that adjusts to the user’s height. A sturdy guard protects you from flying debris, a good thing because the motor keeps the string moving at 11,800 rpm. The flip-down edge guide makes edging a snap. The 12-volt battery will charge overnight in the wall-mount stand. Relatively light at 10 pounds, it’s a great dual-purpose tool for the homeowner.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes 12V 9" trimmer/edger, charger, battery, and wall mount bracket
• Automatic Feed System, no bumping required
• Groom N' Edge head converts from trimming to edging
• Cordless trimmer eliminates the hassle of extension cords
• Adjustable auxiliary handle adjusts to user's height

Reviews (5)

Great Value
I recently purchased this grass trimmer from Amazon.com. I wanted a cordless model so I did not have to bother with gas or lugging a plug around the yard. I received it very quickly and was able to pull it out of the box and have it ready for it's first charge in about 10 minutes.

I used it last night for the first time and was very happy with it. I needed it primarily to remove the grass/weed growth (that that our mower can't reach), that was climbing up the fence separating my and my neighbor's yards as well as the weeds that grow around our garage. It worked perfectly. I had some grass/weeds near the fences that was at least 12 inches in height and it blasted right through it. It never got stuck or jammed. I probably cleared about 150 -200 feet of fence that had grass and weeds climbing up.

I did try to use it on a section of dense pulpy weeds near a corner of our yard where the grass meets concrete. The weeds are very low to the ground and have very thick stems. It did not work so great on these but I think it is due to the thickness and density of the weed growth. I wound up just pulling them up out of the ground (this was even hard to do). But, since I bought it for purposes of removing the grass/growth along the fences on my property, it works wonderfully.

The only drawback is it does get heavy after using for a while, but the helper handle is a great plus. Since I don't need to use it for excessive lengths of time, that is something I can live with. I would recommend this trimmer.

Don't do it!
I would like to update my last review of this machine...

After less than a full season using this "toy" I now realize how cheap this thing is. I have spent more time "re-threading" the spool after the string wears down to nothing or more often than not, breaks off, than I have trimming. You only end up with about 3" of string during the lightest of trimming. And now the lower bearing in the motor is worn out. I guess I'll strip the battery out of it and trash the rest.
If you need to trim anything but the LIGHTEST of grasses, this machine is not of any value to you.
And, customer support from Black &Decker is nothing more than a bunch of form letters... and they are automatic and have nothing to do with your queries.
I was poised and ready to purchase their cordless mower, but with the experience I have had (or lack of) with their "customer support" and the quality of this product, I have purchased another brand.

AFS is a disappointment..
I really like going cordless and gasless with this trimmer, but the "auto feed" system is very poor. Most of the time the user actually only gets about three inches of trimming cord to use. Too bad they don't offer a "bump-feed" system, that would make it a great machine!

I'll keep it ...
I like this trimmer. It's a little heavy on the fore arm if you have 10 minutes or more of trimming to do. It does a very good job of taking care of lighter trimming.

I was hoping it would power through 6 to 8 inch high wet grass that accummulates under the 5 spruces I have - no such luck. It seems to have too much build up of grass on the guard, lack power and trim line strength to do that job. I have been using a 10" with the electric cord and heavier trim line and hope I wouldn't need to use it.

However, the cordless trimmer makes it a lot faster to do the trimming and easier to keep up with the 1/2 acre yard work. So maybe the dense grass problem won't occur.

The verdit is out on the auto feed as it seemed to chew up the .065 trim line very easily especially around tree bases. This makes the operator haver to exercise more care. However, the auto feeder seems to work flawlessly.

I haven't used the edger feature, nor would I as I have a lot of edging to do.

For normal trimming the CST1000 powers its way through. It sure beats lugging 100 to 150 feet of cord around.

One more thing. The unit handle was damaged in shipping. Two plastic mounting posts broke off inside the handle. The handle halfs, while not showing damage, would easily separate. The exterior screws that fasten the two halfs could not hold the halfs together. It appears that the problem is in the Black and Decker box as it does not seem to protect the handle from the weight of the battery.

