Features

• Powers all 12-volt FireStorm units.
• High capacity nickel cadmium
• Two year home use warranty

Reviews (4)

The drill works ok but the batteries die very fast.
I bought 4 of these drills - two for me and two for friends.
All batteries get tired quickly with usage and they die quickly ( in that they no longer hold a charge at all ). A new battery costs $35 and I only paid $45 for the complete drill/charger/bits so buying new batteries seems like a waste. I bought the Dewalt drill ($180) which came with two batteries and _really_ like it. It charges fully in 1 hour has _lots_ of power and the batteries last quite a while.

I CAN TELL YOU WHERE TO GET THE CHARGER
...but if you've got the cash, you might as well go ahead and get a REAL drill. The number one problem I have with this lemon is that it can't hold small bits...the chuck is poorly designed. I just had the charger conk out on me...first of all, these batteries don't hold a charge for too long; now, no one carries the charger...

Well, almost no one:
http://doityourself.com/store/028877325163.htm

So I hope that helps the person who posted about not being able to find the charger.

warranty
I am trying to find a battery charger for this type battery and can't seem to find one. Our drill is not been used much at all and now we need a charger. If anyone knows where we could get one I sure would appreciate it if you would let me know. Thanks in advance.
We loved having the drill in our home for the convience but, without a charger it is no good to us. We have 2 batteries but, no way to charge them.

Great Battery - Never Get Caught With a Dead Power Tool!
I own a Black & Decker drill and love it! One of the great things about it is that when it runs low on juice, I can just pop in a spare one of these great Firestorm battery packs and never have to stop and wait for my battery to charge back up! Totally handy for when I'm on a roll and don't feel like stopping everything for recharging. These battery packs are also interchangeable with other Firestorm tools - saws, screwdrivers and more. Definitely well worth the money if you are a tool junkie or just impatient like most of us. ... Read more

Features

• Includes saw, 20T steel blade, and wrench
• 11 amp motor provides power for a vaiety of cuts in all woods
• Front and rear handles designed for maximum control
• Bevel adjustment allows for accurate 0-to-45 degree cuts
• Calibrated depth adjustment allows for accurate cuts

Reviews (3)

Poorly calibrated mistake
This saw is not accurately calibrated. For example a 90 degree setting does not produce a 90 degree cut. I can forgive that and use a square or another tool to set measurements; however, this saw cannot produce a 90 degree cut, maybe 87 degrees at best. I regret wasting my money on this and will give it away to a goodwill store. I can't, in good conscience, sell it to anyone else. Black and Decker shouldn't sell anything that it can't be proud of and no one can be proud of this mistake.

You get what you pay for
I've had this saw for 1 year now. So far I found it helpful. I guess the real stress test came when building a deck out of composite lumber. After trimming off boards I noticed that the composite lumber saw dust clogged up the saw and the blade got literally stuck. After this incident I noticed that I can not make 90 degree cut any longer (which is extremely annoying).

I am now looking for another saw that is a) more powerful (15Amps) and b) that cuts 90 degrees.

Lightweight & Powerful
This circular saw makes projects so much easier. Before I purchased this, I was using a jigsaw for all my woodworking projects. Now that I have this saw, I don't dread having to cut long pieces of wood. It's lightweight yet very powerful. The front and rear assist handles make it easy to hold. This is a great saw. ... Read more

Features

• Pivoting cord
• Auto off
• 1200 Watts
• Soft Grip Handle
• Non-stick Soleplate

Features

• Includes tripod, 9 volt battery, hanging strap, and laser
• 360-degree laser line levels across and around rooms
• Laser line automatically levels
• Micro-adjust tripod extends to 5' in height
• Detachable head hangs from strap for higher applications

Reviews (2)

Enough for most
I bought this thing to install a pretty complicated set of kitchen cabinets. Worked pretty well for that task. This is the onle self leveling laser line generator at this price, so you have to cut it some slack. You will have to decide if you want to pay for self-leveling, accuracy, or ruggedness. You will not get all three in this sub$200 category. Read on-

LASER HEAD- Simple design that sets three 129 degree laser line generators on axis and mounted on a gravity gimble. There as a result of the 3 lasers, there are 3 gaps in the line. Not a showstopper, but nice to know. There are no servos, so there isn't much to break. But, there isn't anything keeping the line steady. It takes a few seconds for the line to settle once disrupted- a pain if you are making "fine" adjustments, as you have to wait for the thing to stop wobbling to see if you are at your mark. Lastly, the laser line varies in thickness from about 1/16" to almost 1/4" at the right/left limit. Not good for accuracy, but adequate for many homeowner jobs.

