This Cordless Multi-Tool Drills (and cuts, and, well, tries to sand)
Written: Jun 24 '02 (Updated Jun 24 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Price, good drilling, some multi-functionality
Cons: weak and kills battery, more cumbersome than simple drill
The Bottom Line: Application specific tools may better serve you unless your projects are light household tasks.
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| gbraun's Full Review: Black & Decker Firestorm Cordless Multi-Tool MT120... |
Decription:
A multi-tool which is basically a battery powered motor with three interchangeable heads for drill, jigsaw, and sander.
From the Black and Decker website, I’ve included these highlights as the epinions picture doesn’t really suggest the multi-tool aspect:
Features and Benefits
Keyless chuck
1 Tool and 3 attachments provides a complete project kit for drill/driving, sanding/polishing and cutting.
24 position clutch provides accuracy and control for screwdriving.
QuickClamp blade change system makes blade changing quick and easy.
Blade support roller keeps blade straight for an accurate finish.
Detail sanding pad allows you to get into tight corners.
Hook and loop pad for quick and easy sandpaper removal.
Specifications
Motor (ed: and thereby, drill) Revolutions/Min 0-700 rpm
Voltage 12 V
Strokes/Min 0-3000 spm
Orbits/Min 0-8000 opm
Impressions
The feel is a bit plasticky. The black polycarbonate (or whatever it is) is actually very tough, though, and the weight savings is appreciated. The grip is natural and comfortable for operation as a drill and jigsaw, but slightly awkward as a mouse sander due to the sander angle. While it doesn’t feel heavy as a drill (try hefting an 18v drill) the mouse option is tiring (probably due to position, compounded by the (necessary) vibration).
The interchange of accessory heads (drill, jigsaw, sander) is easy. The forward/reverse switch must be in the center (locked) position to remove a head, which must be a safety feature.
The clutch is easy to use, and although it’s not recommended, the keyless chuck can be spun in and out with nice precision, and really clamps well.
I believe that the unit was optimized for drilling, and that the removable head is based on a separation where it will suit the drill in terms of design and durability, and that the other heads were engineered to accommodate this.
The case that this all comes in is quite cumbersome. It seems to be larger than it needs to be, and because the pieces just sit loosely in their compartments, you can’t pop it open against your leg and grab something out: you have to lay it flat and open it. On the plus side of this are two things: 1) there’s plenty of room to stash extras such as bits, and sandpaper, and even a spare pencil and tape measure, and 2) you get a case – really, this an inexpensive little combo tool, and just having a case to store it in is worth something.
Projects I’ve used this on (with scores out of 10 based on my satisfaction)
-> 18’x10’ pressure treated deck - Score: 6 Attachment used: Drill
The decking was screwed down using galvanized deck screws. The two full battery charges were insufficient to keep me working in tandem with another corded drill, and so we took turns with the corded drill until I had a partial re-charge in order to continue. (Yes I was charging the first while using the second battery, but when the second was finished the first was not fully charged, and ran down quickly, by which time the second was charged only a little -> you get the picture; a break was necessary.)
-> 8’x8’ prefab shed on plywood base - Score: 9 Attachment used: Drill
This home depot shed kit would have been a real chore to slap together using a corded drill. The sequence of wall and roof panels, combined with wanting to drop a screw in on exterior and interior locations would have meant frustration with a corded tool. The pace of work was slow enough that although I used up three charges, I never got ahead of the charging. The clutch, once properly adjusted, allowed me to screw 3/4” plywood down to joists with a perfect counter-sink – with the screw below the surface but not breaking the top fibers. It drove the long screws well.
-> 2’x4’ table top sand for varnish - Score: 7 Attachment used: Mouse sander
This worked out well on a piece of veneered plywood on which I saw some rough patches (Birch veneer). I worked across the entire surface using both batteries and was well enough sanded to use some 0000 steel wool easily to finish. This is probably the limit on task size for which the sander has utility, though, as battery drainage is fast using the mouse.
-> tear up and replace bathroom floor - Score: 7 Attachment used: Drill, Jigsaw
I used the Firestorm to drill some ˝” holes and then cut across some maple tongue and groove sub-floor. Large expanse cuts were done with a circular saw, but there were good occasions to use the jigsaw. I broke a blade (my fault) and was pleased, given the cramped, dusty, hot conditions, that blade replacement required no tools, and blade position was almost automatic.
-> trim and door restoration from multiple coats of paint – Score: 3 Attachment used: Mouse Sander
We chemically stripped some paint, and scraped most of it off, and then went to work sanding ount the details and corners. 10 minutes killed the batteries, and I didn’t bother re-charging as there were hours of sanding remaining (“and miles to go before I sleep”). I switched to a corded sander for a while before giving up altogether and repainting it all :-)
-> deadbolt lock install in oak door – Score: 8 Attachment used: Drill
I used up one battery getting half way through the door with a 1 1/2” hole saw, and rather than use up the rest I switched to a corded drill. I still rate the project well, though, as I shouldn’t have even started with the drill there (this is 100 year old oak, and even a commercial grade tool gets a workout cutting that hole. I used the cordless to extend the routed striker plate hole into the jamb, and to drill pilot holes and drive the large security screws into the striker plate. The keyless chuck made the switches nice and easy, and the maneuverability was appreciated.
-> miscellaneous picture, curtain rod, towel rack hanging – Score: 8 Attachment used: Drill
I’ve drilled and screwed tapcons in concrete block, wood screws into oak, and pilot holes and screws into plaster. This drill will handle it all well (and really it should, as this is light duty stuff). The only reason it doesn’t rate a 10 in this easy category is its slightly cumbersome shape, which can prevent some tight spots from being drilled (or screw driven) at an optimum angle.
-> playhouse assembly (small plastic kit) - Score: 2 Attachment used: Drill
Many screw location were two tight, and I used a small inline cordless screwdriver instead of the firestorm for most of the assembly. I believe a more compact design drill would have done better (and so this is a negative point here, without me having made mention of it as a negative in my playhouse review ;-)
Bottom Line
The scores above are based on starting out with both batteries at full charge. Most of my projects will not be finished on one battery charge, and you may use that battery up faster than you can charge the second. You need to plan ahead a little, and it’s arguable that that’s a negative factor of convenience for cordless tools like this one in general.
I believe the one thing that I like about this tool is that it’s a good cordless drill, with all that that means. It is not a great jigsaw, but if your projects are small the saw is a convenient add-on. The sanding mouse is next to useless.
Go the cordless drill reviews and pick one, and then buy a corded sanding mouse if you need one. Similarly buy a jigsaw separately if you expect to use one much.
I knew buying this combo unit that on the whole, add-on style attachments are prone to be less well built or durable, and may not be optimized for specific function (especially in this price range). If I were buying again, I would buy a drill alone, and consider my other tool options, so I guess I hope you learn from my experience if you expect to do similar projects.
I am not, however, entirely negative about this tool. It has performed well where I expected it too, and has done quite well given the low price tag. I’ve been tough on it, and it is unscathed. Two batteries and a drill will, on their own, add up close to the total price for this unit, so the saw and sander can be viewed almost as bonuses. There have been occasions when I knew I needed a jigsaw, and got the job done without a trip to the basement for my corded tool.
Summing it up, I would not repeat this purchase, but if your project demands will be a bit smaller than mine, it might suit you very well.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
gbraun
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Location: Cambridge, ON, Canada
Reviews written: 25
Trusted by: 14 members
About Me:
"I think not," said Descartes, and promptly disappeared.
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