A very nice product.
I have been using this trimmer for about six weeks and I'm happy with it. I had an inexpensive electric trimmer, but I wanted freedom from cords. At first I considered buying a gas trimmer until I realized that was ridiculous since I'd be using it to trim a property less than one-quarter acre. I also didn't like the fact that the gas trimmers all had wide cutting paths. That is an advantage only if you are cutting grass rather than just trimming grass around a wall, shrub, flower bed, pole etc. A comparably powered trimmer with a larger cutting path isn't going to trim grass any faster since you're really only using the tip of the line to cut the grass. This trimmer has a smaller cut path so you can trim in and around tight areas, and do so without accidentally cutting something you don't want cut (like flowers). I think the power of this model is very good but according to Consumer Report, some cordless trimmers aren't as powerful as electric models. If you are a power freak you probably will want a gas trimmer.

Black and Decker makes another cordless model (Grass Hog) with a 12" cutting path. Frankly, I think this (9-inch) model is a better choice because it operates at a higher rpm. That means the tip of the line is moving at a higher speed. Taking into account the circumference of a 12" and 9" circle as well as the rpm of both models (6,800 for the 12" and 11,800 for the 9"), I calculated the "tip speed" of this model at 316 mph while the 12" cordless model is only 243mph. Although I haven't used the 12" model I assume this one cuts better for that reason.

It also performs nicely as a light edger. Switching from trimming to edging takes just seconds. It's really a great feature. It's so convenient having an edger at hand that I edge much more than I used to.

One thing I don't like about the trimmer is the auto feed system. I don't like not being able to feed new line whenever I want. New line is fed only when the existing line has been considerably shortened from use. Also, when the line frays and splits (as it often does) you either have to wait until the auto feed kicks in or trim the line with scissors. I carry a small pair with me and occasionally cut the line when it gets frayed. You can probably also use nail clippers.

Cordless trimmers are heavier than electric models and some of the lighter gas models. They are better balanced (than electrics) though and more comfortable to use in that respect. The weight is near your hands as opposed to being at the front. I find it more comfortable to hold this trimmer than some of the lighter electric models I picked up in the stores.

Most of all, what makes this trimmer great is the fact that it's cordless. You just can't beat the convenience.

Shop no further, Amazon's price is excellent. I didn't get it any cheaper and I bought mine at a huge retailer who is known for great prices (you know who they are).

Pros

- cordless!
- well balanced
- smaller cutting path
is advantageous for trimming tight areas
- switches quickly to an edger

Cons

- Auto feed system
- weight ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

There are lots of reasons to choose electric power tools over gas: they’re cleaner, quieter, and all-around better for the environment. There’s one big reason not to: tripping over (and perhaps cutting) the cord. This compact but surprisingly tough little trimmer solves the cord problem with a powerful 14.4-volt rechargeable battery that runs up to 40 minutes between charges. (That’s enough time to trim up to 1000 square feet of hedge and shrubs.) Without a cumbersome electrical cord to drag around, even big jobs feel easier, and you’ll never need to mess with oil, gas, or tune-ups. The extended 22-inch trimming blade provides a smooth, level cut and features dual action to minimize vibration, increase user comfort, and diminish fatigue. Weighing only 6 pounds, this unit feels even lighter, and it’s superbly balanced in the hand. Despite being battery-powered, the motor provides plenty of torque to chew handily through branches up to 3/8 of an inch in diameter. This trimmer is covered by a full two-year warranty. --Mary Park ... Read more

Features

• Cuts through branches up to 3/8-inch in diameter
• Weighs 6 pounds; 2-year warranty
• Lightweight and cordless electric trimmer is quiet, clean-running, and easy to use
• 22-inch cutting blade with dual action to minimize vibration and increase comfort
• 14.4-volt battery runs up to 40 minutes between charges

Features

• Includes narrow and wide hand spade, a hand cultivator, a by-pass hand pruner, kneepad, and cotton gloves, overnight charger, and a canvas carry bag
• Cuts up to 5,500 strokes per minute, completing trimming tasks with ease
• Lock-off switch prevents accidental start-ups
• 35-minute run time on single charge
• 3-inch scissors-type hardened blades for durability

Reviews (2)

Great product, don't review this until you OWN it!
I can't believe someone reviews a product without actually owning it, that isn't fair to the product. Anyway, it DOES include a battery (not sure exactly what type) but it's inside of the grass shearer. Just plug it's cable into the A/C and it charges. When it's ready to be used, it works like a charm in hard to reach areas of the garden. For me, I find it especially useful around patio lights that can't be mowed around easily. I'm sure I'll find other areas of the garden too!

