Shown here is Skil’s PWRCore 12 brushless compact reciprocating saw kit (RS582802). It’s one of several compact Hackzall-like recip saws on the market, so why the big deal?
What I find surprising is that this one is currently priced at just $80, and that’s for the complete kit.
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Oh, you want more for your money? Okay – Skil also has a PWRCore 12 brushless drill and reciprocating saw kit, and it’s also on sale for just $80 (CB742601).
Speaking frankly, that’s just crazy.
I reviewed the brushless Skil PWRCore 12 drill when it first came out, and it’s a very capable drill. I have only used it a couple of times since then, due to having other drills as personal favorites, but it remains one of the highest value 12V-class cordless drills on the market, and it bests other consumer and DIY brands’ comparably-priced 18V and 20V-class cordless drills, by far.
At the start of the post, I was surprised that you could buy the brushless reciprocating saw kit for just $80. But then I saw there’s a saw and drill/driver kit option, and it’s also $80, and it’s fairer to say I’m a bit shocked. I don’t know why the kit is priced so low, but I’d chalk it up more towards a desire to increase market share than anything related to quality.
Right now, there are only a couple of compact reciprocating saws on the market, and even fewer brushless models. There’s the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hackzall, which came out a couple of years ago, and Dewalt recently came out with an Xtreme Subcompact 12V Max model. There are a few other brushed motor tools on the market.
Specs and Features
- Brushless motor
- 3/4″ stroke cutting length
- 0-3000 SPM cutting speed
- Variable speed trigger
- LED worklight
- 4″ max cutting capacity in wood
- 3/4″ max cutting capacity in aluminum
- 5/8″ max cutting capacity in metal
- Weighs 3.28 lbs with battery
The specs seem quite fair. Skil’s brushless reciprocating saw has a slightly longer stroke length and higher speed than Dewalt’s, and unless Milwaukee has quietly updated their specs over the years, the Skil’s stroke length is also a little longer than the M12 Fuel Hackzall’s.
This isn’t to say that Skil’s PWRCore 12 brushless reciprocating saw will go to head to head against Dewalt and Milwaukee tools with equal performance, endurance, and durability, but its specs seem impressive for a consumer-focused tool.
The kits come with the Skil PWRCore charger, with PWRJump fast-charging that takes the battery from 0% to 25% in 5 minutes (or 100% in 45 minutes), and a built-in USB port. You also get a 2.0Ah battery with its own built-in USB charging port, serving double duty as a power bank, giving it functionality and use even when you’re not using your tools.
I find myself asking “what’s the catch,” because at the surface I can’t believe the brushless reciprocating saw kit is priced at $80, let alone the brushless drill and saw combo kit. Personally, I think Skil might be struggling for market share, or more specifically market visibility. They seem to be largely excluded at big box stores, where shelf space is more reserved for bigger name brands, private labels, and exclusive arrangements, and overshadowed by the wealth of other options at Amazon and other online dealers. But, that’s just my opinion given the fairly high impression I have on Skil’s newest cordless power tools so far.
One of the only criticisms I can make of Skil’s 12V-class tools, at least those I’ve used or tested so far (most notably their brushless drill/driver), is that some of the tools are a bit large. Size-wise, the drill is about as large as leading pro brands’ compact 18V-class brushless power tools, but at the same time they’re substantially smaller than consumer and DIY brands’ entry-priced offerings, and so it’s more of an observation than a criticism or complaint.
I can’t find size specs for the reciprocating saw, but it looks a bit larger than the more compact brushed and brushless models on the market. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and the higher performance specs likely balances things out.
Frankly, it seems to me that these tools should – and could – be more popular than they seem to be, and at these prices, they’re practically a steal. I really don’t think that $80 is a natural promo or sale price on the combo kit, or even the saw kit, not that I’m complaining.
I started off this post titled “Skil – One More Compact Cordless (Brushless) Reciprocating Saw Option,” but changed it to where it stands now after the super low price fully sunk in. At this price, Skil should be stealing interest and sales from brands such as Craftsman and Ryobi, but on the other hand, such low might indicate that they’re not. That’s okay I guess, as lower prices are better for customers, at least for not.
Sale Price: $80 for the combo kit
Buy Now: Combo Kit via Amazon
Compare: Saw Kit via Amazon
Compare: Drill Kit via Amazon
Update: There’s also a 12V drill and brushless circular saw combo kit, also priced at $80, and bundled with a 4.0Ah battery. Thanks Eric!
mizzourob says
This is almost identical to the Kobalt 24v saw; both are made by Chervon. My guess is that long term Chervon will be trying to make Skil their “pro” brand so they can have a solid base of tools that are not tied to contract manufacturing for other brands. Obviously many of us think of Skil as being a budget brand from Bosch that was at best a DIY solution on a good day, and gimmicky tools for Christmas.
fred says
Many of those Father’s Day and Christmas “Skil” junky/gimmicky tools were made by Iron Bridge Tools (E&H Co.). Now that Chervon owns the brand (for power tools at least), I wonder if the gimmick stuff will cease?
Stuart says
It has been a while since I’ve seen any of those tools.
