Features

• Built-in Dust Collection system for a cleaner work environment
• Jug handle allows for a multitude of hand positions for versatility and control while sanding
• Full body soft grips in three key gripping areas for maximum comfort and control
• Built-in Pad brake prevents gouging
• 5" 8-hole Hook & Loop Paper for quick and easy attachment and removal of sandpaper

Product Description

mfg by: BLACK & DECKER - TOOLS 3.6V VERSAPAK SILVER BATTERY Works with all VersaPak products Design guarantees correct insertion Cap provides superior gripping surface Has a minimum life of 300 charge cycles Designed for repetitive charging VP100 3.6V VERSAPAK BATTERY ... Read more

Features

• VersaPak® interchangeable battery system works with all VersaPak® products
• VersaPak® batteries do not have memory so the battery maintains its full length of cycle
• VersaPak® batteries are rechargeable and have a minimum life of 300 charge cycles
• Design guarantees correct insertion
• Grooved cap provides superior gripping surface

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

Features

• Two year home use warranty
• Ideal for finishing large surfaces
• Dust sealed rocker switch
• Sands flush on three sides to get into corners
• Lever activated paper clamps for easy sandpaper changes

Reviews (8)

Good sander for the $$, only a couple of issues
I've had my B&D 7448 for a bit over 4 years. I use it a lot and use it hard. I'm impatient so I push tools hard instead of letting things take their normal course.
I've never had a problem with the paper coming out, ever. In fact, on mine it's very tight and clamps quite hard.
I wish the levers were larger.
I'd like it to be quieter - however I can't hear the sander when the vac. is running anyway and one SHOULD use hearing protection when using power tools. Like the pros on TV do :-)
As far as "how it's made", mine finally got VERY loud and ran slow and erraticly - I found the upper "brearing" is a plain sleave. The other sealed ball bearings are perfect, but the top "bushing" by the brushes is shot to heck. It's gone. Yeah, I push, but for a few cents per unit, a ball bearing here would make it quieter and make the whole unit last longer over-all.
So, out I go looking for a bearing and I'll have my favorite sander running again. (I'm a top mechanic and specialize in electrical systems - and this is the most simple power tool I've ever opened!)
It's light, easy to use and the next best sander costs over twice as much, so I can replace a couple of bearings in 10 years and still have a cheaper sander .... Takes about 5 minutes to disassemble the sander and replace the bearing - takes longer to go get the bearing.

Reliable, hard working sander
I have spent countless hours and reams of sandpaper using this sander for at least 8 years and it's still going strong (used mostly on softwood). It is powerful enough using 60 grit paper to take down dowel ends, round edges and level uneven wood height (even end grain). After 60 grit, I use 100, 150 and finally 220 grit for a perfect finish. The 1/3 sheet size gives the unit a stable footing on the work. The unit is made for two hands but you can use one hand comfortably especially with fine grits. Paper changes are pretty fast but could be easier if they made the lock levers a little bigger. The best way I found to get the paper on easier is to clamp and crease one edge first, flip the paper around, clamp the other end then attach the first pre-creased edge.

Be warned that you can expect dust to go all over the place using this unit. It is best used outdoors or like I do, with the garage door open and a fan blowing out over the work. If I do replace it, it will be to upgrade to a 1/2 sheet sander with a dust bag (at four times the price!!).

NOT FOR WOODWORKERS
I own two of these, and they both have given up the ghost. This is the first bad review of a tool that I've given here[...], But I feel that the truth should be known. First of all, this thing takes way to long time to sand down anything. Either it eats the paper too fast, or like on my second one, the clamps were not strong enough, and the paper kept falling off. Not to mention that this thing is louder than my table saw.It's been a few years since mine died, and I've come to learn one undisputable fact. If you buy a low cost tool, you'll get poor results. What upsets me is that Black and Decker knows what kind of tool this is, but they still continue to make it the same way. No improvements at all. When I compare this to what I have now, they'll never get my money again. Don't put good money after bad. If you can't afford a high dollar sander, Ryobi has got a dandy little sander at an affordable price, and it's a heck of a lot better than this one. Buy anybody's but this one, you'll be glad you did. Sorry, Black and Decker, But I call it as I see it.

