Skil PWR CORE 12 Brushless 12V Drill Driver & Impact Driver Kit

A compact combo that punches above its class

I spent a few weeks cycling the Skil 12V kit through my usual mix of DIY and light carpentry: cabinet installs, pocket-hole furniture builds, basic electrical, and a small outdoor platform framed with 2x material. The short version is this: it’s a genuinely capable, well-thought-out pair that trades brute force for control, speed, and convenience in all the right places.

What you get and first impressions

The kit includes a brushless 1/2-inch drill/driver, a brushless 1/4-inch hex impact driver, one 2.0Ah PWR CORE 12 battery, a rapid PWRJUMP charger, two belt clips, and two PH2 bits. Both tools are compact and light even with the battery installed. The drill measures about 7-1/8 inches long; the impact is even shorter at around 5-7/8 inches. In hand, they feel balanced, with comfortable grip profiles and positive, crisp switches.

Build quality is better than I expected at this price point: tight tolerances, smooth clutches, and cleanly machined chucks/collets. The brushless motors run quietly and with minimal cogging at low speeds, which makes precise starts easier.

Skil backs the kit with a 5-year limited warranty, and the battery includes a USB port for mobile charging—a small feature that ends up being surprisingly handy on site.

The drill/driver: versatile and cleverly designed

The drill is the sleeper hit of the pair. On paper, its 350 in-lbs max torque and two gear ranges (0–450 / 0–1700 rpm) sound typical for 12V. In use, the tuning makes those numbers count:

• The 17+1 clutch positions are spaced logically, with consistent slip points. I was able to drive soft brass screws into face frames without chewing heads, then step up to structural screws into studs without constantly chasing the right click.
• The 1/2-inch hybrid chuck is the standout feature. It locks standard 1/4-inch hex bits without tightening, so I could bounce between driver bits and drill bits without swapping chucks or fiddling with sleeves. With round-shank bits, it tightens like a normal metal chuck.
• Low gear provides excellent control for delicate tasks and larger holes; high gear keeps small bits flying.

Real jobs: It handled 1-1/2-inch spade bits in pine studs for cable pass-throughs and 1/2-inch twist bits in hardwood for dowels without complaint. For cabinet hardware, the soft-start feel and precise clutch kept me from overdriving. It’s not a heavy-drilling tool—if you’re boring large augers through doubled LVL, you’ll want 18V—but for furniture, finish work, and most home drilling, it’s right on the money.

One quirk I noticed: there’s a gentle ramp on trigger start that sometimes feels like a micro-delay if you’re feathering the trigger repeatedly. Under load, I didn’t notice it, and I ended up appreciating the smoother starts on delicate jobs.

The impact driver: nimble, bright, and stronger than it looks

The impact driver is compact and purpose-built for driving. It’s rated for 1100 in-lbs, with two speed modes (0–1600 / 0–2600 rpm) and two impact rates (0–2500 / 0–3500 ipm). The two-speed selector is simple and effective: I kept it in the lower range for shorter screws and fragile materials to avoid cam-out, then flipped to high for longer fasteners. It drove 3-inch decking screws into PT 2x without pilot holes, and after predrilling, it seated 1/4-inch lags into framing cleanly—exactly the kind of performance that makes a compact 12V impact so useful.

Lighting is excellent. The ring-style LED around the collet casts even light with almost no shadowing, which is miles better than single-point LEDs when you’re working in cabinets or under sinks. Bit changes are positive, and the collet held short bits securely without wobble.

On control, trigger modulation is smooth and predictable. I did encounter an odd behavior twice over a couple days where a feathered start caused a brief, slow backspin from standstill; cycling the forward/reverse switch cleared it and it didn’t recur in steady use. If that became frequent, I’d treat it as a switch or control issue and take advantage of the warranty. Outside of those moments, the driver was reliable and composed.

Noise and vibration are both reasonable for a 12V impact. It’s not silent, but it’s less hammer-harsh than many 18V impacts, which reduces fatigue for overhead work.

Power and runtime

With a single 2.0Ah pack, I comfortably completed a full afternoon of cabinet install tasks—drilling pilots, driving assorted screws, and adjusting hinges—on one charge. On a more demanding outdoor job, the impact driver sank roughly 80–120 3-inch deck screws per charge depending on material and speed mode, which is about what I expect from a 12V 2.0Ah pack.

The battery features Skil’s cell-cooling material; I can’t lab-verify the claim, but during back-to-back driving the pack stayed warm rather than hot, and it went immediately onto the charger without thermal delay. The PWRJUMP charger is a genuine advantage for one-battery kits: I repeatedly topped from empty to about 25% in roughly 5 minutes and back to full in around 45 minutes—enough to keep work moving with short breaks if you plan around it.

If you anticipate longer days or larger fastener counts, I’d add a second pack—or better, a 4.0Ah—and this kit scales nicely.

Ergonomics and usability

• Balance: Both tools balance well with the 2.0Ah pack, making controlled starts and one-handed bit changes easy.
• Size and weight: The compact lengths (7-1/8-inch drill, 5-7/8-inch impact) fit in tight corners; weight is light enough for all-day use without forearm burn.
• Controls: Gear selectors and speed switches click positively. The forward/reverse switches have good detents you can trust by feel.
• Extras: The included belt clips are sturdy, and the two PH2 bits are a welcome throw-in. The battery’s USB port is a small convenience that becomes a lifesaver when a phone or laser measure needs a bump.

Where the 12V kit fits

This combo excels at everyday drilling and driving: cabinet and furniture work, home repairs, electrical rough-in and trim-out, switch plates, pocket-hole assembly, and most deck-fastening tasks short of structural ledger work. The drill’s hybrid chuck is a productivity win for anyone who flips between drilling and driving repeatedly. The impact has enough muscle for deck screws, Tapcons, and modest lags while staying compact enough to maneuver inside carcasses and between studs.

The limitations are the expected 12V ones: it’s not the right pair for wide hole saws through dense hardwood, self-feed bits in framing, or large-diameter structural fasteners all day. The impact driver has simple two-speed control rather than multiple assist modes, so if you rely on specialty modes for delicate sheet metal or self-tappers, note that you’ll be using your trigger finger and clutch control instead.

Reliability and warranty

Across my testing window, the tools performed consistently with the small impact-driver quirk noted earlier. Materials, fit, and finish suggest they’ll hold up to homeowner and light trade use. The 5-year limited warranty is strong coverage for this class and gives me confidence keeping them as a go-to compact set.

The bottom line

The Skil 12V kit nails the compact combo formula: brushless motors, smart gearing, a genuinely useful hybrid chuck on the drill, a bright 360-style light on the impact, and a rapid charger that makes a one-battery kit viable. The performance envelope is honest—350 in-lbs on the drill and 1100 in-lbs on the impact—yet the way these tools meter that power makes them feel capable and refined rather than compromised.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for DIYers, installers, and pros who want a lightweight, compact set for everyday tasks. It’s an easy choice as a primary kit for the home and a great secondary kit for trades who already carry a heavier 18V setup. Add a second battery if you work long stretches, and you’ll have a small, efficient combo that covers most drilling and driving without weighing you down.