Customer Reviews

Black & Decker FSD182RC2 18 Volt FireStorm Drill W/Radio Charger

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I'm an avid do-it-yourselfer, and I received this drill as part of a combo pack with the 7 inch circular saw, reciprocating saw, flashlight, and mini vacuum. I began using it immediately on stuff around the house (drilling screws, putting up fixtures, small stuff). It performed extremely well. The batteries seem to lose their charge fairly quickly, but the included charger charges them up fast too.

Then I started using it for more heavy-duty work, including replacing the boards on my deck and building a shed. This drill drove 3 inch deck screws through 2x4's and pressure-treated 2x6 like a knife through butter. No slippage, no problem with the chuck losing grip, nothing. It just flat-out performed.

The biggest pros are 1) Good price, and 2) Good power, torque, and speed when you need it.

The biggest cons are 1) It is fairly heavy, and 2) The housing is made entirely of plastic. If you drop this, it WILL break. I dropped mine off an 8 foot ladder, and there is a small crack in the back which does NOT affect it at all. That's more annoying than anything else.

A lot of people will probably say that this drill doesn't have enough power, but as they say, you get what you pay for. This drill is relatively cheap, so if you want the kind of power you really need, get the Dewalt. If you need a good drill for around the house and small to medium-sized projects, this is the drill for you.

I've read some reviews that sat the chuck on the drill can't hold a bit at all and its only real use is as an 18-volt screwdriver. I've run a 1/2 bit to the hilt into a 4X4 several times just to test it, and there was no slippage at all. The drill and two batteries that come with this set are worth the $99.00 and the radio/trickle charger is an added bonus. I would say that 280 lbs of torque is plenty for most applications, but have to admit that I am a novice and use it as a household tool. I've only had it about a month but have played around with it, and am very impressed with it when compared to other 18 volt drill/drivers out there.

the 180 price tag might be wrong by amazon, I bought 1 @ lowes for 34 plus change, caveat emptor!

Wimpy and torquey all at the same time......It has a alot of torque to do most average drilling jobs....Just don't use it for anything or it might break......I dropped mine from a foot off the ground...The back split wide open.....So I bought another identical drill......Within 6 months of use, the bit shaft warped and now the drill looks like a bent axle when driving screws......This makes it somewhat difficult to drive drywall screws. Hmmmmm....so yeah, it's a great drill as long as ya adon't use it...........

Stay away!! Spend your cash on something that will last.

I have had this drill for almost a year for general use (not commerical) and at first was very pleased with it. After about 10 months bits began slipping in the chuck. At times I would need to remove bit from the chuck and back out with pliers.

Drill is good for screws, but will not set screws flush with surface unless counter set and screw holes are predrilled and using a fresh battery. Major, major inconvenice. I have to use my old craftman corded drill that has more torque to set screws.


The radio is great but if the drill does not live up to expectations it becomes expensive.

I have worked maintenance at food proceesing plants. I have built garages, finished basements, and remodeled bathrooms. Decks, storage sheds, and even theater scenery sets have been built with my hands and my tools. I have even sold tools at Sears for three years. I have never had a satisfied Firestorm customer.

I went to the Black and Decker website to see the specifications of this drill (torque, charging time, battery life) and I couldn't find it on their site. In my experience, Firestorm never puts out for the amount of flash it shows. The case is entirely plastic. The motor is too small. The torque is too low.

Look at the picture, the drill is almost bigger than the radio. If you think this is a cheaper version of Dewalt's or Milwaukee's radio/charger, you are wrong. This is half the size with horrible sound. You will get what you pay for.

You can easily find a 12 volt or 14.4 volt Milwaukee, Dewalt, Makita, or even Craftsman that gives you more performance over a longer time. It might cost $15-$20 more, but it is worth it.

Firestorm is Black and Decker's "cheap" line. They own Dewalt, which they list as their professional line. Dewalt is great. Black and Decker is horrible.

Go to a hardware store where people know tools (Sears, Home Depot, Lowes) and ask them what they think of Firestorm. If they are honest, they will hesitate a little because they aren't supposed to say anything bad about the product, but they can't think of anything good to say.

Compare torque, charging time, battery life, and how it feels in your hand. Those are the four things that will tell you if a drill is good. Firestorm is not a good drill.

Buy a tool you are proud of. Buy a tool other people would like to borrow. Buy a tool that you can depend on. That won't be a Firestorm.

As a die-hard Van Halen fan, I was thrilled to hear about the new Black & Decker 18-Volt FireStorm Drill with Radio Charger.

I've always enjoyed holding my drill up to my guitar and mimicking the intro to the excellent Van Halen song, "Poundcake", but my wife got tired of listening to me practice while listening to the song on our stereo in the living room.

The Black & Decker 18-Volt FireStorm Drill with Radio Charger allows me to jam with Eddie Van Halen and the boys in the comfort of my garage. I plug my Eddie Van Halen model Peavey Wolfgang guitar in, remove the drill from the radio charger, wait for "Poundcake" to be played by one of the local radio stations, close my eyes and, "Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer! Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer-reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer-reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!" -- it's "Poundcake" time.

The drill also does an outstanding job of drilling.