The Black + Decker BCD700S1K-GB combi-drill is a beginner-friendly drill, with a lithium-ion battery enabling its cordless operation.
That includes fundamental drilling, a screwdriver mode with 10 torque settings, and a hammer drill mode for drilling into brick and different exhausting supplies, the BCD700S1K-GB guarantees to do all the pieces an informal DIYer may want it to do.
What’s extra, the drill comes at a staggeringly low value. Bundles of the BCD700S1K-GB plus a lithium-ion battery, charger and plastic carry case are at the moment listed for £59.99 at Amazon UK – and we’ve seen that value dip under £50 throughout sale durations.
The battery and charger can be utilized with different 18V cordless instruments from the Black + Decker ‘POWERCONNECT’ vary, which incorporates different DIY must-haves corresponding to sanders and jigsaws.
On paper, the BCD700S1K-GB seems to be like the right buy for newcomers to DIY – however as everyone knows, a low value and many options can typically come at a value to high quality and efficiency.
So, to search out out whether or not Black + Decker’s software actually is likely one of the finest drills for newbies, I put it to the take a look at round my residence, which I’m busy renovating. With the drill’s full characteristic set in thoughts, I examined it by driving screws and drilling into wooden, plaster and brick. Learn on to search out out what I considered the drill’s efficiency and design.
The place to purchase the Black + Decker BCD700S1K-GB combi drill
Black + Decker BCD700S1K-GB combi drill
Black + Decker BCD700S1K-GB combi drill
Black + Decker BCD700S1K-GB combi drill
What’s included
Picture 1 of 2
The BCD700S1K-GB comes with a great vary of equipment – however not fairly all the pieces you want:
- BCD700S combi drill
- 1.5Ah 18V lithium-ion battery
- Battery charger
- Plastic carry case
- Double-headed screwdriver bit
- Instruction booklet
Just one drill bit is included: a double-headed screwdriver bit for turning cross-head (Phillips) and flat-head screws.
You’ll must buy extra bits for different duties, corresponding to masonry drill bits for hammer-drilling into brick, or wooden bits for drilling into wooden. Shopping for a fundamental Black + Decker drill bit and screwdriver set for £15 on Amazon will in all probability cowl most of your necessities.
It is price noting that the drill’s chuck additionally has a ten mm capability, so wider drill bits (corresponding to 13 mm bits) won’t match.
Efficiency
I examined the BCD700S1K-GB by utilizing it to hold out a number of fundamental DIY duties across the residence, assessing all of its settings and options within the course of.
Key specs:
Producer’s assure: 2 years
Voltage: 18V
Max. torque: 40 Nm
RPM: 0-1,400
Energy supply: cordless (lithium-ion battery)
Chuck capability: 1-10 mm
Wooden drilling capability: 25 mm
Metal drilling capability: 10 mm
Masonry drilling capability: 10 mm
1. Uninstalling outdated screws
The BCD700S1K-GB proved actually efficient at eradicating outdated screws from wooden and plaster, together with screws that had been tightly put in.
To get the perfect out of the BCD700S1K-GB’s screwdriving mode, I made use of its vary of ten torque settings, which may produce turning power as much as 40 Nm.
Torque can simply be adjusted utilizing the numbered adjustment collar on the barrel of the drill. I discovered that the upper torque settings offered the mandatory turning power to uninstall cussed, outdated screws, whereas the decrease torque settings triggered noticeably much less vibration – so that they’re kinder on the hand. Most screws required solely a low torque setting of ‘2’ or ‘3’.
The chuck saved a very tight, secure maintain on the screwdriver bit throughout screwdriving.
2. Putting in new screws
Fixing new screws into wooden and/or Rawl plugs is the BCD700S1K-GB’s specialty. With its screwdriver bit fitted, the drill turns screws with nice management, or with respectable energy, relying on which pace setting you’re utilizing.
The BCD700S1K-GB actually excels at tightening screws up, once they’re nearly absolutely put in. With its robust, safe chuck gripping the bit, the BCD700S1K-GB tightens screws fantastically nicely, reaching a degree of tightness that some higher-priced drills can’t match.
3. Drilling holes in wooden or plaster
After I used the BCD700S1K-GB to drill by means of wooden (or a softer materials corresponding to plaster), the drill proved fairly efficient and really managed. Another drills can bore by means of wooden sooner, however Black + Decker’s combi will work shortly sufficient for many informal DIY customers.
The BCD700S1K-GB additionally proved nice at countersinking – the place a mushroom-shaped countersinking bit is used to create a melancholy in wooden, permitting a screw or different fixing to be hidden with filler.
In my testing, the drill countersunk wooden very simply, and extra shortly than a few of its premium opponents. To get that good impact, I used to be utilizing the BCD700S1K-GB on its most pace settings.
4. Hammer-drilling holes in brick
Throughout my testing, the BCD700S1K-GB proved able to drilling holes in brick – however solely simply. I discovered that the drill took a really very long time to drill into exhausting, outdated brickwork regardless that it was fitted with an applicable masonry drill bit.