The included tools are very nice. They have rubberized grips and look like quality tools. The kneepad could be a little softer, but it'll do. The hand pruner worked perfectly to oust a HUGE weed in the garden. Gloves are decent too.
The carrying bad is large, tough, and better than expected. A great addition!
It even comes with a 30-day no risk satisfaction guarantee. How can you go wrong for $24.99? If you bought all these items seperately, it'd be way more than that. Just a pair of garden gloves can be $15!

We just moved into our first single family home less than a week ago and I took a risk and pre-ordered this Black and Decker gardening set. It's a perfect set. Great for first time home owners like me, who literally don't own one gardening tool! (NONE!) A great set, and I am happy with it!

Happy gardening!

What kind of battery does this use?
Does anyone know whether this uses the same 3.6 Volt Versapak battery as the Scumbuster and Dustbuster? Black and Decker is certainly making it difficult to determine. I looked all over the box in The Home Depot and couldn't find the answer. My guess is they are trying to hide the fact that the battery probably isn't included.
It's aggravating, because I might be willing to buy this anyway since I already own Versapak batteries, but they treat you like an idiot and leave you guessing.
I tried to submit a question to B&D web site, but, of course, they want me first to create an account and give them all my personal information.
F--- 'Em. ... Read more

Features

• Powers all 14.4-volt FireStorm units.
• High capacity nickel cadmium
• Two year home use warranty

Reviews (14)

great tools -- bad charger
I won't go into great detail since others have already stated my problem, but the point is well taken that a cordless tool is only as good as the charger. My charger died and finding a replacement seems impossible. I'll stay away from Black and Decker tools in the future for this reason.

(...)

just keeps working...
I have 14.4v Makita, Ryobi, and Black and Decker tools. As far as the actual tools go, the B&D always seem unfinished and kind of crude. (My drill has always sounded like it was full of sand; I also have one of the first rushed-to-market models w/ the bad chuck (a problem they have since fixed)) In spite of these problems, I have more hours on the B&D than on the Makita and Ryobi combined. Some really rough use, too. I have already had to buy replacement batteries for the Makita (expensive!) and Ryobi (very hard to find) and the B&D batteries still work as well as the day I got them. I did have to replace the charger almost immediately after the warranty expired but found one at Wally quite reasonably priced. In my opinion, the batteries are the best part of the Firestorm line.

people that need chargers
You can purchase the inexpensive B&D 1 hour charger online ( I have two, one for each style battery) from www.reliablepowertools.com. Or you can also use the Dewalt 1 hour chargers, the batteries fit with no modifications. These chargers have charge indicator lights that tell you when the pack is fully charged so there's no guessing. This is a simple problem to cure, I hope this helps everyone....

Its not the battery, but the charger
The battery may be good, but it is useless if it can not be charged. I have three Black and Decker 14.4 volt tools and four batteries. That much battery power was enough to keep the sawdust flying until the charger went south. No problem, I had a second charger at the ready. But it too went dead within minutes of the first one. I am now searching for a replacement charger. I certainly will not buy another tool that uses this type of battery and may have to replace what I have. But it will not be Black and Decker.

Charger
I had a PS140 charger recently die on me. However, the local B&D Outlet store took my old drill/battery/charger and replaced the whole set at NO COST and without question. It did not even matter that I had bought it elsewhere and had no receipt.

