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ToolGuyd > Power Tools > Cordless > Before the Dewalt 8V Gyro, there was VPX

Before the Dewalt 8V Gyro, there was VPX

Oct 1, 2025 Stuart 14 Comments

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Black & Decker VPX Cordless Power Tools on Clearance

Some of you might be familiar with the Dewalt 8V Gyroscopic cordless screwdriver, which is powered by a miniscule battery pack. Well, way before it came out, the same parent company had another 7V nominal (8V Max) cordless system – Black & Decker VPX.

VPX was a neat system that launched a bit before Stanley Works and Black & Decker merged.

I wrote about its launch in October 2007, for a different site that I contributed to before ToolGuyd. It didn’t last very long before being discontinued – as you can see above.

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Black & Decker VPX Cordless Power Tool Starter Kit

There was a small selection of tool that were tailored towards the interests of DIYers, including a drill, screwdriver, flashlight, hand vacuum, compact saw, and even an inflator.

Black & Decker VPX Cordless Power Tool Battery

The Black & Decker VPX cordless power tool system worked with a 7V Li-ion battery pack.

Black Decker VersaPak Batteries

The VPX system followed in the wake of the Black & Decker VersaPak system, which was centered around different battery technologies and form factors.

Black & Decker VPX Cordless 14V Drill

The VPX drill was especially interesting, and it was powered by 2x battery packs for 14.4V nominal voltage.

Makita’s 18V X2 and other dual battery tools share the same principle, where two batteries can power a higher voltage tool for greater performance.

I ran into frustrations with Black & Decker’s customer support, who was unable to provide me with torque specs for the drill, and also the first time I caught the attention of B&D’s marketing team, who said I should have relied on press materials I never had access to.

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The VPX tools were very sharply designed.

Dewalt 8V Max Gyroscopic Cordless Screwdriver DCF680N2

The Dewalt 8V Max cordless power tool battery wasn’t designed to be doubled-up, but maybe it could have been.

At the least, there’s a world of different tools that could have been powered by the same battery.

If the platform had taken off, maybe we’d have a USB-C charged version of the same battery by now.

Craftsman V4 Cordless Screwdriver and Shears Kit in Box

There are parallels between the Craftsman V4 cordless power tool system and Black & Decker’s VPX. See also: The Mystery of Sears’ Craftsman V4 Cordless System.

The Craftsman V4 platform lasted less than 2 months on the holiday season sales floor in 2011, while the VPX system was on clearance by February 2008, 4 months after it was announced.

Dewalt 8V Gyroscopic Cordless Screwdriver 2025 Availability at Amazon

Lastly, it looks like Amazon has brought back the Dewalt 8V Max Gyroscopic cordless screwdriver – perhaps for Prime Big Day Deals – with a mid-October ETA.

I’d keep an eye on the pricing and availability, but this seems like good news for tool users who have been searching everywhere to find it over the past year to no avail.

Dewalt hasn’t added to the line in over 11 years, but unlike the VPX system, Dewalt 8V Max is still here, even if its availability has been cyclic.

Buy it at Amazon

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Sections: Cordless Tags: Dewalt 8VMore from: Black & Decker, Dewalt

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14 Comments

  1. Jamie Lee Davis

    7 hours ago

    I had these tools from Walmart in 07! The batteries still worked well earlier this year when I donated the tools.

    Reply
  2. EBT

    6 hours ago

    Back in the day, had used Panasonic Driver EY6220N, a 2.4V (with 3.6 and 7.2V options now). Worked great taking apart Dell and Lenovo laptops. Removable packs. These VPX look modern, almost futuristic.

    Reply
  3. Jared

    6 hours ago

    What a neat-looking system – especially for the era!

    I know people love to hate on tools with built-in batteries, but personally – I think it makes way more sense for tools of this size.

    I can’t imagine buying into a 4v or 8v battery platform – like how many of those tools am I actually likely to need? I also dont want a separate charger when a USB cable will do (that’ what I like about small tools like my Dremel screwdriver), nor would I want to pay for extra batteries and chargers.

