Hart Tools 4-Tool Combo Kit Gets Your DIY Projects On Track
Hart has moved into Wal-Mart, becoming the primary power tool brand for the discount retailer. The tools that were in there before were okay, but some of them were questionable, even for DIYers. We wanted to see what to expect from the brand, so we started with the Hart Tools 4-tool combo kit to see what you should expect.
Hart Tools 4-Tool Combo Kit
What’s in the Box
The Hart Tools 4-tool combo kit includes a 20V drill driver, impact driver, reciprocating saw, and LED light. For power, Hart includes a pair of 1.5Ah battery packs and a 2-amp charger. Your manuals are included along with a blade for the saw, double-ended driver bit, 1/4-inch hex driver bit, and a bag to store all of your gear.
All of the tools have brushed motors. Even though there are very real benefits to brushless motors, brushed motors still have enough power to do the job well and it helps keep the cost down.
The batteries are slim packs, which is great for keeping the weight of your tools down on smaller projects. If you need more runtime, Hart also has 2.0Ah slim packs and 4.0Ah extended capacity batteries available.
What we like about the design is that the batteries are slide packs. That allows the battery to slide underneath the handle instead of up into it as stem packs do. It gives the product teams much more flexibility in the handle design, particularly when it comes to the diameter.
One downside is the lack of a battery-level indicator on the pack or the tool. Make sure you keep both batteries charged so you have a backup if you run the first one down.
These Hart tools run at 20V max, which is the same as 18V nominal. Check out our article for more information on the (lack of) difference between 20V Max vs 18V.
20V Drill Driver
0 – 440 / 0 – 1600 RPM- 24-position clutch
- 2-speed gearbox with variable speed trigger
- 1/2″ chuck
- 3.8 pounds with 1.5Ah battery (3.0 pounds bare)
0 – 440 / 0 – 1600 RPMWe wanted to know what the Hart Tool 20V drill driver can handle, so we ran it through the same kind of tests we put premium professional brands through. The maximum speed of 1600 RPM is a bit slower than more expensive models, but Hart put some muscle behind it.
At high speed, I was able to confidently drill through wood with a 1/2-inch Milwaukee Red Helix Titanium twist bit, a 7/8-inch Bosch Daredevil spade bit, and a 1-inch Bosch Daredevil High-Speed Auger Bit.
Kicking it into low gear, the drill had no problem breaking through using a 1 1/2-inch Milwaukee Switchblade self-feed bit.
Depending on the bit you’re using (sharp, quality accessories are always going to drill better), you can expect to drill up to 7/8 of an inch in high speed and 1 1/2 inches in low when you’re drilling through soft to medium wood. Those numbers will be a bit different in hardwoods, metal, or other materials and you have a wider range if you’re using a hole saw.
20V Impact Driver
- 1700 in-lbs of torque
- Single-speed drive with variable speed trigger
- 1/4-inch hex chuck
- 3.4 pounds with 1.5Ah battery (2.6 pounds bare)
1700 in-lbs of torqueAn impact driver’s primary job is to drive fasteners and the 1700 in-lbs of torque Hart gives this model is plenty. Deck screws and drywall screws go in agreeably fast. Some of the smaller ones don’t even force it to engage the hammer and anvil.
1/4-inch ledger screws are about the largest fastener we ask our impact drivers to tackle and Hart did just fine setting those as well. It fastens in a reasonable amount of time and it doesn’t push the motor to the point of concerning strain.
We also ran our 1/2-inch twist and 1-inch spade bits since they have 1/4-inch hex shanks. The impact driver was able to drill through the same material as the drill driver with no issues. It’s slower because of the impact design, but if you want to use it with those hex shank drill bits, you can.
20V Reciprocating Saw
- Up to 3300 SPM with a 7/8-inch stroke length
- Easy access blade release lever
- Pivoting shoe with adjustable length
- 4.7 pounds with 1.5Ah battery (3.9 pounds bare)
Up to 3300 SPM with a 7/8-inch stroke length3300 SPM is a fast stroke rate, even compared to Pro-level reciprocating saws. The 7/8-inch stroke length is a bit shorter and you’ll notice some slowing when you cut thicker wood. You can help speed things up by rocking the blade and allowing more of the sawdust and chips to come out of the teeth.
This is a speed and length configuration that’s ideal for cutting PVC and thin metal such as EMT and copper pipe. In fact, it does quite well cutting in those materials. It’s not going to cut as well in thick metal, so leave the rebar cutting to a different saw.
One of the things you might not think of a reciprocating saw for is in your landscaping. Paired with a low TPI pruning blade, we’re comfortable using this saw to cut branches up to 4 inches thick. It can save having to drag your chainsaw out for some of the lighter work!
The light weight of the saw is nice, but there’s some vibration to it. Be sure to keep the shoe pressed against the material and use its pivot to your advantage. That will help mitigate a lot of vibration and make the cut easier on you.
20V LED Flashlight
- 200 lumens
- Rotating head
- Handle mounts on 2x material
- 1.2 pounds with 1.5Ah battery (0.4 pounds bare)
200 lumensThe Hart Tools 20V flashlight has several helpful features with practical advantages. Its slim handle design is comfortable to grip, making it an easy choice if you’re going for an evening walk.
We like the rotating head’s ability to pivot either direction and shift to a 45º upward angle. It’s handy if you’re working under an engine or you need to set it on the ground and still work at standing height.
The space between the handle is intentionally designed to fit over 2x material, whether that’s joists, supports on your sawhorse, or some other creative idea you have.
200 lumens is a good output level to work in closer quarters with. Lights that put out 1000 lumens or more are great but can blind you with reflection in tight spaces. When you’re digging around under a sink or engine, it’s just right.
Price
This Hart Tools 4-tool combo kit is available at Wal-Mart for $178. The tools come with a 3-year warranty. It’s a pretty competitive price in the brushed combo kit market.
For more information about this and other HART Tools, click here.
The Bottom Line
When we started out this review, we really wanted to understand what this Hart Tools combo kit opens up for you. It’s clearly a step up in quality and performance from what Wal-Mart was carrying previously. In terms of job capability, there’s a lot you can accomplish around the house, garage, and shop.
It’s definitely something we recommend for DIYers handling typical home improvement projects on a budget. If you tackle more serious jobs, you might want to check out Hart’s brushless tools for a boost in performance.