TRIPOD-The tripod is flimsy, but adaquate for non-professional use a few times a year. When fully extended, it is about as stable as a stout reed. Any movement near it upsets the laser line. Not an issue if you use it on a concrete slab. You extend all but one section by pulling them out until they snap. Once set up, the last extension is a gear driven section that gives you about 8" of "fine" adjustment using a locking knob. Flimsy, but it works.

STORAGE- This is the best thing going for it. The thought and engineering that went into storing the unit is unbelivable. The whole thing folds up and stores in itself in a package no bigger than a large thermos.

I'd look at spending $50 more on a manual level/manual rotate, rugged and crazy accurate Stabila 02123 Laser Spirit Level Kit, or $100 more on a manual leveling/auto rotating, rugged DeWalt DW071KI for any regular use. Both can draw a plumb mark, somthing that the B&D cannot.

this thing is so cool
i got this thing to draw a line in a room to install a chair rail. it took ten minutes. i don't think i could have gotten it level and straight in three hours if i tried with a tape measure and a bubble level. it is well worth the money in the time it saved.

i was also able to visualise how the room would look before i drew the line and i made adjustments to the height before i put one line on the wall. that was an added bonus i had not anticipated.

it is well designed and space age, it looks like something from science fiction. i would recommend it to anyone who believes in the right tool for the right job. ... Read more

Features

• Includes planer, 2 reversible carbide blades, and hex wrench
• 5.2 amp mtor for long life and deep cutting capacity
• 1/16" deep cutting capacity for increased performance
• Lock-on button for extended use
• 5/16" rabbeting depth capacity for edging

Reviews (2)

Value Substitute for Dewalt 680
I used my friends Dewalt 680 planer for a couple of jobs and liked its small size/weight and features. I didn't like its $150 price. So I went looking for and alternative and found this Black and Decker at Sears for $69.99 w/case and extra blades. It looks and performs like the Dewalt but at half the price and w/case, extra blades and wrench(uses dewalt blades), edge guide, dust bag, and vacumn attachment accessories.

The only differences I noticed is the rear shoe is a steel plate instead of cast. The front plate (adjustable for plane depth like Dewalt's) is cast aluminum like dewalt. Also, Dewalt has a
guard lever on its rear shoe that drops down to protect blade when setting planer down on its shoe after use. I actually found
this lever to be a pain when using the Dewalt because it would not always drop down when done with a plane, and it was in the way when you wanted to begin a plane run in the middle of a piece.

I was very impressed with this find and satisfied with this planer and its accessories so far.

great value - nice package!!!
after looking at the cost/benefits of the various planers out there, i realized that i really didn't need anything too fancy so i got this to get me through a trim job i'm in the middle of. all i can say is wow. for about $70 you get a very smooth running plane that comes equipped with a dust bag that actually works, a vacuum attachment, two extra reversable blades and a case. it comes with a rip fence but it seems pretty hokey and i wouldn't put too much faith in it. the adjustment knob has very nice detents in it that makes setting the depth a breeze. dont be scared away by the cheap price, this is a very good deal. ... Read more

Features

• Two year home use warranty
• Interchangeable battery works with all VersaPak products
• No memory
• Can be recharged over 300 times
• Three hour charge time

Reviews (1)

Nice to have an extra one
My wife and I have several of the Versa Pak tools and we found that having an extra charge base and extra set of batteries comes in very handy. We keep one set charging in the house and the extra set charging in the tool shed. If you have more than a couple of Versa Pak tools, you'll need this sooner or later. ... Read more

Product Description

With its patented Silent Force⢠Blade technology, this oscillating fan has all the power plus twice the airflow of any other same-sized fan in its class. Yet it delivers its cool comfort with three times less perceived noise! ... Read more

