Black & Decker 12V MAX Drill/Driver Kit with Tool Box and 80-piece Accessories Kit

Why I reached for this 12V drill

A lot of household jobs don’t need a powerhouse—what they need is control. Hanging shelves, assembling flat-pack furniture, drilling pilot holes in trim, swapping out cabinet pulls—those are the tasks that had me grab Black & Decker’s 12V drill/driver. Over several weeks of light carpentry, fixture installs, and small repairs, it proved itself to be a user-friendly, compact driver that trades brute force for finesse and convenience. It’s not built for framing or continuous metal work, but for general home maintenance it hits a sweet spot.

Ergonomics and ease of use

The first thing that stood out is how approachable it feels in hand. The drill is compact and light enough to control with one hand while your other hand steadies a workpiece. The variable-speed trigger makes delicate starts easy—I could feather it to a crawl to keep slim brass screws from skating, then ramp up as the threads bit. The adjustable clutch does what you want a clutch to do: keep you from overdriving and stripping. I set it low for cabinet hardware, mid-level for decking screws into softwood, and never chewed up a head.

The keyless chuck makes bit changes quick. It grips 1-inch driver bits securely with the included magnetic extension and holds twist and brad-point bits without drama. As with most compact chucks, it pays to snug it down firmly; after a lot of forward/reverse cycles on a stubborn screw, I retighten out of habit.

Noise and vibration are modest, which is nice in an apartment setting or when you’re working indoors for long stretches.

Power and performance

On paper, the drill is rated at 12 V max (10.8 V nominal) with 230 in-lbs of torque. In practice, that translates to competent performance on the sort of jobs this drill is meant for:

• Driving runs of #8 wood screws into pine and poplar: no problem. I handled over a hundred 1-1/4 to 1-5/8 in screws across a small shelving project without reaching for a bigger driver.
• Drilling pilot holes in hardwood trim: steady and clean using the included brad-point bits.
• Sheet metal and light steel: with the HSS bits, it’ll do it—slowly. For occasional holes in thin stock, it’s fine; for frequent metal work, you’ll want more power and better bits.
• Masonry and brick: there’s no hammer action here. Using the included masonry bits, I could drill into soft brick and mortar for plastic anchors by taking my time and letting the bit do the work. Don’t expect it to sail through poured concrete.

For larger diameter holes (think spade bits over 3/4 in in softwood), the motor will bog if you’re aggressive. That’s expected for a 12V class tool—keep your expectations aligned and it rewards you with good control and clean results.

Battery, runtime, and charging

This model uses an integrated rechargeable battery rated at 18 Wh. There’s no pack to swap; you charge the drill directly with the included charger. That simplifies the kit and keeps the tool compact, but it does mean when the battery is empty, you’re taking a break.

Runtime was solid for light-duty work. In a typical weekend session—assembling a cabinet, installing a few anchors, drilling pilot holes for hinges—I got through the tasks on a single charge. On a more screw-heavy day, I drove well over a hundred small wood screws and drilled a few dozen holes before power tapered.

A couple of practical notes:
- Plan around the integrated design. If you’re mid-project and the battery winds down, that’s your coffee break. For continuous work, consider a platform with removable packs.
- The charger itself is compact and straightforward. The cable is on the lighter side, so I treat it gently and avoid strain where it meets the plug.

The 80-piece accessory set: useful out of the box

The included accessory kit is genuinely handy for new DIYers or anyone starting fresh. In the box you get:

• Wood brad-point bits that track straight in softwood and plywood, producing clean entry holes.
• HSS twist bits for general drilling in wood and thin metal.
• A small set of masonry bits for occasional anchors in brick or mortar.
• A deep selection of 1 in and 2 in driver bits, plus nut drivers and a magnetic extension that holds short bits securely.

As with most bundled sets, the bits are serviceable rather than premium. They’re perfect for light, occasional use. If you find yourself drilling a lot of steel or dense hardwood, upgrade the individual bits you use most.

Storage and organization

The lockable kit box is more than an afterthought. Two lid organizers keep small parts accessible, and the molded interior holds the drill and accessory cases securely. The padlock eye is a nice touch for shared spaces or jobsite trailers. At 6.3 lb for the whole kit, it’s easy to carry one-handed, and it’s slim enough to slide onto a garage shelf.

Materials and build quality

Black & Decker uses Tritan Renew with 50% certified recycled content for the tool housing. That’s a meaningful nod to sustainability, and in hand the shell feels sturdy with clean mold lines and no flex in the grip. The rubber overmold strikes a good balance between tackiness and durability—I didn’t notice it collecting dust or chipping.

After a few weeks of use, the chuck still spins true, the clutch clicks positively through its settings, and the trigger modulation remains smooth. Time will tell with any integrated-battery design, but out of the gate, the build feels consistent and confidence-inspiring for its class.

Where it shines

• Home maintenance and assembly tasks where control matters more than raw speed.
• Working overhead or in tight spaces where a smaller, lighter tool is an advantage.
• First-time tool owners who want a comprehensive kit that covers drilling and driving without extra purchases.
• Occasional masonry anchors in soft brick and mortar, with patience.

Where it struggles

• Dense materials and larger hole sizes that demand higher torque or hammer action.
• Long work sessions with no natural breaks; the non-removable battery can interrupt your flow.
• Heavy-duty or professional use where tool ecosystems and swappable batteries are the norm.

Tips for best results

• Use the clutch—start low and increase until screws set flush without cam-out.
• For metal, step up through bit sizes and use cutting oil to preserve the included HSS bits.
• In masonry, let the bit do the work and clear dust frequently; avoid concrete.
• Keep the charger cable strain-free to help it last, and store the kit box indoors to protect the accessories.

The bottom line

The 12V Black & Decker drill/driver prioritizes comfort, control, and convenience. It’s not trying to be a jobsite bruiser, and that’s its strength. The variable-speed trigger and clutch make it approachable for new users, the included accessory set gets you drilling and driving immediately, and the compact form factor keeps fatigue at bay. The integrated battery is a clear trade-off: simpler and lighter, but you can’t hot-swap when it’s empty, and you’ll want to treat the charger with care.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for homeowners, renters, and DIYers who want a reliable, easy-to-control drill/driver for everyday tasks in wood, plastics, and light metal, with occasional anchors in soft masonry. If your projects involve long, continuous work sessions, frequent drilling in concrete, or larger hole-making in hardwood, a higher-voltage platform with removable batteries and hammer capability will serve you better. For the audience it targets, though, this compact 12V kit is a smart, confidence-building choice that’s genuinely useful right out of the box.