Any opinions on this drill? Looks like it has a decent torque of 300 in/lbs. and lots of juice.
I know many would not allow Skil into the "big league" of "professional" grade tools, but is this really more myth than reality? What in particular make this drill inferior to Makitas, DeWalts, PCs etc.?
I don't know the particular drill, but ignorance has never stopped me from giving advice.
I have 18v Ryobi tools and 12v Dewalt tools. The Dewalt are as powerful as the Ryobi and the batteries last as long. They are somewhat lighter (because of the smaller batteries) and I am sure they will last 5 times a long. Use both and you will see what I mean. Of course, the Dewalt cost twice as much, but I wish I could find some sucker to unload the Ryobi on. Well, that's not quite true; I have a number of Homelite garden tools, so I really have to keep the system. I have never used a 18v Dewalt; that must really be something!
Does this answer your question?
300in'lbs out of an 18 volt drill is really pretty bad. My "12 volt" Makita drill has 310 in/lbs with about 50% less battery weight and my Makita 1/4" hex impact driver delivers 1100 in/lbs. I got both with a charger and 2, 2.6 amp batteries for $197.
I think Skil still builds a good worm drive circle saw but that is about it. I compare Skil to Ryobi, and Black & Decker.
What in particular
Lack of Quality and the guts to make it last for years of every day use. I see the drill at Amazon for $89. A good battery should cost you that much. You get what you pay for.
That said, if this is a drill that you need for occasional usage it might be just right.
| My "12 volt" Makita | drill has 310 in/lbs with about 50% less battery weight and my Makita 1/4" | hex impact driver delivers 1100 in/lbs. I got both with a charger and 2, | 2.6 amp batteries for $197.
So here is my question: Within 300lbs torque range, is it not better to go with higher voltage?
| | What in particular | > make this drill inferior to Makitas, DeWalts, PCs etc.? | | Lack of Quality and the guts to make it last for years of every day use.
Sorry, this is too general for me. That's why I asked "in particular"...What aspect of quality? Chuck? I see as much plastic on most of DeWalts. Gears? I think Skil makes them similar to the others, no? They do offer 2 year warranty as compared to DeWalt's one year. I don't know...I think with tools as with cars there is a status symbol. You'll pay twice as much for Mercedes compared to Lexus, despite the tests showing the latter to be a better car.
Interesting this: I heard more than once people complaining about short life of DeWalt's batteries
Never used the Skil, I have 18v Dewalt. I know from experience that most jobs I do not require the power of this drill. I bought it cause of the set it came in. The drill is big, hard to get into small places and is problematic when trying to do small jobs. Now the saw and sawzall work well and I have no complaints.
After my move I plan on buying a 9.6 volt drill for everyday chores that need a drill. I will retire the 18v for when I need " more power"
Donno, I am happy with mine (and I bought mine used)
Sure 300 is plenty of torque, but why lug around a larger battery pack that weights 50 % more weight for more power.
Besides, if 18V DeWalt delivers
1/3 more significant. Do you see a difference between a 75 and a 100 watt light bulb when comparing the light brightness?Not necessirially. All thing s being equal higher voltage equates to longer run time providing battery amperage is equal. I read a test comparison on
14.4 volt drills and the Skil has a battery that was rated at 1.2 amp. That is the type number you would have expected 12 to 14 years ago. Most all the drill inthe test had 2.0 amp or better. Some were 3.0 amp. Also with higher voltage you carry more weight. This may not seem significant if you use the drill for a few holes per month, but used daily or weekly it may get old real fast. Also larger batteries are inherently prone to fail fooner than smaller battery packs. More cells insulating inner cells holds heat and heat is the enemy to a battery. |The Skil chuck gets a poor rating in drill tests. The 14.4 volt model started slipping when torque reached 100 in/lbs. The Skil run time was poor compared to others. It out performed Ryobi and Craftsman, but it was behind the other 16 brands. And typically other brand drills produced 50 to al most 100% more torque than the Skil.
I see as much plastic on most of DeWalts. Gears? No plastic gears on a DeWalt. Hitachi uses plastic gears. I
Maybe only in size and appearance. Compare how they work and you will se the diferences.
They do offer 2 year
Hyundai offers 10 years, Honda offers 3 years. Would I choose Hundai over Honda? Noooo. The trugh about the Hyundai warranty is that it is what kept the company from folding in the US. This was strictly marketing strategy.
I don't know...I think with tools
That comparison is more like comparing a Panasonic to a Metabo or Milwaukee. The comparison of Skil to other better name brands is more like comparing a Yugo, Hyundai, or Kia to just about any thing else.
