We’ve used the SKIL PWRCore 20V Impact Driver for about a year on a variety of projects. I didn’t think we’d use it all at first, because I usually reach for a more powerful impact, but it became extremely handy in a variety of specific tasks on deck building projects and other home improvement projects at our house and at our clients’ homes. Here’s what we found out about the SKIL Impact Driver that you should know before you buy one for your tool arsenal.
But, before we get started, a few points of housekeeping:
- I primarily review professional tools in professional applications
- I think this Skil impact driver was sent to me by mistake, or maybe for retribution (ha)
- The stack of printer paper in my office printer is thicker than this battery
- This Skil impact driver is the DIY-est looking impact I’ve ever used
- I love it
SKIL Impact Driver: An installer’s tool
The Skil PWRCore 20 is a 20-volt impact driver with a slim-pack 2.0-amp-hour battery. It comes in a Skil kit with a drill/driver and battery for 90-bucks or as a bare tool for 60-bucks. The tool body is small, slender even and it doesn’t look like it’s up for much and, on the one hand, it’s not. In reality, this tool is not designed to drive buckets of deck screws and PowerLags.
It’s what I call an “installer’s tool” and for that, there is much chooch to dive into.
On the other hand–of all the impact drivers I have–it was my go-to for the two decks of Camo Deck fasteners into cellular PVC. It was hardly designed for such a specific task, but man oh man, it worked great.
Deck building uses
All the things one might justifiably call shortcomings–slow start, not huge RPM, lower power–were all attributes in this application. And they’re attributes for people who don’t use impact drivers all the time. Sure, the SKIL PWRCore 20V Impact Driver is slower and smaller than the mainframe monster Flex I use every day, but that’s good in a million applications. Add on that the Skil is light, small and it’s light and small–ideal for using at the odd angles required by the Camo jig.
Instead of changing bits constantly, I used the Skil impact driver as part of a driver duo to install guardrail posts on a deck remodel.
My wife Theresa also used the Skil impact driver to install cable railing on a wood deck, and it was ideal for the cable railing system.
Dishwasher fixer
But we’d only used it for specific deck applications, so, instead of writing my review, it sat.
Until my son (and part-time DP) and I took the dishwasher drain filter apart to clean the years of amalgamated mung.
Without a second thought, I went for my everyday carry Flex impact with mondo 5.0 amp-hour battery and I found that it was altogether too much tool here. By the time I had contorted myself half off-balance over the dishwasher door to reach the screw heads, I was struggling with the weight of the tool and the wobble in the bit holder to get the Phillips tip in the screw heads. With a fine mesh filter at risk if I missed, a light bulb went off.
Skil! Just like using the Camo fasteners, the Skil impact driver‘s small, light platform gained the day. Also, the work light mounted just above the battery was perfect in this situation.
Installing a Larson storm door
It was also perfect for installing a Larson storm door in waning daylight.
- Lots of little screws don’t need big power.
- I also found that the belt hook was awesome.
- The work light, again, was fantastic as the sun spilled behind the trees. I didn’t even know it was there until it was on. The Flex has one, too, but nothing like the Skil. It lit up everything I needed to see in this application.
Other SKIL tools
And, better yet, I have other Skil tools–I refuse to get trapped into a single battery platform–so I have other batteries for this when it goes. Or, vice versa, if I forget to charge the batteries for my Skil blower, I can grab this one and finish up.
Who would benefit from the SKIL impact driver?
So, if you’re a screws-by-the-bucket-load pro, there’s a niche for this inexpensive and well-designed tool. If you drive screws occasionally, the Skil is also a winner. Or, if you install lots of small items–-hollow wall anchors, drilling small holes in the workshop, or maybe setting up a dorm room or HAM radio equipment using nut drivers–-the Skil PWRCore 20V Impact Driver has a surprising amount of agility and touch to offer.
How much is the SKIL Impact Driver?
The Skil PWRCore 20 is a 20-volt impact driver with a slimpack 2.0 amp-hour battery. It comes in a Skil kit with a drill/driver and battery for 90-bucks or as a bare tool for 60-bucks.
