- Lightweight compact design
- Easy to use in tight and confined spaces
- Ideal for drilling into wood, metal plastic and all screw driving tasks
- Product note: the color and logo design of this kit may vary depending on when the product was manufactured
- Product note: the color and logo design of this kit may vary depending on when the product was manufactured
- Lithium Ion Technology & 20V MAX: Lighter, more compact, no memory, longer life
- 11 Position Clutch: Provides precise control for drilling into wood, metal, plastic, and all screwdriving tasks
Black & Decker LDX120C 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver
The Black & Decker LDX120C 20-volt MAX lithium-ion drill/driver delivers 0-to-650 revolutions-per-minute and 115 inches-per-pund of torque in a light weight easy to use drill. The light, compact, no memory, 20-volt MAX lithium-ion battery holds a charge longer between use and has a longer cycle life compared to nicad batteries. This drill has an 11-position clutch that provides precise control for drilling into wood, metal, plastic and all screwdriving tasks. Compact and light weight, the drill is designed for less user fatigue and allows users to drill/screw in confined spaces. An anti-slip soft grip provides comfort when using the drill. The drill also comes with a LED work light that illuminates the surface for easier drilling in dark places.
The Black & Decker LDX120C is backed by a 2-year warranty.
By AttackOfTheVapors
Don't know why I'm reviewing this drill. I guess it's because after reading all the other reviews prior to buying, I'm somewhat conflicted since mostly, people either seem to love or hate this drill and I'd like to get my two cents worth in. After reading about a bazillion reviews (small exaggeration) I didn't know what to think and, I thought perhaps I could help my fellow Amazonians (is that a word?) make a buying decision based upon my own, hopefully informed opinion. While I am not an expert, I do build and sell hardwood furniture and am familiar with most of the tools that you would find in a working woodshop.
I was surprised by all the negative reviews. It seems that a lot of folks are having problems with this drill; chuck failing or not holding bits properly, overheating and smoking, charging issues or battery not holding charge for very long, etc. One of the reasons I bought this drill was because I was somewhat titilated wondering if it was a worthwhile purchase or not. Since Amazon has return priviliges I figured I could examine the product thoroughly upon receipt and decide for myself if it was a good buy.
I thought that this drill looked interesting. To me it looks kind of "cartoony" (there he goes again; making up words). With its bright colors and swirly lines it looks like something Roger Rabbit would use (or, if you're in my generation; Bullwinkle). If you'll note in the first photo below, the barrel is somewhat shorter than the average cordless drill. It is attractive; I like the look of the new flat battery packs as opposed to the older, clunky "stick-type" batteries. I noted that this drill is 20V which, you would think would make it more powerful but, in looking at the torque rating, it's not necessarily so.
Now, just to make a comment on one of the most frequent complaints in other reviews. A lot of reviewers are complaining about the bit not being held tightly in the chuck. Firstly, take a look at the the second photo below. Please note that the icon of the screw is uppermost on the barrel. This is important when chucking in a bit as it ensures maximum torque and tightness. If you have "10" or any other number at the top of the barrel, you are in a "torque setting" which is used when driving screws. This means that when you achieve a certain tension, the clutch will slip and fail to tighten the chuck further. If you hear a clicking sound when tightening the chuck around a bit, then you need to adjust the ring so the screw icon is on top. Also, note in the photo, that I am wearing leather gloves. Frequently, when hand-tightening the chuck, it will escape your grip (after all, we're not as strong as gorillas) and spin, burning your hand. Because of this, most of us don't exert all the pressure we're capable of. With gloves protecting your hands, if it slips, you don't get burned and you're capable of tightening your grip and getting maximum holding power between the chuck/bit. The holding power of the chuck is dependent entirely upon the tightness of "YOUR" grip when inserting the bit and holding the chuck ring. I think that the majority of the complaints pertaining to this problem would be solved if the above two suggestions were followed. Nothing in the construction of the drill I received would lead me to believe that it is some kind of manufacturing deficiency.
Upon unboxing this drill at a friends house his wife thought it looked "cute" and felt it would be a good addition to their kit (they frequently go to numerous flea markets throughout Texas and carry basic tools with them). Being smaller, it would take up less room in their trailer. You might have noted that I mentioned this is a good womans drill in my title blurb. The reason for this is the drill handle being smaller than a normal battery operated drill. It's still big enough for a man but, being smaller, it will be easier for the average female to handle than most drills. It is also lighter than the average drill which, I think most women could appreciate.
