Lowe’s has heavily discounted a lot of Skil cordless power tools, specifically all of the models that are available for pickup at stores in my area.
This effectively looks like a clearance sale, as they try to reduce in-store inventory, similar to what Lowe’s has done with the Flex tools in their inventory.
As you might know, Skil and Flex are both owned by the same manufacturer, Chervon.
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The discount on Skil tools varies, but most of the items that can be picked up locally are now 50% off. Two of the less expensive accessory types tools, a work light and small fan, are 33% off.
Many of the Skil tools that were included in Lowe’s blowout sale last month – see Massive Discounts on Flex and Skil Tools at Lowe’s – are showing as out of stock.
We’ve heard rumors that Lowe’s is dumping Flex tools from stores, and it seems they’re also intent on reducing Skil inventory.
At this time, there are 12 Skil SKUs – all discounted right now – that are available for pickup in my area. My regional Lowe’s stores are down to 5 Flex SKUs – a starter kit, reciprocating saw, circular saw, charger (at the same price as the starter kit with battery), and saw blade.
Unfortunately, almost all of the discounted Skil items are add-on tools and accessories. I’m only seeing one option with a battery – the cordless worklight with starter kit.
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Doresoom
Just an FYI, the prices were bouncing around quite a bit last week, but they seem to have stabilized on what they are now.
I got one of the tower lights with battery for $40, but now they’re up at $70 and mostly unavailable in my area.
I saw some people posting about some of those Skil 12V tools hitting as low as $10 each.
Patrick T
I got that same deal on the light. I like it. My only complaint is that the pole only locks at 0 and 90. Being able to lock it at a shallower angle would be great.
I had previously bought the 12v hacksaw kit from another vendor. Thought it was a good deal then. So, between the two, I have 2 batteries.
Since I had two batteries, I also picked up the jigsaw (tired of borrowing one on the rare occasions that I need it) and the oscillating tool during one of the recent sales. I might need to see what else I can get to fill in my collection.
I will say, I am sad to see Skil and Flex leave Lowe’s. But, I can’t say I hate the deals, I picked up two Flex impact wrenches and stacked batteries before Thanksgiving. I have my eye on a few more tools as well, if they hang around for a few days.
A dream scenario would have them both find a home at Menards. They already carry the 20v Skil line. I could see them replacing Worx and Rockwell tools with Flex. They already carry Bosch and Hitachi so, that might not be reasonable.
MM
I had zero intention of buying into yet another battery platform, but the Skil right-angle impact driver is actually very good, being much more powerful than M12 or M18. I’d have snagged one of those at clearance pricing but it seems that Lowes doesn’t carry it anymore.
That said, my store claims to have one of the mighty “flip drills” for only $59.98, with battery and charger!
Jim Felt
It seems to me that the more often these second tier brands are “clearanced” and abandoned by the likes of Lowe’s the stronger Milwaukee and Dewalt would seem in the greater marketplace?
Bosch is great but not a serious contender for whatever odd reasons in Big Box store-land.
Maybe even someday the Japanese will get their acts together? Pun intended.
I’m just so darn lucky to have a local all brands tool sales and repair outlet. Phew!
Or am I completely missing something?
Saulac
Just noticed that Skil 12v batteries has charge level indicator AND USB C port, which I assume works both ways for charging and supplying. Meanwhile my collection of M12 batteries don’t even have charge indicator. But yes, I am supposed to believe that M12 will be the last one standing simply because they are superior than anything else.
Troy
Yeah, the newer-gen Skil batteries are great. No need for a $30-40 USB adapter. Just plug into the USB-C port and charge your phone, laptop, or whatever. They also have an increasing number of tools (especially lights) that accept either 12V or 20V batteries.
Stuart
Different target users. From what I was told, DIY and home users tend to prefer multi-functional batteries. Pro users tend to have different priorities, such as faster charging and high durability.
How many Skil 12V tools are used daily compared to Milwaukee M12 tools?
That said, I think USB ports are a good idea for DIY battery packs. USB-charging in lieu of a standard charging dock seems to be more of a cost-cutting measure.
Mopar4wd
I have considered picking up some of the Skil 12V tools to use in my travel bags as they are easier to charge in the car, with the right adapter.
Luke
If they’re getting rid of Flex power tools, are they also getting rid of Flex Stack Pack?
Stuart
I thought they got rid of it already. None of my stores have any, and looking online some of the options are a 3 hour drive away.
Stack Pack might be a different department and subject to different contracts.
