Skil PWR CORE 20 Brushless 20V 7/8 in. Rotary Hammer Kit with 5.0Ah Battery and PWR JUMP Charger

A compact SDS-Plus hammer that punches above its weight

I put the Skil 20V rotary hammer to work the way most of us actually use an SDS-Plus tool: drilling anchors in cured concrete, punching holes through block for conduit, and doing light chiseling for tile and small channels. Over a couple of weeks of tasks, it showed a useful mix of speed, control, and convenience, with a few quirks to keep in mind.

What you get and setup

The kit includes the tool, a 5.0Ah PWR CORE 20 battery, the PWR JUMP automatic charger, a side handle, a depth rod, a PWRAssist USB adapter, and the usual paperwork. Bit changes use the SDS-Plus chuck—push in, click, and you’re ready to work—so setup is quick, especially if you’re hopping between hole sizes.

The side handle is simple but effective, clamping securely without creeping during heavier drilling. The depth rod is easy to set and doesn’t wander, which matters when you’re installing a run of wedge anchors and want consistent embedment.

Power and drilling performance

With 2.0 joules of impact energy and up to 4,500 blows per minute, this is a mid-size SDS-Plus hammer intended for the everyday concrete jobs most remodelers, maintenance techs, and DIYers face. In hammer-drill mode, it’s right at home with 1/4 to 3/8-inch masonry bits in cured slab and CMU. It bites quickly, clears dust well, and doesn’t bog unless you lean too hard. With 1/2-inch holes, it’s still capable; you just need to let the tool do the work and keep a steady, moderate feed pressure.

Skil’s brushless motor helps here. Start-up is crisp, the power curve feels linear, and there’s enough headroom to avoid the on/off surging you sometimes get with smaller brushed models. I didn’t feel corded-class power—and wouldn’t expect to—but for portable anchor work and occasional larger holes, it’s up to the task.

Chiseling and the four modes

The four-mode selector gives you drill (no hammer), hammer drill, chisel, and chisel alignment. The last one is more useful than it sounds: it lets you rotate and set the chisel’s orientation before locking into hammer-only. That saves time when you’re chasing a line for conduit or lifting tile and need the blade just so.

As a chipping hammer, it’s best for light duty: scraping thinset, popping tile, trimming small edges, and cleaning out notches. It will fatigue you if you treat it like a bigger SDS-Plus or SDS-Max breaker, but used as intended, it’s nimble, easy to place, and avoids over-damaging surrounding material.

Trigger control and speed

The variable-speed trigger is well judged. Feathering a hole on glazed tile or keeping a small tapcon bit from skating is straightforward in drill mode. In hammer-drill, the ramp-up is smooth, minimizing bit walk, and it settles into an efficient groove quickly. That consistency matters when you’re drilling a dozen holes in a row and want every one to feel the same from start to finish.

SDS-Plus chuck and bit changes

The SDS-Plus chuck on my unit locked bits positively with minimal play. Ejecting hot bits after long runs was no problem—the collar has enough knurling to grab with gloves. I didn’t notice excessive wobble at the tip with longer bits, which helps reduce wallow and leads to cleaner anchor holes.

Ergonomics and vibration

Ergonomically, it’s balanced around the handle with the 5.0Ah pack installed. It’s not featherweight, but the stance encourages proper two-handed control, and the included handle can be positioned where you need leverage without interfering with your sightline. Vibration is about what I expect for this class: present, but not fatiguing over a session of light-to-moderate drilling. I’d still wear proper gloves and hearing protection; like any rotary hammer, it’s loud in operation.

Battery life, cooling, and runtime

Skil wraps its PWR CORE 20 cells in a phase-change cooling material, and while I can’t quantify the effect, the pack stayed warm rather than hot after a run of consecutive holes in hammer-drill. That correlates with consistent performance throughout the charge. The 5.0Ah capacity pairs well with the tool—enough juice for a typical morning of intermittent anchor drilling or an afternoon of light chiseling without babysitting the charger.

Real-world runtime will depend on bit size and material. With 1/4 and 5/16-inch anchors in solid concrete, I had no trouble getting through a punch list. Move up to repeated 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch holes and you’ll chew through the pack more quickly, as expected for a 2.0J hammer.

Charging experience and the PWR JUMP system

The PWR JUMP charger is genuinely handy in a pinch. The five-minute “boost” was enough to finish a short run when I misjudged remaining charge, and full charges landed right around the hour mark in my tests, which aligns with Skil’s claim. However, the charger’s cooling fan is louder than most of the others on my bench. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s noticeable in a quiet shop. If noise sensitivity is a concern, park the charger in a garage or job box and you won’t think about it again.

The included PWRAssist USB adapter is a thoughtful bonus. I used it to top up a phone once, and it’s the kind of little add-on that matters if you’re consolidating chargers and packs across tools.

Controls and usability details

• Mode selector: Positive detents with clear icons. I didn’t accidentally bump it out of mode.
• Depth rod: Stays put and is easy to readjust mid-task.
• Grip and trigger: The main handle has a comfortable contour and rubber overmold in the right places. The trigger pull is predictable and not overly stiff.
• Visibility: There’s no built-in dust shroud, so plan for extraction if you need clean holes; the tool’s profile does leave room for a vacuum nozzle close to the hole.

Reliability and build impressions

The tool housing feels solid, and the gearbox area has a reassuring lack of flex when the bit binds. I didn’t experience thermal shutoffs or electronic oddities while drilling and chiseling. That said, this is a compact 20V hammer—keep it in its lane. If your week involves core drilling, constant 5/8 to 7/8-inch holes in hard aggregate, or daily heavy chipping, you’ll want to step up to a more powerful rotary hammer. Used for periodic anchors, light trenching in masonry, and remodel tasks, it feels well matched.

As with any battery system, make sure the pack seats fully; an imperfect connection can mimic tool issues. I made a habit of clearing dust from the battery shoe at the end of the day.

Who it’s for

• Trades and facility maintenance who need a portable SDS-Plus for recurring anchor and through-wall work, but not all-day heavy hammering.
• Remodelers tackling bath/kitchen tile, occasional slab anchors, and light chipping where agility matters more than raw impact energy.
• DIYers who want a capable hammer drill that’s a clear step up from percussion drill/drivers, with a fast-charging system to minimize downtime.

If you’re already on Skil’s PWR CORE 20 platform, this hammer meaningfully expands what you can do in masonry without jumping to a different battery ecosystem.

The bottom line

The Skil 20V rotary hammer delivers the essentials: quick SDS-Plus bit changes, a useful four-mode selector with chisel alignment, a smooth brushless motor, and a battery/charger pairing that keeps you moving. It handles the common jobs with confidence and avoids trying to be something it’s not. The main caveat is the charger’s fan noise; it’s louder than average. If you can live with that—and many will—the overall package is compelling for light-to-moderate concrete work.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for users who need a capable, compact SDS-Plus hammer for everyday anchor drilling and light chiseling, especially if fast turnaround charging appeals to you. If your workload leans toward heavy, continuous chiseling or large-diameter drilling, consider a higher-impact model; otherwise, this kit hits a practical sweet spot in performance, convenience, and value.