BLACK+DECKERCordless Grass Strimmer 36V BATTERY NOT INCLUDED (Bare), BCSTA536B-XJ

Well made and everything works straight away out of the box. The streamer has a good grip and every operation has been well planned and built. I throughouly enjoyed using it .It cuts all sorts of grass including Netle and also small sooting of trees. Well Done Black and Decker.

I have had this unit for over a year now and it has done a lot of work. This is the 3rd one I have had over the years, the previous two were of the previous model, so I am a fan. Firstly it is a well made and very sturdy unit, it feels strong and in this is an improvement. Unfortunately Black and Decker made the huge mistake in relation to the regulation of the power/Speed of the unit. The previous model had a wheel which you used to adjust the power from Low to High and all in between. This unit only has two settings low or high, this means that you end up having to use more power in some instance's than you want to or is necessary. If Black & Decker read these reviews, please bring back the wheel. The head of this unit can be rotated for edging as is standard on these machines. I once many years ago had one (Different make) that you could change the angle of the head, I found this very use full and it also made some area's alot easier to do and reduced strain on you arms and back, unfortunately none of the major brands do this and it is a pity. Overall I would recommend this unit and hope the manufacturer considers my suggestions for improvement.

My old 9 year old Black & Decker cordless strimmer has given me sterling service over the years. It has been used on a 3 acre paddock every Spring/Summer and has been a real work horse. However it was getting the worse for wear and the battery no longer holding it's charge. The new version has a completely different handle at the top and a shaped handle further down. It is very light and comfortable to use. The only difference is that I get a vibration from it which I didn't get with my old one. However if I wear a glove on my left hand that seems to solve the problem. My only complaint would be is that you can only have it on High or Low speeds. My old one had a turning wheel to enable you to go from low to high gradually and to have it in between speeds thus saving the battery. I prefer this. I used to get a sore back with my old one but don't with the new one so that is a plus. Hope this one gives me as good service. Would recommend.

It’s a long time since I’ve owned a strimmer. The design of the feed mechanism caused the string to keep breaking and it was awkward to feed back through. But bending is getting harder for me so I thought I might treat myself. I already had some 36V batteries from a couple of other B&D tools (Chainsaw and hedge trimmer) and was very happy with the battery performance so I thought I could enjoy that cord-free experience with the weeds at the far end of the garden.This worked just as well as I expected. The only problem was when brambles were hit by the strimmer line they tended to get pulled rather than cut so the strimmer jerked a bit in my hand. With very long grass it needed cutting in steps from the top downward otherwise the long stems again tended to get pulled rather can cut – mind this was grass that was a bit damp and starting to lie down, so I have no complaints. With six inch tall grass it had no problems with. Dock stems also cut without difficulty.There is some assembly. The guard plate needs attaching. This was not a smooth fit and needed more pressure than I like to put on plastic to get it to fit. It also has a sprung plastic clip to hold it securely. This is one way only so once you’ve attached the guard you won’t be able to remove it without breaking something. There is also a screw (Philips) that you need to secure it with. From the pressure need it felt like I was cutting my own thread in the plastic hole. This whole attachment system needs to be better and it needs to be reversible. The support handle also needs attaching. This can be slid along to any comfortable position and is secured by a bolt through plastic with a large plastic wing nut. Again I was worried that I was over-tightening this and I’m sure that it would be very easy to strip the plastic threads, but it needed to be really tight to secure the handle.The silver coloured motor housing is silver coloured plastic not metal. The telescopic handle is aluminium. There is a good range of adjustment on the length of the telescopic handle. I’m quite tall and there was plenty of extension left over when I had it set to a comfortable working height.The operating switch has a lock that needs pressing to release the power trigger. The top of the handle has a stepless variable rpm control. The slowest setting gives you longer battery life. The slowest setting was more than adequate for grass.String spool replacement is straightforward – though it comes with everything already in place. Replacement line spool is about £6 at the moment.Although, like everything, this has a few features that could be better, I’m quite happy with my purchase.

The old one was looking a bit tired so I bought a new one!

It's a big, cordless, well built machine but is quite heavy. Trims and edges very well. The auto replenish feature for the cutting wire works well and the adjustable extension facility caters for the tall and the small user. My main criticism is the so-called "upgrade" to the handle at times makes the strimmer quite awkward to hold. The previous model which had a proper handle with an integrated trigger was a much better design. Good battery. On the whole I am very pleased with this machine but would much prefer a proper handle and integrated trigger mechanism..

My previous B&D strimmer died suddenly after 6 years' service. Already autumn, and couldn't find any decent cordless strimmers in garden machinery stores because of Covid-related supply issues - new stock not expected till the New Year etc. So had no choice but to shop online. Had previously been put off by several reviewers saying this new B&D model with brushless motor was heavier and less easy to use than its predecessor with the angled handle and grip. Now I've bought it and used it myself, I have to disagree. It's not heavier - that's a fact. It's certainly less evenly balanced, but I don't find that an issue in use. In some ways the new handle arrangement is actually more comfortable. So, I'm very pleased with the purchase. The only downside of course is that B&D equipment is virtually unrepairable, as their approved workshops in the UK are so few in number.