Black & Decker 2-kit 4A Corded Drill & Oscillating

Why I reached for this combo

A few weekends in, I put the Black & Decker 4A combo through a set of very typical homeowner jobs: trimming a door jamb for new flooring, notching drywall to chase a cable, easing some paint runs on window trim, and drilling pilot holes for hardware. The appeal is obvious—one corded power unit, a quick swap between a drill/driver and an oscillating head, and unlimited runtime. If your tool shelf is thin and you don’t want to juggle batteries, this design makes a lot of sense.

What you get out of the box

The kit includes the corded 4-amp power base, a drill/driver head, the oscillating attachment, a plunge-cutting blade, a sanding pad with a couple of sheets, a universal adapter for oscillating accessories, and a double‑sided bit. It’s enough to start cutting, sanding, and drilling right away, though you’ll quickly want more sandpaper and a broader blade assortment.

At 5.1 pounds before you add a blade or screw in a bit, it’s on the heavier side for a compact multi-tool setup. The cord is a plus for steady power, but it also means minding cable placement while you work.

Build and ergonomics

The housing is mostly plastic with rubberized contact points. The grip is average-sized and the trigger has a predictable pull. Balance changes noticeably depending on the head: with the drill/driver attached, the weight sits close to the hand and feels manageable; with the oscillating attachment, the front becomes nose-heavy. Overhead or extended reach cuts will highlight that extra weight, and you’ll feel it after a long session of sanding.

Vibration is about what I expect at this price—present but not punishing. Ear and eye protection are smart; the oscillating head has that typical high-pitched whine and the dust from sanding builds quickly without extraction.

The quick-connect system

Swapping attachments is the standout feature. The quick-connect collar locks the drill/driver and oscillating heads securely, and I could switch between drilling pilot holes and making a clean plunge cut in under a minute. The interface never felt loose, and I didn’t experience any slop that would translate into chatter during cuts. For small remodel tasks where you bounce between operations, that convenience is hard to beat.

Oscillating performance

With the plunge-cut blade installed, the combo made clean, controlled cuts in wood trim and MDF. Trimming a door casing for flooring was straightforward: mark the cut, run the blade flat on a scrap acting as a height guide, and the tool kept a steady pace without bogging. In softer woods, it’s easy to overshoot if you push; a light touch delivers cleaner results.

Drywall notches were easy, and the oscillating action really shines for tight spaces where a full saw won’t fit. On PVC pipe, progress was slower but steady. With a bi‑metal blade, I was able to nip off a protruding screw flush to a jamb—nothing dramatic, but proof the motor can handle small metal tasks when paired with the right accessory and a patient feed rate.

Sanding with the included triangular pad is useful for corners and small flat areas. The two sheets in the box are fine for touch-ups, but plan to buy a variety pack with different grits if you intend to smooth filler or scuff a larger surface. There’s no dust port, so keep a vacuum handy.

This isn’t the fastest-cutting oscillating tool I’ve used, but it’s predictable. Blade control is good, and the motor holds pace on light to moderate loads. Push into hardwoods or try to force long cuts and you’ll feel it slow—back off a bit, let the blade do the work, and it settles in.

Drilling and driving

As a drill/driver, the unit is capable within a light-duty envelope. Pilot holes in pine, pocket screw pre-drilling, and hardware installation all went as expected. The included double‑sided bit gets you started, but you’ll want a small bit set for real utility. I avoided large spade bits and hole saws; this setup isn’t intended to be a rough‑in workhorse.

There isn’t a hammer function, so masonry is off the table. For woodworking, cabinet hardware, drywall anchors, and general household projects, the drill head is fine. The consistent corded power is noticeable when driving a string of screws—no battery fade and no sudden drop in torque.

Accessory compatibility and the “universal” question

This is where the oscillating side can get fussy. The head uses a pin-style interface that, in my testing, didn’t play nicely with every “universal” blade I tried. Some blades seated perfectly; others would start to engage and then refuse to sit flat against the mount. The included universal adapter helped in a few cases, but not all. When a blade doesn’t seat flush, don’t force it—wobble is unsafe, and you’ll get lousy cut quality.

My takeaway: plan to buy blades known to fit this interface or from the same brand line. You don’t have to stick exclusively with one label, but blade shopping becomes more selective. If you already have a drawer full of third‑party oscillating accessories and expect drop‑in compatibility, this tool may frustrate you.

Power, heat, and runtime

The primary advantage of corded here is consistency. I ran a series of plunge cuts, then swapped to sanding and back to cutting without thinking about charge levels. The body warms up during repeated use, especially with the oscillating head, but it never reached a concerning temperature. Take breaks during prolonged sanding to preserve pads and keep heat in check—standard practice with any oscillating tool.

Fit and finish details

• Trigger control is smooth, and startup feels controlled—no violent jump.
• The tool’s nose clearance is decent for flush cuts, though you’ll still occasionally fight to get perfectly flat on a wide surface.
• The included sanding pad adheres well, and hook-and-loop held up after a few sheet changes.
• The cord is average length. On ladders or in tight corners, an extension cord with a locking connector helps keep things tidy.

Where it slots in

This combo is best for DIYers and light trades tasks: baseboard adjustments, electrical box cutouts, window trim cleanups, furniture touch-ups, and general drilling/driving. It consolidates two frequently used tool types into a single power base, saving space and cash. If you’re a contractor who lives with an oscillating tool on your hip all day or you demand broad, guaranteed accessory compatibility, a dedicated pro‑grade multi-tool and a separate drill will serve you better.

What I’d improve

• A more accessory-agnostic oscillating interface. The included adapter is helpful, but not a cure-all.
• A wider starter assortment of sandpaper and a second blade would make the kit more job-ready.
• Slightly better vibration damping would reduce fatigue during longer sanding sessions.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker 4A combo delivers exactly what it promises: a single corded unit that covers drilling and oscillating multi-tool tasks with minimal fuss. Power is steady, the attachment swaps are quick and secure, and it handles common household jobs cleanly. Its biggest drawback is accessory compatibility on the oscillating side—you’ll need to be selective about blades and may find that not every “universal” option truly fits. Weight is another consideration; the front can feel heavy with the oscillating head attached, especially overhead.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for homeowners and occasional users who want reliable, corded convenience and a space-saving setup for light to medium tasks. It’s a smart, budget-friendly way to cover a lot of ground without buying multiple standalone tools. If you prioritize fast cutting in dense materials, plan to run an oscillating tool all day, or need broad, guaranteed compatibility with third‑party blades, you’ll be happier stepping up to a dedicated pro model and a separate drill.