I can't complain about service like that. B&D does have a two year warranty. I'm still a happy customer. ... Read more

Features

• Adjustable secondary handle for maximum control and comfort
• Automatic Feed Spool, no bumping required
• 4.2 amp motor for heavier applications
• Groom N' Edge head rotates 180-degrees for edging
• Edge guide assists with maintainence edging

Reviews (6)

NEVER EVER BUY THIS OR ANY OTHER!!!
THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT OUT OF THE BOX(THE FIRST ONE)I WAS SO EXCITED! IT HAD A RUBBER COATING ON, NO MORE BLISTERS. THEN I TOOK IT TO WORK CAUSE I HAVE "AMERICAN LAWN SERVICES" AND AT FIRST IT WORKED GREAT THEN I DECIDED TO DO MY LAWN. BAD PURCHASE AS I STARTED THE AUTO MATIC SPOOL FEED STOPED FEEDING THE LINE WASN'T EVEN STUCK SO EACH TIME THE LINE RAN DOWN I HAD TO TURN IT OVER A MANUALY DO THE FEEDING MYSELF ! BY THE TIME I WAS DONE IT TOOK ME TWICE THE TIME IT TOOK A POULAN WEED EATER. BUT THAT GAVE AFTER NINE MONTHS OF SERVICE! THE DOWNGRADE I PURCHASE IN EXCHANGE WAS JUST AS BAD!!! IF YOU LIKE FLIPPING IT OVER JUST TO GET LINE DONT BUY THESE OR TRUST ME YOUR HANDS WILL HURT WHEN YOUR DONE.

Perfect for the Novice / New Property Owner
I bought this trimmer/edger as well as a B&D blower and hedge trimmer all in one day. I couldn't ask for more for a mere $40.00 ($30.00 after rebate). It is lightweight and easy to change from trimmer to edger. I have never mowed, trimmed or edged a lawn before so having a tool this easy to use is great! It does appear to use alot of string but I was also doing some heavy edging to an unkept lawn. I don't anticipate this to be the case with normal use. Highly recommended!

Line Hog
I bought this trimmer/edger thinking how great it would be to just trim with the auto-feed feature. I have had the most difficult time with this trimmer. I used over 75 feet of line in an area smaller than 250 sq. ft. of mainly grass and some weeds. After using the spool that came with it which lasted 10 minutes, I constantly had to stop to re-wind the spool (yes, I read the directions and did it properly - 5 times). It continuously cut off pieces of line and threw them close to 100 ft. through the air. This is not safe in a California neighborhood. I would not recommend this trimmer unless you like fiddling with your trimmer.

A great trimmer/edger for the price... BUT
My experience is that this Auto Feed trimmer IS indeed a string hungry monster. I would have given it 5 stars otherwise. Fortunately, hand winding a reload is a fairly fast & simple proposition. I cannot recommend highly enough to buy the largest roll (for economy) of bulk string refill you can find. The reason I probably gobble more string than some other reviewers is because I do use it as designed, to edge along concrete as well as clear flora from along the foundation of my house. This brute actually breaks up loose cement with a loud "Ka-chunk!" (there goes a bunch of line) and keeps on whacking, so for heavy-duty operations it does garner the 5th star. Maybe with more experience I'll edge precisely and never hit the concrete at all - but in the mean time it's winding and whacking (and relaxing and admiring). I now have the best looking driveway, sidewalks & curb on my street.

Great Purchase!
I purchased this trimmer after reading other reviews and I agree that this is a wonderful trimmer. It is fairly lightweight, so it's easy to manuever and allowed me complete my trimming jobs in no time! My husband and son criticized the purchase, saying it wouldn't be heavy duty enough to take care of the trimming I wanted to do, but they were very surprised when it arrived. In fact, my husband took it out to try it and ended up completing a whole piece of property that I had intended on doing! The only downfall is having to work around an electrical cord, but I knew that at the time I decided to buy it, so I am not disappointed. (Just make sure you also purchase a heavy duty extention cord that is long enough to get you where you need to work!) ... Read more

Features

• Double gear reduction motor transmission delivers more power for cutting through thick hedges or shrubs, Lightweight design allows for greater control and less fatigue
• In-line body design allows for greater control & more accurate cuts
• 2-Position pivoting handle allows user to trim the tops of hedges with increased control
• Oversized two position handle for comfort and control
• Dual action blades cut branches faster & easier with 40% less vibration, Hedge Hog shearing blades give clean aggressive cuts up to 3/4"

Reviews (1)

