Black & Decker Power Tool Nameplates Through the Years

[BDFan1981]

I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has any interest in knowing (besides me, of course) how old our beloved Black & Decker power tools are?

Here are a few pointers: you may be able to figure it out going by how B&D had printed its company name and location.

For example, if your power tool says "THE BLACK & DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD, U.S.A." you likely have a tool that's made before 1976.

Then that year, they added their zip code of 21204, as well as spelling out the word AND. Power tools made from 1976 to 1979 would read "THE BLACK AND DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."

During 1979, B&D reorganized its power tools division as Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., and so subsequently, on their power tool nameplates, you would see this: "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."

During 1982, they began using black cordsets on all of their power tools, and they also relocated their power tools division from its general headquarters in Towson, MD to Raleigh, NC. On the nameplate, you would see "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., RALEIGH, NC 27625 U.S.A."

During 1983, Black & Decker began giving most of their consumer-grade power tools black housings rather than the orange (Value-Plus) or "Antique Gold" (Best) colors; the utility tools were still green in color at this point (the few of these that would remain by 1985 would become black as well). On the nameplates, the B&D hexagon logo is removed (it could still be found on the male end plug on some tools, and the instruction book, as well as some saw blades), and the text "Black & Decker" is orange on a black background. The company is still identified as "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., RALEIGH, NC 27625 U.S.A."

During 1985, the B&D logo is replaced by that of a stylized orange hexagon, and a new, all-caps font for the Black & Decker text. The text for the tool's description also gets a newer font. At this point, the company name is still, once again (but no longer set in all caps): "Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Raleigh, NC 27625 U.S.A." During 1987, however, that would be changed to "Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Hunt Valley, MD 21030 U.S.A."

So, to find out how old your tool is, here's a general timeline to be followed:
Pre-1976: "THE BLACK & DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD. U.S.A."
1976-1979: "THE BLACK AND DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."
1979-1982: "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."
1982-1983: "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., RALEIGH, NC 27625 U.S.A." (housings in all colors except black)
1983-1985: "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., RALEIGH, NC 27625 U.S.A." (housings in green for utility, or black for other grades) (old-style company logo)
1985-1987: "Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Raleigh, NC 27625 U.S.A." (all housings are black) (new-style company logo)
1987-? "Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Hunt Valley, MD 21030 U.S.A."

For commercial/industrial-grade power tools, this timeline is a bit different as to the main decal.

"BLACK & DECKER COMMERCIAL/COMMERCIAL DUTY/COMMERCIAL HEAVY DUTY" (with B&D hexagon logo) was used on commercial-grade tools between 1970 and 1977. These carried the same 7XXX series (U-*** before 1970) as the consumer-grade tools.

"BLACK & DECKER TRADE" (with B&D hexagon logo) was used on commercial-grade tools between 1977 and 1982. These carried the same 7XXX series model numbers as the consumer-grade tools.

"BLACK & DECKER HEAVY DUTY" (with B&D hexagon logo) was used on commercial-grade tools, those which do not use the 7XXX series model numbers, between 1979 and 1983.

"BLACK & DECKER PROFESSIONAL" ("PROFESSIONAL" in yellow text) was used on commercial-grade tools between 1983 and 1985 in the old-style font, and from 1985 (most of these were first seen in 1986) to 1992 in the newer-style font. During 1986, most of these tools would have a different decal reading "BLACK & DECKER Industrial" ("Industrial" in red text) with "Heavy Duty" below it. Unlike their consumer-grade power tools division, the base of operations for the professional power tools division was in Hampstead, MD, and so the company name might say "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., HAMPSTEAD, MD 21074 U.S.A." During 1987, some of the Professional tools had a front label with a black background, with the company name/logo in white and "Professional" in yellow text.

~Ben

 

[BDFan1981]

Typical pre-1976 label, reading "THE BLACK & DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD. U.S.A." Note also that the tool description on this unit is abbreviated.

From 7530 Type 1 2-Speed Jig Saw.

~Ben

 

[BDFan1981]

During 1976, there is a slight change here that reads "THE BLACK AND DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."

Seen on a model 7399 7-1/4" circular saw.

~Ben

 

[BDFan1981]

In late 1979, we would see "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."

From a model 7308 Type 2 7-1/4" circular saw.

~Ben

 

[BDFan1981]

In late 1982, along with black cordsets for all power tools, we would see "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., RALEIGH, NC 27625 U.S.A." on the nameplate.

On this model 7308 circular saw, the company name placement is a bit different than on the 1979-1982 saws.

~Ben

 

[BDFan1981]

However, many tools have often had different decals and nameplates even on the same model. The 7301 (formerly U-130) 7-1/4" circular saw is one example of this.

If you study the decals, that may give you another clue as to the age of this product. If all the decals are orange, you likely have a product made in 1970 (if the B&D decal on the front has the bigger, stretched-out "B&D" letters) or 1971 (if the B&D decal on the front has the normal, narrow "B&D" letters).

But if these decals are silver, you likely have a product made after 1971.

