BLACK+DECKER PD600 Pivot Plus 6-Volt Nicad Cordless Screwdriver with Arti with BLACK+DECKER BDA42SD 42-Piece Standard Screwdriver Bit Set

As the title of this review implies, I’ve been enjoying using this cordless (rechargeable via fairly small cable that’s included) power screwdriver. I’ve found that it lasts MUCH longer than I expected before needing a charge, which makes it very useful since when you go pick up a power screwdriver, you need it work right then, not after it charges. Mine has actually NEVER run out of juice (I got it about 7 weeks before writing this review). I don’t normally use it in my work, but I have needed it dozens of times, sometimes using it frequently for a few hours while working on stuff that required a good amount of force to drive thick screws in and out of metal, poorly-threaded holes (“poorly threaded” means it took a lot of effort, putting this screwdriver to the test).The thing is fairly large, so you have to think about the spaces you expect to use it in to make sure it’s good for you. There are smaller ones, but they would tend to not be as powerful, and from what I’ve seen when shopping, they don’t have the same features.(Please excuse my ignorance of the proper terminology regarding the following: I’m not sure what the right words are, but I’ll do my best. If I use a word wrong, please let me know via “Comment” and perhaps I can make this review more useful by editing it if needed.)Among those features this screwdriver has is the very wonderful way this screwdriver stops applying pressure based on an allowable amount of torque that you can easily change at will without stopping what you’re doing for more than a second or so. When the screw gets stopped by enough pressure (which you select by turning the large part near the tip relative to the rest of it), it stops applying pressure and makes a sound just like a manual “ratchet.” I’m not sure of the proper way to refer to this (see item description probably for that), but what I mean by that is that when the screwdriver basically stops continuing to drive the screw when enough resistance to it is “felt” by it automatically (presumably, it stops turning the screw because it’s been driven all the way in and doesn’t need any more turning/force).By doing that, it doesn’t force the screw in so much that it’s too tight to remove later, which I think is the whole purpose of it. Since some uses require more force than others, it has a bunch of levels you can select simply by turning the large section nearest the actual screwdriver head. You have immediate access to turning that without needing to push a button or whatever else, so it’s really easy to change it immediately if you find that it’s not applying enough force for what you need at the time, or if it’s too much.You’d need different amounts of force before it goes into this de fact “safety mode” of not overdriving the screw based on things like whether or not you’re driving into wood vs. metal, etc., and often based on the size of the screw. Or, such as some of my uses of it, one of my applications of it was driving screws inside a couple computers I built recently, in which case a lot of pressure can damage & even destroy some components. But I felt safe even driving the screws that hold the motherboard in place, & you can easily destroy my brand new expensive motherboards, and then I was able immediately set it so that it would drive some much larger screws into holes that weren’t threaded well (in a 19” rack where I installed and uninstalled a couple dozen or so devices weighing as much as 50 lbs. each), requiring a MUCH larger amount of pressure, and all I had to do is twist the part near the tip relative to the rest of the screwdriver to instantly (well, in less than a second) adjust it for that purpose.The head (piece with flathead vs. Philips, for example) is super easy to swap out, too. That won’t slow you down. As the photo shows, you can have your different type &/or size pieces right there in a recessed slot very near where you insert it, again making your work not slowed down at all by this tool (and relative to other designs, speeds up your work).You can see that the entire screwdriver is adjustable, albeit to a limited degree, so that you can reshape it very quickly (one button push releases it so you can move it to a different angle and then it just clicks in place). I’ve found that to be very useful, and it’s one reason I chose this model. I’d like more of a range of movement than this screwdriver allows in an ideal world, but it has served me well enough, and this feature is most definitely useful since there are often different angles at which you have to screw things in/out, and there are different things that can be in the way of reaching the screws. This ability to change the angle, in my experience (also with past power screwdrivers), is very important, actually. That’s why I miss the fact that this one doesn’t move as widely as I’d like. But it’s also why I love that it’s adjustable to the extent that it is.Overall, I really like this screwdriver and would buy another similar one if I needed a second or to replac this one. And I’d feel comfortable recommending one of these to a close friend or relative. The only thing I’d consider (or recommend) is finding out if Black & Decker makes another model with the same features, same notches in the screwdriver itself for different heads, same ability to do everything very quickly (including changing heads, changing angle of whole unit, changing torque amount, same long charge duration) that is only different in that it would be able to move a full 90 degrees, from being totally straight to being at a right angle (90 degree angle). And if you need to use this within small spaces (such as working inside electronics devices), you might want to look at the dimensions and angles possible to make sure it’ll fit in those spaces.In sum, though, I give this five stars. It deserves it, having actually exceeded my expectations and making working much more pleasant for me.I hope it does the same for you if you get one: I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this purchase (assuming, of course, you’ve made sure it’s size, dimensions, and such fit with your needs or looking for another model, in which case I’d still recommend looking for a reliable Black & Decker model).