Tiring for extended use - no lock on
This is a nice trimmer but it loses two stars from me because it can't be locked on, you must grip the switch at all times or it shuts off.This makes it tiring for any extended use as the switches are not very ergonomic and awkward to turn on again after it turns off because you had to change your hand position slightly.Of course you can defeat this with a sliding hose clamp or loop of string (just like you have to do on lawnmowers nowadays), but IMO not allowing a lock "on" is a stupid design "feature".Thank you, lawyers for crapping everything up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Black & Decker’s VersaPak tools are great for the homeowner, and to keep them running, you’ll want some spare batteries. Some advantages to these include their freedom from "memory," which keeps you from getting a full recharge and the fact that you’ll get at least 300 full recharges on each battery. They’ll power all the 3.6-volt VersaPak tools, including the ScumBuster and screwdrivers. Of course, once you buy a VersaPak tool, you don’t have a choice of batteries, but we’ve found these to be reliable and well able to power the 3.6-volt VersaPak line. The charger has a light that lets you know you’ve inserted the batteries for a charge, and three hours later, they’re ready to go. Our only suggestion: We’d like to see Black & Decker revamp the charger to let us know when the batteries are fully charged. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Interchangeable batteries work with all VersaPak products
• Batteries be recharged over 300 times and has no memory
• Charger recharges batteries in 3 hours
• Two year home use warranty

Reviews (13)

Time Saver
I am in housekeeping at a camp and we have the VersaPac for our ScumBuster. It is so convenient and fast to change out because, we are very business and don't have time to spend on trying to change out batteries. With the twin charger we always have a battery ready to go. Thank you Black & Decker for making our day.

Battery life
I have a most of the VersaPak tools sold to date and really do like their ease of use. We have the circular saw, 2 reciprocating saws, 5 flashlights, 2 drills, 1 stick screwdriver, 1 scumbuster that I can think of right now. THESE ARE ALL GREAT TOOLS!

They do have one BIG SHARED PROBLEM. Battery life (or lack of it).

I currently have 10 DEAD VersaPak silver batteries in my kitchen drawer and NONE are over 24 months old. The standard silver battery will hold a useful charge for about 30 days on the shelf. NONE of my silver batteries have lasted more than 14 months and a few of them died within 8 months. I do NOT put them through a charge/discharge cycle even once a day - so they are NOT lasting the '300 cycles' that B&D claims.

I just purchased 2 GOLD VersaPak batteries in May 2002 and they REALLY DO LAST LONGER while working. I hope they last longer than 12 months though. I certainly HOPE that B&D will FIX this battery problem. I like the tools, but I may need to switch to another vendor's products if this battery issue is not resolved soon.

they just don't last
Batteries seem smart, but they don't last long when new (except in the flashlight) and they gradually just die off completely (and are not cheap to replace). Be forewarned.

What is the hold-up?
If I ever receice this item, I might be able to rate it higher.
Shipping date keeps moving back......if item is out of stock, please say so.

Bad batteries
I have the entire works of BD cordless power tools including the flashlight, scum buster, vacuum, cordless drill, recip saw etc., but no batteries. I had the ones that came with the tools plus some extras I purchased seperately. After a year of use, none will take a charge. What a waste, it is a great idea, but I guess the technology is not there year. ... ... Read more

Features

• 30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty
• 30-feet .065 factory wound string trimmer replacement spool
• Fits Black & Decker Cordless String Trimmers CST1000, CST2000 and NST2018
• Fits Black & Decker Electric String Trimmers ST7000, ST6600, GH400 and GH500
• Automatic Feed Spool (AFS) releases line as needed-no bumping required

Reviews (2)

Don't find yourself strung out.
So what did you want to know? I started my trimming carrier with the Black & Decker Automatic Feed Spool (AFS). It is just plug and go. I prefer my trimmer string to come from Black & Decker. This way I will not come unraveled trying to use some cheap substitute. The spools last longer than expected. But all good things come to an end and you don't want to be half way through the yard when you find your self strung out.

