I believe in letting my bias show right from the get-go. I'm not a huge fan of Skil brand tools. If you'll pardon the pun, they more often than not don't cut it. Perhaps it's the recent models....in their hey day they were probably a much different company with different standards of the term 'power'.

Anyway, this isn't meant to be a write up on the history of power tools. (But, hey, wouldn't that be a great Ph.D. option at your local university?) Let me tell you instead about this gift received over the holidays.

Skil Twist Cordless Screwdriver
The Skil Twist is yet another version of a cordless screwdriver trying hard to look like a screwdriver, as opposed to a cordless drill. Shaped like a traditional screwdriver but with more girth and supplied with battery so the user does not exhaust himself twisting the actual screwdriver. There's not much more to the tool itself in terms of what it does.

Some stats:

- I'm going to estimate the weight around 2 pounds...this is with the batteries...obviously heavy duty

- 130 RPM, 2.4v, 220 volt

- single speed

How does he operate this?!?
Attempting to put my sarcasm aside, this power screwdriver is really best left to the non-professional. This is a homeowner's tool, and probably even more so, for a home that has no other tools within its walls. Created for the guy (or gal) who has no desire to do handyperson work, but who may need to occasionally screw or un-screw something.

The power here is derived from a re-chargeable battery with the unit coming complete with a charger, mountable to a wall if so desired. The power switch is conveniently located right about where a thumb would naturally rest on the unit.

The design is straight line, no arching or bending for tight spaces - sort of the stripped down model of cordless screwdrivers. The collet does lock well in place, and for typical household stuff (think screwing on and off a switchplate) the power is adequate.

Upgrade
So now that I own the Skil Twist 2106 will I upgrade to newer models? Nope. Though if the homeowner with the Twist is aching for a bit more va-voom in his power screwdriver, there are other more ergonomic models from Skil which include more power, a bending body for tighter spaces, and even a little headlight so you can (ahem) screw in dark place.

Finally
I'm not a fan. Even the name is too cute. Yet I suppose if this is meant for the homeowner who really isn't a tool guy and never intends to be, it's not a horrible device to have around. For the sake of useful life and just plain testosterone I would suggest moving up in voltage and investing in a model which is a little more flexible. I'm not sure that little headlight, however, is all that necessary.

Recommended: No