BLACK+DECKER cordless hammer drill 18V

Quick overview

For people tackling routine DIY at home, this BLACK+DECKER cordless hammer drill covers drilling and screwdriving across wood, plastic, metal and masonry, with hammer action for tougher materials.

It offers 40Nm maximum torque, two gear settings and 11 clutch positions. The variable-speed trigger gives you more control when starting a hole or driving a screw.

The kit includes a 1.5Ah lithium-ion battery, charger and kitbox. That makes it a ready-to-use set-up rather than a bare drill, though the battery capacity is modest for long stretches of demanding work.

Best use cases

The hammer function is intended for drilling into masonry and concrete, with a stated rate of 21,000 beats per minute. For jobs such as putting up a shelf on a masonry wall, that extra action gives it a broader role than a standard drill-driver. It also handles everyday holes and fastening tasks in wood, plastic and metal, according to the product details.

The 11 clutch positions help match the drive to different screwdriving jobs, while the two gears offer a choice of speed and control. It makes sense if you want one cordless tool for occasional household repairs and mixed DIY tasks, rather than a drill dedicated to one material or job.

Bear in mind that the supplied battery is 1.5Ah, so extended or demanding drilling may mean stopping to recharge. The information provided does not state a run time or charging time, so it is difficult to judge how much work a charge will cover.

Tips for day-to-day use

For a screw near the edge of a board, start with gentle pressure on the variable-speed trigger and increase it as the bit takes hold. This gradual control can help avoid driving too quickly into the workpiece. Use the clutch settings to suit the fastening task, rather than relying on full torque for every screw.

The keyless single-sleeve chuck lets you change between drill and screwdriver bits without a separate chuck key. The slide-pack battery is designed for quick changes, and the lithium-ion battery is stated to retain over 80% of its charge for up to 90 days when idle. That is useful if the drill comes out only for occasional jobs, it does not remove the need to charge it when the battery is depleted.

Questions before you buy

What comes in the kit? The listed contents are the drill, one 1.5Ah battery, a charger and a kitbox.

Can it be used for masonry? Yes. Hammer action is included for masonry and concrete drilling, with a stated rate of 21,000 beats per minute. The supplied information does not specify drill-bit types or sizes.

Do you need a tool to change bits? The single-sleeve chuck is keyless, so the description says bits can be changed without a chuck key or additional tools.

Should you buy it?

This is a practical choice if your jobs are varied but occasional: drilling a few holes, fitting screws and keeping a cordless drill ready for household fixes. Compared with buying a basic drill-driver without hammer action, it offers more scope for masonry work, compared with a set-up intended for prolonged, demanding drilling, the 1.5Ah battery is a clear constraint. It might not be a great match if you expect long sessions or need detailed information about runtime before choosing. For mixed home DIY where the included battery and charger matter, its range of functions is the main reason to consider it.