AF-100 on GH400 Trimmer Edger
The factory replacement spool for the GH400 Trimmer/Edger is the way to go. I have been very pleased with the easy to load and use spools. I have had bad luck with other trimmers, but this one is great with the factory replacement spool. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Where was this last fall when we were knee-deep in rakes,plastic bags, and complaining teenagers? What a spiffy contraption thisis. The collection system--an 8-foot hose and can cover--fits all Black& Decker blower/vacs. The idea is genius: Attach the adjustabledrawstring cover to your garbage can, attach the hose to yourblower/vac. Pretend you're in your living room and vacuum the yard. Theleaves are sucked directly into your garbage can. No more bending,scooping, lifting, sweating, or cajoling grumpy teens into doingautumn's most bedeviling chore. The system is simple, clean, and adarned good idea. Kudos, Black & Decker. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty
• Deposits leaves and debris directly into trash can
• 8 foot hose covers a 16 foot circular diameter from the trash can
• Fits all Black & Decker blower vac bags
• Adjustable top with draw string adjusts to any size trash can

Reviews (9)

well blow me down!
Our garden at home is huge, and we have lots of big trees. In the autumn holidays I get pocket-money for clearing away the leaves on the lawn. My dad has always had a Fu-qing Blower but now has the Black & Decker BV-006 Blower/Vacuum Leaf Collection System, and my life is so much easier! Forget the Fu-qing Blower... the Black & Decker BV-006 Blower/Vacuum Leaf Collection System rocks my leaf collecting world.

Worth it's weight in gold!
I ordered this product in early September planning ahead for the season, and received it the end of October because it was backordered. Now I know why! It works great! It's a very powerful vacuum and when used with the Kangaroo container it's perfect for what I need! I bought a Sears push mulcher that looks like a lawn mower but is a dedicated mulcher and it stinks compared to this!!! Not only is this attachment at least 2-3 times more powerful, but because it's portable, it's a lot easier to use than lugging around a lawn mower mulcher. I can easily carry it to my patio, or anywhere else I need to do some spot pick-ups. Unfortunately, though, when leaves fall, twigs fall along with them, and it's probably not the best thing for the motor, so try to avoid them. I use the mulched leaves around my flower beds and delicate plants when I'm finished. Get it! You'll love how well it works. Word of caution: By the time this attachment came, I had misplaced my blower instructions, so I ended up taking it apart to put on the attachment, until I realized there's a button above the power button which was a simple release. Live and learn... Great product!

Time on your hands?
I have a rather large, corner lot with a lot of leaves. This works well if you are not in a hurry. It works very well in a sunken contrete patio area that collects leaves, vacuuming it all up well. But for clearing a large lot efficiently, it takes too long.

Works great with my Stihl Gas Blower
I saw a neighbor using this and thought what a great idea. Since I already had a Stihl blower, I searched the internet for a version of this for my blower. When I didn't find one, I decided I would try this system even though my blower is not a Black and Decker brand.

Without this system, the bag that you carry around fills up too fast and gets heavy to haul around. Since I bought this, no more stopping every minute to empty the bag.

To install on my Stihl blower, I had to remove the special attachment for B&D Blower and it easly fit onto where the leaf bag would normally attach. I had no trouble using this with a round trash can, but it has a lip which keeps the mesh portion from coming loose. I also found that I could get a really dense bag by pushing the leaves down when it fills up and mulch up some more leaves. Since I pay per bag for pickup, this saves me some money.

