Skil PWR CORE 20 20V SDS+ Rotary Hammer Kit

I reached for this Skil rotary hammer on a week of mixed punch-list work—anchoring cabinets to brick, setting Tapcons in a garage slab, and drilling a few pilot holes in block for conduit straps. It’s a compact, no-fuss SDS+ kit, and in the right lane it’s surprisingly capable.

What you get in the box

The kit includes the rotary hammer, a 20V 2.0Ah PWRCore battery, a standard 20V charger, and a 3 in. bit holder/adapter. You’re up and running out of the box without hunting for an extra chuck. The SDS Plus interface handles masonry bits with tool-free changes, and the included adapter lets you pop in 1/4 in. hex accessories for basic screwdriving.

Build, ergonomics, and controls

At just under 11 inches long, it’s a compact tool that fits between studs and up near soffits where a full-size rotary hammer feels clumsy. The balance with the 2.0Ah pack is good—nose-heavy enough to keep the bit planted without fighting the tool. The variable-speed trigger has a progressive ramp that prevents skating on smooth block faces, and Skil’s forward/reverse direction LED is a small but genuinely useful touch when you’re toggling modes and direction with gloves on.

A single top-mounted selector gives you three modes: hammer drill (for masonry), drill (for wood and metal with an SDS-compatible bit or the adapter), and screwdriver. There’s no hammer-only/chisel mode here, which is an important distinction; this is a rotary hammer built for drilling, not for chiseling tile or chasing channels.

Skil includes an LED work light that stays on for a few seconds after you release the trigger. That “afterglow” helps when you’re aligning the next hole in a dim mechanical room or basement.

Performance in concrete, brick, and block

On paper, the specs tell you what lane this tool occupies: 0–900 rpm, 0–5000 ipm, and 0.7 ft·lb of impact energy with a maximum concrete capacity of 7/16 in. In practice, that translates to a machine that’s very comfortable with common anchor sizes—think 5/16 in. and 3/8 in.—and less suited for bigger holes or continuous heavy drilling.

In cured slab and reinforced footings, I let the tool do the work and it maintained a steady pace on 3/8 in. SDS+ bits without bogging down. The percussion mechanism lands consistent blows, and with a sharp bit I could run one-handed for overhead or awkward angles without the bit walking. For block and brick, it’s even more at home. I had clean, round holes with less spalling than I expected from a light-duty hammer, likely helped by the moderate rpm and easy-to-control start.

Push it beyond its spec—say, trying to open up to 1/2 in. in poured concrete—and you meet the limits quickly. It will get there, but slowly, and that’s not what this tool is for. If your day involves wedge anchors larger than 7/16 in. or drilling into high-psi concrete all afternoon, you want a higher-impact-energy rotary hammer.

Versatility and the SDS+ advantage

SDS Plus is the right choice here. Bit swaps are quick, positive, and slop-free, and the shank design transmits the hammering energy effectively compared with a standard three-jaw chuck. I also appreciated the included hex adapter; popping in a 1/4 in. bit to countersink Tapcons or drive small masonry screws kept me from bouncing between tools.

The screwdriver mode actually has some utility in a rotary hammer this small. It isn’t a replacement for an impact driver, but for driving Tapcons or adjusting anchors after drilling, it saves time. The variable-speed trigger makes it controlled enough to avoid snapping fasteners.

Battery life and platform considerations

With the included 2.0Ah pack, this is a grab-and-go kit made for punch-list work. Think short sessions: drilling a handful of anchor holes at a time, then moving on to layout or installation. The tool’s brushed motor and modest impact energy keep amp draw reasonable, and recharge time on the basic charger is about what you’d expect for a 2.0Ah pack.

I also ran it with a 4.0Ah PWRCore 20 battery from the same platform. The larger pack gave noticeably better stamina and a touch more steadiness under load—worth considering if you plan on more continuous drilling. As with most compact rotary hammers, the sweet spot is pairing it with a higher capacity battery for a half-day of on/off drilling.

Skil’s PWRCore 20 lineup is broad enough to make the platform investment practical for DIYers and trades who want an affordable secondary system. If you’re already in PWRCore 20, this tool fits in seamlessly.

Accuracy and control

The tool’s 0–900 rpm ceiling is conservative, and that’s a plus when you want clean, controlled entries into masonry. I could start holes precisely without the bit ice-skating across glazed brick. The trigger modulation also makes drilling in brittle block less nerve-wracking—you can feather the speed to avoid blowing out the web.

One omission: there’s no mention of a depth stop or auxiliary handle in the kit contents. I managed fine for anchors with tape on the bit, but if you rely on repeatable depth stops, you’ll want to add an accessory or use bits with integrated collars.

Noise, vibration, and comfort

All rotary hammers are loud, and this one is no exception—hearing and eye protection are non-negotiable. Subjectively, vibration is lower than I expected for a compact, brushed unit. The hammering action is tight, and the handle design does a decent job damping buzz without getting mushy. Over a couple dozen holes, hand fatigue was minimal, which isn’t always the case with budget SDS+ tools.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

This Skil is ideal for:
- Anchoring cabinets, cleats, and rails to brick and block
- Tapcon and sleeve anchor holes up to 3/8–7/16 in. in concrete
- Occasional drilling in stone veneer and patio pavers
- Quick transitions between drilling and light screwdriving with the adapter

It’s not the right pick for:
- Chiseling, scaling, or tile demo (no hammer-only mode)
- Frequent drilling of 1/2 in. or larger holes in cured concrete
- Continuous commercial duty where higher impact energy is expected

Reliability and maintenance

The brushed motor is simple and proven. You won’t get the efficiency or longevity of a premium brushless rotary hammer, but you also aren’t paying for it. Keep the SDS chuck clean, use quality carbide bits, and the tool holds up well for light to moderate duty. Skil’s temperature-managed battery tech helps keep the pack from throttling under load, and I didn’t experience any thermal cutouts during typical use.

The bottom line

As a compact SDS+ kit for everyday masonry fastening, this Skil rotary hammer is easy to recommend. It’s built around realistic capabilities—0.7 ft·lb impact energy and a 7/16 in. concrete capacity—and it stays comfortably within those limits. The SDS Plus chuck, three-mode selector, variable-speed control, and practical touches like the direction indicator and afterglow work light make it pleasant to use. You give up a chisel mode and the ability to push big bits quickly, but you gain a lightweight, controllable tool that excels at the work most installers, remodelers, and serious DIYers do most often.

Recommendation: I recommend it for anyone who needs a reliable, light-duty SDS+ solution for anchors and small-diameter holes in concrete, brick, and block—especially if you’re already on Skil’s PWRCore 20 platform. Pair it with a 4.0Ah battery for longer sessions, know its limits, and it will do exactly what you ask without drama. If your workload includes chiseling or frequent 1/2 in.+ drilling in hard concrete, step up to a higher-power rotary hammer with a hammer-only mode instead.