Real Estate Topics Forum :: View topic - Product Review: Black & Decker CD180GRK Cordless Drill

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by jimn on March 24, 2004 02:36PM (EST)
Summary: A solid entry in the 18-volt cordless drill market, and excellent value for money.

Type: 18V cordless drill/driver
Price: $129.99
Rating: 8/10

The 18V entry in Black & Decker's "Firestorm" line has got power to spare, is easy and fast to charge and a dream to use and change bits. Overall the drill has plenty of power and feels good in your hand when in use. If you use your drill for repetitive tasks and lengthy work sessions, you’ll be pleased to discover a new feature on the Firestorm line of power tools. Dubbed Gelmax, this cushiony polyurethane gel appliqué is strategically positioned on the grip to provide more user comfort and make it easier to hold the drill securely. This is especially nice on this powerful cordless, which has a bit of kick to it. The CD180GRK also boasts a 24-position clutch so you can dial to the torque appropriate for your task. For tasks that require both drilling and driving, the drill has a time-saving quick-bit change system: simply snap off the chuck, drill bit and all, to reveal a ready-to-go driver bit beneath it. This is a good idea, but unfortunately it somewhat detracts from the quality of the drill as the chuck has a tendency to slip, and I also noticed a slight wobble.

Overall, the CD180GRK is a good drill for home projects and has plenty of power. You can't go wrong with this drill if you are in the market for an 18V, particularly in the value-for-money category. It's not a perfect power tool but it does the job handily, and you won't find a comparable 18V drill for the price.