» Black & Decker CHS6000 6-Volt Handisaw Cordless Powered Hand Saw

Black & Decker CHS6000 6-Volt Handisaw Cordless Powered Hand Saw Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: 6 2x4s to warm up the NiMH battery
Comment: With the short throw & small size I bought this to get nails that are in spaces too tight to reach with a sawsall.

With the battery recommendation to NOT keep it on the charger (you'll ruin it!), and that it will achieve full battery power after several uses, it sounds like this is a NiMH battery, not the usual NiCad or Lit folks are used to for a power tool. NiMH needs "special care" which ARE in the instrucions (yes! they are!) to get it started working well & long term. But they are weird if you aren't used to them.

I charged 9 hrs before using. Then cut 2x4s to see how strong the cutting power is (no problem when held solid to wood) & when the battery would get noticeably weaker. After six 2x4s, with a bit of rest to cool down after each pair, I noticed a very slight decrease in power. It may have just been me getting tired. That's already more & thicker wood than I expected out of this small unit anyway, especially on the first, warm up, charge.

I let it cool & plugged it into the charger again. I'll expect that it will only get stronger over the next uses. But I'm too lazy to fully fully run it down test anymore, and don't have a lot of jobs for it, just a few hard to reach nails I want to get rid of.

The other thing about NiMH is that it self-discharges so it will need to be used a bit & charged perhaps every couple of months to keep the battery fresh, could be a hassle. So it's not a Grab-'n-Go type of tool battery set up. Too bad B&D didn't use an Eneloop battery pack. If I can I'll run it down & charge the day before I really need a lot of cutting, that's the best system I can think of. If I run into a problem I'll let you know.

One day Update: Cut nails easily in tight spaces. The protective box is rather big making access/angle of some cuts more difficult, but still do-able. The battery is very strong as expected.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Cuts drywall and molding like a champ!
Comment: My dad gave one of these saws to me for Christmas 2007. I agree it will not cut hardwoods or 2x4s, but it is great for trimming drywall and trim molding. I can cut holes for electrical outlets or ceiling light fixtures in less than 30 seconds. Because of the fast strokes, the mess is minimal -- I usually hold a box lid under the cutting area to catch the dust.

While I love this saw for drywall and trim molding, it is lousy when used for cutting vinyl siding, 2x4s and 1" or greater thinkness hardwoods. It bounces like crazy on vinyl siding -- a finer blade might be the answer. There is not enough power in the stroke to handle 2x4s and moderate thinkness hardwoods.

The blade changing mechanism is the easiest I have ever seen. I am an engineer and like to be my own handyman at home. I am critical on product designs. I am amazed the spring-loaded blade holder holds the blade so well and eliminates need for screwdrivers and wrenches to change the blade.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: great tool for small do it youself projects
Comment: We do not own a circular saw. I have always felt like we do not need one. This hand saw was great to use. We used it to orgainaze my outside storage room, cutting peg boards and 1/8 inch plywood to make shelving. It will not cut any thing over 1 inch thick. The cut is a clean cut if you hold it correctly and close to what you are cutting. It charges very quickly and cuts a long time. I believe that,"having the RIGHT tool makes the job a whole lot easier and faster." The storage room looks GREAT.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Should be variable speed
Comment: I'm a "little old lady" who only uses power tools for minor jobs. I found it impossible to cut a round dowel because there is only one speed (fast).
It would have been possible if you could have "set" the cut at a slow speed. I have a B&D variable speed drill which I use with no problem.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Better Hand Saws Out There.
Comment: Works OK for small cuts. Lacks power when used on hard woods. Wear safty glasses. Broke a few blades. Blade change really quick and EZ. Cutting material needs to be on solid surface. Hard to see cutting line. All depends upon your needs.

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