Features

• Silent Force⢠Blade technology â large patented fan blade features
• 5 paddles uniquely shaped to create a quiet breeze for ultimate comfort
• Built-in thermostat for cool, adjustable airflow
• 3 Speeds & oscillation to choose just the right breeze for the room
• Convenient carry handle for easy portability

Amazon.com Review

This amped-up version of the classic Hedge Hog trimmer features a patented blade tooth design to help cut through thicker branches. Smaller-scale trimmers are fine for new growth, but this one helps clean up overgrown and older hedges and shrubs, handily cutting through branches up to 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Surprisingly lightweight and comfortable in the hand at only 6 1/5 pounds, the trimmer runs off a powerful 2.8 amp motor that generates a fast-cutting 3,300 strokes per minute. The trimming blade is made from pre-hardened steel for durability, rust resistance, and long-lasting sharpness. Measuring 22 inches, the blade provides even cuts and an extra-long reach, so you don’t always have to climb a ladder to reach the top of the hedge, while its dual action minimizes vibration, increases user comfort, and diminishes fatigue. When turned on, a locking safety switch allows continuous operation without holding down a trigger; turned off, the switch prevents accidental start-ups. A cord retention features anchors the electrical cord to prevent accidental unplugging. The unit arrives fully assembled, and is covered by a full two-year warranty. --Mary Park ... Read more

Features

• Weighs 6.2 pounds; 2-year warranty
• Lightweight electric trimmer cuts through branches up to 3/4 inch
• Pre-hardened steel 22-inch cutting blade resists rusts and retains sharpness
• 2.8 amp motor delivers up to 3,300 strokes per minute; fully assembled
• Dual-action cutting minimizes vibration and increases comfort

Features

• Removeable accessory cap
• Variable speed reverse for drilling and driving control
• Keyless chuck for quick and easy bit changes, rubber grips for added comfort
• 26-position clutch
• Includes magnetic bit tip holder

Reviews (1)

Kitchen remodeling guy
Great cordless drill/driver for around the house handy work. Fast recharge, battery lasts decently long. Inexpensively excellent product. ... Read more

Features

• 30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty
• Shoulder bag reduces dust from mulched material
• Adjustable strap
• Replaces all Black & Decker blower vac bags
• 2 bushel capacity

Reviews (10)

Black and Decker Con
For those of you who have this terrible product I need not say anymore; you know how bad it is by now. For those of you thinking about buying a B&D leaf blower system of any king, don't. They con you into buying their system, and then force you into buy a new bag every year by providing a sub par bag to go with it. The zipper is made of nylon and will break after the first few times you use it. The bag is cloth and will rip or even blow open shortly after the zipper breaks. It should be made of nylon fiber with a reinforced zipper. I would rather pick the darn leafs up by hand than be frustrated with this inferior product

DEFECTIVE LEAF COLLECTION BAG
The second time I used the leasf collection bag,the zipper ripped-apart.I NEED ANOTHER BAG SHIPPED ASAP.

Believe the reviews, this is poor quality
These reviews are correct. I used mine vacuum for one season and the zipper gave out on the bag. Tried to find another locally and nobody (Home Depot, Lowes, Sears) seems to stock it. Poor quality from Black and Decker.

This Bag is of poor quality.
This bag (for which it is designed) should have been of better quality. I had two bags. One was a warranty replacement ofr the blower. Both the bags have issues. For one the zipper gave out.The other the Threading on the sides developed holes after a couple of uses.

Make the Vaccum part of the Blower completely useless. I also had the attachement with the Leaves go directly into the Trash can.... That was completely useless as well. The hose is very heavy and keeps tripping the Trashcan. Once I put weight in the can.. The hose got ripped from the bag.... Could not find a better way to put my money down the drain...

this bag is garbage
i have had this thing for 1 year, and the zipper has given out, and no stores stock it, so i have to buy it online at 1/2 the cost of the darn thing. waste of money. ... 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.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Interchangeable batteries work with all VersaPak products
• No memory
• Can be recharged over 300 times
• Two year home use warranty

Reviews (4)

Low power for the replacement 3.6v I ordered
The new Versapak battery I recieved was weaker than the origional five year old battery I still had. One of the two origional batteries quit working and I ordered a new one. The new one delivered only about half the torque to my screw driver and did not last long even after overnight charge. Perhaps I could have just recieved a defective one. I like the B&D cordless driver and will try again to order another one.

