Skil 12V/20V Brushless Flip Drill, 12V Kit

I didn’t expect a compact drill to change my workflow this much. After several weeks using Skil’s flip drill as my “grab‑and‑go” driver, I’ve found it’s less about raw muscle and more about not breaking stride. The double-collet flip head means I move from pilot hole to screw without juggling bits or tools, and that ends up being the feature I appreciate most on real jobs.

Design and build

The Skil flip drill is a slim, 2.03‑lb, brushless, 12V tool with a two-speed gearbox and a 1/4" hex collet on each end of the flip head. The profile is compact (about 7.9" long), and the balance is slightly forward—expected with the dual-collet nose—but it actually helps keep the bit planted on the work. The handle is nicely contoured with a soft grip, and the one-finger trigger offers good low-speed modulation.

Skil went with an electronic clutch: nine torque settings plus a drill mode, selectable with buttons and shown on a small display. There’s an LED worklight with a pre-light and afterglow, a crisp electric brake, and a reversible switch that’s easy to hit with a thumb roll. On top, there’s a magnetized pad for parking loose bits or screws.

The kit includes a 12V 2.0Ah USB‑C pack, a 20W USB‑C PD charger and cable, a belt clip, a 2" PH2 bit, and four hex-shank HSS bits. The chuck is hex-only, so plan on using hex-shank drills and accessories.

The flip head and workflow

The flip mechanism is the headline act. Each collet has a positive detent; you load a drill bit on one side and a driver on the other, then snap the head 180 degrees to switch. In practice, it’s fast, secure, and surprisingly low on wobble. For cabinetry hardware, shelf pins, brackets, and general finish work, the time savings add up. I no longer set a drill down to swap bits or carry two tools for small projects.

There is a trade-off: the flip nose adds some length. In most cabinets and tight corners, I still fit without drama, but there are situations—inside drawers or between closely spaced face frames—where a stubby single-collet driver would sneak in more easily. Also, the flip requires a touch of clearance to swing; against a vertical obstruction, you need to pull back a bit before flipping.

Performance and control

On the included 12V battery, the brushless motor runs 0–420/0–1550 RPM with up to 300 in‑lbs of torque. In drill mode with a 1/8" hex-shank bit, it zips through pine and poplar and manages 3/16" holes in mild steel without complaint. With a 1" spade or small self-feed in softwood, it’s workable at a steady pace if you let the bit do the cutting. It’s not meant for boring large holes or spinning hole saws.

For driving, it’s squarely in the “general duty” camp. It sinks 1-1/4" and 1-5/8" screws all day, sets cabinet hardware with finesse, and will drive 2-1/2" construction screws into SPF with a proper pilot. Long 3" deck screws into dense material are possible with patience, but you’ll feel the ceiling—this is not an impact driver. The electronic clutch is consistent and shuts down predictably across softwood and MDF. I like how fine the lowest settings are; they’re gentle enough for hinges and small brass screws (though I still slow my trigger finger for delicate fasteners).

With a Skil 20V pack, the tool steps up a notch: 0–450/0–1700 RPM and 350 in‑lbs on paper, which matches what I felt. It gains a little headroom on longer screws and small augers. That’s a nice flexibility if you’re already in Skil’s 20V ecosystem. If you’re not, the included 12V pack is still the right fit for what this tool does best.

Runout at the collet is acceptable for woodwork and light metal work. If you’re drilling precision holes in metal all day, you want a steel 3‑jaw chuck and a different tool. For hex-shank bits—the intended use—it’s tight enough to stay true.

Battery and charging

The USB‑C battery system is a real convenience. The included 20W PD charger topped the 2.0Ah pack in about an hour, and I could also charge from other USB‑C bricks in a pinch. Not having to carry a proprietary dock is a practical advantage if you’re mobile or working in different spaces. In my mix of tasks—assembly, cabinet hardware, light framing anchors—the 2.0Ah pack comfortably covered a half day of intermittent work. Two packs would make it an all-day solution for punch lists.

Noise is modest; the brushless motor has a contained whine, and vibration is low. The electric brake stops the bit immediately, which makes precise flush finishes easier.

Ergonomics and lighting

Trigger control is a strong point. The variable-speed response is linear at the low end, which I prefer for carefully starting screws in hardwood. The forward/reverse switch is firm without being stiff. The LED worklight sits in a good position and does the “pre-light/afterglow” thing: a small quality-of-life detail that helps when you’re lining up a pilot in a dark hinge cup or a closet corner.

The belt clip is reversible and secure. I used it constantly while measuring or marking hardware locations. As for the magnetic onboard storage, it’s handy in the moment but not something I trust during transport. It will hold a bit while you mark a measurement, but a bump can knock a bit off. I treat it as temporary staging, not storage.

Limitations to know

• Power ceiling: This is not a replacement for an impact driver or a 1/2" drill. Big structural screws, lag bolts, hole saws, and heavy augers will show its limits quickly.
• Hex-only chuck: You’re married to 1/4" hex-shank bits. That’s fine for most modern sets, but you can’t chuck random round-shank drills from an old kit.
• Nose length and clearance: The flip head adds length and requires flipping clearance. In some nooks, a stubby driver or right-angle attachment is still the better tool.
• Display visibility: The torque display is small; in bright sunlight it can be hard to read. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.

Where it shines

• Hardware installs: Hinges, pulls, knobs—pilot then drive without breaking setup.
• Assembly and punch lists: Flat-pack furniture, shelving, brackets, closet systems, and general home maintenance.
• Electrical and low-voltage: Boxes, clamps, and anchors where control and compact size matter more than brute force.
• Installers and maintenance: As a second tool on the belt or in a service bag, it’s a genuine time saver.

What I’d change

I’d strengthen the magnet pad or add a small mechanical bit clip to keep accessories captive. A slightly larger torque readout (or brighter setting indicator) would improve visibility outdoors. And while I appreciate the dual-voltage compatibility, I’d love a mid-pack option—say a compact 2.5–3.0Ah 12V cell—for longer runtime without losing the nimble feel.

The bottom line

The Skil flip drill is a convenience-first tool that earns its keep by saving time and steps. The flip head is executed well, the electronic clutch is reliable, and the brushless motor delivers clean, controlled power for the tasks it’s meant to do. It won’t replace an impact driver for long screws or a heavy drill for large bits, and the hex-only chuck is a real boundary. But as an everyday problem-solver—and especially as the second tool you reach for—it’s excellent.

Recommendation: I recommend the Skil flip drill for DIYers, installers, and maintenance pros who value speed, control, and compact size over maximum torque. It’s ideal for projects that bounce between drilling and driving, for hardware installs, and for small to medium fasteners. If your work leans heavily on long structural screws, big hole saws, or dense materials, keep your impact or high-torque drill in the kit and treat this as a complementary time saver. For everyone else, especially those who appreciate USB‑C charging and a light, well-balanced tool, it’s a smart addition.