Looking for a new charger for that obsolete Black & Decker multi-tool? Did you take your Dewalt vacuum apart and can’t get it back together now? Dewalt Service Net can help. If you own any Black & Decker, Dewalt, Porter Cable, or Delta Power tools you should bookmark this site. Services available include instruction manuals, product explosion drawings, parts lists and ordering, and service center locations.

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This holiday season marks the entry of lithium-ion power into the lower-priced market, and Black & Decker clearly aims to be a big player with brand-spankin’-new VPX tool series. Centered around an interchangeable 7V li-ion battery and focusing on lightweight, compact designs, the VPX series looks quite promising. Best of all, we understand that the current B&D will continue to expand the VPX line throughout next year.

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After the disappointing performance of previous DustBusters and other portable vacuums, I was pleasantly surprised by how well Black & Decker’s 15.6V DustBuster worked.  With its high-voltage motor, “cyclonic action,” and unique rotating filter, it might even serve as an alternate to your shop vacuum if you’re working in tight quarters or have very little storage space. 

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Thinking about giving Black & Decker’s strange-looking powered hand saw a try?  Amazon has ‘em today for $43.  I have to admit, though, that the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw it today was, “This would be great for carving the thank-giving turkey.”  Of course, it’d scare the grap out of grandpa.  Literally.

This potential turkey-cutter features a 3.4A, 4,600 strokes per minute motor and the ability to quick-change blades without tools.  And it ships with two blades that Black & Decker claims will cut through most woods, metals, plastics — and even PVC.  The saw also qualifies for Amazon’s free shipping.

Handsaw PHS550B [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Google Product]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

This drill/driver “project kit” from Black & Decker is currently $13 over at Amazon.  The set contains hex bits, masonary bits, a magnetic bit holder, hole saws, and it comes in a free standing case.  Sure, it’s probably at least partly junk, but remember: the great thing about sets like this is that you’re not heart-broken when you lose or snap a bit or snap a bit.

150-Piece Project Set [Black & Decker]
Via Amazon [What’s this?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

I hate using string trimmers of any kind, but there are two things I hate worse: maintaining crappy little two-cycles and dragging around 100′ of extension cord.  And that’s assuming I don’t accidentally cut the cord because — as I mentioned — I hate using string trimmers.

Have any of you tried the new cordless models, like this one from Black & Decker?  Besides the fact that it’s cordless, it looks pretty much like other string trimmers.  Does the battery actually run long enough to make it worthwhile, and is it any lighter than a gas model?  Let us know in comments.

18V 12″ Cordless Grasshog Trimmer/Edger [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s this?]

Black & Decker’s ProjectMate 3-in-1 decorating tool is a corded multi-function power tool that addresses the “preparation work blues” by spinning three types of prep work attachments at 8,500 rpm.  Scraper blades (like sharpened claws) remove paint, a detail sander prepares and finishes surfaces for fresh paint, and a screwdriver attachment removes and refastens hardware, outlet covers and switch plates.

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Shears and shrubbers – while the casual gardeners’ trusty sidearm of choice — are probably the single biggest cord-cutting offenders.  All it takes is a moment’s distraction for the cord to slip forward and BAM!  You’re holding a useless, unpowered tool.  Why not pre-emptively cut the cord and go with a cordless model like Black & Decker’s SSC1000?

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It’s not the deal-of-the-century, but if you’ve been thinking about ditching your gas push-mower for a green-friendly, low-maintenance electric or reel model, Amazon’s free shipping offer might tip you over the edge

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It seems like everyone’s jumping on the Dremel wagon recently, issuing their own versions of the classic do-it-all DIYer’s tool.  Black & Decker’s entry (pictured) is a three-speed model — 12k, 24k, and 30k rpm — with a “universal” collet that accepts “all standard rotary tool accessories” (read: your Dremel stuff).

While the rubber grip looks nice, I’m not sure I’m willing to give up the Dremel’s variable-speed setting — especially when the Black & Decker model runs about $40.  It does, however, ship with a couple of free spring clamps.

What do you think?  Let us know in comments.

Black & Decker 3-Speed RTX Rotary Tool [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

This weekend I went to the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets in MA.  I couldn’t resist stopping by the Black & Decker store to pick up some must have’s/deals, and here is my bounty: a felxible shaft, a 17-piece drill bit set, and a metal jigsaw combo set for $11.52.   Not bad, eh?

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Black & Decker’s new Simple Start battery booster provides a few extra amps via your car’s cigarette lighter to help get you back on the road — but it also includes a standard 12V accessory outlet to charge your phone (or other 12V-capable gear) so you can call AAA when the boost isn’t enough.

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Black and Decker’s $25 stud sensor stood out to me in the store not for its features, but for its simplicity.  The current market is flooded with so many over-featured stud sensors — with multiple lasers, calculators, and so on — that it’s refreshing to see one that just finds studs.

OK, it does a few other things, too, but they’re basic and important things: finding metal (as in conduit) and live AC wiring.

I’d go on and on, but that’s all it does.  Nice, yeah?  I think I’m going to pick one up when my Harbor Freight cheapie finally kicks the bucket.

Stud, Metal, Wire Sensor [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s this?]

I’ll go on record stating that I like my Workmate.  I’ve discussed it plenty here on Toolmonger here already – and you can see it in a number of our test pictures — so I’ll spare you the repeat.  What we want to know is what you think about the Workmate.

Is it too heavy for what it does?  Can it be replaced with a few sawhorses and some trigger clamps?  Are they getting too expensive in recent years?  Let us know what you think in comments.

I recently tested four modern cordless screwdrivers for Wired, and I’m happy to report that (as many Toolmongers have discovered) these once-wimpy tools have finally exited the dark ages.  Three of the four screwdrivers tested were quite usable, and two of them were obviously pro-level tools that I’d be proud to own.

I’ve linked to the individual reviews below, but if you get the chance, check out the full test coverage on page 108 of the current (June, 15.08) issue.

The Bosch PS10 I-Driver [Wired.com]
The Hitachi DB3DL [Wired.com]
The Black & Decker 3.6V Firestorm [Wired.com]
The Craftsman 4.0V [Wired.com]

Amazon currently lists Black & Decker’s motorized clamp at $16.90.  They claim 350 pouns of clamping force and (of course) single-handed operation.  Sure, it’s questionable whether this is useful or just a gimmick, but if you’ve been thinking about giving one a try, at least it’s a little cheaper now.

The Auto Clamp [Black & Decker]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Amazon has this Black & Decker 200W 12V (to 115V) power inverter for $18 today.  It features ground fault interruption, battery clips, a DC accessory plug, and it automatic shuts down to keep you from stranding yourself by draining your battery completely.  And hey — 200 watts will actually run some pretty serious gear.

200W Power Inverter [Black & Decker]
Via Amazon [What’s this?]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]