Don't hold charge as long as expected
To those people that can not find batteries without the charger, I say you will need at least two chargers at all times. The batteries need to be in a constant state of charge while you are using the others. The shelf life of the charge is pitiful and the length of charged batteries is not anywhere near your project-required time.
On the positive side you can not find a better "versatile" cordless system and this has make it possible for me to do many projects tat would be clumsy if I needed a cord.

Versatile but weak
I've got a number of the Versapack tools including the drill, screwdriver, and mini-circular saw. For small jobs like putting some screws in or cutting thin pieces of wood, they're fine. Anything that will take more than a few minutes of use will require more batteries because they die so quickly. This line would have been a lot nicer if the batteries were more powerful. Also, it would be nice if the chargers told you when the batteries were fully charged.

Good for around the house jobs
I've got a number of versapack tools--drill, flashlight, Wizard, and multipurpose saw. I've found them useful for little short jobs around the house--light and easy to use. The problem is that the batteries run dead almost immediately, so I've ended up having to have a lot of spares charged for those occasiona when I need a tool for more than a few minutes. It's still cheaper than buying a higher end cordless, and since the tools are so light, for small jobs they are a lot nicer to use. ... Read more

Features

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

Reviews (1)

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. ... Read more

Features

• Includes jig saw, blades, and kit box.
• Powerful 4.0 amp motor provides power for tough tasks
• 3-position orbital action for added control and versatility
• SIGHTLINE channel provides visibility to line of cut
• Exclusive Quick Clamp blade change for easy tool-free blade changing

Reviews (4)

Fills a niche that is otherwise missing
I needed a jig saw to cut out some outlets for putting up bead board. I settled on this one because I didn't need it for everyday or professional use and I was wasn't going to spend $100+ for a DeWALT, PC, Ridgid, Bosch, etc. only to use it 3 times a year.

This jig saw bridges the gap between the cheap ones that couldn't cut through butter, and the pricy ones. The Skil is actually priced right in the middle but I read the reviews and stayed away from it!!

I was worried about this saw after I bought it because of the low price but have been pleasantly surprised. Free hand is a little sloppy, as you cannot turn off the orbital action like on most top models. Other than that it is a great value

A Great Saw At A Great Price!
I just purchased this saw and it is great! It has power yet it is quiet, easy to view line-of-cut, convenient features (I've had no problem with the dust extractor device, it's made to clip on and off), and I've had no problem following a line, unlike the first review guy who NEVER used an orbital saw before (there is Variable Speed Control for guys with lesser arm strength!). Just as good as the way more expensive brands!

I've Had Lots of Power Tools
Needed a new jig saw to cut some countertops. I did some research into this saw and liked the amps and size. I have never used an orbital saw before, but sounded like a good idea. Imagine my surprise when my cut was all over when freehanding and still horrible when using a straight edge. I tried all three settings but all cut the same. I do like the quick blade release but that is about it. I almost wrecked an expensive countertop and had to pull out my 10 old reliable skill jig saw. Would not recommend it and would return it if I hadn't thrown away the box.

Great Saw, 1 minor defect
I bought this saw after christmas with a gift card I recieved. It works wonderful, quiet motor, great orbital action, the variable speed is great too. The only problem with it is is that the dust extraction device(the attachment so u can suck dust out with a vaccum cleaner)fell off in the second time I used it, but I could really care less, just get a shopvac or broom. All in all its a great saw! ... Read more

Features

• Includes jig saw, blades, and kit box.
• Powerful 4.5 amp motor provides power for tough tasks
• Accepts universal or T-shank blades for versatility
• SIGHTLINE channel provides visibility to line of cut
• Exclusive Quick Clamp blade change for easy tool-free blade changing

Reviews (2)

Good choice for the budget minded DIY'er
This jigsaw has a few features you don't normally find on jigsaws in this price range, like:
1. A powerful / quiet motor.
2. Tool-less fully adjustable foot for bevel cuts. Adjusts up to 45 degrees in both directions (But no degree markings.)
3. A variable speed trigger that really works.
4. You can attach to a vacuum and catch most sawdust.
5. "Sightline" cutting guide helps you stay on course.
6. On board blade storage (Holds 3 blades.)
7. Tool-less blade change.
This saw does not have "orbital action." If you want that feature you have to step up to the next model.
So far, I am very pleased with the price, ease of use, performance and features of this jigsaw.

