B&D combo pack 50% off

[mowildone]

Target B&M stores are clearing out B&D 18V combo with case/sidewinder/drill/Firestorm recip saw/stud finder/a charger/two slide in batteries. Some stores may be marked @ $126 but they can be found at $90. This is a homeowner set. The batteries retail @ $40 each. This combo can be seen on Amazon as sold by Target for $180.

[jhart]

My experience with the B&D Firestorm line has not been positive. Wouldn't buy them again. Just my opinion. Others may have had a better experience.

[jnesmith]

My experience with the B&D Firestorm line has not been positive. Wouldn't buy them again. Just my opinion. Others may have had a better experience.

Mine hasn't been great either. I have 2 drills, 4 batteries and 2 chargers. Batteries no longer hold/take charges well, and 1 drill is splitting at the seam on the handle. I'm waiting for everything to die so I can replace it all with another brand.

[plarval]

I had a set as well, and I was very disappointed as well. It was even a gift, so I think I'm more forgiving of it than I would be if I actually spent my own money on it.

[jAngiel]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks B&D should be Bad & Defective... I had a B&D hammer drill for about 2 hours before it crapped out after the second hole. Brought it back to the store and went directly to HD to purchase a Bosch, haven't had any problems with it, the extra money was WELL worth it.

[Rob R]

my stepdad has the 24v kit and he thinks it's the cat's pajamas. i'm not a big fan. i didn't think it had the power of my ryobi 18v. and nevermind comparing it with my bosch 18v.

but i guess if you need a quick and dirty drill and whatnot for the cottage or cabin or to leave in the truck, leave at moms for fix it work there, etc. then grab it at 1/2 price!!

my .02

[mowildone]

Gosh, you folks got me on the defensive. Please note that I am normally not a fan of the B&D line.
And again this is a homeowner set.
For me personally, I needed some slide in batteries for my B&D yard tools.
At $40 each retail the two batteries means that I am paying $10 for some tools I do not need or want except I have been lusting after a low cost 18V recip saw for ocassional use. With battery tools you are kinda stuck once you make a brand decision. I have Dewalt and Milwaukee 18V tools. The Dewalt I have been looking at is around $200.
Good comments by everyone, and good fair warnings to anyone considering this deal. This is my first B&D wood tool purchase in a very long time and those were corded. Normally I would not even look at B&D. Agree that it is not a deal for everyone.

[jnesmith]

No need to be defensive. Many could benefit from this deal.

As I mentioned, I have 2 drills, 4 batteries and 2 chargers. As you say, extra batteries can run $40. I caught a deal on a drill, 2 batteries, and a shop radio/charger for around $50. I bought even though I was not impressed with my first B&D drill set. I mainly wanted the extra batteries. Having 2 drills is convient too, when doing a lot of drilling and driving.

I think several of us just jumped on an opportunity to vent a little about our B&D experiences. I'm sure we all appreciate your post nonetheless. I know I do.

[jessrice]

this is going off topic of the sale, but thought i would share...

My mother used to manage a black and decker outlet. During her training, she visited one of the production plants, where they were running Dewalt, B+D and craftsman down the same line.

This was back when the B&D ran 3 lines, the standard, the firestorm and the quantum line, in 9.6v, 12v, 14.4v, and 18v which all used the same batteries as the dewalt.

She was told, and it was obvious, that the same molds are used for the cases, just different colors, BUT different qualitys of internal parts were placed in the various models, with the Dewalts getting the best, then the quantums, so on.

However they did use the same battery packs, just with different labels, with the same internals. This was obvious as you could use any of the chargers to charge any of the batteries, and use any of the batteries in the B&D or Dewalts.

Right now I have 2 15 min Dewalt Chargers and 1 60 minute Dewalt Charger, that i charge approaxialmelty 12 batteries, mainly 14.4v and 18v.

Within a few months of the B&D and Dewalt 18v offerings hitting the stores, many users started discovering that the B&D batteries would fit into thier Dewalts, but only cost 1/2 as much, especially at the outlet prices, and performed the same. Beside with 2 for 1 batteries and a 15 min charger, even if they didnt last as long, you still came out ahead. Our area had just started a housing boom and she had steady streams of contractors coming in just for batteries and chargers!

About a year after this, the B&D line changed to the current firestorm slide on battery, eliminating the interchange of batteries and chargers. The outlet quite carrying the Dewalt batteries and Chargers.

I think this is when the B&D line took a change for the worse. I am sure other problems were in play, like 2 BORG's opening a few minutes away, but the outlet store was shutdown soon after this.

I can tell you, and show you the merchandise that i got, that the B&D outlet carried Dewalt accesories as well. I got Dewalt battery chargers, batteries (no one bought them, since they were twice the B&D) router bits, table saw blades, circular saw blades, sawzall blades, grinding wheels, ect. Theses would come right on the same sealed pallets from the factory, just mixed in.

(GLOAT ALERT) I would build displays or bring in projects in exhange for tools. I have a least one of every powertool, multiples of some, even quintuplets of the drills, which is nice for pocket hole work, or pre drilling, counter sinking, and screwing. Thats why i have so many batteries! ****, i dont even change grits of paper on the orbitals, i just pick up a different sander! Can use 4 different grits! Soem stuff is still sealed! (END GLOAT ALERT)

Every once in a while, a shipment would come in with some dewalt power tools, which they couldnt sell, and i bought them at cost minus discount!

To bad at the time i was still in college and raising kids, cause i could have spent a bunch more money. I did stock up enough on sand paper and saw blades that i havent bought any in 6 years or so!

My mother eventually had to find another job due to the rumored closing, which did happen, and ended up at the Linen Barn. What a disappointment, from tools to sheets, how many sheets and towels do you need? It made my wife happy, but Christmas sucked after that!

I can tell you for the last five years i have used the heck out of all my old style B&D tools and they still work well. I only have had one battery go bad. Sometimes i will find the old style on a dusty closeout shelf and buy them for the batteries alone, to use in either brand.

So i guess i wrote all this to say at one time B&D stuff was decent quality, and had a lot of follwers.

mowildone, you shouldnt feel on the defensive, those already invested in the slide in battery type might find the batteries worth the cost alone and will appreciate the tip!

Jesse

[jAngiel]

My apologies mowildone. I do appreciate all bargain tips posted here. I just let my pent up frustrations get the better of me this time. We were not attacking you or your post even though it does appear that way.

It is a good deal, especially if you already own the system and need extra batteries. Do not be afraid to post other bargains, I for one will try to NOT voice my opinion in the bargain alerts forum unless specifically asked. I was out of line. Again, sorry!