Again you wanted an opinion. You got it. I have been using cordless drills since the late 80's. I have had 3 Makitas, 2 DeWalts, 1 Panasonic. Only the batteries have failed on these drills. Typically the batteries have lasted me 3 to 4 years on average. If you are looking for a cordless that will not see much use or that you plan to possibly replace in a few years the Skil may be right for you. You have to start somewhere and if you have no specific needs or demands start with the Skil and learn. If money were no object I would go with Panasonic again.
OK for the average homeowner. It is not a pro tool.
To see what makes it inferior, you have to take it a part. Compare the sizes of bearings, motor windings, battery quality. Drilling a hole in a pine board, driving a screw to hang curtain rods, both the cheap and pro tools will perform the same. Install a deck with a few hundred screws every week and you will soon see the difference.
The variable speed control is usually more accurate and easier to control on the higher quality tools, the batteries will usually last longer between cages, and take more charges before the inevitable failure. Better drill have electric brakes, better more durable clutches. This won't show up in an hour of use, but twenty or fifty hours later, the cheap drill is in the trash, the prod drill is just getting broken in.
| > 300 pounds of torque is plenty, from however many volts it comes from. I | > am | > not out to make efficiency test ratings. | | Sure 300 is plenty of torque, but why lug around a larger battery pack that | weights 50 % more weight for more power. | | Besides, if 18V DeWalt delivers | > 400lbs of torque, is it really that significant? | | 1/3 more significant. Do you see a difference between a 75 and a 100 watt | light bulb when comparing the light brightness?
If 75W bulb is sufficient for my needs, who cares? More to the point, if we agree that 300 pounds of torque is enough for just about any kind of house project, then why pay double for something I won't need?
| | >
| > | My "12 volt" Makita | > | drill has 310 in/lbs with about 50% less battery weight and my Makita | > 1/4" | > | hex impact driver delivers 1100 in/lbs. I got both with a charger and | > 2, | > | 2.6 amp batteries for $197. | >
| > So here is my question: Within 300lbs torque range, is it not better to go | > with higher voltage? | | Not necessirially. All thing s being equal higher voltage equates to longer | run time providing battery amperage is equal. I read a test comparison on | 14.4 volt drills and the Skil has a battery that was rated at 1.2 amp. That | is the type number you would have expected 12 to 14 years ago. Most all the | drill inthe test had 2.0 amp or better. Some were 3.0 amp. Also with | higher voltage you carry more weight. This may not seem significant if you | use the drill for a few holes per month, but used daily or weekly it may get | old real fast. Also larger batteries are inherently prone to fail fooner | than smaller battery packs. More cells insulating inner cells holds heat | and heat is the enemy to a battery.
For the difference in price, I can get an extra pair if Skil batteries. Sound like a deal to me...
I read somewher that you get most bang for a buck in 9.6 batteries, for the reasons you described.
| | | | > | What in particular | > | > make this drill inferior to Makitas, DeWalts, PCs etc.? | > | | > | Lack of Quality and the guts to make it last for years of every day use. | >
| > Sorry, this is too general for me. That's why I asked "in | > particular"...What | > aspect of quality? Chuck? | | The Skil chuck gets a poor rating in drill tests. The 14.4 volt model | started slipping when torque reached 100 in/lbs. The Skil run time was poor | compared to others. It out performed Ryobi and Craftsman, but it was | behind the other 16 brands. And typically other brand drills produced 50 to | al most 100% more torque than the Skil.
I used a 12V Ryobi R10510 to build my 12x16ft deck. Worked like a champ, driving effotlessly hundreds of 2 3/4 inch screws. Bateries died after 5 years, but hey, Ryobi is also classified as el cheapo brand
| | I see as much plastic on most of DeWalts. Gears? No plastic gears on a | DeWalt.
I was talking about a chuck.
| Hitachi uses plastic gears. | I | > think Skil makes them similar to the others, no? | | Maybe only in size and appearance. Compare how they work and you will se | the diferences. | | | They do offer 2 year | > warranty as compared to DeWalt's one year. | | Hyundai offers 10 years, Honda offers 3 years. Would I choose Hundai over | Honda? Noooo.
Really? I know quite a few folks who would choose Hyundai Sonata over Honda Civic given the similar price range. No doubt Honda has better overall reputation, but that doesn't mean every Honda wouold be preferred over every Hyundai.
| Again you wanted an opinion. You got it.
I appreciate it. Thanks.
I'll echo this sentiment too.
That said - I find myself reaching for my Skil 14.4V more often than my Milwaukee 14.4V. Four out'a five times the Skil is sufficient.
| > I know many would not allow Skil into the "big league" of "professional" | > grade tools, but is this really more myth than reality? What in particular | > make this drill inferior to Makitas, DeWalts, PCs etc.? | | OK for the average homeowner. It is not a pro tool.
