Black & Decker VP650 VersaPak 7.2-Volt Cordless Multi-Purpose Saw

List Price: $48.87

Features:

• 7.2-volt uses VersaPak interchangeable battery system
• Accepts standard jig saw blades
• Great for cutting plywood, plastic, PVC pipe, light copper pipe
• Compact lightweight design
• Two-year home use warranty

Accessories:
Black and Decker VP100 VersaPak 3.6-Volt 1.2 Amp Hour NiCad Stick Style Battery	Black and Decker VP135 VersaPak 3.6-Volt 2-Port 3 Hour Stick Style Battery Charger with 2 VP100 Batteries	Black & Decker VP215 VersaPak 3.6 Volt Rechargeable Storm Light with 1 Battery

Customer Reviews:

For it's intended purpose, it's great [Posted on 2001-04-07]
IF you use this tool for its intended purpose, it works perfectly. We call this a "drywall tool" and it is mainly used for cutting outlet boxes in drywall, but also for light cutting duties like door framing, small crafts works (we used it to build a bird box), and other assorted items. I don't think the claim by the manufacturer that it is for outdoor use with trees and branches is very valid though - it is a reciprocating saw, and moves the branches too much while cutting. The batteries seem to work fine and hold their charge, at least until you start to punish the saw with heavier, thicker woods, then it peters out. We used this saw once to cut patterns in some shelving wood that was pretty thick, and halfway through the job we had to switch to a corded jig saw to finish the job.

It is light, easy to handle, and for its intended uses (drywall, small wood cutting, detail cutting) it is pretty much perfect.

Disposable but comes with batteries [Posted on 2002-12-29]
I actually use this thing ALL the time. It's super light-weight and handy for all sorts of SMALL projects. So why only 2 stars?

First, the manufacturer claims that you can scroll cut 1-inch and cut up to 2-inch wood. They have got to be kidding. About the most I would recommend would be 3/8" wood. 1/8" to 1/4" is more its comfort zone. The batteries wouldn't even last through cutting a single 2-by-4 (which is only 1-1/2" on a side) assuming you had the patience. Yes, I have a big recip saw.

Cutting anything large you will run into its first serious flaw. If you break a blade off, most likely, you cannot remove the broken-off part. Trust me, I took the entire thing apart, cut, pounded, and filed before I realized this. Thus, my first one went in the trash after about 3 uses. Lesson: You have to be especially sensitive to blade dimensions. For example, the DeWalt blades (ironically = Black and Decker) are a few thousandth's thicker and won't ever come out if you break them off. This leaves you with trying to find blades on the small side.

Starting with my second one of these tools, I have been especially careful about blades, but I have not found a good manufacturer of undersized shank blades. As a result, I go through blades like crazy.

The next major flaw with this tool is that the gearbox is a simple worm gear with a peg in it. Sawdust and especially drywall dust will mix in with the grease in the gear and jam it up. Then it's take-apart time, again.

Another weakness is that the safety is much more difficult to press than the trigger. It's also in an awkward position which causes a lot of fatigue and sore hands. I remove the trigger on mine which is significantly more dangerous, but significantly less difficult to use.

Finally, like all the VersaPak tools, the batteries do have memory and only last a few years.

As a result, after using several of these for several years, I give it 2 stars. It is an incredibly handy tool, but unfortunately, no one makes a quality "micro-SawZall" which is what this really is. The saving point for this otherwise poor product is that it comes with 2 batteries which are worth about twenty bucks, so the real cost of this tool is also about twenty bucks which is a little more consistent with its durability.

multi-purpose saw [Posted on 2005-04-03]
This saw description makes you think you can do things that it is not up to doing. We returned ours. Only good for balsa wood or any very light weight material. I cannot rate it because I was disappointed in its performance.

Black & Decker VersaPak - vp650 Multipurpose Saw! [Posted on 2005-09-23]
Black & Decker VersaPak - vp650 Multipurpose Saw! I own and enjoy most of the B&D VersaPak tools. I use them in my laboratory to do light duty hobby activities. I purchased the B&D VersaPak vp650 Multipurpose saw to have a power tool for light duty actions. Since receiving my vp650 a few days ago, I have used it to cut cardboard, fiberboard and plexiglass. It has accomplished these tasks as expected. A point of notation. I would suggest using Black & Decker or Dewalt blades. I found others in my supply to thick. They would have likely been stuck in the unit. I give this unit an average rating in comparison to other B&D VersaPak tools.

Lousy Parts Availability [Posted on 2008-03-23]
This is a throw away tool. When it quits, it can't be fixed.

Last week, a few months into ownership, nothing happened when I tried to use it. Batteries are good, so that narrowed it down to a switch or motor.

I am told by B&D that neither the motor nor the switch is available.

I blame the product for failing and I blame Black and Decker for not supporting the product with replacement parts.

Never again. I have bought my last Black and Decker product.

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