~Ben

 

[BDFan1981]

Black & Decker Professional tool nameplates.

1. B&D 1941 Professional 9.6V Cordless Drill Kit, circa 1988. On the tool itself, we see the post-1987 label where the decal is all black, with the B&D name in white, and "Professional" in yellow text. On the charger, though, the 1983-style label is still used.

2. B&D 2054 Professional Scrugun, circa 1985, with monochrome label.

3. B&D 5036 Industrial Hammer Drill Kit, circa 1986-93, with front label reading BLACK & DECKER on the silver portion; the black portion has "Industrial" in red text with "Heavy Duty" below in white text.

~Ben

 

[Munchies]

I have a friend working at the B&D Hampstead plant right now. What do they make there?

 

[DanK83]

I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has any interest in knowing (besides me, of course) how old our beloved Black & Decker power tools are?

Here are a few pointers: you may be able to figure it out going by how B&D had printed its company name and location.

For example, if your power tool says "THE BLACK & DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD, U.S.A." you likely have a tool that's made before 1976.

Then that year, they added their zip code of 21204, as well as spelling out the word AND. Power tools made from 1976 to 1979 would read "THE BLACK AND DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."

During 1979, B&D reorganized its power tools division as Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., and so subsequently, on their power tool nameplates, you would see this: "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."

During 1982, they began using black cordsets on all of their power tools, and they also relocated their power tools division from its general headquarters in Towson, MD to Raleigh, NC. On the nameplate, you would see "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., RALEIGH, NC 27625 U.S.A."

During 1983, Black & Decker began giving most of their consumer-grade power tools black housings rather than the orange (Value-Plus) or "Antique Gold" (Best) colors; the utility tools were still green in color at this point (the few of these that would remain by 1985 would become black as well). On the nameplates, the B&D hexagon logo is removed (it could still be found on the male end plug on some tools, and the instruction book, as well as some saw blades), and the text "Black & Decker" is orange on a black background. The company is still identified as "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., RALEIGH, NC 27625 U.S.A."

During 1985, the B&D logo is replaced by that of a stylized orange hexagon, and a new, all-caps font for the Black & Decker text. The text for the tool's description also gets a newer font. At this point, the company name is still, once again (but no longer set in all caps): "Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Raleigh, NC 27625 U.S.A." During 1987, however, that would be changed to "Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Hunt Valley, MD 21030 U.S.A."

So, to find out how old your tool is, here's a general timeline to be followed:
Pre-1976: "THE BLACK & DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD. U.S.A."
1976-1979: "THE BLACK AND DECKER MFG. CO., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."
1979-1982: "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., TOWSON, MD 21204 U.S.A."
1982-1983: "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., RALEIGH, NC 27625 U.S.A." (housings in all colors except black)
1983-1985: "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., RALEIGH, NC 27625 U.S.A." (housings in green for utility, or black for other grades) (old-style company logo)
1985-1987: "Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Raleigh, NC 27625 U.S.A." (all housings are black) (new-style company logo)
1987-? "Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Hunt Valley, MD 21030 U.S.A."

For commercial/industrial-grade power tools, this timeline is a bit different as to the main decal.

"BLACK & DECKER COMMERCIAL/COMMERCIAL DUTY/COMMERCIAL HEAVY DUTY" (with B&D hexagon logo) was used on commercial-grade tools between 1970 and 1977. These carried the same 7XXX series (U-*** before 1970) as the consumer-grade tools.

"BLACK & DECKER TRADE" (with B&D hexagon logo) was used on commercial-grade tools between 1977 and 1982. These carried the same 7XXX series model numbers as the consumer-grade tools.

"BLACK & DECKER HEAVY DUTY" (with B&D hexagon logo) was used on commercial-grade tools, those which do not use the 7XXX series model numbers, between 1979 and 1983.

"BLACK & DECKER PROFESSIONAL" ("PROFESSIONAL" in yellow text) was used on commercial-grade tools between 1983 and 1985 in the old-style font, and from 1985 (most of these were first seen in 1986) to 1992 in the newer-style font. During 1986, most of these tools would have a different decal reading "BLACK & DECKER Industrial" ("Industrial" in red text) with "Heavy Duty" below it. Unlike their consumer-grade power tools division, the base of operations for the professional power tools division was in Hampstead, MD, and so the company name might say "BLACK & DECKER (U.S.) INC., HAMPSTEAD, MD 21074 U.S.A." During 1987, some of the Professional tools had a front label with a black background, with the company name/logo in white and "Professional" in yellow text.

~Ben

Hello, I have two B&D 7308. One is a Type 2 in the antique gold color and orange power cord. The other is all black and is a Type 7. I'm assuming the Type 2 is pre-'76 because it doesn't have the zip code on name plate. I believe the Type 7 is from '83 or so. The black one says 1.5 HP Max motor output. The antique gold doesn't say 1.5 hp but both are 9 amps and 5900 rpm's. Is the h.p. the same between the Type 2 and Type 7?