    Maybe we could have a sort of hybrid one day: like a tool that charges via USB, but allows the (presumably proprietary) cell to be easily swapped of it wears out.

    Reply
    • Will

      2 hours ago

      Woot had the Dewalt Gyroscopic screwdriver on sale in September. I was really surprised, but figured it was old stock. They sold out in hours.

      Reply
  4. Frank D.

    6 hours ago

    Oh yes, VersaPack !!! There should still be some small drill & saw, in a forgotten drawer in the garage at the other house.

    VPX looked cool too. Both disappeared too soon.

    Stopped looking at B&D as a platform at that time. Too much launch and abandon.

    Reply
    • fred

      3 hours ago

      I recall having a VersaPak (VPSDK) screwdriver that was powered by the (VP100) 3.6V NiCad battery that Stuart pictures above the VPX drill. That was something like 25-years ago – but recall using it a lot for general household chores. B&D also sold a gold-colored extended run battery as model VP110TB. At that point in time (around Y2k) I only considered the B&D brand for light-duty tasks – where performance and durability could play second fiddle to cost and convenience. By that point in time, B&D had started moving their Dewalt brand (acquired in 1960 – but reinvigorated starting in the early 1990’s after the selloff of the RAS business) as their professional offering.

      Reply
  5. Dennis

    6 hours ago

    I bought a bunch of the Craftsman V4 at Sears on clearance (when that was a place where people could buy tools). They worked great for small tasks around the house. They were just OEMs of Ryobi 4v. The sad part is Ryobi carried on the line and made the batteries USB rechargeable. But they changed the form factor of the batteries, so they are not backwards compatible. It’s always a bummer when manufacturers force obsolescence.

    Reply
    • Stuart

      5 hours ago

      Ryobi discontinued their Tek4 line of cordless power tools and gadgets sometime in the early 2010’s, and then launched a brand new USB Lithium line in 2022. https://toolguyd.com/ryobi-usb-lithium-cordless-power-tools/

      You are correct, Ryobi USB Lithium and their former Tek4 tools and batteries are NOT compatible.

      Between Tek4 and USB Lithium, Ryobi launched a line of smartphone-connected tools with built-in batteries, “Phone Works” – https://toolguyd.com/ryobi-phone-works/ .

      Progress typically involves obsolescence.

      Reply
  6. Mike

    6 hours ago

    That was the best small driver out there at the time. I think we still have it in the kids’ tool drawer. I can’t get behind the DeWalt Gyro, have one and my brain just doesn’t like it.

    Reply
  7. Jason

    5 hours ago

    Fully hoping for a Jobmax or Matrix article tomorrow. 24v Ridgid?

    In all seriousness the 8V gyro was awesome

    Reply
    • Stuart

      3 hours ago

      Matrix is still around.

      Reply
  8. Clyde

    4 hours ago

    The 8V gyro kits have been selling for around $250 (or more) on eBay recently. Not sure how much stock Amazon has, but they may not last long.

    Reply
  9. JoeM

    1 hour ago

    I genuinely never want to give up my 8V Max Gyro Screwdriver. The original DCE680 Gyro Screwdriver, and DCL023 Flashlight were all they released before just… Stopping. Yeah, there were conduit reamer, and straight-stick versions of the Gyro as well, but, there’s only so many Screwdrivers this tech was good for. I think that might’ve thrown a few random customers off about the 8V System. Screwdriver or Flashlight, that’s all they did!

    I wanted to see a snake light. Kinda like the flex-neck 18V DeWALT NiCD/NiMH, in a smaller form factor. More flashlights, a glue gun, maybe a low power (for delicate use) rotary tool or grinder/cutter? And yes, dual slot versions of, say, an ultra-compact impact driver. Drywall or dedicated 4mm Precision versions of the DCE680 for those times you are only repairing something, not a full install. I had so much hope, and so many ideas, for the 8V Max Lineup! Now I kinda talk to my Gyro, and treat it really nice, hoping to extend its life as much as possible. Like I said, I don’t ever want to give up my Gyro!

    Reply
  10. Michael

    10 minutes ago

    I always hoped for a 1/4 and 3/8 ratchet in 8 volt!

    Reply

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