Is the Skil PWRCore 12 Worth It?

I’ve been using the Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless Drill for a while now. I bought it to help with small home projects and repairs. I don’t work in construction or anything like that. I’m just someone who likes fixing things around the house. I wanted something small, not too heavy, and easy to use. After reading a bit online, I decided to try this one. I’ll try to explain what I liked, what I didn’t, and how it performs overall.

First Impressions

When I first took the drill out of the box, it looked small and light. I liked that right away. It felt good in my hand. The grip has some rubber, which helps it not slip. The drill didn’t come with too many extra things. It had one battery, the charger, and the drill itself. There wasn’t a bag or a case, which I found a little disappointing. I had to find my own way to store it.

The charger looked pretty simple. It has a little stand where you put the battery, and it lights up to show charging. The battery clicks in easily. I didn’t have to force it. The LED light on the drill turns on when you pull the trigger. That’s helpful in dark corners or under furniture.

Size and Weight

This drill is compact. It’s smaller than a full-size drill. If you’ve used bigger drills, you’ll notice the difference right away. It’s good for working in tight places. I used it inside a cabinet once, and it was easy to move around. It weighs under 2 pounds without the battery, which makes a difference when you use it for a long time.

With the battery attached, it’s a little heavier, but not by much. I didn’t get tired using it, even after about an hour of drilling and driving screws. I think this is one of the best things about it. If you have wrist pain or don’t want to hold a heavy tool, this might be a good option.

Battery and Charging

The drill uses a 12-volt battery. It’s not as powerful as an 18V or 20V battery, but that’s okay for small jobs. The battery charges fast. It has something called “PWRJump” that gives you about 25% charge in just five minutes. I tested this myself. After five minutes, I was able to use the drill for light work, like putting screws into drywall.

A full charge takes around 45 minutes. That’s not bad. The charger has lights to show the battery status. Red means charging, and green means it’s ready. I liked that the battery has a USB port on it. I could plug in my phone and charge it. That’s not something I expected, but it was handy one day when my phone died.

Power and Speed

This drill is brushless. That means the motor is more efficient and lasts longer. I’ve read that brushless motors give you more power with less battery drain. In real use, I think that’s true. The drill never felt weak. It has two speeds, which you can change with a small switch on top. One speed is slower and gives more torque. That’s good for driving screws. The other is faster and better for drilling.

I used it to drill into wood, drywall, and some soft plastic. It handled all of that well. I also used it to drive screws into pine boards and MDF. It didn’t stall or overheat. I wouldn’t use it for concrete or very hard wood, though. I think it would struggle with that.

Chuck and Bit Changes

The chuck is 1/2-inch, which is nice for a 12V drill. Many smaller drills have 3/8-inch chucks. With 1/2-inch, I can use a wider range of bits. Changing bits is easy. The chuck is keyless, so I just twist it with my hand to open or close it. It holds the bits tightly. I didn’t have any bits fall out while working.

The drill also has a clutch. There are 17 settings, plus a drill mode. I usually set the clutch low when I’m driving small screws, so I don’t strip them or sink them too deep. It worked well. The clutch clicks into place easily and feels solid.

LED Light and Extras

The LED light is placed just above the trigger. It turns on when I press the trigger slightly, even before the drill starts turning. That’s helpful because I can see where I’m about to drill. The light stays on for a couple of seconds after I release the trigger.

There aren’t many extra features on this drill. It doesn’t have a belt clip or a magnet for screws. It’s simple. I think that’s okay, though. For basic tasks, it has everything I need.

Using It for Real Tasks

Here are some of the things I’ve done with the drill:

• I hung curtain rods. I drilled into drywall and studs. It went smoothly.
• I put together flat-pack furniture. The drill fit into tight spaces and didn’t strip screws.
• I fixed some loose hinges on a door. I used a lower clutch setting and didn’t overdrive the screws.
• I drilled pilot holes for mounting shelves. The drill had no problem making small holes in wood.
• I built a wooden planter box. I drilled and screwed boards together, and the battery lasted the whole project.

It’s done all of these tasks well. It’s quiet, too. Not completely silent, but not as loud as some bigger drills.

Battery Life in Real Use

The battery life is decent. For light work, I can go a few days without charging. If I’m doing more, like building something from scratch, I can get through a project on one charge. Still, I wish the kit came with a second battery. That would help avoid waiting for it to charge.

If I forget to charge the battery, the quick-charge helps. In one case, I charged for five minutes and then finished hanging a shelf.

Things I Didn’t Like

Not everything about the drill is perfect. Here are a few things I didn’t like:

• No case or bag: It’s annoying to not have a place to store the drill, charger, and battery together.
• Only one battery: I would have liked a second battery in the box. It would make longer tasks easier.
• Not for heavy jobs: This drill isn’t strong enough for thick hardwood or masonry. I tried drilling into an exterior brick wall and it didn’t go well.
• No belt clip or accessories: Sometimes a belt clip is useful when working on a ladder. This drill doesn’t have one.

These aren’t dealbreakers, but they’re worth knowing before you buy.

Who It’s Good For

I think this drill is best for:

• People who do light repairs at home
• DIYers who build small furniture or shelves
• People who want something light and easy to use
• Beginners who don’t need a high-end tool

It’s probably not the best choice for:

• Contractors who work on big projects
• People who need to drill through brick or cement often
• Anyone needing high torque for long screws or large bits

Durability So Far

I’ve used this drill for about six months. It still works like it did on day one. The trigger feels the same. The chuck still grips tightly. The battery hasn’t shown any signs of getting weaker. I haven’t dropped it yet, so I can’t say how tough it is, but the build feels solid. The drill doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy.

Comparing It to Other Tools

Before this drill, I used an older Black+Decker 12V drill. That one had less torque and didn’t hold a charge as long. It was also heavier and louder. I like the Skil better in every way.

I’ve also tried using a friend’s 18V Makita. That drill is more powerful, but also heavier and more expensive. For my needs, the Skil is a better fit.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’m happy with this drill. It’s small, light, and easy to use. It does the jobs I need it to do. It’s not perfect. I wish it came with more accessories. I wish it had a second battery. But for the price and size, I think it’s a good tool.

I’ve used it more than I thought I would. Whenever something needs to be fixed or put together, I reach for this drill. It’s reliable, and I trust it to get the job done.

If you’re like me and you want a drill that doesn’t cost too much, doesn’t take up much space, and can handle regular home tasks, this one is worth considering. Just keep in mind it’s not made for heavy-duty work.