Black & Decker CSD144K-2 Firestorm 14.4 Volt Drill/Saw Cordless Combo Pack

List Price: $236.35

Features:

• One-handed keyless chuck
• Electronic brake
• Saw cuts 2X material
• Sightline window on saw
• Drill has 225 in./lbs of torque

Accessories:

Malco TS1 Turbo Shear 20 Gauge Capacity Sheet Metal Cutting Attachment for 3/8-Inch Drills

Customer Reviews:

Good Stuff [Posted on 2000-06-04]
I bought this set and found out it's the neatest thing I've ever put in my garage. The drill will handle a 1/16 bit or a 1/2 inch with equal ease, and drives screws better than the "professional" stuff our plant maintenance uses. The saw goes through plywood and 2X4's as well as my 115 volt big saw. Highly reccomended.

Professional Without the Price [Posted on 2000-06-12]
I use this set on the job site constantly. It sits in my trunk ready to be used. I have used it alongside some of the supposed "Professional Grade" brands and it holds up better than most, and still costs half as much. I have a lot of power tools, but this one is by far my favorite.

Fantastic Value [Posted on 2000-07-11]
I was amazed to find this saw/drill combo set for less than I almost bought the Dewalt saw alone for a couple of years ago. I already have a Bosch 12V cordless drill but bought this combi-pack instead of the saw alone because of the extra battery and case that came with it. It was like getting the drill for free.

The saw and drill are very sturdy...perhaps just a titch less durable feeling then their Dewalt counterparts. The drill is heavier than my Bosch and doesn't feel quite as solid (the plastic body has more flex.)

The drill has torque to spare and the saw rips through boards with ease. I'm very pleased with their functionality.

I was, however, dissapointed in the supplied charger. It is a dumb trickle charger that takes 6 hours to charge the battery and has no type of auto-off safety feature whatsoever. My advice is to throw it away BEFORE you damage a battery pack which you will inevitably do when you accidently leave it plugged in for a couple of days. I immediately ordered the Dewalt DW9116 1 hour charger (I read in another customers review that the batteries are compatible with the Dewalt 14.4V's.) Considering the replacement packs cost about that much it was easily worth it.

Nice kit, but... [Posted on 2000-11-30]
This is a very nice kit, but it is one cent cheaper to but the items seperately and you get an extra charger (one in the basement and one in the garage, in my case). I have this kit and the Dewalt 14.4 Volt Drill, I don't think there any difference, except the price.

B&D Cordless Drill/Saw Combo [Posted on 2001-11-26]
I am not a professional contractor - just a DIY around my own home, so this package was very attractive to me. For the most part, I am pleased with this combo. The tools seem to have adequate power for my needs. I wish the carrying case was smaller - either that or B&D should put wheels and handles on it like the big cases that people wheel through airports. The carrying case is actually larger than my suitcase.

The drill is lightweight and has the power I need for my projects. It has a number of clutches which is nice when using the drill to drive screws and bolts. The drill also has a switch to select between higher speed and higher torque. I have not used this feature but can see that it does make the drill more versatile.

The saw is lightweight and a great size for my needs. I didn't know if I would find a cordless saw to be as convenient and useful as a cordless drill, but I have found it to be very convenient. Because of the size and weight I can use it to make cuts that I would not use my corded circular saw.

The sightline window is very helpful to start a cut but becomes clouded with sawdust as soon as I start cutting so I cannot depend on the siteline window for a long cut.

I am very concerned about the battery life. I charge the battery per the manufacturer's instructions and am only able to cut between nine and ten 2x4's before the saw stops. In addition, the battery charger is a real disappointment in that there is only an indicator light to show a battery is installed and that the charger is plugged in. Per the manufacturer's information, the charger does not default to trickle mode after the battery is charged. Without a charge indicator I can only assume that the manufacturer's instructions are correct and that nine to ten cuts represent a fully charged battery.

If this combo had an improved charger I would likely have overlooked the other shortcomings and given a five-star rating. However, given the widely available technology in low-cost battery chargers, it is my opinion that this is a very significant shortcoming.

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