At this price point for an electric screwdriver, I have one recommendation: temper your expectations. With that I am happy to say that this screwdriver exceeded my tempered expectations.pPros:brEven at its bargain price, this screwdriver comes with a torque clutch and a folding body style. The thick black and orage plastic casing make the screwdriver very tough. Scoffs and scratches are usually not noticeable. The speed is great, sometimes too great, such as when driving a screw into a plastic drywall anchor, where too fast may soften or melt the plastic.pTo my surprise, this screwdriver is fairly powerful. I don't know how much more powerful an electric screwdriver needs to be. I've driven 2" long screws into studs with this thing and it has never stalled. In fact, sometimes the screwdriver's power make it difficult to hold without folding it at an angle to get more leverage.pCons:brThe one serious complaint I have is with the torque clutch. With a setting that goes from 0-20 I would have expected a lot of adjustability. But even at its lowest torque setting, the clutch on my screwdriver has rarely slipped. I don't know if this is a problem with my particular unit, but it's very annoying to have to hand-tighten screws in fear of stripping them.pAnd from the "have the cake and eat it too" department, I wish that the screwdriver is smaller and lighter. It is not huge but it is larger and heavier than I expected.pBuy overall, this is a great screw driver. If the torque clutch had a more effective range of adjustment I would have given it 5 stars.

This is a really good design for a cordless screwdriver, but it runs out of battery power very quickly. Don't plan on it for big jobs. Since the battery is contained in the screwdriver, all you can do is plug the whole unit into the charger. I had one of the older models from black and decker and although you couldn't fit it into tight places, you could swap out batteries and keep on working.

I have just bought my third BD 3.6 volt screwdriver because I want to have a large shop and wanted to have one available in several areas. This is a very good screwdriver. Not too large but great for getting into smaller places or just to carry around. The power is much better than the 2.6 volt ones. It will handle most every day wood working for the weekend worker. If you want to do heavy duty work move up to the big brother of the 3.6 volt. I like the design, looks and overall quality.

Good for light tasks, but not powerful enough.
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br /Like Black and Deckers other 3.6 volt driver, this one does not have removable batteries, so you cant exchange with your other 3.6 volt tools.
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br /Try the PD600 6 volt model. Its just slightly more expensive, and can be used as both a pilot drill and a driver.

I've owned this driver for over two years, and it's been a tough, useful tool. I bought it after my first trusty Black and Decker screwdriver developed problems holding it's charge (it was over 7 years old, so I'm not complaining at all).
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br /Pros:
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br /o a fairly long time between charges.
br /o fairly powerful especially considering it's only 3.6v
br /o clutch mechanism (some of the cheaper screwdrivers omit this very useful feature).
br /o automatic clutch lockout (so you can use it like a manual screwdriver is the battery dies or it does not have enough torque to finish seating a screw).
br /o articulating feature makes this more comfortable to hold than straight-line drivers, but still give that ability for situations where it's needed (like manually driving screws when the driver does not have enough torque or the battery dies).
br /o tough and durable (for a non-professional level tool)
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br /Cons:
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br /o slow speed can become tedious if you've got a lot of screws to drive.
br /o switch is a bit clumsy to use.
br /o no variable speed control which makes it difficult to use in delicate situations.
br /o built-in battery takes a long time to recharge (say overnight at least). When the battery dies you're done for the day.
br /o surprisingly bulky, even with the articulating feature.
br /o automatic clutch lockout sometimes does not engage properly. Can be rather irritating.
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br /I'm giving this 4 stars based on the fact it's a good buy for an under thirty dollar screwdriver.
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br /If you want the ultimate screwdriver, check out the Metabo Powermaxx Plus, which I recently reviewed with 5 stars rating (it also does angle driving and drilling). However, for those who cannot justify spending over a hundred bucks for the extra capabilities and quality, this Black and Decker 3.6 volt driver may be just right.

Now that I am beginning to have trouble finding this model, I've had to scramble to get one or two for the future. This cordless screwdriver has turned out to be so useful and able that it virtually replaces a bulkier (and much heavier) cordless drill on my job for everything except the most difficult projects. This sits comfortably in a back pocket for ultimate ease-of-use. Newer models with comparable torque are longer and awkward in the hand, whereas similar sized newer models are weak as water in comparison. What where they thinking?