I decided I would test this drill for both overall power and battery life. To do this I decided upon a series of tests of what I felt were of gradually escalating difficulty. While these tests may be pertinent to my particular situation, only you can decide if they are a "fit" to your situation and expected usage of the product.
Incidentally, for my tests, even though I typically use hardwood, I felt that since White Pine is the lumber that most homeowners commonly use, it would be more appropriate for my tests and, since 3/4" stock is far and away the most common lumber that I would utilize this thickness. My results were as follows:
Drill Three 1/4" holes through 3/4" stock with a brad point bit - Accomplished
Drill Three 1/2" holes through 3/4" stock with a brad point bit - Accomplished
Drive Three 3/8" Lag Bolts through previous 1/4" holes in 3/4" stock - Accomplished
Drill Three 5/8" holes through 3/4" stock with Forstner Bit - Accomplished
Drill Three 7/8" holes through 3/4" stock with Spade Bit - Accomplished
At this point, I was expecting the charge to be gone from the batteries. Using a spade bit is difficult and draining on any drill. So, I decided to up the ante; I increased the size of the spade bit to 1 3/8" (a very large hole indeed) and the stock thickness to 2" stock (nomimal 1 5/8", a two by four). My intention was to continue to drill holes to the point of refusal of the battery to rotate the drill. Results as follows:
Drill 1 3/8" holes through 1 5/8 " stock til failure - 3 1/2 holes Accomplished
Now, to be truthful, when I stopped, the battery was still rotating the chuck and bit but, it was starting to bog down. In other words, battery failure was imminent. Could I have finished the 4th hole? Yeah, probably I could have abused the tool and forced it to finish but, it didn't have much left. Also, even though I was wearing leather gloves, I could feel a lot of heat at the barrel (after all, these tests were done with no interruptions) and it was apparent to me that to continue, I would probably smoke the motor, which made no sense to me. You can take my word for it; This drill would not have finished a 5th hole without catastrophic failure. By the way, I do not recommend using spade bits with a hand-held drill. They are particularly hard on a drill and, although I rarely use them, I only use them in my drill press. The only reason I utilized them in this testing was because I knew they would put a substantial drain on the battery. Especially using a large diameter bit like the 1 3/8" comes very close to the definition of abusing your tools so, if you can avoid it, I suggest not subjecting your drill to loads such as this..
Conclusions: I believe that this is drill that is well suited to the home handyman. Would it be a good drill for a professional that needed it for use daily? Probably not, although it might last a while. I also think a pro would want a drill with a little more torque and definitely more drilling speed. However, even though the listed torque is low, while I was drilling the largest holes with the spade bit, when it caught in the hole it had enough torque to spin my wrist around (and I'm 6'4" and 210 lbs) so, it should be adequate for most of us. I also think that because of it's reduced weight it would be an ideal drill for a woman and I think the manufacturers did a good job of "splitting the difference" in designing a grip that is both large enough for a big man (though just barely) and small enough to be comfortable for the average woman.
Caveat: As I told you earlier, one of the reasons I got this drill was because of all the contradictory reviews (it piqued my curiousity). I think almost 20% of the reviews have some complaint about this product. If you do decide to purchase, make sure that you do test and inspect your drill closely to make sure that none of the issues mentioned in other reviews are present in your purchase. Based upon the product I received, it is apparent to me that Black & Decker is capable of making a quality product however, DO inspect yours prior to the expiration of the return window. With this caveat, I can recommend this cordless drill.
I hope that this review, since it addresses issues outside of others comments, was of some help to you. If my review was instrumental in helping you decide to purchase, or not purchase this item, I would appreciate your "Yes" vote below. Thanks.
I was surprised by all the negative reviews. It seems that a lot of folks are having problems with this drill; chuck failing or not holding bits properly, overheating and smoking, charging issues or battery not holding charge for very long, etc. One of the reasons I bought this drill was because I was somewhat titilated wondering if it was a worthwhile purchase or not. Since Amazon has return priviliges I figured I could examine the product thoroughly upon receipt and decide for myself if it was a good buy.