Perfect for everyone!
I would recomend this product for anyone, I bought this for my husband and was amazed that I fell in love with it. It is lightweight and easy to use. He uses it for building shelves and I use it for things like Christmas ornaments. ... Read more

Amazon.com

No gas, no oil, no pull-cord to start, no extension cord to drag. It’s trimming in a perfect world. This Black & Decker cordless string trimmer is compact, super-lightweight, simple to use and quiet. The 12-volt battery carries enough power to trim up the average yard after mowing, and it’s truly so easy to use that you won’t even break a sweat. It’s only 6-1/2 pounds, and maneuverable? Like a dream. Yet it spins the line at 8,500 rpm, enough "oomph" to trim even the most resistant weeds and grasses. An 8-inch cutting path is ideal for the homeowner, too. It uses .065 line, which advances with a light bump. No complicated bells or confusing whistles—-just a basic trimmer that really gets the job done.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 6.5 lb. Lightweight cordless trimmer
• Lock-off switch to prevent accidental start-up
• Includes cordless 8" trimmer, battery, and charger

Reviews (2)

More than a few minutes of trimming time per charge!!
I used this trimmer for the first time last night and it was GREAT!! I trimmed around my entire yard and it was still going strong! No cords or gas/oil mixtures to mess with is GREAT!!
Per the owners manual, you don't have to let the charge go completely "dead" before recharging, unlike some of the other cordless trimmers. When your done just hang it back on the wall bracket/charger(it was included), and it will be ready for the next time. It does need to be charged for 24 hours before the first use, but it was worth the wait!

8-15 minutes run time, 24 hours to charge between uses!
I bought this elsewhere, but it went back to the store unused when I discovered (through calling Black & Decker, as they didn't include this little detail at the store OR in the product manual) that the device requires a minimum of 24 hours of charging between uses!

That wouldn't be a big deal, except it only runs for an advertised 8 to 15 minutes on one charge! I figured, trim, let it charge for a few hours, then trim more if I need to. But I'm not going to build my whole weekend around having enough time to get in an additional trimmer power charge! ... Read more

Features

• Folds flat for easy storage and convenient portability
• 350 pound weight capacity provides a sturdy work surface
• Quality steel construction for durability
• Durable wheels for easy mobility
• Opens and closes easily with one motion

Reviews (1)

Truly is Foldable Using One Hand.
One of the best clamping tables. Get it and you'll like it! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

We've always hated to trim hedges, but that might be because wenever had our hands on Black & Decker's new Hedge Hog cordless trimmer.It's light, hungry, and powerful--and did we mention cordless? Its14.4-volt battery will hold a charge for 40 minutes (who really wantsto labor longer than that anyway?) and recharges in three hours. At agood clip, you can cover 1,000 square feet on a single charge. Therubber grips feel good in hand and cut vibration to nearly nothing. Itweighs in at 6 pounds but feels lighter. A nice plus: The battery isinterchangeable with Black and Decker's other Firestorm tools. Thisone's a winner. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Rubber grip surfaces provided comfort and control
• Trims up to 1000 square feet of hedge on a single charge
• Hardened steel, dual-action, 20-inch blades cut smoothly at 2,800 spm
• Runs off 14.4 Volt FireStorm battery (included)
• 7/16-inch cutting capacity is perfect for green growth

Reviews (13)

This is a must buy for landscaping
I am so pleased with the performance of this hedge trimmer. It's very easy to operate, relatively light weight, and very practical. My older brother owns and operates a commercial landscaping company, so I've been exposed to some of the most expensive commercial quality equipment the market offers. I can honestly say that this hedge trimmer works every bit as well as a high dollar gas powered trimmer. I had concerns that the battery life of this product (though very good) was not enough for larger projects. At least in my first effort, I found this not be the case. It worked well and never even hinted at power loss. Add to this the quick charge up of the battery and the attractive appearance, and you've got the perfect tool for your personal landscaping needs. Don't get me wrong, this item will probably not be effective for commercial landscapers. I doubt it would have the battery power for all day usage, but for the gardener of conscience, this little guy provides convenient polution free trimming that's hard to beat.