I've had this for about 2 1/2 years and think it's great for what it is. It is not a drill, as some people have complained - this should be obvious. It is a screwdriver. You shouldn't be trying to put screws directly into wood without pilot holes made by a DRILL anyways.
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br /The torque adjuster on mine works great - those who have had problems either got a bad unit or don't understand what the function is supposed to be.
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br /The folding handle is a nice touch - it makes it short enough to get into spaces where a full-length one can't.
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br /I don't use this that often - maybe once a month on average - but have used it through two moves and been able to put up everything I needed to. It holds charge impressively well, even after a couple months without any use.

I love this little screwdriver. I own three so that I can always have a backup in my truck and one at home charging. (Don't leave it plugged in until you need it though -- you will gradually fry the battery -- read the instructions!)
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br /What I like:
br /1) the folding handle makes it comfortable to use and easier to get into small spaces.
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br /2) Also, unlike those that don't fold, this one drops into the pockets on my tool aprons and doesn't try to fall out as I climb ladders or crawl around.
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br /3) Contrary to comments in other reviews to the contrary, the ratcheting clutch does work and is sensitive to the adjustment level 0-20. Those who have one that doesn't, should return it for a replacement drill.
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br /4) I first bought a more expensive, smaller Black Decker drill but gave it away to a customer cause it was pretty much useless. (The cute little one that looks like a tiny hand drill.)
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br /I use mine mostly on electrical jobs where high torque is not a requirement. Also good for other light jobs like installing door hardware etc. If the drill can't quite drive the screw home, I have found that with the clutch set fairly high, I can hand tighten the last bit without pulling the trigger and just using the tool like a manual screwdriver.
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br /On the other hand, I you want to drive lots of screws without pilot holes or do similar heavy work, buy yourself a varialble speed drill with a clutch. Different tool -- higher price but much more versatile.
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I bought this to replace a 25 year old Skil electric screwdriver. I mainly do small repairs and erect prefabricated furniture and shelves. So far, this little Black Decker has performed flawlessly. And it's surprising how comfortable the adjustable handle feels.

This works as I expected it to. Is it the finest, most powerful screwdriver in the world? No. But it is a very handy thing to have--especially for the money. The only nice improvement would be some means of storing the screw bits in the handle somehow. Great for all those Ikea furniture assembly projects!

This is the second one, the first one was a gift.Its used in an out building and just seems to last forever on a single charge. It can be in my toolbox for weeks between uses. So I bought one for the house. Plenty of poop for the typical uses for around the house. Granted its not as powerful as a cordless drill. But for a cordless screwdriver it more than enough. The clutch works well also.

I take apart and rebuild computers all day. So I have plenty of electric screw drivers to handle desktops. However, I needed one to take apart notebooks, which I do far more often, and have a whole lot more screws. This 3.6-volt BD 9078 screwdriver works great for this use, primarily thanks to it's adjustable torque setting. Anymore voltage is over-kill for working with electronics.
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br /With the torque setting, it's able to handle everything from standard size screws on a workstation to the tiny screws hidden in tight spots on a laptop. I've found that a torque setting of 3-4 will handle all but the smallest of screws. In which case, going down to 1-2 gets the job done.
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br /The clutch works as it should. So if you have one that's not working, exchange it. When working normally, you'll hear a clicking noise to let you know that it's reached it's torqe limit, based on the current setting. On the lowest settings it may simply stop so you can release the trigger.
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br /Since I need to be rather mobile, constantly charging the battery also wasn't going to work. But after a full overnight charge it has no problem lasting the entire work week on a charge with fairly frequent use. Then I just charge it up over the weekend, and it's good to go next week. It may last longer, but I haven't tried to see when it will die.
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br /I've been using this tool for a few months now and have found it to be rather comfortable for extended use. It's also small and light enough to fit in a notebook bag so it goes everywhere I go. Just about every tech I let use it has immediatly gone out and bought one for themselves. We do agree that it could use more of a rubber grip and a less slippery trigger. The bits also have a tendency to get stuck on some of the more tight spots and will fall out. There really isn't much holding the bit in place. They also don't give you any place to store the 5 bits that are in the package.
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br /Honestly, these issues aren't a big deal. You get used to the minor annoyances and they are easy enough to work around. And for the price, it really can't be beat. And here are the pros and cons to sum everything up.
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br /Pros:
br /* Cheap Price
br /* Adjustable clutch/torque setting
br /* Small and precise bits
br /* Rechargeable
br /* Compact and lightweight
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br /Cons:
br /* Could use more rubberized grip
br /* Bits not held in very good
br /* More bits, such as an extension, would be nice.
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br /As long as you use this screw driver for what it was meant for, it should work great. Just keep in mind that it's a 3.6v driver, not an 18v drill. If it can't handle what you are trying to do, it's clearly not meant for that task. Otherwise, this one is definately recommended.