Do not waste your time or money on this sander
The paper will not stay on! I repeat. The paper will not stay on. Spend more and get a product that does what it was intended to do. This product does not!

Spend more, get more
I concur with Handy Dan. The paper simply will NOT stay clamped down. After fighting with it for 3 days I took it back to the store. Other than that it was doing fairly well. I plan on spending more money to get a quality tool that will work as it should. ... Read more

Features

• Pre-hardened, rust resistant steel blades stay sharp longer
• Lightweight, compact, and easy to use
• Lock-on button for continuous running
• Lock-off button prevents accidental starting
• Cord retention prevents trimmer from coming unplugged

Reviews (2)

Great little unit.
This is what happens when engineering gets it right. Works good, small, light weight, plenty of power. I trimmed 4 full size shrubs in just a few minutes, should have ditched the manual shears years ago. Excellent value. Get one, you'll like it.

A simple and easy wonder!!
It's light and easy to use. Anyone can work it. The safety of the trimmer is first class. ... Read more

Features

• Includes 13 spade bits up to 1-1/2"
• Flexible storage case included

Features

• Powered by two AA alkaline batteries for portability and easy maintenance
• Audio and visual indicators for working in noisy environments or where visibility is a problem
• Detects studs from edge to edge for precision mounting
• Detects framing studs in walls for secure hanging of pictures, closet shelving, railing and more
• Detects studs through walls up to 3/4" thick for use with most walls

Product Description

The Black and Decker FSB12 battery pack is for Black and Decker Firestorm tools accepting the slide pack batteries. High output nickel cadmium battery cells with "no memory" technology provide up to 500 recharges. For use with all Spring-Loaded battery style FireStorm and Black & Decker 12V products. ... Read more

Features

• 30% extended run time

Amazon.com Review

The Black & Decker MS700K Mega Mouse four-in-one sander/polisher is designed to make quick work of your sanding, finishing, and polishing jobs. The Mega Mouse combines the functionality of a finish sander, detail sander, random-orbit sander, and random-orbit polisher in one compact unit. A unique design and interchangeable base system allow the Mega Mouse to sand, finish, and polish large surface areas and tight spaces with precision and grace. A soft-grip handle provides maximum comfort and control, a dust-sealed switch protects the tool's internal components, and a dust collection system means a cleaner work area. The tool's 1.4 amp motor delivers 10,500 opm, for quality results in any application. Use the Mega Mouse to smooth rough, uneven surfaces; to polish hardwood floors, furniture, and other flat surfaces; and even to wash and wax the car. It really is that versatile. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Kit box and 14 assorted accessories for a variety of applications
• Base changes to meet project needs
• Large iron detail sanding base for sanding large surface areas
• Finger detail base for sanding in tight spaces
• RO base/polishing base for fast, swirl-free finishing

Reviews (7)

Get what you pay for... maybe a little less
I bought this some time ago to use as a general sander. It is too light duty and too much "try to please everyone," though. The thing makes waay to much noise, I hope MY dust collector (not ONCE have I taken dust out if it since it has never collected any) fell off, it seems that some plastic piece rattles around in that area and is magnifying the noise the sander makes. As I said, although this sander does sand, I would not recommend it even for medium jobs, such as sanding a piece of wood with rough paper (grits 50, 80, 120) before you get to the finish (220+ grit) step. It just takes too long to sand with this sander.

Also,a *big* bother for me: The sandpaper you can get for this at a superstore comes with tear-away pieces for the other B&D sanders (mouse, detail, whatever). Well I hate it because the stupid sandpaper tears in the tear away perforations (since this is the biggest sander you don't have to tear anything away to make it fit) and I strongly believe this has made the sandpaper last WAAAY less than normal. This alone is reason enough for me to say "don't buy this thing." The "produce a single sheet of sandpaper for all our models" idea makes sense to some dumb marketer at B&D, but you're stuck with the self-destroying sandpaper.

