Skil 12V Brushless Impact Driver Review

Skil 12V Brushless Impact Driver Offers High Performance and Low Price

Skil set out to meet the needs of DIYers with the PWRCore lineup, and by our measure, they exceeded expectations. With the latest generation, the improved performance reaches well into the Prosumer market and even beyond. One example is the updated Skil 12V Brushless Impact Driver.

Skil 12V Brushless Impact Driver Performance

Where the rubber meets the road is in performance. The Skil ID6744A-10 gives you up to 1500 in-lbs of torque and 3600 IPM to go along with its 2900 RPM no-load speed. Compared to the previous model, Skil is definitely improving its performance.

	ID5744A-10 Original	ID6744A-10 Updated
No-Load Speed	0-1600/2600 RPM	0-1450/2100/2900 RPM
Impact Rate	2500/3500 IPM	1450/3000/3600 IPM
Max Torque	1100 in-lbs.	1500 in-lbs.

In this case, a 12V competition is tough to find in the Prosumer market, so we set our sights on professional models to get an idea of how Skil compares. Take a look for yourself:

	DeWalt DCF801	Makita DT04	Milwaukee 3453
Max Speed	2850 RPM	3000 RPM	3600 RPM
Max Rate	3600 IPM	3900 IPM	4000 IPM
Max Torque	1450 in-lbs.	1200 in-lbs.	1500 in-lbs.

Only Milwaukee’s newest M12 Fuel impact driver matches Skil in power and significantly leads it in speed. DeWalt and Makita—two huge names in the power tool industry—lag behind in power while being in the same neighborhood in speed. Plus, you’re going to pay a lot less for Skil’s 12V impact driver.

Drive Modes

The Skil 12V brushless impact driver features three standard drive modes and a Control Mode. These additional modes are a definite upgrade compared to the previous model’s 2-speed setup and let you dial in the optimal power level to match your application. Here’s a quick look at Skil’s recommendations for each mode:

	No-Load Speed	Impacts Per Minute	Main Purpose	Best Application
Mode 1	1,450	1,450	Applies less torque to avoid damaging fasteners	Driving small screws during light-duty work, such as assembling furniture
Mode 2	2,100	3,000	Applies medium speed and torque	Driving medium-duty deck screws and smaller bolts
Mode 3	2,900	3,600	Applies max torque and speed	Driving heavy-duty wood fasteners and tightening small bolts
Control Mode	Variable	3,600	Steady control while driving fasteners	Perfect for driving long screws

Using Control Mode

In control mode, the tool runs at low speed to help engage the fastener into the material. Once it’s started, the impact driver will automatically speed up to finish driving the fastener while maintaining steady control.

Keep in mind, the control mode only works when the tool is set in forward rotation for driving screws. If you do switch to reverse while in control mode, the impact force and speed are the same as in mode 2.

Skil 12V Brushless Impact Driver Design

Ergonomics

The impact driver weighs in at 2.1 pounds bare and 2.7 pounds with a 2.0Ah battery. Much like the 20V model, this impact driver has a really nice balance, even with a compact battery.

It’s also more compact than the last version. At 4.9 inches long, it’s a full inch shorter from tip to tail.

The shape contours very nicely to my hand and the textured rubber overmold helps me keep a firm hold on the tool. Overall, we feel that the handle ergonomics are as good as any Pro brand.

LED Light

We believe the halo-style LED light was an excellent choice by Skil. It completely surrounds the collet and casts diffused light onto your work surface more effectively than a foot-mounted light. This means you can actually see the fastener and bit and avoid those annoying shadows.

In addition to the trigger activation, there’s also an option to turn it on for 10 minutes and to turn it back off if you don’t need the light for the full time.

Additional Features

• Reversible belt hook
• One-hand collet
• Tethering point below rear bit storage
• Onboard bit storage
• Battery doubles as a USB-A power supply
• Compatible with all Skil PWRCore 12 batteries

Skil 12V Brushless Impact Driver Price

The Skil 12V Brushless Impact Driver runs $79.99 as a kit and includes a PWRJump charger and a single 2.0Ah battery. Skil backs this impact driver with a 5-year limited warranty. Remember to register the tool with Skil to take full advantage of this benefit.

The Bottom Line

Skil is the only game in town if you’re looking for a high-value 12V impact driver in the Prosumer category. Some brands would be content with that. However, Skil packs performance that encroaches on—and in some cases beats—the performance of well-known professional brands. With a resume’ like that and a price tag well under $100, it’s easy for us to recommend the Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless Impact Driver.

Click here to check out more power tools from Skil.

Skil 12V Brushless Impact Driver Specifications