Bob
My nearest Lowes still stocks several Stack Pack items. It also still has a full aisle of Flex tools and I never saw any of the clearance sales mentioned here at that store.
I think a comment someone recently made about Lowes moving to a more store by store sales strategy rather than a national one has merit.
Patrick T
One of my locals had a ton of stack packs. Nothing marked down. The tools were pretty thin. Lots of charger/battery combos and a hodgepodge of other tools.
Mopar4wd
This seems to be a store by store thing with Flex. None of my local stores seems to have run any clearance sales on stack packs or flex tools. They cleared out some flex back in the summer but they seem to not be selling off the rest, unlike stores in other areas I have seen pictures of online. In fact I actually saw them resetting the flex power tools in one store with new displays.
They did seem to dump the 20V skil near me recently and have been clearing out a lot of the Bosch 18V with the exception of drills impact drivers and certain saws.
Mike
Last week, I bought the SKIL 12V 3/8-in ratchet wrench on sale at Lowes for $20. The inflator and the barrel jigsaw are both great
Was in Lowe’s last night and most of the Flex tools were also heavily discounted – $79 for the drill kit; same for the compact impact driver; one of the nail guns was $99 – tool only.
mizzourob
Maybe if Skil 12v is gone, the long teased Craftsman V12 tools might come to life?
(There has been an easter egg about this platform hiding in plain sight on the V20 battery chargers since the launch of that platform.)
Big Richard
*was* an easter egg
They no longer have the V12 mentioned on the chargers, haven’t in a couple years. Even SBD’s flagship brand, DeWalt, is scaling way back on 12v development.
Jim Felt
@BR. I wonder why that is?
Are they simply ceding the Big Box 12v market by default to Milwaukie? And while Bosch has several very nice 12v tools I’m pretty sure I direct imported those…
Stuart
The value proposition is skewed.
At this time:
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hammer Drill Kit: $99
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Drill Kit: $99
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drill/Hammer Drill Kit: $much more
Dewalt 12V Drill Kit: $169 at Lowe’s and elsewhere
Dewalt 20V brushed drill kit: $99
Dewalt 20V old brushless drill kit: $99
Dewalt 20V brushless drill kit Lowe’s version: $99
Dewalt 20V brushless drill kit HD version: $99
So who’s buying a 12V drill kit for $169 when you can get 4 different 18V/20V Max versions at $99?
Even Craftsman V20 brushless drill kits can be found for $79 right now. If V12 kits can’t beat that price, and I think it’d be difficult to unless the tools were low-spec, there’s be no point in even trying.
Price point is king.
“Well, if someone truly wanted a compact tool…” sure, but the volume would be low.
If the 20V tool is $99, it’s going to be difficult to sell the 12V tool at higher pricing.
Generally speaking, Dewalt has more value options than other brands, stretching further into entry pricing than say Milwaukee, Bosch, or Makita. This gives them little room for compelling 12V pricing.
Bosch, like Milwaukee, has a different form factor due to the battery, which provides more differentiation.
Look at Bosch’s 12V angle grinder, and look at Dewalt’s 20V. A hypothetical Dewalt 12V model would probably have been similar just a little more compact. Look at the 12V and 20V Hackzall-style recip saws as a good example of this.
12V adoption and growth would require marketing that Dewalt is obviously no longer interested in spending money on.
Skil 12V could have worked. I have thoughts about their approach. While they could have done things differently, I don’t see what they did wrong. That signals that the market just isn’t welcoming for 12V tools no matter how good they are. “But Milwaukee M12…” is a special outlier.
TomD
If you 12v batteries are he same form factor (basically) as your 18/20v I’m not sure what the differentiating advantage is.
At least m12 is a somewhat different form factor.
Nathan
So is this proof the deal and agreements with chevon tools is over. Skil flex ego and the maker of current kobalt cordless?
David
I have been using the Skil 12v tools for about 3 years now as my mobil cordless tools and very happy with them. I purchased 4-5 additional bare tools on the incredible markdown Lowe’s was having just before Black Friday. Jigsaw, ratchet, impact 3/8” driver, fan and led lights. It was awesome!
MFC
If they were 20v I’d buy them, but skil drops their prices on the 12v tools every year. 12v is pointless though because 12volt tools will eventually be discarded by manufacturers. The only ones that will be worth getting for longevity sake are Milwaukee M12. I’m not saying that DeWalt or others won’t keep their batteries going, but only M12 has proven to keep innovating and expanding.
The reason I’d buy them if they were 20v is because I could get an adapter and use whatever battery I wanted on them, but alas, there isn’t a battery adapter for M12 to anything else that I’m aware of…