Skil Brushless 12V Compact Reciprocating Saw Kit

Why I reached for a compact 12V saw

Compact recip saws earn their keep in tight, awkward spots where a full‑size tool feels clumsy or fatiguing. I’ve been using the Skil 12V recip saw for pruning, trimming PVC, and cutting out sections of pipe and 2x material in crawlspaces and overhead. It’s not a demolition monster, and it doesn’t pretend to be one. What it is: a light, well-balanced one‑hand saw with enough brushless grunt to make clean, controlled cuts in the materials most homeowners and remodelers tackle week to week.

Build and ergonomics

At 3.28 lb bare, the saw feels nimble in one hand and easy to guide with two. The grip is neutral, with rubber overmold in the right places to keep it planted even with gloves on. Balance is slightly nose‑heavy with the included 12V 2.0Ah battery, which I prefer—it helps the pivoting shoe stay engaged against the material so the blade doesn’t chatter.

The form factor is true one‑hand territory: short overall length, modest height, and a low center of mass. I used it comfortably above shoulder height for branch pruning and while cutting ABS under a sink—places where my 18/20V saw would’ve been overkill and tiring.

Controls are straightforward:
- A variable-speed trigger that’s easy to feather for metal starts.
- A tool‑less blade clamp that genuinely is fast—quarter-turn, swap, done.
- An adjustable pivoting shoe that lets you keep steady contact and use fresh teeth on a blade by shifting your attack angle.

The integrated LED is more than an afterthought. It pre‑lights before the blade moves and stays on for about 10 seconds after you release the trigger, which helps when you’re checking a cut line in a dark cabinet or attic.

Performance and cut quality

Stroke length is 3/4 inch. That’s shorter than full-size 18/20V saws, and you feel that in outright speed on thick stock. But for the intended tasks, the brushless motor keeps the blade moving with a smoothness that surprised me. Vibration is present—as it is with any recip—but better controlled than many small saws I’ve used, which translates into cleaner starts and less user fatigue.

Here’s how it handled common tasks for me:
- 2x lumber: With a sharp 6–8 TPI wood blade, crosscuts were controlled and consistent. It’s not rapid-fire; you’re trading speed for maneuverability. If you need to plow through a stack of studs all day, step up in voltage.
- PVC and ABS: Excellent. The short stroke and variable-speed trigger make it easy to avoid cracking or ragged edges. I prefer starting slow until the kerf is established.
- Copper and thin-wall steel conduit: With a 14–18 TPI metal blade, the saw does fine, especially if you keep the shoe anchored and let the blade do the work. For thicker steel, you’ll feel it slow; patience pays more dividends than pressure here.
- Branches: Green wood blades around 6–9 inches cut cleanly up to about 3–4 inches in diameter. Longer blades flex more on a small saw; shorter is usually better unless you need reach.

The adjustable shoe matters more than you’d think. Being able to tilt and reposition the contact point reduces chatter and helps you use fresh sections of the blade, extending blade life and improving cut speed.

A tip borne out in use: don’t hog the tool into the cut. Keep steady shoe pressure and let the motor maintain its rhythm. Pushing harder than the saw can chew actually slows you down.

Battery and charging

The kit includes a 12V 2.0Ah battery and Skil’s PWR JUMP charger. The charger’s claim is 0% to 25% in about five minutes. In practice, a quick top-up did get me back to work for a few more cuts while I was pruning and swapping blades. That fast partial charge is genuinely useful if you’re bouncing between tasks.

That said, the 2.0Ah pack is a runtime limiter if you’re doing more than occasional cuts. I recommend pairing the saw with Skil’s 4.0Ah 12V battery. It noticeably improves runtime and the added weight actually steadies the tool during longer cuts. The battery’s integrated USB port is a thoughtful bonus if you keep a pack around the truck or job box.

Skil wraps the cells with cooling material to manage heat. I didn’t encounter thermal shutdowns in typical homeowner and light remodeling tasks, even during a long pruning session. If you’re cutting heavy metal continuously, you’ll want breaks regardless—both for the saw and the blade.

Features that help in the real world

• Tool‑less blade changes save time, especially during mixed-material work.
• Variable-speed trigger makes starting on metal and plastic more controlled, reducing bounce.
• LED pre‑light and after‑glow are genuinely helpful in cabinets, crawlspaces, and attics.
• Pivoting shoe improves contact and reduces vibration; it’s fundamental to getting the most out of a small recip.

Skil includes a wood blade in the box. It’s fine to get you going, but blades make or break performance on compact saws. Stock up on:
- 6–8 TPI wood demolition blades for framing/pruning.
- 10–14 TPI general-purpose blades for plastics and composites.
- 14–24 TPI for metal. Start slow to avoid work-hardening and blade bounce.

Limitations and trade-offs

• Power headroom: It’s a 12V tool with a 3/4-inch stroke. It’s not fast on thick, dense stock and it’s not the right choice for heavy demo, nail‑embedded beams, or frequent cuts in thick steel.
• Runtime with the included 2.0Ah battery is modest. It’s fine for maintenance tasks and punch‑list work, but you’ll want a 4.0Ah pack for larger projects.
• No orbital action: Common for one‑hand recip saws, but worth noting since orbital helps clearing chips in wood on larger saws.

None of these are dealbreakers if you understand the category; they’re inherent trade-offs of a compact, one‑hand recip.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners who want a small, easy-to-handle saw for pruning, pipe repairs, shelving installs, and general maintenance.
• Remodelers, electricians, and plumbers who need a one‑hand body for overhead cuts, inside cabinets, or tight utility spaces.
• Anyone already on Skil’s 12V platform who wants a capable cut-out tool without carrying a bigger saw.

If your work is primarily demo, framing, or frequent metal cutting in thicker stock, you’ll be happier with an 18/20V recip with a longer stroke and more mass.

The bottom line

The Skil 12V recip saw nails the brief: compact, controllable, and genuinely useful in places big saws don’t fit. The brushless motor, smooth trigger, and pivoting shoe work together to deliver tidy, predictable cuts in wood, plastics, and light metals. The LED behavior is well thought out, the blade change is quick, and Skil’s fast-charge capability helps bridge the gap created by the small included battery.

I recommend it—with the caveat that you pair it with a 4.0Ah 12V pack if you plan to use it regularly. As a tight-space problem solver and a go‑to for overhead and one‑handed cuts, it’s an easy tool to keep within reach. If you need to tear through piles of lumber or thick steel all day, step up in class. For everything else, this little saw earns its spot.