I thought that this drill looked interesting. To me it looks kind of "cartoony" (there he goes again; making up words). With its bright colors and swirly lines it looks like something Roger Rabbit would use (or, if you're in my generation; Bullwinkle). If you'll note in the first photo below, the barrel is somewhat shorter than the average cordless drill. It is attractive; I like the look of the new flat battery packs as opposed to the older, clunky "stick-type" batteries. I noted that this drill is 20V which, you would think would make it more powerful but, in looking at the torque rating, it's not necessarily so.
Now, just to make a comment on one of the most frequent complaints in other reviews. A lot of reviewers are complaining about the bit not being held tightly in the chuck. Firstly, take a look at the the second photo below. Please note that the icon of the screw is uppermost on the barrel. This is important when chucking in a bit as it ensures maximum torque and tightness. If you have "10" or any other number at the top of the barrel, you are in a "torque setting" which is used when driving screws. This means that when you achieve a certain tension, the clutch will slip and fail to tighten the chuck further. If you hear a clicking sound when tightening the chuck around a bit, then you need to adjust the ring so the screw icon is on top. Also, note in the photo, that I am wearing leather gloves. Frequently, when hand-tightening the chuck, it will escape your grip (after all, we're not as strong as gorillas) and spin, burning your hand. Because of this, most of us don't exert all the pressure we're capable of. With gloves protecting your hands, if it slips, you don't get burned and you're capable of tightening your grip and getting maximum holding power between the chuck/bit. The holding power of the chuck is dependent entirely upon the tightness of "YOUR" grip when inserting the bit and holding the chuck ring. I think that the majority of the complaints pertaining to this problem would be solved if the above two suggestions were followed. Nothing in the construction of the drill I received would lead me to believe that it is some kind of manufacturing deficiency.
Upon unboxing this drill at a friends house his wife thought it looked "cute" and felt it would be a good addition to their kit (they frequently go to numerous flea markets throughout Texas and carry basic tools with them). Being smaller, it would take up less room in their trailer. You might have noted that I mentioned this is a good womans drill in my title blurb. The reason for this is the drill handle being smaller than a normal battery operated drill. It's still big enough for a man but, being smaller, it will be easier for the average female to handle than most drills. It is also lighter than the average drill which, I think most women could appreciate.
I decided I would test this drill for both overall power and battery life. To do this I decided upon a series of tests of what I felt were of gradually escalating difficulty. While these tests may be pertinent to my particular situation, only you can decide if they are a "fit" to your situation and expected usage of the product.
Incidentally, for my tests, even though I typically use hardwood, I felt that since White Pine is the lumber that most homeowners commonly use, it would be more appropriate for my tests and, since 3/4" stock is far and away the most common lumber that I would utilize this thickness. My results were as follows:
Drill Three 1/4" holes through 3/4" stock with a brad point bit - Accomplished
Drill Three 1/2" holes through 3/4" stock with a brad point bit - Accomplished
Drive Three 3/8" Lag Bolts through previous 1/4" holes in 3/4" stock - Accomplished
Drill Three 5/8" holes through 3/4" stock with Forstner Bit - Accomplished
Drill Three 7/8" holes through 3/4" stock with Spade Bit - Accomplished
At this point, I was expecting the charge to be gone from the batteries. Using a spade bit is difficult and draining on any drill. So, I decided to up the ante; I increased the size of the spade bit to 1 3/8" (a very large hole indeed) and the stock thickness to 2" stock (nomimal 1 5/8", a two by four). My intention was to continue to drill holes to the point of refusal of the battery to rotate the drill. Results as follows:
Drill 1 3/8" holes through 1 5/8 " stock til failure - 3 1/2 holes Accomplished
Now, to be truthful, when I stopped, the battery was still rotating the chuck and bit but, it was starting to bog down. In other words, battery failure was imminent. Could I have finished the 4th hole? Yeah, probably I could have abused the tool and forced it to finish but, it didn't have much left. Also, even though I was wearing leather gloves, I could feel a lot of heat at the barrel (after all, these tests were done with no interruptions) and it was apparent to me that to continue, I would probably smoke the motor, which made no sense to me. You can take my word for it; This drill would not have finished a 5th hole without catastrophic failure. By the way, I do not recommend using spade bits with a hand-held drill. They are particularly hard on a drill and, although I rarely use them, I only use them in my drill press. The only reason I utilized them in this testing was because I knew they would put a substantial drain on the battery. Especially using a large diameter bit like the 1 3/8" comes very close to the definition of abusing your tools so, if you can avoid it, I suggest not subjecting your drill to loads such as this..