Roam where you want to...
Black & Decker's "Hog" series are very popular, inexpensive power tools. Some work well, while others are merely average. The CHT500 22" Hedge Hog is definitely the former.

Pros:

1) Exceptionally light. Six pounds, but feels like two.

2) Long cutting bar for the weight.

3) Outstanding balance. The battery's position is perfect. The great balance makes the unit feel lighter than it is.

4) It's cordless! Not worrying about nicking/cutting your power cords as you maneuver around makes a tremendous difference.

5) Good battery life of about forty minutes. If you own any other 14.4 volt B&D products, this is a great addition to the arsenal and you can always use the other tools' batteries in this one. Keep a few charged and you can go for a long while.

6) Maintains cutting power even as the battery drains. The unit will cut to the absolute bitter end.

7) The motor really torques. Plenty of power to tear through shrubbery, even for a battery-powered unit.

8) Very quiet, even for an electric model.

9) Good value for the money.

Cons:

1) Iffy "on" mechanism. You push a spring-loaded switch forward and squeeze a hand-sized trigger at the same time. But the switch catches if the handle is not squeezed fully. A bit awkward and cheap feeling.

2) Hand guard design has some minor issues. It's effective, but despite being translucent it blocks a portion of the view of the cutting bar, while also extending far over the bar. This makes the bar seem shorter than it is. There is a good six inches or more close to the unit's body that you tend to forget about. That's how accidents happen.

3) Feels so light it makes you wonder how durable it is. Only time can tell here.

4) Not always a "one pass" trimmer. Keep in mind that this is a light to medium duty trimmer. While it does work well, you will still have to do a few passes over particularly dense shrubbery.

In summary, I am very happy with the CHT500. It does everything I want and the lack of cord enables me to wander my acreage with impunity, striking fear in the heartwood of bushes therein.

Highly recommended.

Good for the $$
First off I found it to be a great hedge trimmer for the $$ buck. Pretty well made and despite what "one" person wrote in another review it "does" seem to fit all the 14v firestorm tools I found at a leading hardware store.If you don't want to deal with a cord, or another gas powered tool I would BUY it!

False advertising: The American way?
I'm looking for a hedge trimmer to replace my venerable Black & Decker 16" corded electric hedge trimmer. When I saw this B&D cordless hedge trimmer (CHT500) advertised "Removable 14.4v FireStorm battery interchanges with other 14.4v FireStorm products," I thought it would be perfect because I also own a B&D 14.4 volt FireStorm cordless drill. I already have two battery packs for my drill, so three packs would provide ample power to trim my back hedges and bushes in front. I researched the trimmer on B&D's Web site, but it had a number of contradictions. (22" blade and 24" blade advertised on the same page--it has a 22" blade. 14.4v and 18.0v advertised on the same page--it's 14.4v. Maybe that's why I didn't believe it when it listed the PS140 battery under Accessories.) I ordered it from Amazon.com and even with free Super Saver Shipping, it arrived in only three days!

Imagine my irritation (and vocabulary) when I saw the battery was, in fact, nothing like the batteries for my 14.4v FireStorm cordless drill! The trimmer uses a PS140 Type 3 (push-in) and the drill uses an FSB14 (slide-on). They're nothing alike (except for being 14.4v.

The instructions state that the battery is shipped in a run-down condition, not a fully-discharged condition, so it only requires a 3-hour charge. I charged it for three hours, and, Saturday morning, I went outside and fired it up. It cut great! Having no cord is great! Unfortunately, it died after a mere 15 minutes. (Their Web site says its charge lasts 40 minutes.) Well, at least I got one bush done. Too bad I have five more bushes and about ninety feet of honeysuckles to trim. Now you can see why I liked the idea of three battery packs.

I thought that maybe the instructions are wrong and it actually shipped fully-discharged (which requires an 8-hour charge), so I charged it for eight hours. Sunday morning, I went out to tackle the rest of the hedges. I was outside for 45 minutes before it died. If I'm generous, it ran for the advertised 40 minutes, and I was able to do four evergreen bushes and part of an I-don't-know-what-it-is bush, but I had to finish up with my electric trimmer. I still haven't gotten to the honeysuckles.

