Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless Hammer Drill Outperforms Big Names in Our Testing
In the world of 12V drills and hammer drills, just what should you expect from a budget-friendly model? More than you think! That’s what we learned after spending some time working with the Skil PWRCore 12 brushless hammer drill.
Pros
- Legitimate professional-level performance
- Brushless motor with a 2-speed gearbox
- Separate collars for the clutch and modes
- 1/2-inch chuck
- Robust belt hook
Cons
- Heavier and less compact than other 12V options
Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless Hammer Drill Performance
It’s pretty common to see a drill/hammer drill duo that’s the same drill where one gets a hammer mechanism to add the chipping action. The specs are identical other than the blow rate.
Skil’s hammer drill is close but picks up a little more speed than its drill counterpart. Here’s how they stack up:
| PWRCore 12 Brushless Drill | PWRCore 12 Brushless Hammer Drill | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 450/1700 RPM | 450/1750 RPM |
| Torque | 350 in-lbs | 350 in-lbs |
| Blow Rate | NA | 6750/25500 IPM |
Practically, the speed increase doesn’t add much noticeable performance boost over the drill driver. However, its hammer mechanism does give it significantly faster drilling in concrete.
Like the brushless drill/driver, the Skil PWRCore 12 brushless hammer drill has a 1/2-inch chuck. That gives it the ability to accept larger shank bits, such as self-feed bits, that won’t fit in 3/8-inch chucks. You still need to keep an eye on how large a diameter you’re drilling, of course, but it opens up a wider range of bits for you.
As we used the hammer drill for a variety of drilling in wood and concrete to install new track shelves in a house, it seemed to keep up just fine with what we’re used to.
The surprise came when we pulled out a few other 12V models for a little head-to-head action. Skil was consistently keeping its RPMs higher and drilling faster than the big boys, including DeWalt and Milwaukee.
Needless to say, we’re impressed.
Additional Field Notes
Just under 3 pounds with its 2.0Ah battery, the drill is heavier than others in the 12V class. However, it’s still well under the weight of most 18V/20V max drills and the weight is balanced well. It’s also not quite as compact as premium brands. Still, it comes across as feeling more robust than overly bulky.
One other thing—and this is minor—we like that the clutch/mode collars are separate on the hammer drill. It’s never a deal-breaker, but we appreciate not having to turn the clutch all the way around to switch between driving, drilling, and hammer drilling.
Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless Hammer Drill Features
- Brushless motor
- 2-speed gearbox with switch on top of the hammer drill
- 17 clutch positions
- LED light mounted on the foot with a 10-second afterglow
- Battery includes 4-bar indicator and USB charging port
- Strong belt hook included (left-side mount only)
Pricing
The Skil PWRCore 12 brushless hammer drill is available with a 2.0Ah battery and upgraded PWRJump charger on Amazon for $99. The brushless drill driver runs $79.99 for the same kit outfit. That’s a bit more of a bump in price than we usually see for the hammer drill option.
Here’s the thing though: none of Skil’s major competitors have 12V hammer drill options. Compared to the Pro brands out there, Skil is less expensive, has the chops to hang with them, and has the larger 1/2-inch chuck that many of them forgo.
The Bottom Line
The Skil PWRCore 12 brushless hammer drill is the only model in its Prosumers class currently. Not having any real competition can make you lazy, but that’s not the case for Skil. It has legitimate performance to keep up with professional brands and a price tag that’s reachable for both homeowners and budget-conscious Pros.
Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless Hammer Drill Specs
- Model: Skil HD5290A-10
- Voltage: 12V
- Chuck: 1/2 in. keyless ratcheting chuck
- Clutch Settings: 17+1+1
- Speeds: 2
- RPM: 0-450/0-1750 RPM
- Max Impact per Minute: 0-6750/0-25,500 IPM
- Max Torque: 350 in. lbs.
- Height: 7.68 in.
- Length: 7.4 in.
- Width: 2.64 in.
- Weight: 2.36 lbs.
- Warranty: 5 years
- Kit Price: $99
Discover more at Skil’s website.
