Amazon has recently opened preorders for the new Skil Flip Drill, and it’s certainly a unique product that has left me with mixed feelings.
Features and Design
The Skil Flip Drill features a so – called “double collet flip head.” This design allows you to quickly change between drilling and driving bits with just a twist. Essentially, you can load two separate hex – shank drilling or driving accessories for quick switching.
However, it appears that there are two identical 1/4″ hex bit chucks, which means there isn’t a traditional 3 – jaw drill chuck. This makes it seem more like a cordless screwdriver than a traditional drill. The top surface is magnetic, which is a convenient feature for quick onboard storage of bits or screws.
In terms of power, the Skil Flip Drill has a brushless motor and electronically – controlled torque settings. It also has a drill setting and an LED worklight. It’s compatible with both Skil 12V and 20V batteries.
The kit comes with a comprehensive set of items, including the tool itself, a 20V 2Ah battery with a two – way USB – C charging port, a 20W USB – C charger, a charging cable, a belt clip, a 2″ PH2 screwdriver bit, and 4 hex – shank drill bits.
Design Concerns and Comparisons
The rotating bit chuck part is a bit of a head – scratcher. Since 1/4″ hex shank accessories are quick – change by nature, it’s not immediately clear what advantage this unique chuck offers. The D – handle form factor reminds me of other brands’ multi – chuck cordless screwdrivers, like those from Festool and Milwaukee.
If you find switching between 1/4″ hex bits too cumbersome, you could always opt for a separate cordless drill for drilling holes and a cordless screwdriver or impact driver for driving fasteners. During the holiday season, you can find basic 2 – tool combo kits for as low as $99.
Personally, I prefer using a drill chuck for drilling holes as they tend to wobble less than 1/4″ hex bit chucks. Drill chucks can also accommodate round and 3 – flat drill bits, in addition to 1/4″ hex shank bits. I think the Skil Flip Drill would be more appealing if it were simply a D – handle cordless screwdriver without the rotating bit chuck.
However, I have to admit that my first cordless drill was a Black & Decker Firestorm with a removable drill chuck that allowed for quick bit switching, and that feature did influence my purchasing decision back then.
Availability and User Reviews
Interestingly, Skil has only launched the new tool on Amazon so far. It’s possible that it may appear at Lowe’s later in the season.
When it comes to user reviews, there seems to be some confusion. The product listing on Amazon has been combined with an older Skil 20V Max cordless drill. As a result, the reviews are lumped together. The top of the page shows “141 ratings” with a 4.7 – star rating, but most of these reviews are for the older product.
Out of the 3 verified purchase reviews that are not “Vine free product” reviews, one calls it “Hot Garbage,” another discusses complaints and the reason for returning it, and the only positive one is a short sentence fragment. This makes it difficult to gauge the true reception of the Skil Flip Drill among actual users.
In conclusion, while the Skil Flip Drill has some interesting features, its unique design choices and the confusion surrounding user reviews make it a bit of an enigma. It remains to be seen whether it will be a hit with homeowners and DIYers this holiday season.
Related topics:
- New Skil Flip Drill is Something Else – toolguyd.com
- 12V/20V Brushless Flip Drill, 12V Kit | SKIL (DL6300D)
- Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless Flip Drill Review DL6300D-11