Man do I hate changing the paper because it is torn away at the tear marks and not because I have used it up!

If I were a prospective buyer I would skip this sander and buy a better quality one from the "serious" toolmakers like Porter Cable, DeWalt, Bosch or Makita for about the same money for a base model sander.

Bottom line: I own this sander and I'm about to replace it with something different.

black decker 4-1 multi sander ms700
Sander okay for small sanding project. Dust collector fell off after first use. Once supplied sandpaper with kit is used, it is impossible to locate additional paper.

black and decker mega mouse
I used one on only one piece of furniture, the allen wrench fruitless whirled around rendering the "interchange" parts all useless. The sawdust collector appears not to be connected to the unit at all. Dust all over the place except in the holder. I tried 2 of them and will return the second soon - Worthless- correct your flaws Black and Decker!

Almost 5 stars
This was a present from my family. While I am not a big fan of "do it all" tools, the Mega Mouse sander seems to do the job. For what it is designed for, it does quite well. Small to medium project sanding seems to be what this tool is designed for. If you are going to sand a floor, you should get something that is designed for it.

On the other hand, if you are working small projects, this is it. Even medium sized work, in my case a 6' X 4' deck that serves as my front porch. It needed sanding after some pressure washing, and I did not look forward to doing it by hand. Out came the Mega Mouse, and it did the job very nicely. I am satisfied with the product so far, and I reccommend it as long as you realize that you are not getting a heavy duty belt sander. Keep this in mind and you won't be disappointed.

The four star rating is due to the plastic case. Too tight, too hard to get everything back into it. But so far that's my only quibble with the thing.

Buy the regular mouse and a better sander
I wore this unit out in less than 90 days. The RO sanding base lost its hooks, the mouse base broke, the dust control unit fell off and the finger attachment wouldn't stay in place. I returned it, bought the little mouse and a better RO sander and spent the same amount of money. It was an appealing idea to get all of those tools in one, but the whole package doesn't stand up to more than light duty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

If your work requires you to drill or drive in a lot of tight or awkward places (under sinks, overhead, inside cabinets, between pipes, etc.), this Black & Decker five-position drill/driver may be the perfect tool for you. The drill features a compact design and swiveling head that rotates 90 degrees front and back of center, with 45-degree stops along the way. A straightaway, inline stop even provides added reach for tight spaces in which a standard power drill might not fit. Lightweight and nimble, this Black & Decker drill is extremely maneuverable, as well. A comfort-grip handle and three-finger trigger provide excellent control, while a 24-position clutch and variable speeds of 0 to 700 rpm allow the drill to power through wood, steel, or masonry without damaging bits or stripping screws along the way. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Spring-loaded batteries slide off the drill for easier removal
• Exclusive five-position drill head provides maximum accessibility and versatility
• Quick Connect bit change system allows hassle-free accessory changes
• Three-finger trigger switch is designed for maximum comfort and control in all five positions
• 24-position clutch offers increased versatility for a variety of screwdriving applications

Reviews (7)

Great Product- ready when you are.
I recently bought a house for the first time and did not have a cordless driver. I picked this up, thinking that it might come in hand. Little did I know that EVERY single project I encountered, would involve this little guy. I have had it for several months, now, and have only recharged it a couple of times- it holds it's charge well and run like a top. I have to be honest, I have not used the rotating head on it at all, but it is narrow enough to fit in tight places and the accessory bits are just about all you could ever need. My 12v CORDED DeWalt is going to be doing nothing but collecting dust, with this thing in my arsenal. This is one of the best $50 I have ever spent.