Conclusions: I believe that this is drill that is well suited to the home handyman. Would it be a good drill for a professional that needed it for use daily? Probably not, although it might last a while. I also think a pro would want a drill with a little more torque and definitely more drilling speed. However, even though the listed torque is low, while I was drilling the largest holes with the spade bit, when it caught in the hole it had enough torque to spin my wrist around (and I'm 6'4" and 210 lbs) so, it should be adequate for most of us. I also think that because of it's reduced weight it would be an ideal drill for a woman and I think the manufacturers did a good job of "splitting the difference" in designing a grip that is both large enough for a big man (though just barely) and small enough to be comfortable for the average woman.
Caveat: As I told you earlier, one of the reasons I got this drill was because of all the contradictory reviews (it piqued my curiousity). I think almost 20% of the reviews have some complaint about this product. If you do decide to purchase, make sure that you do test and inspect your drill closely to make sure that none of the issues mentioned in other reviews are present in your purchase. Based upon the product I received, it is apparent to me that Black & Decker is capable of making a quality product however, DO inspect yours prior to the expiration of the return window. With this caveat, I can recommend this cordless drill.
I hope that this review, since it addresses issues outside of others comments, was of some help to you. If my review was instrumental in helping you decide to purchase, or not purchase this item, I would appreciate your "Yes" vote below. Thanks.
By matthew
I purchased this drill from Lowes one day because I had an older Craftsman with two dead batteries and decided to purchase this instead of new batteries. I made the right decision. Compared to most drills that I have used in the past, it is quite small, but it is a 20v drill and you cannot beat it. It is able to get into smaller spaces than my other drills and has plenty of power to spare. One feature that it has is a LED light that shines on the location where you are using it. Totally unnecessary for most things, but a nice addition when you do end up in that one dark spot.
The best part of this drill is the battery. It is a Li Ion battery. This is a way better battery technology than the older drills use. These batteries will not keep a memory. My biggest problem was that I would keep my batteries on the charger when not in use and this will damage the older batteries. That is not the case here. This battery pack is designed to stay on the charger, but will also keep a charge for a year if taken off it. It is also a much smaller battery pack than most other drills I have used. This is really convenient. This battery will also outlast any of the other batteries I have used.
I have not used this anywhere near what someone like a contractor would use it. I have used it only for light duty work around the house. For my needs it is perfect. I am not sure how it would hold up if it was used day in and day out for 8 hours a day so I can't comment on that.
The best part of this drill is the battery. It is a Li Ion battery. This is a way better battery technology than the older drills use. These batteries will not keep a memory. My biggest problem was that I would keep my batteries on the charger when not in use and this will damage the older batteries. That is not the case here. This battery pack is designed to stay on the charger, but will also keep a charge for a year if taken off it. It is also a much smaller battery pack than most other drills I have used. This is really convenient. This battery will also outlast any of the other batteries I have used.
I have not used this anywhere near what someone like a contractor would use it. I have used it only for light duty work around the house. For my needs it is perfect. I am not sure how it would hold up if it was used day in and day out for 8 hours a day so I can't comment on that.
By R. Byrnes
This drill packs more than enough punch for the serious DIYer (more than just a picture-hanger). Charges very quickly and maintains that charge for when you need it. I do agree with some of the other commenters about the torque settings. They're lighter than what I'd like to see, but this is not a deal-breaker. Would I buy this drill if I were a full-time contractor who had to bore large holes or drop long lag bolts all day every day? No, but there are higher end tools for that level of work, and you're going to pay more for them. I've put this drill through some pretty tough use cases for about six months and recommend it.
By Cabby51
I drilled several holes and did not experience any slippage that some of the other reviewers did. I'm guessing that they did not use the settings on the drill correctly or didn't tighten the chuck well. 50 to 60 screws went into 2x4's easily and stopped where they were supposed to using the tension setting. The drill doesn't seem to be made for commercial use but it seems to be able to handle my "around the house" projects well. Very comfortable grip and light weight. Power is more than adequate for home use. Great value for the $$
By cmt
This is a small but mighty drill! I would highly recommend it to a friend or Co worker. Battery life is excellent no complaints.