For reference:
https://toolguyd.com/skil-tri-driver-ratcheting-wrench/
https://toolguyd.com/skil-secure-grip-wrench-set/
https://toolguyd.com/skil-speed-slide-wrench/
https://toolguyd.com/skil-ratcheting-adjustable-wrench/
https://toolguyd.com/skil-ratch-n-lock-pliers/
Big Richard says
Skil will not be Chevron’s “pro” brand, it will remain DIY. Their tagline is something like “The future of DIY”. Skilsaw (very different from Skil) is Chevron’s pro line, though it is currently limited to saws (miter, recip, table, circ, etc.)
Kobalt is owned by and limited to Lowes, where Skil is sold elsewhere, that’s the difference. Both are DIY centered, if anything Kobalt is the more prosumer of the two.
Diego says
I like that the shoe pivots. The Milwaukee and Dewalt dont pivot. Which is strange to me. Its better ergonomics and makes it more versatile.
Travis says
The DeWalt Atomic 20v one handed recip shoe pivots while the 12v one handed recip doesn’t. Odd move by DeWalt to remove that feature.
Eric says
Milwaukee is the same, the 12v is fixed, and 18v pivots.
Larry Crooks says
Milwaukee’s fuel brushless hackzaw had a pivot, the non brushless doesn’t.
Larry Crooks says
Sorry I was talking about m18 you are right.
Pointedspider says
Looks a lot like the Milwaukee M12 .same specs too!
Kenneth Stephens says
They also have the drill and impact for $69 and the drill and a right angle impact for $80
MattJ says
And drill and circ saw and drill and oscillating multi-tool for $80. Great deals!
Lance says
I’ve used the 12v Skil drill and it’s impressive!
Diplomatic Immunity says
That 12v drill has been tested on other sites against other 12v competitors and I recall it drilling faster than the competition. Just saying. What I don’t like are the 12v tool reviews on Amazon when it comes to the tool quality. Motors burning up after 3 months, etc.
Eric says
There’s also a drill/circ saw combo with a 4.0 battery for $80
https://www.amazon.com/PWRCore-Brushless-Compact-Circular-Lithium/dp/B07MWSB6M8/
Mike41 says
I love this rip saw. Had it for almost a year.
Larry Crooks says
I use Milwaukee m12 all the time on the powerline job site never any problems. I only buy brushless tools.
BP says
Just a heads up for all, its not going to be this price for very long ($80 drill/hack combo) so, you will want to pull the trigger soon.
Aaron says
Do you have insider info? If so, do you have any insight as to when the sales occur? Skil had a 12v 5 pc. kit (drill/impact/BT speaker/light/oscillating tool) that was on sale a few months back for $139. Would love to snag one up but it’s currently $249.
Eric says
You can use things like camelcamelcamel or keepa to check the price history of items on amazon. For example the saw and drill kit are normally around $150, but they have taken a couple of short dips into the $80 range. One was for a couple weeks, and the last time it happened the price steadily declined over a few days and then spent a day at $80 before going back up. The current price drop happened early this morning. It may stay that way for weeks, or it may jump back up tomorrow. You never really know with amazon.
Greg says
It all ready jumped.
Mopar4wd says
Skil seems to occasionally go on sale at Amazon I’m guessing to build market share. I like em. Not going to pull the trigger right now but in a few months if they run deals again I probably will. I also agree they need to get a little more retailers going to get really popular.
The skil 12V line is interesting. Most of the DIY power tools are in the 18-20V category ( Porter Cable, Ryobi, Kobalt, Craftsman) so that kind of makes Skil standout.
Michael Peterson says
The Saw/drill condo kit is actually $108. Amazon ads are very misleading. Please do your research before posting.
Stuart says
At the time of this posting, and for at least several hours afterwards, the prices were accurate.
I don’t know what Amazon ads you’re talking about, I was working on a post about the reciprocating saw and then saw the on-page and at-checkout pricing for the combo kit and changed the tone of the post accordingly.
It looks like Amazon’s algorithm killed the deal. Maybe this was all a price mistake that was adjusted? Who knows.
Nate B says
That looks sweet, and I LOVE that the batteries have the USB port now! It’s a shame I’m already invested in M12, because it looks like the PWRCore lineup has all the tools I care about.
On the other hand, I may have also learned my lesson from Black & Decker VPX. Coolest tools of their day, with A123 cells before anyone else was doing it. They nerfed the charger (those cells COULD’ve been recharged in 6 minutes, but B&D never made a charger that would do that), and then killed the line.
It sounds like Skil is just bringing this out, but how long will it be around? If I can’t still get batteries ten years from now, it’s a poor investment, IMHO. That’s one thing I’m pretty confident about with M12.
lava says
These are a great value – I just got my daughter the drill combo with the OMT for $84.
High & Mighty says
This price has to be for market share. It doesn’t reflect the quality of the brand. Bosch nearly buried the brand under their ownership. When Walmart pulled skil from their shelves, Bosch owned the brand. This meant that chervon had to also buy the baggage that came with skil when it was sold to them. They’re doing the right thing by selling the tools for very reasonable prices. They’ve got to get the name out there somehow.
Matthew says
Late to the article but the prices have gone up now. Still not bad deals on the combos but but crazy.