Skil 20V Brushless Jigsaw Kit

A compact, capable jigsaw that punches above its weight

I put the Skil 20V jigsaw to work on a mix of cabinet plywood, laminate flooring, and a few bits of aluminum trim to see how it would handle the kinds of cuts a DIYer or remodeler makes all the time. It’s a compact, light top‑handle saw with a brushless motor, a variable‑speed trigger, and four orbital settings. From the first few cuts, it felt closer to a mid‑tier pro tool than an entry kit—especially in how smooth and controllable it is.

Build, balance, and ergonomics

With the bare tool around 3.3 pounds, the saw feels nimble and easy to steer. Add the 2.0Ah battery and you’re still well under five pounds, which matters when you’re scribing a countertop or following a tight template. The handle is generously rubberized, the trigger and lock‑off have a reassuring click, and the center of gravity sits nicely over the shoe. I didn’t fight tip‑forward weight when starting cuts at the edge of material.

The shoe adjusts for bevels without tools. The detent at 0 degrees is solid, and the 45-degree setting lined up accurately on my test piece. The scale is legible; if you work frequently at 22.5 or 30 degrees, a quick test cut to verify the angle is worth doing, as is true with most jigsaws in this class.

Power and speed control

The brushless motor tops out at 3,000 strokes per minute with a 1‑inch stroke. In practice, there’s plenty of headroom for typical materials. I made long rips in 3/4‑inch plywood with the trigger set around mid‑travel and orbital at 2, and the saw didn’t bog down. Push harder with orbital at 3 and it gets assertive, chewing through construction lumber quickly. The variable‑speed trigger is well tuned—slow starts are easy, and small adjustments in finger pressure translate into predictable blade speed.

The four orbital settings are meaningful and make a difference:
- 0 is my choice for metal, plastics, and clean cuts in veneered plywood.
- 1 is a nice compromise for hardwoods where you want progress without tear‑out.
- 2 and 3 are fast for framing lumber and rough carpentry.

Vibration control is good for a compact saw. Even near full speed with orbital engaged, it doesn’t rattle your wrist. That, plus the light weight, helps maintain a clean line on curves.

Visibility and lighting

Skil did a few small things right here. The dust blower keeps the cut line clear without being overly aggressive, and the LED light turns on before the blade moves and stays on briefly after you release the trigger. That “pre‑light” and “afterglow” sound like small features, but they’re genuinely useful for lining up a cut and checking your line without holding the trigger halfway.

There’s also a dust port if you prefer to connect a vac. On straight cuts, extraction is pretty effective; on tight curves, it’s typical jigsaw behavior—still some chips, but visibility remains acceptable thanks to the blower and light working together.

Blade changes and compatibility

Blade swaps are tool‑free. Flip the side lever, the clamp opens, and a T‑shank blade drops out. The mechanism positively grabs the replacement blade, and there’s enough clearance to do it with gloved hands. Use quality T‑shank blades and make sure they’re fully seated; that eliminates most of the little wiggle you can feel with thin, budget blades.

The kit includes a general‑purpose wood blade and a metal blade. They’ll get you started, but you’ll want a small assortment tuned to your work—fine‑tooth blades for veneers and laminates, reverse‑tooth for clean top surfaces, and bi‑metal for aluminum and mild steel.

Cutting performance in real materials

• Plywood and MDF: With orbital off and a fine blade, I got clean edges on prefinished veneer with minimal tear‑out. A strip of painter’s tape over the cut line improves things further if you’re fussy.
• Framing lumber: Orbital at 2 or 3 with a coarse wood blade makes quick work of 2x stock. The saw tracks well; I didn’t have to overcorrect to stay on a scribe line.
• Laminates and flooring: The slow start and controllable speed make it easy to creep up to a mark and steer around notches for doorjambs. Using a reverse‑tooth blade kept the top surface chip‑free.
• Aluminum trim: With orbital at 0 and a bi‑metal blade, it cut steadily without chattering. Keep the speed moderate and let the teeth do the work.
• Mild steel: Thin stock is fine at low orbital and speed with lubricant. For thicker steel, a band saw or reciprocating saw is better, but this jigsaw handles light duty without drama.

The electric brake stops the blade quickly when you release the trigger. It’s both a safety benefit and a practical one when you’re making repeated plunge starts and don’t want the blade coasting as you reposition.

Bevel cuts and accuracy

The tool‑free bevel is convenient when you’re bouncing between square and angled cuts. The shoe locks down tightly; I didn’t see it drift under pressure. As with most jigsaws, the blade can deflect if you force a cut, especially in thick hardwoods or when turning tight radii. Choose the right blade, let the saw set the pace, and you’ll keep your kerf square.

Battery, charger, and runtime

The 2.0Ah battery keeps the package light and is adequate for intermittent use—layout, notches, and short rips. I got roughly an afternoon of stop‑and‑go cutting on a flooring project before needing a recharge. For continuous heavy cutting in thick stock, expect to swap or recharge sooner. Charge time with the included charger is reasonable; plan for roughly the length of a coffee break to top up a partially depleted pack and under an hour from empty to full. If you do a lot of work in one session, a second battery is the obvious upgrade.

Small things I appreciated

• The lock‑off is positioned so you can engage it without changing grip.
• The soft grip is genuinely comfortable over longer sessions.
• The shoe’s edges are rounded enough not to snag on edge banding or veneer.

What could be better

• Blade guidance: Like many compact jigsaws, there’s a touch of blade wander in thick stock if you push hard. It’s manageable with correct blade choice and technique, but a stiffer guide would help.
• Dust collection on tight curves: The blower keeps the line clear, but collection at the port drops off on very curvy cuts. Typical for the category, not a dealbreaker.
• Battery capacity: The included 2.0Ah pack keeps the weight down, but a bigger pack would better suit long rip cuts. Consider adding a 4.0Ah if you routinely cut thicker lumber.

Where it fits

This is a sweet‑spot jigsaw for DIYers, homeowners, and tradespeople who want a compact, cordless saw that’s easy to control yet strong enough for real work. It’s not a heavy, full‑feature flagship with every adjuster dial under the sun—but it nails the fundamentals: steady power, good ergonomics, useful orbital settings, clean sightline, and quick blade swaps. The kit format adds value if you’re not already on a battery platform, and the overall package feels thoughtfully put together.

The bottom line

The Skil 20V jigsaw is light, smooth, and more capable than its size suggests. It handled everything I threw at it—from precise cuts in veneer to quick notches in framing—without feeling underpowered or fussy. The brushless motor, variable‑speed trigger, four orbital settings, LED with pre‑light/afterglow, tool‑free bevel, and quick blade changes add up to a tool that stays out of your way and helps you cut accurately.

Recommendation: I recommend this jigsaw for anyone building out a cordless toolkit who values control and convenience. It’s an easy tool to live with: balanced in the hand, fast enough for rough cuts, refined enough for finish work, and the kit gets you running out of the box. If you need maximum runtime for production‑level cutting, budget for a higher‑capacity battery. Otherwise, this is a well‑rounded, dependable jigsaw that suits most home and light‑trade tasks very well.