SKIL 2240-01 Review
The Skil 12V 2240-01 cordless drill relies on the older NiCAD battery technology, which is a definite minus in our book. Its variable speed up to 700 rpm and good pricing win some fans, but others gripe about limited power, slow recharge, and no extra battery in the kit.
Skil cordless drills are the lesser cousins of the well-regarded Bosch line. Owned by the same company, Skil and Bosch drills diverge in price and some would say quality, as well. In a comparative review of 12 cordless drill brands, J.D. Power and Associates ranks Skil alongside Black & Decker with a score of two out of five for overall satisfaction. Skill 12V 2240-01 reviews are OK, but not overly enthusiastic. Users posting Skill 12V 2240-01 reviews on Lowe's, for example, say it's helpful around the house. Skill 12V 2240-01 reviews at Amazon echo that assessment, adding that there's ample power and it suffices as an entry-level drill. More than one user, however, insists there's not enough power to drive screws into a wall stud. Others gripe about needing several hours to recharge the NiCAD battery and about the absence of a back-up battery in the kit.
This cordless drill features a 3/8" keyless chuck, 15 clutch positions, variable speed trigger, and maximum speed of 700 rpm. It comes with one double-ended bit, a carry bag, one 12V NiCAD battery and one charger. If you're concerned about running out of juice in the midst of a job and want the insurance of a second battery, a few extra dollars will buy you the Skill 12V 2240-02, which includes two batteries. Although cheap enough, we're not sold on the Skil 2240-01 due to mediocre reviews and its older-technology NiCAD battery. Lithium-ion batteries are the big new thing in cordless drills and deliver superior performance at prices that still sit comfortably within the cheap range. You're better off looking in that direction. Power Glide 19.2V Cordless Drill (starting at $51, Amazon
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According to Power Glide 19.2V cordless drill reviews, this model is easy to use -- when it works. Some posts on Ace Hardware say this drill is nicely balanced and sufficiently powerful, but others assert it's heavy and low on the power meter. But the biggest barbs are aimed at its overall quality. Power Glide 19.2V cordless drill reviews report problems like chargers that melt the batteries, overheat, or leak and batteries that don't hold their charge or prematurely give out all together. One user commenting in Power Glide 19.2V cordless drill reviews on Amazon reports that the charger was useless after eight months amd a replacement unit couldn't get the drill moving again, either. Note, though, that we read several Power Glide 19.2V reviews griping about having to buy a whole new kit -- drill, battery, and charger -- when one component failed because they're not sold separately.
The 19.2V Power Glide features variable speed up to 900 rmp, a 17-position clutch, and 3/8" keyless chuck. The set includes one NiCAD battery, a charger that takes three to five hours to juice up the battery, a carrying case, and a 13-piece accessory kit filled with screwdriver and drill bits and a screwdriver bit adapter.
This drill looks good on the price front but falls down on performance and features. It's built around the older and less costly NiCAD battery, which is also heavier, takes longer to charge, and doesn't hold a charge as long as newer lithium-ion batteries. In addition, user reviews attesting to problems with the power pack that surface shortly after purchase suggest this is one deal that's really no deal at all.
