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Black & Decker NST2018 Grass Hog 12-Inch 18-Volt Cordless Electric String Trimmer with 2 Batteries

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Average Customer Rating:	4.0
Brand:	Black & Decker
Model:	NST2018
Weight:	9.6 pounds

Product Categories

All Black & Decker; Cordless Landscaping Tools; String Trimmers; Power & Hand Tools; Gifts Under $100; Cordless Tools; Eligible for Super Saver Shipping; ENERGY STAR Power Tools; Nickel Cadmium; 12-Inch; 18 Volts; Cordless Electric; Black; Electric Powered; Eco-friendly (special_merchandising_browse-bin); Cordless; String Trimmers; Kitchen & Dining Features; Patio, Lawn & Garden (286168)

Features

18-volt, 12-inch cordless string trimmer/edger

Includes two 18V NiCad batteries so you never have to stop half way through your job

Telescoping shaft, centrifugal forces automatically advances line

Patented gear drive transmission amplifies motor torque for increased cutting power and performance

Includes trimmer, 2 batteries, and charger; weighs 6.8 pounds; 2-year warranty

Customer reviews

« B&D Grass Hog »

Works great for a battery operated tool. It has more power than I expected it to have. I also was VERY PLEASED that it came with 2 batteries!
I'd buy this item again in a heartbeat and have already recommended it to others.

Rating: (5 out of 5) @ 2010-09-01

« Super Trimmer »

Who could ask for anything more? Great battery life, powerful cutting power - with 2 batteries, to boot! This trimmer does a fine job. And the batteries can be used in other Black & Decker 18 volt cordless devices.

Rating: (5 out of 5) @ 2010-08-30

« Surprised...and Pleased »

I have owned a number of different gas powered trimmers and they all were more powerful than this B&D electric trimmer, so as many other reviewers have stated, if you are doing a big area, or using a trimmer a lot, perhaps this is not the right choice for you.
I was on the fence about it myself, but when my last gas unit konked out, decided to give it a shot and I'm happy I did. My property is about 1 acre and there is a good bit of trim work to do, but I've had no trouble finishing the job, usually on one battery. A couple of times, when cutting through heavier growth, I did have to switch batteries and it's nice to have the other ready to go just in case.
Other reviewers thought the batteries didn't last very long...maybe 15 minutes of running time. I was very careful to follow the instructions when charging them initially and have found I regularly get more than 20 minutes per battery pack. This unit uses a single filament cutting line which does a decent job if you take your time, but it only does a relatively narrow swath, so trimming tends to take a little longer.
Not playing with gas and oil or the stink of 2 cycle exhaust or fussy hard to start gas trimmers is a pleasure. Now I just pick up the Grass Hog when I need to trim something and squeeze the trigger...works every time with no fuss. The batteries are a little heavy and unit seems a bit heavy/unwieldy to me so it's just as well the battery life limits how long you can use it. There's no support strap to take weight off your arms/shoulders.
Overall, I'm very happy so far with this purchase and would recommend it to anyone in the market for a cordless electric trimmer.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2010-08-30

« Dave A »

I guess for 99 bucks you can't expect too much.
The trimmer does a good job of trimming, and batteries aren't too bad. The plastic guard leaves a lot to be desired. It comes in 2 pieces you have to assemble and install on the machine. When using it for the first time the guard flew apart and stipped the screw holes. I used Gorilla glue to put it back together. Hope it holds!
Good job BD?!

Rating: (3 out of 5) @ 2010-08-29

« Surprisingly Durable and Convenient »

Application: I don't have a lawnmower, only an 84" bush hog (hint: that is way too large to use close to a house). So the grasshog gets everything the bush hog can't do, plus around trees. About 1/4 to 1/2 a tennis court area each week during growing season. I carry up to 8 spare batteries (kangaroo vest, although one can fabricate a battery bandoleer from items used by paint ballers).

After two years and quite a lot of string, the shaft finally has developed a crack (part is about 10-15 at dewaltservicenet) and an occasional intermittent open just started to manifest itself which will be fixed when the shaft is replaced. Really, I can't believe how much use this item has had and still runs.

The pros are the usual suspects:
-- no gas mess (fire, toxicity, smell, keeping fresh fuel around, ...)
-- less energy cost and less pollution
-- no dragging around cords
-- extremely convenient, and this is not to be underrated. If it is inconvenient to do, it won't get done no matter how easy the task.
-- surprisingly durable for the price
-- spare parts are easily available online (dewaltservicenet is one source)
-- moderate weight
-- no sore shoulder from needing 73 pulls to get a gasser running after sitting for the winter
-- quieter than a gasser. (the latest good gassers are getting much quieter, to the point that the line makes more noise than the driving unit, but electric is still quieter. The Grasshog is quiet enough that one can use the unit at bizarre hours and probably get no complaints unless you live cheek by jowl in an antheap subdivision).

The cons are also the usual suspects:
-- it handles only grass and light weeds, not woody stalks (at least not very well at all). For woody material, you really need a gasser or a bigger electric unit. But the only reason for having woody stalks in an established house area is neglect, usually related to either sloth or inconvenience, and this unit is very convenient to use. Sorry, even B&D can't help you with sloth!
-- the batteries generally start to die at 2 years or so. By 3-4 years, they probably will need to be replaced if you use them much at all. This one item is probably the deciding element between a quality gasser like a Stihl (gas mess/stink/fire hazard/toxicity, less convenient, somewhat more expensive in the short run but doesn't need new batteries in a few years at fairly steep expense, can handle heavier woody weeds, and probably last for 10 years or more) and a grasshog (way more convenient, no significant yearly maintenance, no gas issues, but somewhat limited in capability. Base unit exclusive of batteries, with typical use should last at least as long as a gasser if not longer).
-- moderate weight. Yes, in both categories... moderate weight gets pretty heavy after 60-90 minutes or more of use, and there isn't a shoulder strap. But I'm not sure very many people flog their grasshog for 60-90 minutes at a time but if you do you'll notice the weight.

I string my own line to save money, and I'll say that the prewound spools almost never get the string stuck vs. winding your own (stuck where the line jams between the line in the next layer down in the spool and stops feeding)-- I'm using Nylium, not round line, round line should have fewer issues. I don't think this is unique to a grasshog though for winding your own string.

This unit is great for the typical American size home, or for touch ups around the entrance to your McMansion between appearances by the lawn service-- you just can't get good help these days, and if you can afford a lawn service, you can afford a grasshog!