A DREAM COME TRUE
I was daydreaming of just such a system this year as I spent many hours sucking up the leaves from the corners of my yard. I have a 2 acre lot and its quite a chore. The original bag was quick to fill up, but then it took ages to go through the routine of detaching, emptying the bag into the old paper leaf bags, and then re-attaching the bag.
I saw this system in a store and thought I'd take a risk to order just the collection system from Amazon for my gas blower. With a bit of modification I attached it to my gas powered Homelite blower, got some Extra Large trash bags (45 gallon) for my 45 gallon square trash can.
WOW! I was off - what a system. Now I was sending most of my time sucking and almost no time bagging.
I'd recommend you use the largest trash can possible (the bag fits better) - with wheels (to help your mobility) - and put a couple of bricks in the bottom (to keep it stable as you move around the yard).
I LOVE THIS SYSTEM. If you want to take a chunk of time out of the annual chore, do not hesitate, buy it now. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Black & Decker has taken five popular home workshop tools and put them together into one compact, cordless unit in the Black & Decker 14.4-volt cordless multi-tool kit. The 14.4-volt model offers five interchangeable, locking heads that provide drill/driver, circular saw, jig saw, router and sander/polisher features. While not as powerful or feature-laden as most stand-alones, the multi-tool provides an excellent starting point or addition to a home enthusiast's arsenal. The drill head operates at variable speeds of 0-700 rpm. A 24-position clutch provides up to 115 in./lbs. of torque. And a 3/8-inch keyless chuck makes bit changes easy. The 3-3/8 inch circular saw features a 20-tooth carbide tipped blade and operates at 0-1,100 rpm. A spindle lock allows quick blade changes, while a thin kerf minimizes waste. The jigsaw features Black & Decker's exclusive, tool-free QuickClamp blade change system. A see-through bezel offers a cleaner view of the cut line, while a blade support roller keeps the blade straight for an accurate finish. The router features a 1/4-inch collet and spindle lock. Good visibility, micro-depth adjustments and an operating speed of 0-8,000 rpm make it well-suited for small, high-speed project work. The sander/polisher is also versatile. It reaches into tight spaces, accepts Mouse attachments, and spins at 0-8,000 opm.--Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Detail sanding pad works in tight corners
• One tool with five attachments for drill/driving, sanding/polishing, cutting and decorative edging
• Drill/driver has 24-position clutch and keyless chuck
• Saw has 3-3/8 inch blade for cutting 1x material
• Router operates at 8,000 rpm for high-speed applications

Reviews (11)

Do you all work for Black and Decker?
It's a great idea but if you are going to do a day or weekend long project that would require one or more of the attachments, get extra batteries! The only attachments that didn't kill the battery quickly were the drill and maybe the saw wasn't great. The other pieces especially the router and jigsaw drained both batteries noticably in about 15 minutes. I've found the router adequate only for edge and laminate work but way underpowered for anything else.
Don't even get me started on the safety start mechanism. You must depress a button on the attachments before the trigger will engage. This is especially maddening and awkward with the router.
Save your money and buy the real versions of each tool you really need instead of this poor compromise on all of them.

I LOVE mine! What a fantastic deal! No complaints...
I first saw the Black and Decker multi-tool at Home Depot, but the one they had only had 3 tools and was only 12 volts. (Still pretty cool.) This one has FIVE tools and is 14.4 volts. All the tools are great. You get two batteries, and they last a long time. I'd rate this as one of the best values in tools I've ever purchased. I love my Black and Decker multi-tool. (One improvement though... a catchier name...)

Looks like a great product
I just ordered this product and it looks to be exactly what I need. I just need power tools to do small projects around the house. This is a perfect mult-tool product for me. Just the basics is all I need. I don't need a top of the line circular saw, jigsaw, etc. I just need something that will handle the small projects that I work on and this appears to be exactly what I need.

Perfect, teh best tool
Amazing. I bought mine at Amazon and my cousin brought to me. I was waiting for another machine, but this is fantastic!!!
Congratulations AMAZON, congratulation Black and Decker. I think that I will not find another tool like this. Very, very good.
Buy one and tell me....

Simplier and Faster
I see this tool in a store and I'd like it, but I was not sure if it realy works, so I asked to the tool-man of the store to set it for and exibition for me the next day. The performance was much better of what I expect. The tool not only works fine at home but also at some heavy duty work. ... Read more

Features

• Infinite Clutch with micro-adjust torque, for driving various size screws
• Dual Port Charger charges two batteries at once and has a maintenance mode for extended life batteries
• Removable chuck allows you to go from drilling a hole to driving a screw faster, without changing bits
• Quick Connect bit change system, gives you the ability to quickly and easily use a full range of hex shank drilling and screwdriving accessories
• 3 Position gear box, for high torque driving and high speed drilling control

Features

• Measures approximately 5 by 11-1/2 by 6 inches; 1-year warranty
• 1500-watt iron with digital-display temperature and fabric settings
• Easy-to-read mini LCD monitor; stainless-steel soleplate; soft grip
• Variable-steam control; vertical steaming; burst of steam; auto cleaning
• Temperature ready tones; motion-sensitive auto off with audible alerts

