Is Your Favorite Power Tool a Lemon?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced two major product safety recalls, one for about 825,000 battery chargers sold for DeWALT cordless tools, and another recall of 180,000 power tools sold by other manufacturers. CPSC found that the battery chargers could cause electrical shocks. Certain models of other brand power tools have faulty switches which can continue to operate after the trigger has been released, posing a risk of injury to consumers.

Take a look at your battery charger for your DeWALT cordless tool to find out if it's been recalled. Home center and hardware stores sold these battery chargers individually nationwide from September 1999 through August 2000 for between $49 and $69. Some also came with the tool. The chargers are black with yellow lettering, with "DeWALT" written on the front. Look for model number DW9116, written on the front and bottom of the charger housing. The recalled chargers have date codes from 9927EM through 9952EM and 0001EM through 0031EM located on the bottom of the charger. (Chargers with a yellow or green dot sticker near the date code already have been repaired, and are not recalled.)

Consumers should stop using these battery chargers immediately, and take them to a DeWALT or Black & Decker service center for a free repair. To locate the nearest service center, or for more information, call DeWALT toll-free at (888) 388-3273 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

The next place to look on your workbench is for certain model numbers on certain power tools, including Bosch-brand drills; Makita-brand rotary hammers, drills and screwdrivers; and Milwaukee Electric Tool-brand band saws. In cooperation with the CPSC, three power tool manufacturers are recalling about 180,000 tools. The switches can stick and continue to operate after the trigger has been released, posing a risk of injury to consumers.

Only certain model numbers are being recalled, so check the CPSC web site at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01014.html for a list of recalled tools, or call the hotline number at (800) 661-5398. The recalled tools were sold from January 2000 through September 2000.

No injuries have been reported with either the battery charger or tools. But why take chances when you can get your charger or tool repaired or replaced for free?

This article created from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission releases.