Great versatility and power
Black and Decker has a great product with this little gem. It is much more versatile than a drill and is light weight as well. It has far more torque than the wimpy cordless screwdrivers, even more than Dewalt's 7.2V screwdriver, with the same great quick release adapter built in. I find this much easier to use than a standard cordless drill with a standard chuck (even the keyless ones) for drilling pilot holes and then driving screws. And as for driving, how about 3.5 in deck screws into treated lumber and even 4x4's. This baby has the power.
Another great feature is the five positions you can put the head in, to give you access in close quarters with enough power to do something with it. Great for hard to reach places.
It comes with a molded plastic case and an assortment of drive bits, drill bits, and nut drivers to get you started. If you want to use standard drill bits, buy yourself a quick release drill chuck. The only draw back is the long charge time (no quick charger) and only one battery. Otherwise I would have given it a 5.

Sticks Its Neck Out
This is a handy tool, solidly built and you'll find a surprising number times you'll be glad for the swivel neck for getting into awkward places. The neck locks firmly into place, with no play. The quick change bit system makes changing bits fast and painless, and the three finger trigger is nice and comfortable to use with great control over drill speed.

Two things niggle me about it though. As someone else mentioned, it seems to have low torque even at the highest setting, so you should only get this for fairly light household and assembly chores. And the battery charge cap does not give any visual clue as to when the battery is fully charged, so you have a hard time knowing when it's full again.

Other than that, it's a great drill!

i like it.....but what happens when the battery dies
well you may have read my previous review praising this tool. It IS a good tool, but I've checked ...Amazon and so on, and I cannot find a battery for this tool.
I even checked the [manufacter] website, nothing listed. So be wary, you may only get to use this for a short time
thank you

Excellent Drill for the value
I just received this for XMas, and I am very pleased with it so far. The ergonomics are very nice, and the swivel head is excellent. It seems to have decent power (I was driving 3" screws through 2x4's with ease). Not sure about battery life yet, as I have only charged it once so far. The only 2 downsides, are the slow charge time of 3-6 hours, and the "chuck" is a 1/4" connection only - no real chuck (although it is very fast and easy to switch 1/4" bits, and it comes with a nice assortment to get you started). I think this drill may replace my 6-year old Makita as my primary drill! ... Read more

Features

• Mouse sander accessory pack
• Includes a variety of sandpaper types
• Hook and loop sandpaper

Reviews (3)

Less than satisfied
I was so excited about my Black&Decker Mouse. I thought I'd be able to tackle my difficult sanding jobs. I thought it would do more than it does, and I'm dissapointed that there's only 3 grades of sandpaper. It was billed as a sander and it's more of a fine tuner or a polisher/scrubber. It doesn't sand very well. They need a wider range of grit for a lesser cost, such as 50 grit. I feel like I was ripped off. It's a glorified polisher that can get into the nooks.

Great For Small Projects
The Black and Decker "Mouse Sander" is a wonderfully easy to use tool.Lightweight and easy to hold it is a shame that the pads need to be replaced often while working on a particular item, so you wouldn't want to use it on a big job.ie: bureau,chest,etc..I have used mine to do large jobs when no other options were available and by the time you buy replacement pads in the right grit to complete the project,you could have had a nice down payment on a larger and more efficient sander.Once I completed my first table,I searched around looking for other projects simply to use this tool.I recommend it to first time refinishers.

Expensive Sandpaper
There are only 5 sheets of sandpaper in this package. I guess we pay for the convenience of having sandpaper cut to size so it fits the mouse sander ... Read more

Features

• Low noise design
• Powerful 140 MPH max. blow speed easily clears surfaces
• Adjustable shoulder strap reduces weight
• Large switch for easy on/off
• Cord retention with pigtail prevents blower from coming unplugged

Features

• Titanium Drill bits for durability and longer life
• Includes a variety of drill bit sizes and screwdriving bit tips

Product Description

18v Battery Pack spring loaded firestorm 2 year warranty fsb18 ... Read more

Features

• 18v Battery Pack
• spring loaded
• firestorm cordless
• 2 year warranty
• fsb18

Features

• Two-year home use warranty
• Powerful high torque motor that won't bog down
• Separate variable speed dial for set-and-forget convenience
• Front on/off switch maximizes control
• Includes 55 accessories and kit box