In case your property has very exhausting bricks, then I wouldn’t advocate utilizing the BCD700S1K-GB to drill into them, as you’ll expend much more effort and time than you’ll want to. Nevertheless, if the constructing has softer bricks, then the BCD700S1K-GB’s hammer drill perform could be as much as the duty.
5. Battery efficiency
Battery charging and runtime are key to cordless combi drill efficiency – so I rated these elements of my expertise with the BCD700S1K-GB whereas testing its drilling and screwdriving capabilities.
You’ll must cost this drill’s lithium-ion battery earlier than use. It slots simply into the charger, which has an LED indicator that reveals the battery’s present cost state: full, charging, damaged, or paused resulting from incorrect working temperature.
I discovered that the battery charged slowly, taking just below three hours to succeed in its 1.5Ah capability. This might trigger delays for customers who’re tackling massive initiatives with their combi drill – so if that sounds such as you, you’ll want to cost prematurely of DIY work, or buy the BCD700S1K-GB with two 1.5Ah batteries (£88.95, Amazon) as a way to preserve each charged, prepared for lengthier duties.
On a extra constructive be aware, the drill’s 1.5Ah battery demonstrated good runtime throughout our testing, offering energy lengthy sufficient for me to finish a modest DIY challenge (re-fitting a loft hatch), with out requiring a re-charge. The battery solely ran out after longer-duration testing of the BCD700S1K-GB’s hammer-drilling.
Ease of use
Picture 1 of 2
With the BCD700S1K-GB, you get all the fundamental options you’d count on of a contemporary combi drill in a simple-to-use, unfussy product. These embrace:
- a keyless chuck
- two pace settings
- ahead and reverse drilling
- a drill bit holder
- variable pace set off
I discovered the drill significantly straightforward to make use of, with none uncommon mechanisms or gimmicky options to grasp. A easy twist of the adjustment collar enables you to select between working modes: drill, hammer drill, and ten torque settings for screwdriving.
Rotational course might be simply modified with the identical hand you’re utilizing to carry the drill, utilizing the selectors on the edges of the drill – which may be very helpful if you’re holding a screw within the different hand. In the meantime, the variable pace set off provides you some management over the drill’s RPM, with roughly three speeds inside every of the 2 gears (so far as I may inform).
This can be a very nice drill to carry, with a smooth, rubbery deal with that’s formed ergonomically to suit the consumer’s fingers. It’s a light-weight, compact software, weighing simply 0.9 kg (or 1.3 kg with the battery fitted). For those who have a tendency to search out drills too heavy or unwieldy, you may discover a comfy companion within the BCD700S1K-GB.
Switching between drill bits requires you to show the keyless chuck with one hand, whereas holding the barrel above it with the opposite. This isn’t probably the most handy methodology for altering the bit, however crucially, it gives a safe, dependable grip on the drill bit.
For those who’ve used a combi drill earlier than, you’ll simply grasp the BCD700S1K-GB – and I imagine this might be an accessible drill for newbies to make use of too, because of its easy design and light-weight construct.
Who should purchase it?
Picture 1 of 2
There are not any revolutionary options right here that’ll shock or delight skilled drill customers – so energy software fanatics ought to look elsewhere.
Equally, customers who’re tackling a really massive DIY challenge corresponding to a house renovation or home extension will in all probability require a combi drill that has extra energy (significantly for hammer-drilling) and sooner battery charging.
With that stated, for newbies or occasional DIYers, the BCD700S1K-GB might be supreme. This drill has all the fundamental options that present actual profit to the typical consumer, corresponding to a number of torque ranges and pace settings.
The essential design of the drill is nice for newbies too. Its safe chuck (that means fewer dropped drill bits), compact kind, ergonomic deal with and comparatively low energy and vibration make this a really accessible drill for customers who’re simply attending to grips with their first energy instruments.
Add the BCD700S1K-GB’s very low cost value and the bundled-in battery, charger and carry case, and there you’ve a recipe for the right discount cordless combi drill for newbies.
Remaining verdict
I’m pleased to advocate the Black + Decker BCD700S1K-GB to newbie DIYers who’re on the lookout for an incredible first drill, or occasional customers who want an efficient software to assist round the home.
In contrast to sure different cordless drill bundles priced across the £60 mark, Black + Decker’s bundle is definitely match for goal. Its efficiency is fairly good, particularly with regards to screwdriving and drilling into softer supplies like wooden and plaster. And whereas the drill’s battery fees slowly, you’ll get sufficient runtime out of it to finish a run-of-the-mill, beginner-friendly DIY process.
For those who’re a DIY fanatic, you may wish to spoil your self by shopping for a extra premium product from our roundup of the finest cordless drills. However for customers who simply need an reasonably priced, accessible software to get stuff performed, the Black + Decker BCD700S1K-GB cordless combi drill could be a high quality alternative.
About this assessment and the reviewer
Pete is a contract author and reviewer from Leeds, with work printed by titles together with The Guardian, BBC Good Meals, The Impartial and the London Night Commonplace. A eager DIYer and residential renovator, Pete continuously contributes opinions and how-to guides to Homebuilding & Renovating. Pete examined the Black + Decker BCD700S1K-GB by utilizing it to drive screws and drill into wooden, plaster and brick throughout a loft hatch refitting challenge.