Skil Brushless 12V Drill Driver & Reciprocating Saw Kit

A compact two-piece kit that gets more right than wrong

I put the Skil 12V kit to work over several weeks on small remodel tasks, punch‑list fixes, and a few yard projects to see where a compact drill/reciprocating saw combo shines—and where it runs out of breath. The short version: the drill is feature-rich for its class and capable within 12V limits, while the saw is a handy, controllable cutter for wood, PVC, and light metal. With only one 2.0Ah battery in the box, you’ll want a second pack if you plan to lean on the saw.

What’s in the box

• 12V brushless 1/2-inch drill driver with hybrid chuck
  
• 12V compact reciprocating saw with adjustable pivoting shoe
  
• One 2.0Ah PWRCORE 12 battery with onboard USB mobile charging (PWRASSIST)
  
• PWRJUMP rapid charger (about 0–25% in 5 minutes; full in ~45 minutes)
  
• Belt clip, PH2 bit, and a wood-cutting blade

The inclusion of the rapid charger and USB‑equipped battery is a genuine value add. The glaring omission is a second battery.

Design and ergonomics

The drill’s footprint is tidy for a 1/2-inch chuck, measuring 7‑1/8 inches long. The grip is comfortably contoured, and the two-speed gearbox (0–450 / 0–1700 rpm) paired with a 17+1 clutch gives enough range for most homeowner tasks. The standout feature is the hybrid chuck: it functions like a standard 1/2-inch chuck, but it also locks in a 1/4-inch hex bit without tightening. That saves time during frequent bit swaps between drilling and driving.

The reciprocating saw is compact and well balanced with a 3/4-inch stroke. The adjustable pivoting shoe is more than a spec-sheet checkmark—it helps keep the blade planted on the work, which reduces chatter and improves control on tubing and awkward cuts. Vibration is present (it’s a small saw), but the shoe and compact form keep it manageable.

Fit and finish are solid overall. On my sample, I noticed minor runout at the drill chuck with long 1/8–1/4-inch bits—enough to see but not enough to derail typical wood drilling. Hex bits lock up positively in the hybrid mechanism and don’t wobble.

Drill performance

With a rated 350 in-lbs of torque and brushless motor, this 12V drill hits a reasonable middle ground between compactness and capability.

• General driving: In low gear with the clutch set appropriately, it drove 2-1/2 to 3-inch construction screws into SPF without fuss. High gear is best kept for smaller screws or drilling; it will stall on longer fasteners in dense material.
  
• Wood drilling: Spade bits up to 3/4-inch went through 2x material steadily in low gear. A 1-inch spade is doable with a light touch and a clean bit, but it’s near the top of what I’d ask of a 12V driver. Small hole saws for door hardware or plumbing pass‑throughs work if you’re patient and stick to low speed.
  
• Metal: With cutting fluid, it drilled through sheet goods and mild steel angle using standard HSS bits. Keep it in the low range and let the brushless motor do the work.
  
• Clutch and control: The 17+1 clutch offers fine control on cabinet hardware and finish screws. The trigger modulation is smooth, making it easy to avoid overdriving fasteners.

A note on the chuck: smooth‑shank round bits occasionally loosened under repeated start/stop drilling until I gave the chuck a firm final twist. Using the 1/4-inch hex lock eliminates that issue entirely, which makes the hybrid feature genuinely useful.

Reciprocating saw performance

The saw’s 3/4-inch stroke and compact body are tuned more for control than brute speed, and that plays out in use.

• Framing cuts: Crosscutting 2x4s with a general-purpose wood blade is predictable rather than fast. It’s not a framing saw, but it handled on-site trimming and notching without drama.
  
• PVC and plumbing: With a fine-tooth blade, it tracks cleanly through 1-1/2 to 2-inch PVC and ABS. The pivoting shoe makes it easier to start cuts on round stock without the blade skating.
  
• Light metal: EMT and thin angle iron are within reach using a bi‑metal blade and a patient feed. Expect slower progress compared to an 18V saw, but the reduced size helps in cramped spots.
  
• Pruning: With a coarse pruning blade, it made quick work of small limbs. The compact form is handy when working inside dense shrubs.

The adjustable shoe matters more than it might sound; being able to lean into the work and keep the blade engaged reduces vibration and extends blade life. Runtime is the limiting factor. The saw draws more current than the drill, so the included 2.0Ah pack depletes quickly during continuous cutting. Plan on using the rapid charger opportunistically or add a second battery.

Battery, charging, and thermal behavior

The 2.0Ah PWRCORE 12 battery includes cell-cooling wrap, and the pack stayed warm but controlled during extended low-gear drilling. The recip saw heats it faster; I didn’t hit thermal shutdown in normal use, but the drop in runtime is noticeable under heavy cuts.

The PWRJUMP charger is a highlight. Getting to roughly 25% in about 5 minutes is a genuine productivity saver for quick turnarounds, and a full charge in the three-quarter-hour range matched the spec in my testing. The battery’s PWRASSIST USB port is handy on site to top off a phone, though it does tie up your only pack if you’re running this kit as purchased.

What could be better

• Only one battery: A two-tool kit with a power-hungry saw needs a second pack. As is, you will babysit the charger on bigger tasks.
  
• Chuck behavior with smooth shanks: Round-shank bits can walk unless you give the chuck a deliberate final tighten. The hybrid hex lock is excellent, but round-bit retention could be stronger.
  
• Speed on the saw: The compact stroke trades cutting speed for control. That’s fine for precision and tight spaces, but you’ll notice the slower pace on demolition.

Value and the 12V landscape

In the 12V category, the Skil 12V kit slots between bare‑bones homeowner tools and the premium pro lines. Compared with systems like Milwaukee’s M12 or Bosch’s 12V, the Skil drill’s 1/2-inch hybrid chuck is a unique convenience feature, and the rapid charger is best‑in‑class at this price. The reciprocating saw isn’t the fastest cutter in the segment, yet it’s easy to handle and reliably accurate.

If you’re already invested in Skil 12V batteries, this kit makes immediate sense. If you’re choosing a first 12V ecosystem, weigh whether the included features (hybrid chuck, fast charging, USB battery) outweigh the broader tool catalogs and accessory options in the longer‑standing 12V platforms. For many homeowners, they will.

Who it’s for

• DIYers, renters, and new homeowners needing a compact, approachable kit for repairs, assembly, and light remodel tasks.
  
• Maintenance techs who value a small drill and a nimble recip saw for service calls.
  
• Anyone who appreciates quick charging and the convenience of a battery that doubles as a mobile power bank.

Who should look elsewhere: users planning deck builds, frequent rough demolition, or heavy woodworking. For that, step up to an 18V/20V system or a higher‑tier 12V with bigger batteries and a more aggressive saw.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil 12V kit for light to medium‑light duty users who value compact tools, a clever hybrid chuck, and truly fast charging. The drill is capable within its 12V limits and shines during mixed drilling/driving thanks to the quick hex lock. The reciprocating saw trades speed for control and is especially useful on PVC, small framing cuts, and pruning. The main caveat is power budget: the single 2.0Ah battery constrains the experience, particularly with the saw. Add a second battery (or a higher‑capacity pack) and this becomes a practical, budget‑friendly duo for everyday tasks. If your work leans toward heavy cutting or frequent large-diameter drilling, you’ll be happier stepping into a more powerful platform.