Reviews (16)

Like a Dremel, but with POWER!
I've owned a dremel for over 5 years. We just moved, and I could not find it, apparently hidden deep within our catacombs of packed boxes. It was just the excuse I needed to upgrade. Alas, I saw the RTX tool, an apparently updated Dremel. The RTX attachments and chuck appear to be similar to a Dremel, but the RTX has enough power to be a "real tool". I'm very satisfied with this purchase. I will be giving this gift to many on my Christmas list this year. Other Dremel improvements (over my old Dremel anyway) * Better case, much larger, with a separate tool holder. The dremel sometimes required a crow bar to get the tool into the case and close it. * Better speed control * flip up chuck lock to simplify chucking/unchucking attachments BTW, I use the tool mostly for trim work as a way to finish up coped joints. On quarter round, it does the entire job.

FAR superior to Dremel - here's why:
I'd wanted a Dremel for a long time but couldn't resist when I saw a basic (the RTX-3) kit on sale for half as much, with nearly 2x the power!

PROS: A) 2 amps vs. Dremel's 1.2 gives you far better cutting power (I hardly ever need any setting but Low speed!) B) The flip-lever spindle lock is FAR easier to use than a collet-locking button - you never need a tool to change parts, and it locks out the power switch (so you can't accidentally hit the collet lock with the power on - very annoying and possibly breaking the tool). C) It's just plain better-looking than the Dremel. ;-)

CONS: B&D needs to get their act together on accessories and dealers who stock them - and/or let us know whether/which Dremel or Craftsman accessories fit the RTX! I could really use a drill press, router, or flexible extension accessory, and can't seem to find them anywhere in stores (the website isn't too helpful, here, either)

Overall, though, much more power for a much better price - Dremel's needed the competition for a long time, and B&D delivered. (I'll give 'em 5 stars when they get the accessory & distribution thing improved.)

Broke on third use, customer service doesn't appear to exist
I bought this to do some tile and wood work around the house. During the first two uses of this tool I was quite happy with what I was able to accomplish with it. However, on only my third use the chuck lock jammed. For those of you that aren't aware of what that is, it is a metal spring loaded pin that stops the chuck from rotating when changing and removing drills, bits, etc. What I discovered is that this pin, while engaging the metal of the chuck is stabilized by the plastic housing of the unit. This would seem to me to be both a major design flaw and something that could be easily and inexpensively remedied in future units. The plastic had given way and now the chuck lock has been rendered useless. I contacted the retailer of the unit who told me that I had must have "abused" the unit and they refused to accept the return. I have attempted to contact Black and Decker directly via their customer service contact form on their web site to no avail. I have never received a response to either of the two inquiries that I made. What I thought would be a nice tool for the price turned into a lemon very quickly. This is the last Black and Decker tool I'll ever buy.

It's okay
I'm by no means a person who has any familiarity with power tools, but one day I decided that it would be useful to get a rotary tool to deal with certain things around the house. Perhaps my expectations were a little high, but once I started using this tool, I realized that it had very limited potential. It works well enough for sanding, so long as the part to be sanded is in the open and unobstructed. But in terms of cutting and and de-rusting, it's not that great of a use. At one point I was making chainmail, and tried using the tool to cut the rings of, but the so-called heavy duty cut-off disks either blew apart or rapidly ground down too next to nothing. Granted, the tool did come in handy at times, and so it was not a complete waste. It does seem to have more than adequate power, and fortunately my tool has worked fine since I bought it.

