YOUR OPINION: 1970s-'90s Black & Decker Professional Tools

What is your opinion about the professional-grade power tools Black & Decker had produced between the 1970s and the mid 1990s?

Examples of B&D's professional brands are:
* Heavy Duty (1977-1983)
* Extra Heavy Duty (1977-1983)
* Commercial Duty (1969-1976)
* Commercial Heavy Duty (1969-1976)
* Trade (1977-1982)
* Professional (1984-1993)
* Industrial Heavy Duty (1986-1993)
* Power Tools for Industry and Construction (1994-1996)
* DeWalt (for me, mostly between 1992 and 1997)

Examples of well-known B&D professional power tools:
* 1321 1/2" Reversing Spade Handle Drill (450 RPM) (1970-1996)
* 1180-09 3/8" HOLGUN Variable Speed Reversing Drill (0-1200 RPM) (1977-1984)
* 1311-09 1/2" HOLGUN Variable Speed Reversing Drill (0-600 RPM) (1977-1984)
* 3105-09 Dual Range Variable Speed CUT-SAW Kit (0-1700/2400 RPM) (1977-1984)
* 1345-09 1/2" Right Angle Drill Kit for Plumbers (300/450/675 RPM) (1977-1987)
* 5036-10 1/2" Reversing End Handle Hammer Drill Kit (1300 RPM, 19,500 BPM) (1977-1987)
* 5077-09 3/8" Dual Range Variable Speed Reversing Hammer Gun Kit (0-1700/3400 RPM, 0-28,900/57,800 BPM) (1982-1987)
* 3310 1.5 HP Router (3315 motor unit) (25,000 RPM) (1970-1996)
* 3265 0.625 HP Laminate Trimmer (3267 motor unit) (27,000 RPM) (1970-1996)
* 3047-09 7-1/4" SUPER SAWCAT Circular Saw (5500 RPM) (1971-1990)
* 3157 Variable Speed Orbital Action Jig Saw (0-3100 SPM) (1985-1996)
* 4015 1/2-Sheet Finishing Sander (10,000 OPM) (1970-1991)

What would your opinions be as to the durability of the tools from the period specified therein? And would these thoughts hold true even now?

~Ben

I am not familiar with any of the older tool lines on your list, but I can comment on the Black & Decker Professiona line, and the early DeWalt tools.

As you probably already know, when Black & Decker introduced the new DeWalt line they simply rebranded the tools from their old Professional line. I do not know if the launch of DeWalt included any new tools or not, but at any rate many, if not all, of the early DeWalt tools were old models with yellow housings and DeWalt badges. They were they same tools. In fact, some of those old professional models are still in DeWalt's lineup today.

My dad purchased the 1/2" spade handle drill that you mentioned in the late 80's. It is a Black & Decker Professional model 1317 type 100. He used it professionally as a drywal mud mixer throughout the 1990's. It was used several times a day, six days a week and never failed. The switch eventually got sticky, and the cord wore out so it was replaced after 10 years of hard use. I still have it, and it still works. I actually found this thread after a google search for some parts. Its about to be refurbished, and put back to work.

I also have a DeWalt model DW106 (type 2) 3/8" VSR drill that looks identical to the older Black & Decker professional model. I purchased this well used drill at a yard sale, and it still works perfectly.

I have used several other early DeWalt models such as the recprocating (same as the old Black & Decker Professional model), skill saws, screw guns, and cordless drills (the new DeWalt models); and they have all been tough, durable tools.

would buy B&D pro equip over the new dewalt stuff in a heartbeat

According to your date code thread my 1/2" drill was made in 1990 so I was off a little on my dating.

My 3/8" drill was made in 1996. FWIW, it is a keyless chuck model, and your 1992 catalog only lists a keyed chuck version.

Great tools! I have a bunch:



Click for larger pic.

Black and Decker had quality problems with their consumer-grade products in the 1980's. This led to an undeserved bad reputation for the professional-grade products. In 1992 B&D started rebranding their professional-grade power tools as DeWalt.

I don't have any direct experience with the older B&D professional-grade tools, but I remember the rebranding story from business magazines. The theory was sound, and B&D was able to pull it off. I think that if the professional-grade B&D tools had been lemons, the rebranding wouldn't have worked. Pros are more aware of their tools, and just don't blindly buy brand names.

Black and decker are one of my favorites. You can pick them up real cheap used. Craftsman is always priced high.

They did have some issues at one point where they were trying to come up with cheaper, in a lot of the long run they came with better in some products that were adopted and are now standard on pro grade tools, somne of their stuff in search of cheaper is revolutionary. They have reverse engineered a lot too, stuff that was working they cloned, the 7750 grinder, that 30$ orange one is worth 2 yellow and I dont care how much it costs. Same chassis, in the quest for power take a pinch off the top end to keep it from overheat and it last twice as long as one cost 4 x as much, same castings even.

They cheap the cord on the consumer grade,, guess what,,, twice the life, the hundred dollar grinder has cord rotting off going to require service, the 30$ one still looks great, about half or so.

In todays market that walmart 7750 is about the best grinder in the world considering its price and off the shelf every replacement part avaialbe 24/7 for 30$ B&D were some hi inovators.

Not everything they build is great, appliances, to much stuff on them but some of the tools they really worked on since they became consumer items back in the day. They were leaders in battery drill cheap and although some of it isnt great a guy can spin thru a box store and for a few $ find something that might work. Some of it actually quite well. Some of the clones use some same pieces as their pro versions. Some little things better, no one will pay for plastic, we want metal etc from the consumer.

Some is even the same core pieces different jacket. Same for wrenches,, I wonder how many brands levels etc that same blank that Stanley does for Walmart is? Same with that Cman, sort the nicer pieces that will be easier to finish off the line. Buff it once more and call it a Napa?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-DECKER-HEAVY-DUTY-Sheet-Finishing-Sander-MODEL-4015-/360759171246?

Has anyone ever seen a 4015 sander wearing the "Black & Decker PROFESSIONAL" label (1984-1987)? This example appears to be from 1976 to 1979.

~Ben

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Decke...4?pt=Sanders_Sandblasters&hash=item4aca35beb4

This will also fit the 7450, 7451, 7460 and 7461 belt sanders.

~Ben