Why? Have you inspected the components of the subject drill?
| | To see what makes it inferior, you have to take it a part. Compare the | sizes of bearings, motor windings, battery quality. Drilling a hole in a | pine board, driving a screw to hang curtain rods, both the cheap and pro | tools will perform the same. Install a deck with a few hundred screws every | week and you will soon see the difference.
As I said in my previous post, I used 12V Ryobi R10510, which is nowhere classified as a pro tool, for buildng a sizeable 12x16 deck, and drove hundreds of long screws w/o any problem.
| | The variable speed control is usually more accurate and easier to control on | the higher quality tools, the batteries will usually last longer between | cages, and take more charges before the inevitable failure. Better drill | have electric brakes, better more durable clutches. This won't show up in | an hour of use, but twenty or fifty hours later, the cheap drill is in the | trash, the prod drill is just getting broken in. |
OK, so all in all, durability is what makes pro tool better? Fair enough. If I am in a market for a tool that will do everything that pro tool will, and will use it for 2-3 projects a year (basement finishing, kitchen remodelling, cabinetry etc.), would you say that Skil 18V is a good choice?
You should never drill holes with light bulbs, 75 Watt or otherwise. This is not what they are intended for; I'm quite sure it would void the warranty, and it seems dangerous as well.
Absolutely. Around the house it should be fine. Don't buy the extra batteries untill you need them and consider having them rebuilt by PrimeCell.
Actualluy I believe in that philosophy also. Untill last December all of my drills have beem 9.6 volt except for a 20 year old 7.2 volt right angle Makita. The power was plenty. I stepped up to a 12 volt Makita so that I could get an Impact driver and a free M force drill for $199 with 2, 2.6 amp batteries and charger.
Some times the batteries will last longer if cycled regularilly. The battery in my 20 year old Makita still takes a charge, it does not last long but I seldom need to make many holes with a right angle drill. Most batteries are totally shot after 6 or 7 years.
Yeah, many people like the warranty. I prefer the reliability. I retired from the automotive industry at 40 and worked for a GM dealer for almost 10 years as parts manager, service sales manager, and parts director at various times. Honda and Toyota are the ones to beat as far as reliability goes.
Mostly but better drills in lower voltages have the same or better run time and power as higher voltage cheaper drills also.
Fair enough. If
Given those circumstances, that would probably be a decent choice.
Yes, I have. Also Ryobi and a Porter Cable in case you are interested.
See my other post regarding the differences. A few magazies have doe that in even more detail. This is not a mystery.
My favorite is a Panasonic 15.6 volt. Suites me just fine, may not you. I like the combination of light weight yet penty of pwer and features.
I have the skil 18V. I like it. I use an 18V deWalt at work.
I bought the skil on sale. It was less than half the price of the deWalt. I find the tool is better balanced in my hand, than the deWalt. Going on two months of almost everyday use, the battery is still on it's initial charge. For what I paid, I have absolutely no complaints and it does the job for me.
The higher end products have higher quality components. The question "for me" - Do you really need to purchase the higher end product in order to meet your personal needs. I'm not a contractor, I'm not going to be using the tool "hard". Accuracy and precision are not an issue, like they would be with a saw or another tool.
The cost savings for me was over $140 difference between the two tools. I opted for the Skil.
The only two drawbacks. The case is flimsy. A more rigid case would have been nice. The laser line gizmo and bubble level gizmo are made to be used on the drill. The gizmo's are shaped in such a way that it doesn't have a single flat surface, so they can't be used on their own. All in all, that's small potatos. The drill, two batteries and charger were worth the $90 I paid.
Pat
I ended up buying DeWalt DC727KA. It cost me $40 more than the 18V Skil. You may not believe this, but one of the main reasons for this were all the bells and whistles on Skil, which I found more annoying than helpful. Every time you turn the thing on, the worklite comes on too...If I had bought the Skil, the first I'd do is to put a piece of masking tape over that thing... And that stud finder, which you need to detach and attach....laser level - useless on any surface with a slightest bulge.
I still believe that Skil 18V is fine for around the house, and would have probably bought it if it weren't for those gizmos that were getting on my nerves. For 40 more bucks I got a decent tool, simple and rugged. I hope batteries don't die too soon.
Congrats on your purchase..... Sadly deWalt is a tad pricey in my neck of the woods. Frankly as for the gizmo's they get left in the case. The worklight has come in handy on a couple of occasions though....
In your case.. If the difference was only $40, them by all means, buy the deWalt. I would have done the same thing.... Take Care...
Pat
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.