The worst customer service!
I realize that nothing is perfect. For $60 I don't expect RTX to be an Industrial tool. I did however expected it to work longer than 15 minutes! After the second use, the chuck lock failed and I had to use a small screw driver to unlock the chuck. After the 5th use, the speed controller failed. It started to hiccup while working. The sixth time I went to use the tool, it seized and smoke came out of it! Total life of this unit was about 15 minutes. I bought it more than 60 days ago so the retailer will not exchange it. I have written to Black and Decker through their web site several times. I have not heard anything from them. I realize, I may have a lemon. Not having any information from the manufacturer is the worst part. I am buying a second one now. This time I am going with Dremel. Lemon or no lemon, I am very dissatisfied with the customer service at Black and Decker. ... Read more

Features

• Pre-hardened, rust resistant steel blades stay sharp longer
• 22" blade for extended reach and even cutting
• Three-sided comfort handle
• Soft rubber grips for comfort and secure handling
• Lock-on and lock-off buttons

Features

• Pre-hardened, rust resistant steel blades stay sharp longer
• Exclusive blade design cuts branches up to 3/4"
• Dual action blades reduce vibration and improves cutting
• 20" blade for extended reach and even cutting
• Lock-on and lock-off buttons

Reviews (7)

HS 1010 Hedge Hog
I agree with two out of three of the other reviews. The Hedge hog runs smooth, but does not cut small growth. It just smashes them, and leaves the stem hanging on the bush. This is probably due to the very short (1/8") cutting blades. I don't like to be negative, but just wanted to alert others to this problem. I bought a Black&Decker HT-2000 with the old fashioned large blades, and it works great.

I'm in love with a beautiful Hog!
I was in trouble...with all the rain we've had the vegetation was overtaking the house...in came the Hog to save the day! In just a short period of time it cut things down to size. Three days work was reduced to three hours! Cool features of this machine include the absence of a cord (so that you don't accidentally cut off the main cord), choice of auto and manual power (great when you're starting to fatigue) and the ability to cut thick, woody stems (of which I had plenty). Magically, the leaves flew off the bushes and now my yard is littered with piles of leaves which my hubbie has volunteered to clean up.
This little Hog turned hard yardwork into fun ....it's well worth the money.
I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Black & Decker Hedge Hog HS1010
This double action hedge trimmer is no better than one I bought 20 years ago. (And Quit using after half a season). The reason for the displeasure is that it does not cut the branches off cleanly, it chews or nibbles at them until some of them fall off. As with all their other models the blade moves much too fast. The double action models only add to the problem.

Last summer I used a German manufactured hedge trimmer that operated much slower. It had llolypop shaped tines that actually held the branches forcing them into the blades rather than away. This trimmer worked with ease and cut branches of all sizes on hedges and various types of bushes and ornamental trees. Unfortunately this unit was a European model that operated on 220 volts and they do not manufacture a 110 volt model for export.

Poor design--chews branches off
I am a retired quality control manager and impatient with tools that don't work. I returned this hedge trimmer after using it one half hour to cut tender new growth less than 1/8 inch diameter. As you sweep the trimmer bar across the hedge, the branches bend while the blade chews away at them. Many looked like they were torn off. It's bad for the hedge and hard work as you have to go back over and over the same place.
I gritted my teeth and bought a Little Wonder 19 inch elecric hedge trimmer that cost three times as much, but it is a joy to use--the branches fall away, cut cleanly.

Nice Little Machine
A nice little machine, but the plug keeps coming out. A 50 cent piece of plastic would fix that. Even after someone telling me about it, I forgot. When it stopped all of a sudden, the only thing I could think of was that I had tripped a fuse. I went downstairs, but none were tripped. Then I remembered about the cord. It had moved out only about a half inch, so it did not look unplugged. Probably had to re-insert it 20 times during a one hour trimming session. That is my only complaint. ... 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

Features

• Tool free jam release allows user to quickly fix jammed screw
• Extended attachment allows user to drive screws standing up and avoid bending back or working on knees
• Accepts every day loose screws, Feeder tube holds up to 20 screws at a time
• Fits to all 3/8" and 1/2" corded and cordless drills,Tool free bit change alllows user to switch from Phillips to Square bits without using a tool
• 3 depth adjustments for driving screws flush and countersinking screws

Features

• Fits all popular finishing/detail sanders
• 5 pieces of 80 grit (coarse)