Update: I was contacted by Black and Decker with an apology for the misinformation from their customer service department. I was told they only sell that part in the "Quick Connect Drill and Screwdriver Set" which they were happy to send me. I received it in the mail and have use the bits several times. I have changed my rating from one star to five stars for the followup from Black and Decker and that I really like the PD600. The 45 piece Bits Set is also very nice and I would give it five stars also.This one star rating is for Black and Decker customer service and NOT for the PD600 Pivot Plus. A nice product from what I can tell so far.The PD600 comes with three attachments. A Phillips bit, flathead bit and a drill bit. Nice feature!I've had the PD600 52 days and while using the drill bit for the first time the drill detached from the bit. It didn’t break it just came out of the hole and the drill would not lock back into the bit hole.I called Black and Decker customer service and explained the issue assuming because of the generous Black and Decker two year warranty it would be a simple issue to just send me another drill bit. Not so! The lady told me Black and Decker doesn’t make a drill bit for the PD600 that Amazon must have added this attachment. I reminded customer service that Amazon does not make tools it just sells and ships tools. I suggested she look at the Black and Decker PD600 on the Amazon web site and confirm that a drill bit was in deed pictured in the bit holder of the PD600. That seemed to made little difference. She was sticking to her story.But the story gets better. She then told me Black and Decker doesn’t make separate Phillips and flat head bits for their screw drivers. They make one bit that has a Phillips head on one end and flat head on the other and it’s just flipped around for use. I’m not sure why there are two bit holders on the PD600 if they only make one kind of bit. Besides, she says, there is only a 30 day warranty on those items. Yikes!At that point I decided to let this poor girl move on with the rest of her life in hopes that she is given some much needed customer service training and a quick course on Black and Decker products.

this works very well

my favorite tool, this thing is convenient. has the power to drive a six inch screw into a four-by-four but it's also light weight. i love that you can stretch it flat and use it as a hand screwdriver with a great grip. it recharges in no time and i generally charge it once a month. for basic home repairs, this is easily a five-star item. commercially, i'd say it would work like any other three-star electric screwdriver, though.. it's just not made for punishment. it is light weight though and makes easier those above the head hard screws.i dont pamper my tools. i mean, i clean them, i store them, they dont get wet. but i use them hard when i need them. i used the butt of my pivot plus as a hammer a few times and clearly that was stupid--sometimes stupid happens when youre already on the floor and in the pinch of the heat of the moment you just say to heck with it. but. i wont be misusing this again. i just ordered another one. after three, maybe four years, i was surprised to see this item no longer in any stores. not at target, walmart, home depot, lowes.. seems you can only find this online. (maybe this single item was hurting power drill sells.)this is my favorite tool and i missed it this weekend when i installed a door jamb. i had to use my 18v power drill. yeah, that heavy thing that is all bulk and waaay too much power. i certainly missed the ergonomic feel and control of the pivot plus, this thing is awesome and every home should have one.

Bought this to replace similar 3.6v driver that died, only to find it is far more capable than I thought. For use as a basic assembly tool this unit is fantastic. The adjustable torque has a wide range and the locking shaft lets you use it manually, which means screwing things together lightly and giving them a manual torque-check by hand becomes a single motion operation. The bendy form factor allows me to get into all sorts of places a pistol shaped driver can’t. It has a high speed too, meaning this can ably replace my drill for most small jobs, and therefore has found a home in my portable toolbox while the cordless drill now stays behind.My only complaint is where they placed the recharge port - needlessly inside the hinge, meaning the unit must be opened to straight to be plugged in. That said, I can live with that so no stars removed. Would buy another.

Muy buena potencia! Fácil de intercambiar las puntas, si tienen seguro, así que no se caen!La luz ambar no es muy útil, sería mejor una blanca y no tiene foquito indicador de carga. Tiene un sujetador de puntas a los costados que no es muy firme, se caen cuando se trabaja. solo esas mejoras para darle las 5 estrellas

Mis únicas quejas, son dos, la cabeza donde se insertan las puntas atornilladoras, no está imantada ni tiene ningún tipo de seguro físico que sostenga las puntas, en cualquier movimiento hacia abajo la punta cae y es muy molesto.El atornillador viene con foco led color amarillo, para mi este no cumple su propósito porque no da la luz que se espera; en mi herramienta al segundo uso, el boton de apagado se daño y ahora queda siempre encendido consumiendo batería.

Bit expensive for what it is- but works great

This is the third of these products I have purchased. The first two lasted over six years and I am hoping the latest mesons works well. The battery charger is American an but it is fairly easy to find a UK equivalent. It proves the point that if they are still making the same model after six years it must be a good item.