Owned a BD cordless a few years ago that never failed me. New one arrived within 3 days of placeing order. Put on charge and left over night for recommended charge time. I have now had the screwdriver for about 4 weeks and have used it a few times and the charge is still good. Up to now everything looks good, and therefore can recommend.

Excellent design, excellent power for a 3.6 volt.
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br /I do a lot of woodworking, and I use this almost exclusively to drive screws, both on furniture projects and around the house. The clutch works well. At the 1 setting, I can drive screws for switch plate covers without cracking the plastic. I have occaisionally used the higher settings to remove stubborn screws and they have surprising torque. Probabaly enough to twist off a screw head if you set the clutch too high.
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br /The folding design lets it get into very tight spaces, and the combination power/direction switch is very handy, allowing you to do pretty much anything one-handed.
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br /All that said, it is a screwdriver, not a drill. If you want a drill/driver, this is not a good bet. It's also not what you want if you're planning to drive screws into wood (including wall studs) without drilling pilot holes first. For what it's worth, that's a pretty bad idea anyway. Use a drill to create the pilot hole and this little gem to drive the screw.

I've had one for 3 years and it's the best rechargable, cordless driver I've used. I bought it based on using the same model. I did ruin the battery (I thought) by using the wrong charger. I was able to order a replacement battery from BD's site. $15 Installed it and working great again.
br /I do a lot of projects; dropped it, kicked it, etc. Holds up. Also perfect size for computer hardware work. Clutch is a big asset.
br /Very powerful, but it's not really for driving long screws into hard wood. It will though...

The collar which holds the bit is too short and they continually fall out. Additinally, the charge is very weak and won't be long enough for most jobs. Don't even think about trying to drill with this. I am now shopping for a better one.

It's slow in every way possible......charging the battery takes a good half a day and using it as a screwdriver makes you want to just use your philips instead.

I bought this just over two years ago. I really liked the unit but like a lot of other users have said, the battery doesn't stay charged for over a couple of weeks. But you can't use it while it is plugged in and it takes too long to wait for it to charge up when you need it.
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br /Anyway, the battery is completely dead now and I cannot find a replacement anywhere. The sad thing is that you can take the battery pack out of it very easily.
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br /I really HATE to throw away anything because the battery dies! So much for Earth Day. All the landfills are full of good working equipment.
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Forget about this product. Because the battery drains when not in use, it won't be ready for you to use. And it won't work while plugged into the charger. So, if you need it in your toolbox, you better plan about 4hrs ahead of time before you need it. And even then, the torque is so weak you'll end up screwing things in by hand anyway. A poor execution of a good idea.

I am very happy with mt Black Decker 9078. If I could change anything I would pit the charging cord at the end of the unit.

The cordless screwdriver is great for little things around the house. not so good when it is needed to drill screws into the wood. is alittle bulky in the hands. but overall is a great help with little stuff at home.
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very useful for outdoor or indoor work where a long electric cord is a nuisance.

I use this device everyday. No problems with it at all. Makes a great addition to your tool box. Not real heavy duty, but not meant to be. Saves my wrist from repetitive injuries.

This tool is a dream come true for IT technicians, especially when you have tons of cases and parts to remove and install. i bought this product about 3 weeks ago. charged it and never had to recharge it since. I usually use it on the lowest clutch setting and it's still going strong. I have used it on approximately 40 machines since i first got it and i think i can go to my next job with it without recharging. i love the pivoting head and it's feels firm and durable in my hand. All i need is more Bits which i'll be buying very shortly

It just worked perfectly.
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br /Make sure you charge it before use. I used it before charging and felt like all 24 speeds are about the same....but after charging one can see there is a big difference between 24 different speeds.
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Theres better products out there than this one.
br /Batteries do not hold a charge very long.
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br /Mine went to the trash can after a years use.
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I just got this in the mail today. charged it and boy is this a piece of trash. I have 8 Conceal bookshelves and installed 2 by hand but when i tried with this thing it was a joke and a waste of time. it did not have the power to drill a simple hole into drywall. a hole just like one i had made the day before with a simple hand screw driver. this is a complete and total waste of money. THIS THING HAS NO POWER, and the torque makes no difference at all. none.
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br /my friend had a black and decker drill, it worked great, but after the time wasting and problematic experience i will not touch this black and decker save to smash it to little tiny bits.