What’s with Black and Decker tools. They always seemed to be low end but then I found out that they made commercial grade tools. They have bought up several tool companies. What is the quality of the tools they put their name/color on?
Quick story…several years ago I was looking to buy a Biscuit joiner. I read several reviews and the DeWalt which I eventually bought and the B&D seemed almost identical. I believe that B&D owned DeWalt. I called B&D and asked what the difference was between the 2 tools. The answer was ‘different colors (yellow vs red) and $25’. I asked why the difference in price and was told it was because of the difference in the distribution outlets.
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Black & Decker has been
Black & Decker has been around since I was a kid (I think my father had some sort of B&D power tool, perhaps his belt sander, since I associate the name with his workshop.) They've had their ups and downs, and were at one time a respected brand, but I haven't really followed them in the past 10-15 years, since they seemed to have gone "discount".
New owner I think.
IIRC, Bosch aquired B&D some years ago and has apparently been upgrading the quality to position them as a downstream alternative to the Bosch stuff.
For many years, it was the cheepest stuff out there.
Normand,
Stanley and B&D merged. They now own Bostich, Dewalt, Porter Cable, Mac and a whole bunch of other stuff. Good stock.
Portable
It would appear that Stanley-B&D only makes no corded tools under the B & D label. Corded tools are made under one of the other labels.
B & D
I had a BD recip saw and an angle drill from their pro line a long time ago. The recip is long gone. I still have the angle drill although I don't use it.
I do have a BD 3/4" electric impact wrench. I've had it for at least 35 years. It's one of the best tools I've ever owned and I've owned a lot. The motor reverses with the twist of a collar that actually changes the position of the brushes. No electronic junk. It will easily drive 1/2" lag bolts of almost any length without a pilot hole. It's one of the classic tools of all time.
BD used to make a drill called Timberwolf (I think). It was made to compete with the Hole Hawg. It was as well made and as heavy duty but it wasn't configured as well, so it was never a big seller.
Aha
So there was a pro line a long time ago. A friend of a friend used to install theater and stadium seats. There weren't many companies that did this work and this person used to travel all over this country as well as to foreign countries. He mentioned that one of his work horse tools was a B&D drill for drilling concrete. At the time I was surprised that B&D had a pro line.
Jim
my first router was a commercial B&D. Still have it and it still runs. Had one service of maybe brushes since probably '73. Same goes with some of my other started out with tools. Rockwell, Milwaukee, PC, Hilti and Bosch. Parts for most were still available into this century, so proper care saw a lot of mileage.
safe to say that process might not be repeated.
Calvin,
On another subject.....will the Cavaliers lose again tonight?
Jim
After the fact but....
big time.
.
What about the Indians? Will THEY lose TONIGHT? (And maybe for the next few?)
Well Jim,
Anything is possible.
the big question is whether or not I'll be awake for the ending..........
Hope all is well up there in the Great Wet!