Skil 18v batteries don't always come with good chargers

The importance of a good 18v battery charger for my Skil cordless power tools cannot be underestimated. Not every charger is the same, and the quality of the charge will have a huge impact on the performance of your Skil 18v batteries, and thus your tools. I learned this the hard way when I finally decided to materialize all my garage ideas. My garage was a complete mess, so I had made all these plans to give it a complete make-over. A lot of the garage ideas required the use of my power tools to build shelving, cabinets, etc. I had all the materials lying in my garage ready to be installed when I realized that my Skil 18v batteries were basically dead. They were totally charged, so I assumed that they were old and needed to be replaced.

I went to my hardware store when I buy all my stuff. The sales guy told me that the batteries that I was running with my Skil 18v drill were not very good. The chargers that come with these NiCad batteries is very basic and is contributing to the memory problems of the battery. He showed my some other chargers from other brands that had conditioning modes on them. A conditioning mode (also known a tune-up mode) will revitalize an old dying battery so they will last much longer. Skil 18v batteries, as well as most others, are wired in series of cells. What the conditioning mode does is charge these cells completely, while the standard quick charge mode will only fill the first few cells of the battery and leave the rest unused. This will prevent the NiCad battery from developing memory and ensure that you always run your power tools at their full potential.

The big problem with the older Skil 18v NiCad batteries and power tool kits is that they don’t offer good chargers with the conditioning modes. Companies such as Dewalt have much better charger offerings, so if you want to stick with the Skil brand, I suggest that you get a tool kit that runs on lithium ion 18v batteries. There are of course a bit more expensive than the NiCad kits, but definitely worth it. Otherwise, you may want to check out the batteries and chargers from other brands. Many of them are considerably more expensive than Skil, so it may not be worth switching.

I tried out a small drill from Dewalt to see the difference between the two brands. So far it is running well, and the tune up mode on the charger seems to work like a charm. I have put my Skil 18v batteries and charger aside for a while, and completed my garage project with my new tools.

Skil 18v batteries with lithium ion technology

You may be able to upgrade to Skil 18v lithium ion batteries

Buying a Skil 18v power tool is an investment, and replacing them because you are unhappy with their battery performance is often a waste of money. If you like the tool itself, you should either get replacement Skil 18v batteries, or see if you can upgrade them to get even better performance. A lot of times your tool will only be compatible with one battery model. In this case, your only choice is to get new ones of the same model. Chances are, you have either not maintained your batteries properly (bad charging habits), which causes them to loose performance prematurely; or they are simply past their usable age limit.

However, some 18v power tools are capable of using Skil 18v lithium ion batteries that have much better performance than the stock NiCad ones that originally came with your tool. They are a bit more expensive, but you get a lot of benefits by upgrading to them. They weight up to half the weight of NiCad, which will make your cordless tool much easier to operate. They also hold their charge for many months, so they will always be ready to use. They charge much faster and, most importantly, are not prone to memory problems that will reduce the lifespan of a NiCad battery. There are a couple of Skil 18v lithium ion batteries that may fit your power tool:

The Skil SB18B-LI 18 volt Lithium-ion battery:
This model will fit the following cordless power tool models: 2810, 2887, 2895, 2897, 4570, 5850, 5995, 7305, 9350.

The Skil SC118B-LI 18v Lithium-ion battery with 1 hour charger:
The model will fit the following cordless power tool models: 2810, 2887, 2895, 2897, 4570, 5850, 5995, 7305, 9350

If you do not have a model that is compatible with these batteries, and you are set one buying yourself a new lithium ion tool, I highly encourage you to take a look at the new models that Skil has to offer. Skil 18v batteries with lithium ion technology are very good, and can be purchased for considerably less money than models by other manufacturers such as Makita or DeWalt. These often are designed for professional users; so as a homeowner or casual user, you would be paying for features that you won’t need. Skil 18v cordless power tools and Skil 18v lithium ion batteries, chargers, parts and accessories are great value, and the best choice for people who want a “prosumer” product.

Skil Cordless Drill with 18v Batteries

There are several cordless Drills that are offered by Skil, and doing your research before buying one will make you a much happier user. Some people only use their power tools for the occasional projects, while others use them much more frequently, or even on a daily basis. Skil makes different Drills, with either 12v, 14.4v, or 18v batteries, that suit each individual’s needs.

First of all, you need to be aware of what kind of tasks you will need your Drill for. Then you must think about how often you plan to use it. This is very important in order to prevent disappointment or wasted money.

Skil 2867-02 18v Cordless Drill:
This is an entry level power tool that runs on 18volt 180BAT NiCad batteries. If you feel that you need the extra power that an 18 volt power tool provides, this is a good starting point. This Drill offers a 700 RPM, 140 in./lb. torque motor with a six position variable torque clutch. It also has an electronic LED indicator, a storage tray, a bit size indicator, and a 3/8 inch keyless chuck. Also included is the 92990 three hour charger, one 18v battery, and a carrying box.

Skil 2887-05 18-Volt Cordless 2-Speed 3/8-Inch Drill/Driver:
This is a more high-end tool that has many advantages compared to the 2867-02 Drill. It is capable of 1250 RPM, 300 inch/pounds of torque with a two speed gear box. It comes with two SB18A slide 18v battery packs and a 1 hour rapid charger.

Skil 2895LI-02 18v lithium ion cordless drill:
This is the new flagship drill that runs on skil 18v lithium ion batteries, but is also compatible with the old NiCad ones. It is even stronger than the 2887-05 with a 1450 RPM, 400 inch/pounds of torque, and an all metal gear box. The 2895LI-02 kit comes with one battery, an “ENERGY STAR” qualified charger, two drill-bits, and a carrying case.

If you find that these models are overkill for your needs, then you should consider buying a cheaper and less powerful 12v or 14.4v models. The 2467-03, for example, is equipped with a variable speed trigger that allows you to control the drilling speed. You also have control of six torque settings match that allows you to dial in the proper power for each specific job. Keep in mind though that this model offers limited power and is not capable of doing very tough jobs. You may also choose to go one step up to the 14.4 volt range which offers some extra power. The 2566-03 has a 700 RPM single variable speed motor, but with less torque than the 2867-2 18v cordless drill. The batteries are the 144BAT model, which are of the NiCad technology.

I would however recommend going for a drill with 18v batteries, since these models have superior power and features. So if you are going to use your drill a few times a month, it may be worth going for a good quality model, instead of saving a few dollars. Obviously, if you are someone who will use their drill once or twice a year, a lower powered drill will be sufficient. Remember that not all Skil 18v batteries are the same for each drill model, so make sure to buy the right ones. The lithium ion batteries are by far the best, and easiest to maintain. If you can afford the 2895LI-2 18v drill; go for it. It is highly recommended!