12-volt cordless drills are a popular choice in the do-it-yourself handyman market segment. While drills rated 14 volts to 18 volts are recommended for frequent and heavy use, 12-volt drills are just right for occasional weekend fix-its.

Dewalt 18 Volt Cordless

One of the top choices professionals consider when it comes to 12-volt drills is Skil. Skil is an industry leader and highly-respected brand among power tools. The company was founded in 1924 by circular saw inventor, Edmond Michel. In 1996, Skil was sold to the top European tools manufacturer, Bosch. With its main office in Netherlands, all of its power tools manufacturing are outsourced-mainly from China.

Dewalt 18 Volt Cordless

Below is their current line-up of 12-volt cordless drills; these include new-for-2010 releases and previous years' models still being manufactured.

Skil 2240-02

The 2240-02 is an all-new 2-battery drill/driver from Skil. It has 15 clutch settings and accommodates up 3/8 of an inch drill bits. It is a variable single speed drill that has a no-load rating of 0-700 RPM.

Skil 2414-02

Also new for 2010, the 2414-02 is a lithium ion-powered 12-volt drill/driver that has 2 variable speed settings. It accepts up to 3/8 of an inch bits as well and has a handy battery indicator gauge. The 2414-02 is very portable at 2.6 pounds, but also very powerful reaching up to 1,500 RPM under zero load.

Skil 2412-01

The 2412-01 is the third and final 2010 model cordless drill from Skil. This drill/driver is also powered by a lithium ion battery. Its specifications are nearly-identical to the 2414-02 except for its variable single speed rating. It also makes up for being single-speed by having a forward-reverse (reversible) function.

Skil 2466-02

The Skil 2466-02 is the only 2009 model that made it to the 2010 catalog. This reversible drill is a variable single speed that goes up to 700 RPM on zero load. It also uses 3/8-inch drill bits but it has a bit size indicator for easy bit-to-screw size matching. The drill also has a battery charge meter.

Skil 2467-02 (discontinued)

The 2467-02 is discontinued model that is still widely-available from retailers because of its popularity and availability. Although discontinued, this model is not a bit outdated and therefore might be a popular choice for those on a tight budget. It is a 3/8-inch drill with 6 torque settings. It also has a bit size indicator and can also accept screwdriver bits. It has a variable speed trigger that lets you control drilling speed. The 2467-02 is versatile for use in applications that require low to high speeds.

2010 Skil 12v Cordless Drill Guide

Dewalt 18 Volt Cordless