No matter if you own or rent your home, there will come a day when you need a basic home tool kit for making repairs, completing a home project, or assembling new furniture. The Black & Decker 20V Max Drill & Home Tool Kit aims to provide the tool basics, including a 20-volt lithium-ion cordless drill. At the very least, home tool kits should include a tape measure, hammer, pliers, and level. Keep reading to get our take on this 68-piece kit and whether it has what you need to keep your home in top shape.
Performance: Impressive drill with simple bits and tools
Most basic home tool kits don’t include a cordless drill. This Black & Decker home tool kit appeals to the homeowner with loftier goals in mind, such as installing a TV mount on the wall or making furniture repairs. The drill is the highlight of this kit, so we focused on it first. It takes approximately 3 hours to charge fully. We tried each of the drill bits, including the drill, spade, and hole saw bits. The drill had impressive power with 11 clutch positions to adapt to fit the project. It kept going at full strength, even when we pushed it almost continuously for 40 minutes. Unfortunately, the drill bits were not the highest quality. The drill had the power to get through the wood without slowing down, but it had to work hard to do it. The bits that come with the kit are dull. Since we had some higher quality bits on hand, we used them on the Black & Decker, and the cutting power went way up. We were impressed with the drill’s battery life. We switched to several bits while adjusting the bolts on a bunk bed and even putting a bolt through metal on a tin roof. The drill didn’t slow down until the 40-minute mark. Once it started to slow, we stopped since the instruction manual specifically stated not to drain the battery completely. Beyond the drill, the rest of the Black & Decker tools were pretty basic. The quality was middle of the road, not that impressive but not junky or flimsy. It included a good selection of screwdriving bits. However, there are only four sockets, which means you’ll probably need to add a few more for essential home maintenance. The Black & Decker gives you some impressive battery life. We ran it for 40 minutes almost non-stop before it started to slow down. The small adjustable wrench may work for some projects. But, you may have to buy a few extra wrenches, especially if you’re going to take on any plumbing projects.
Design: Bark without the bite
For the price, the Black & Decker drill packs a lot of power with amazing battery life. However, the bits, especially the spade and hole saw bits, are lacking. They’re not sharp enough to bite through the wood, which means you work the drill pretty hard. While the drill is impressive, it’s still probably best for smaller projects rather than everyday use on big jobs. For larger, more extensive projects, you may want to opt for a more expensive drill and bit set that’s intended for heavy use. The other design issue was the storage bag. This kit comes with a few sharp bits. Once they’re in a dark bag, you can’t see what your hands are touching. It’s incredibly easy to cut yourself while digging around for a tool.
Included Tools: The basics and beyond
The Black & Decker covers your bases and gives you plenty of power with the drill. We wish there were more sockets, maybe some wrenches, or a higher quality adjustable wrench. The kit gives you a good start; it includes:
LDX120 Drill/Driver 20v MAX Lithium-Ion Battery Battery Charger Storage bag Tape measure Adjustable wrench Needle nose pliers Utility knife Slip joint pliers 12-ounce hammer Ratcheting screwdriver Philips head screwdriver Flathead screwdriver Four nut drivers Magnetic bit tip holder 32 one-inch screwdriving bits 10 general purpose drill bits Five spade bits Four hole saws One mandrel
Battery Life: Impressive for the price
We’ve run into drills that only last 15 to 20 minutes per charge. The Black & Decker gives you some impressive battery life. We ran it for 40 minutes almost non-stop before it started to slow down. It takes about three hours to charge, so you’ll need to plan accordingly. The owner’s manual notes that to preserve the battery, do not run it until it’s completely dead or you risk ruining the battery. Once it starts slowing down, it’s time to stop.
Price: Not bad for a cordless drill and tools
Considering drill quality (not necessarily the drill bits) and the other included tools, we think the price is worth it. If you’re frequently doing small home improvement or DIY projects, a cordless drill can make life so much easier. However, if all you’re doing is hanging the occasional picture or putting together IKEA furniture, you probably won’t even need a drill.
Competition: Lower prices without the power
WorkPro 100-Piece Kitchen Drawer Tool Kit: Without a power drill, this kit is a far cry from the Black & Decker. If you use your tools very often, you’re going to want something more than this kit has to offer. The screwdrivers’ quality isn’t great, but the rest of the tools will work for basic jobs. If you’re looking for a tool kit for the office, car, or kitchen, this one isn’t a bad choice. Stanley 65-Piece Homeowner’s DIY Tool Kit: If you don’t really need a cordless drill, this kit has quality tools in a hardshell case that keeps everything organized. The tools are of better quality than the Black & Decker, but you don’t get the power and versatility of the power drill offers. Overall, it’s a decent kit. If your home maintenance tasks keep growing in size, this tool kit can help you speed through your maintenance, repair, or basic building needs.