Amazon.com Review

The Workmate 225 might be what's missing from your home shop. Its versatility makes it an especially ideal choice for those with limited shop floor space: Use it as a workbench, a bench tool stand, a vise, or a sawhorse; when the job's done, you can quickly break it down and store it out of the way. (Try that with a regular workbench!) Its portability is no small advantage: essentially, the Workmate lets you move your shop wherever you need it. The Workmate's legs fold under to provide the lower height and stability needed for use as a base for bench tools. Its all-steel construction and rubber feet ensure a stable, strong work surface that supports up to 450 pounds. And its independently adjustable jaws have two swivel pegs each, allowing you to hold almost anything. The Workmate 225 is Black & Decker's intro model. They also offer the Workmate 550, which is a little burlier, has a nice clamping device, and is more expensive. For light-duty, home shop use, though, the Workmate 225 is an excellent choice. --Tim Block ... Read more

Features

• Two year home use warranty
• Folds easily for storage and transport
• Exclusive clutch design makes clamping easy and allows for fine tuning
• Durable steel constructions holds up to 450 pounds
• Dual height--bench and sawhorse--for multiple uses

Reviews (12)

A great tool!
This is one of the most useful tools that I have owned in my 20 yrs in the carpentry trade.Most of the woodworking that I do is on-site and the Workmate is indispensible.A quality product!

GOTTA HAVE ONE
My wife just sold my original workmate in a garage sale! This meant I needed to get a work horse fast! The work mate is the most convenient portable tool bench available. The newer models work well but don't have the excellent glue-lam tops that the original model had. Both the old and new models are easy to use, allow a single worker to hold difficult materials for cutting, sanding, mitering, and gluing. It is the next best thing to an extra set of hands. My first workmate lasted through 4 house remodels. I expect the new one to last through 4 more!

Great until I broke the worm gear follower
My father has had a workmate for years. It had provided about 5 years of faithful 'moderate' to 'light' duty service. It's a must for space starved garages or workshops, and is fantastic for clamping. One of its drawbacks is its unwieldy center of mass when it folded up and placed on its side. It has a tendency to want to tip over if bumped, and in a confined garage that can be a problem. Alas, about a month ago it fell over and broke the plastic worm gear follower. It is a shame that they selected a thermoset plastic for this part. Because of its lack of ductility when it hit the deck it shattered into a several pieces. At first pass for the designers to make a part of this complex geometry out of plastic was the obvious choice, however, a die casting of the same part would have been much better.(...)

B&D and Amazon - Great Combo
I have wanted one of these most of my adult life, especially when I needed it and didn't have anyone to help me. I always assumed (correctly) that it was more expensive. When I "stumbled" across the WM 225 at the Amazon price with FREE shipping on this fairly heavy object - it was a done deal. Mine arrived in perfect condition much faster than the Super-Saver option allowed for. Wood, PVC, hacksaw, circular saw, glue - I have found my WM to be a new best friend. My wife sees me carrying it between garage and basement and knows that I'm finally attacking my "honey-do" list. Wish I'd bought it years ago. Thanks Amazon for a great price on a great product delivered.

indispensible!
My husband loves this. It stores easily in our New York apartment. It works just as they say it should. No complaints. Very durable. Easy to calibrate and set. ... Read more

Features

• 3-in-1 cordless sander for finish sanding, random orbit sanding and detail sanding
• Stud finder for hanging pictures, coat hangers, shelves and more, through material up to 3/4 inches thick
• Innovative hand saw cuts wood, plastic, and metal and is perfect for outdoor pruning
• Powerful drill/driver for a wide variety of heavy drilling and driving applications
• Spring loaded batteries for easy installation and removal and less downtime

Features

• 19-inch replacement blade
• Fits Black & Decker lawn mower model #'s MM850, CMM1000
• Factory sharpened for superior cutting performance
• 30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty

Reviews (1)

This is my safety spare.
You are supposed to sharpen the blade periodically. The manual suggests about twice in a cutting season. My lawn is so small that it may take a couple of seasons for that to be required. The real reason I call this my safety spare is that I am afraid that the technology will change before I need it. This keeps me from having to buy it on the after market. In the mean time it is oiled and hanging on the garage wall just incase I "accidentally" run over my neighbor's pink flamingo ordainments and damage the blade. ... Read more