BLACK+DECKER Cordless Screwdriver (AS6NG)

This is one of those sleeper tools that you have to own to understand and appreciate. I've been using this model B&D cordless screwdriver for over 20 years because it's truly a design that can't be improved. I always carry one in my tool bag at work (telecom and data field tech), there's one in my household toolbox, several are on my garage and woodworking benches, and I've given several as gifts.Pros:• It’s a simple compact design that does one thing very well and fits easily into a tool bag or drawer.• It’s extremely dependable because it uses replaceable batteries. Four fresh AAs put you back to work in the same time it would take to dig out a charger and find an available outlet, just so you can then wait around while the tool recharges.• It’s ergonomics mimic a manual screwdriver, making it intuitive and effective to use. The large oval handle provides effective control of rotational force and the forward-reverse buttons fit naturally under the thumb and forefinger.• It’s geared to produce power, not speed. Speed is often the enemy of control and quite often results in stripped threads or heads. Hold this screwdriver with a firm but light grip, reverse the screw until you feel the threads engage then go forward. When the screw seats firmly the torque of the screwdriver will rotate and slide your finger off the control button.• It’s extremely durable and dependable. In all the time I’ve been using these screwdrivers, the only thing that has killed one has been lack of use. I found one that had been sitting unused in a drawer for a few years and, of course, the batteries had leaked and damaged the contacts beyond repair.• It’s inexpensive which means you can afford to seed them around your workspace and among your tool bags and boxes. It will surprise you how often you’ll grab this one instead of the larger and more expensive drivers and drills you own.Cons:• It’s not a drill• It’s not an impact driver• It’s not a prybar• It’s not a hammer• It won’t work for that TikTok where you drive 1000 screws really, really fast

I forgot to review this but in a nutshell, it still works and does the job. I use it for home repairs and touch ups in lieu of a manual driver. Since its AA powered, I can have a powered driver that works literally all year without messing with recharging a battery. I did not expect this driver to last a year, it was so cheap I figured I'd give it a try and see what happens.For the task I set for it, alkaline batteries work really well, as it lasts over 2.5 years between changes. But the most surprising item is that the motor and gears have held up, and its been saving my wrist for now going 4+ years.I manually tighten and loosen screws to insure I don't over tighten, strip a screw head or I wear out the gears in the driver. Many other review complain the torque isn't enough but truly one has to be careful about the final torque of a screw less it be too much or too little. What this driver does well is saving my wrist from repeat twisting motion while settomg or removing screws, so I now I can rest and reserve my energy for only the final first or last set of twists to set or remove the screw.ProDurableReliablePerfect for touch up workLow costAA poweredConsNo stowage for the driver bits, they should have made a simple slot on the chassis to store it in, its very annoying to switch between a slot and PhillipsWhat I did was put a 1" wide rubber band made of an cut piece of old bicycle tire inner tube around the handle. In this band I store the driver bits. When I use the driver, I put one bit in my pocket and the other is in the driver, and the rubber band improves my grip on the handle. I haven't had to change the rubber band in 4 years too.

1/28/2017 Update Increased stars up from 2 to 4 once I came to realize it is designed for light duty only (low torque around the house type situations):Bought this back in July 2016 and it is still working fine. After using it solely within its limits, I have grown to appreciate this electric screw driver vs. a hand powered one. The only thing holding this back from being a 5 star product (relative to its low cost) is the single speed mode it has) I just wish it has at least slow/high torque and fast but it only has one speed. Besides that, I found this item to be quite durable and worked well ever time except when high torque was needed (it wasn't able to drive a 4 inch screw all the way into solid wood unless you pre-drill the hole first). Again, if you're using it for around the house/light duty, it is def. worthy of the purchase and 4 stars.Barely worth the $11 spent on this. has so low torque that it actually has a chuck 'lock' mode so you can hand twist the screws in yourself (yes - your hand will have more torque than this weak 6v screwdriver.) Think of this model as for light duty that's repetitive and you want speed. Its not for heavy duty work. A shame as I find most of my tasks for this screwdriver heavy duty.Comes with 2 bits (the usual cross and plain) but has no storage compartment or spot on body to store them. One thing you'll learn is any bits not stored on the unit will get lost. They should have molded frame to hold the 1 tiny bit that's not being used. Also the head is NOT magnetic. A real shame when you need help to hold onto the screw.No variable speed. Its ONE button that has 1 setting - on. Press it hard or gentley and will not change speeds. A real shame.It runs off 4x AA batteries. As a rough rule, the higher the volts, the more torque it generates. 6v is exceptionally low as most units are 12volts and up. (Most drills on Amazon don't even start any lower than 12 volts.Black and Decker's manual doesn't suggest rechargeable batteries as they tend to run slightly under voltage (means unit has less torque) You may not notice the RPM decrease but that half volt loss of power (when using rechargeable batteries) but it is very noticeable when you're using this at the edge of its ability.