Black & Decker Electric Drill Driver Kit (3/8 in, 6 Amp, Corded)

A simple corded drill still earns a spot in my kit, and this Black & Decker corded drill has reminded me why. I put it through a few weeks of real-world use—hanging shelves and blinds, drilling pilot holes for cabinet hardware, boring through light-gauge steel, and driving the odd screw—and it consistently delivered steady power without fuss. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable, compact, and straightforward to use.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, you get the drill and a double-ended screwdriver bit. That’s it. No case, no assortment of bits. I don’t mind the minimalist approach at this price point, but plan to add a basic set of drill bits and an extension cord if you don’t already have them.

The drill itself is compact and light at about 3.4 pounds, with dimensions that let it fit into cabinets and between studs more comfortably than larger 1/2-inch models. The housing feels sturdy enough for homeowner duty. There’s an on-board bit holder that keeps the included driver bit handy; it’s a small detail, but useful when you’re moving up and down a ladder and want fewer trips back to the toolbox.

The 3/8-inch chuck on this model is keyed. Some users prefer keyless for speed, but a keyed chuck does clamp down very securely on round-shank bits. I rarely had to re-tighten after initial setup. Just keep track of the key; I looped a small lanyard through mine to avoid the inevitable where-did-that-key-go moment.

Ergonomics and control

The grip is comfortable and the trigger is precise. This drill is variable speed from 0 to 1,500 RPM, controlled through the trigger, and the range is appropriate for most household tasks. That low end of the trigger is slow enough to start screws and begin a hole without the bit wandering. The forward/reverse switch is positive, and I didn’t accidentally bump it mid-task.

Balance is good for a compact drill. It’s front-heavy enough that the bit naturally meets the work surface, but not so heavy that the nose dives. Over longer sessions—drilling repeated pilot holes for cabinet pulls, for example—the 3.4-pound weight kept fatigue at bay.

Power and performance

Black & Decker’s 6.0-amp motor provides steady, usable torque. Corded power means you don’t have to worry about batteries dying or sagging voltage mid-project, which is exactly why I still keep a corded drill around. In pine and plywood, I breezed through typical homeowner tasks: shelf brackets, curtain rods, and hardware pilot holes. With a small hole saw, it handled grommet holes in a desktop cleanly, provided I let the tool work and didn’t lean on it.

In 1/8-inch mild steel, a sharp 3/16-inch HSS bit and some cutting fluid did the trick. The trick here is trigger control—keep the speed low and steady—and this drill lets you do that without chattering or binding. For thicker steel or large hole saws, you’ll want a heavier-duty drill, but for light metal work, it’s perfectly serviceable.

What this tool is not: a hammer drill. You can drill the occasional hole in masonry with the right bit and patience—especially in mortar rather than brick—but it’s slow going, and I don’t recommend it for more than a few holes. If your to-do list includes anchors into concrete or block, a dedicated hammer drill will save you time and frustration.

Drilling and driving

As a drill, it’s straightforward and reliable. The 3/8-inch chuck sets the upper limit on bit shank size, but that still covers the vast majority of homeowner needs. The keyed chuck’s grip helped keep spade bits from slipping, and the tool didn’t bog down on reasonable hole sizes in softwood.

As a driver, it works, with caveats. There’s no clutch, so you need a gentle trigger finger to avoid overdriving or stripping screws. I had the best results pre-drilling and then driving wood screws at low speed, finishing the last turn by hand for delicate work like cabinet hinges. For assembling furniture or mounting hardware, it was fine. For repetitive deck screws or long structural fasteners, a driver with a clutch—or an impact driver—will be a better fit.

The included double-ended bit is a welcome starter, though it’s basic. It’s enough to hang a few items right away, but you’ll want a proper driver bit set for longevity and fit.

Build quality and durability

For its class, build quality is solid. The casing tolerates the usual bumps, and the trigger remained smooth after plenty of starts and stops. Under sustained load—like running a series of hole saw cuts—it got warm, but never uncomfortably so. The cord strain relief is robust, and the cord didn’t fight me while moving around a room. I also appreciate the reversible function being crisp; direction shifts aren’t mushy, which helps when backing out a stuck bit.

One omission you may notice is the lack of a side handle. On a compact 6-amp drill, it’s not strictly necessary, but if you’re using large bits that can bind, a side handle offers leverage. Here, the best approach is to size your tasks appropriately and let the bit work.

Noise and vibration

Noise is about what I expect from a small corded drill—present but manageable. Vibration is well controlled and never numbed my hand, even during longer sessions drilling repetitive pilot holes. Bit selection and sharpness make a bigger difference to comfort than the tool itself in this case.

What I liked

• Reliable, continuous power from a corded 6.0-amp motor
• Compact size and light weight make it easy to maneuver in tight spots
• Smooth variable-speed trigger with good low-speed control
• Keyed chuck holds bits very securely
• On-board bit storage is genuinely handy for quick tasks
• Reversible for backing out screws and clearing holes
• Two-year limited warranty provides some peace of mind

Where it falls short

• No hammer function; not suited for frequent masonry drilling
• Keyed chuck is slower to swap bits than keyless
• No clutch for driving; requires a careful trigger to avoid stripping screws
• 3/8-inch chuck limits the largest bit sizes you can use
• Bare-bones kit with only a single double-ended driver bit included

Best uses and who it’s for

This drill is a strong fit for homeowners and DIYers who want a dependable, plug-in tool for everyday drilling and light driving. If your projects look like hanging shelves and curtains, assembling furniture, installing cabinet hardware, and making occasional holes in wood and light metal, it hits the mark. It’s also a great “spare” drill to keep in the shop so you’re not juggling chargers or swapping batteries mid-project.

If you regularly drive lots of screws, work with large-diameter hole saws, or drill into masonry and concrete, you’ll be better served by a driver with a clutch, a higher-torque 1/2-inch drill, or a hammer drill, respectively. And if you prize mobility above all else, a cordless setup will obviously be more convenient—at the cost of managing batteries.

Warranty and support

The two-year limited warranty is standard for this class and adds confidence. Corded tools like this tend to be straightforward to maintain: keep the vents clear, avoid overheating, and store it dry. A quick wipe-down after dusty work and an occasional check of the chuck key’s condition are about all it needs.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker corded drill is a practical, no-nonsense addition to a home toolkit. It favors reliability and control over bells and whistles, and that’s exactly why it works. With sensible expectations—wood, light metal, occasional driving—it performs consistently and stays comfortable in hand. Its limitations are clear and reasonable for the size and price: no hammer action, a keyed chuck, and no clutch. In return, you get steady power, good ergonomics, and a compact footprint.

Recommendation: I recommend this drill for homeowners and DIYers who want a reliable, budget-friendly corded option for everyday drilling and light driving. It’s compact, easy to control, and strong enough for common tasks without the hassle of batteries. I wouldn’t choose it for heavy masonry work, large-diameter drilling, or high-volume screw driving; those jobs call for more specialized tools. For everything else on a typical household punch list, this one earns its keep.