By T Buck
I recently purchased a Kawasaki cordless from Costco for 44 bucks. My son admonished me for purchasing a cordless tool powered by a NiCad battery pack-old technology. It was promptly returned.
I searched for entry level Lithium Ion cordless drills and found the Black & Decker to be a highly reviewed drill at a reasonable price point of $64 (with free shipping on Amazon.) I recieved it yesterday and charged it up. It is well made, solid and fits in my hand perfectly and boy is it powerful! This unit is tough to find at brick and mortar stores and I found Amazon had the best price when I factored in the shipping. Because of the nature of the Lithium Ion battery pack I anticipate this drill to last me for years to come.
I searched for entry level Lithium Ion cordless drills and found the Black & Decker to be a highly reviewed drill at a reasonable price point of $64 (with free shipping on Amazon.) I recieved it yesterday and charged it up. It is well made, solid and fits in my hand perfectly and boy is it powerful! This unit is tough to find at brick and mortar stores and I found Amazon had the best price when I factored in the shipping. Because of the nature of the Lithium Ion battery pack I anticipate this drill to last me for years to come.
By idealady
I bought this drill for my husband - aren't I nice!? He had an older drill that really couldn't handle anything heavy. When he got this drill his eyes lit up! Then he tried it and he was really happy. He said it has more power than he expected and has made difficult job much easier. He was going to keep the old drill as a back-up but he said he rather just get rid of the old one and rely on this B&D. He also said he was sorry I hadn't ordered it for him before I had him install shutters on a brick house! It took 4-ever! Oh well, he's got the power now!
By Carbona Not Glue
Had it for about 2 months now and have used it extensively. Haven't identified any real weaknesses or drawbacks to it yet. Battery life is good to excellent. It's light and torquey. Bit install is quick easy and right. It's quite a bit smaller than my previous black and decker drill. Two of the best things about this drill is the LED light that illuminates the area to be drilled and it stands up on its own when placed on its battery base on a table or floor. Highly recommended unit.
If my review has been helpful to you, please click the button below to indicate that.
If my review has been helpful to you, please click the button below to indicate that.
By N Nguyen
Our single daughter wanted a drill/screw gun for Christmas to assemble her IKEA furniture, so this is what we bought her. She lives in Seattle and Mama & Papa are in Illinois, so I'm not there to help. And after her first IKEA assembly, she realized the importance of a good drill. I've always had a tool room full of tools, and my kids grew up watching me build and repair "all things broken or under construction". She was very, very happy with this tool, which we included a bit and drill set from a local store (but also B&D). As a journeyman Ironworker, I've always believed in getting tools that will outlast me, if possible, which means Milwaukee, Bosch, Makita, or at least DeWalt. But as a younger (and poorer) man, I was also given the wise advice that "you can buy 5 of those over your lifetime for what one of 'those' cost". That was in an age of cords, and the cords were usually the culprit, and a family needed support more than I needed top of the line tools. Plus, with this gun, I was very impressed that it had a 20V battery. (My first one was 7 or 9 V, and lasted for years. My Milwaukee that I use now is only 18v). In conclusion, our daughter was VERY happy with this, and her Le Creuet tea pot as Christmas gifts- both requested- even though I had to laugh at the idea that they are on opposite ends of the spectrum of each other. Point is, she asked for a drill/screw gun, and was very happy to get this.
By A Wheel
I had a small B&D drill/driver for years and it finally conked out so I ordered this one because sadly, they don't make the one I had any more. This one did cost more and I was hesitant but when it came and I charged it up, wow! It is so easy to change out the bits and it is way more versatile because it can hold regular bits if they are long enough (no more special fit pieces). I drilled into brick then screwed in my wall planter within minutes all by myself.
It held a strong enough charge to drill into brick twice, unscrew the planter from its old location, screw it into a new location, drill holes to hang my shelf, drive the screws in to hold shelf, and still go strong to loosen a few screws later that day. My hubby is eying this awesome tool but it is mine, mine, mine! I love it.
It held a strong enough charge to drill into brick twice, unscrew the planter from its old location, screw it into a new location, drill holes to hang my shelf, drive the screws in to hold shelf, and still go strong to loosen a few screws later that day. My hubby is eying this awesome tool but it is mine, mine, mine! I love it.
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