My wife drove to the local B&D location and returned it. They accepted it without a problem. We'll see how quickly B&D sends me a check.

I've since bought the corded electric 24" Hedge Hog trimmer (HS2400). Read my review of it to see if I can avoid cutting the extension cord...

CHT500 summary:
Cuts well, even 3/8" woody branches.
Sometimes you need multiple passes--as with any trimmer.
I like the design and the balance.
The handles are comfortable and easy to use horizontally and vertically.
Includes a vinyl blade sheath (which the HS2400 does not--why?).
Cuts about twenty feet of 3-foot tall evergreen bushes in a single charge.
If you want more than 40 minutes of runtime, buy an electric trimmer.

Fatal flaw of all Black and Decker 14.4V tools...
Worked pretty good for a cordless hedge trimmer. Maybe not as well as a plug-in trimmer but it's worth it not to have to mess with the cord...
Unfortunately, like all 14.4V Black and Decker tools, once the battery charger goes, the tool is worthless!!!
You cannot get a replacement charger!
In fact the only reason I bought this tool was for the charger to replace the one for my FireStorm tools.

When will Black and Decker/Dwalt wake up and sell just replacement chargers, or even a replacement charger/battery combo??

Until it happens, I'm done with their tools, and their website ... for service too..... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here's a veritable wunderkind of measuring devices—-the Marksman does everything but buy your project materials for you. We're impressed with how many functions this little unit performs and how easy it is to learn, taking the place of a whole pile of tools, including the pencil. You'll probably use it most often as a measuring device because it beats the tar out of the old metal tape. Just aim it and click, and sonic waves bounce back, letting the unit calculate distance at nearly any angle, thanks to the neat pivoting head. Remember the last time you measured a room for paint or wallpaper? It's tedious work. But the Marksman does it in a few seconds and saves you the trouble of measuring again, too, because you've forgotten the numbers: It stores the results for you. If that's all it did, we'd still call this a winner, but that's just the half of it. It's also a smart stud finder, a calculator and laser pointer. It's incredibly easy to use, the display is easy to read and there's nothing like traveling light. A great addition to the toolbox of anyone from a home owner to a home decorator to a home builder.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Pivoting head makes it easy to take measurements at many different angles
• Selectable display shows your measurements
• Memory chip stores measurement information
• A measuring device, 3-in-1 sensor, calculator, laser pointer and square feet estimator in one small hand-held device
• Electronically detects distances by emitting sonic waves and then measures how long it takes for them to return to the Marksman

Features

• Includes drill, double-ended screwdriving bit, and storage case
• Powerful 5.0 amp motor for demanding drilling and driving tasks
• Variable speed/reversing for controlled drilling and driving
• Keyless chuck for easy bit changes
• 150 inch/pounds of torque

Reviews (1)

Simply Excellent
Changing bits couldn't be easier. The drill has plenty of power to work with the pine we used to build our train's benchwork. GREAT VALUE. ... Read more

Features

• Two-year home use warranty
• Three position side handle for left or right handed use
• 4-1/2-inch wheel supports a wide variety of accessories
• Comfortable grip and trigger for extended use
• Metal gear case for maximum durability

Reviews (2)

Where is the UL seal?
This is an excelent grinder. I delayed getting it because I could not determine why it was not UL listed. I have two other grinders... a top of the line Sears Craftsman and Dewalt's best model... it's easier to have three grinders than to be changing attachments all the time. I didn't want to by a third top of the line unit. This one is comfortable, powerful, and the power switch is in a logical location and is easy to turn off quickly... beware some other low-priced (non-UL) grinders have a very clumsy switch which could be difficult to ulock and turn off in an emergency. I have not been able to determine why this one is not UL listed... I called B&D and they gave me the run-around... I bought the grinder anyway.

Easy to use
The Black and Decker G850 is a breeze to use. I needed a grinder for a project and spent more time then I should have looking for one at a good price and that would meet my needs. I actually took a chance on this grinder. I have used other small angle grinders at work,,but this one was much easier to handle. I could grip it at the center,,near the top or about anywhere and the balance was great. Sure makes it easy on the arms. I also like the area were the switch is at, toward the rear, under the handle. ... Read more