Skil has launched what they’re calling “the industry’s first powered hex key.”
The new Skil HK0001 is basically a cordless screwdriver in the style of a folding hex key set, only larger and with a non-replaceable rechargeable battery.
Skil says their latest battery-powered tool can work on “furniture assembly, bicycle maintenance, home repairs, and DIY fastening products.”
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There are 3 locking positions – a right angle mode, inline mode, and 45° angle halfway between them.
The tool also has a built-in worklight.
There’s a single speed, 150 RPM, and the tool delivers max torque of 8.85 in-lbs (1 Nm).
Charging via USB-C takes 2-1/2 hours.
There’s built-in storage for a couple of hex bits.
Its controls look simple enough, with two buttons for motor direction controls and an LED indicator for battery charge status.
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The basic 11pc set (HK0001-01, HK0001-03 with hand strap) comes with a small assortment of hex and everyday screwdriver bits.
The 27pc set (HK0001-02) comes with a larger assortment of screwdriver bits and a carrying case.
Price: $50 for the 11pc set, $70 for the 27pc set
Skil TikTokkers have been hyping up the new tool, but so far there’s no indication where this will be sold or when it will be available. Maybe Amazon, as with their recent mini screwdriver set.
Maybe it will show up at Lowe’s, which recently purged most Skil tools from their stores.
See Also: Skil Launched a Mini Screwdriver and All-in-One Workstation
Update: Amazon launched preorder links.
Discussion
Keeping in mind that I am extremely preferential about hex tools, I think this looks great on paper but completely impractical.
Here’s the full bit loadout for the 27 piece set:
H2, H2.5, H3, H4, H5, H6; (20) 1-in. bits: PH0, PH1, PH2, PZ2, PH3, SQ1, (2) SQ2, (2) SQ3, T10, T15, T20, T25, T30, (2) SL 3/16″, (2) SL 7/32″, SL 1/4″; 2-3/8″ magnetic bit holder
It gives you metric hex bits from 2mm to 6mm, but what about inch sizes? 5 slotted bit sizes?
None of the product images show the 1-inch insert bits used with the tool directly – is that why it comes with a magnetic bit holder extension? Why not give 2″ power bits for everything?
It looks large and bulky.
And with the built-in rechargeable battery, the tool is destined for a landfill. I’ve got hex key sets and other hex driver tools that are now old enough to vote. I don’t see this tool as lasting decades.
Since it’s missing common hex tool sizes, beginners building up a basic tool kit will have to spend extra money.
Less than 9 inch-pounds of max torque? You’re going to have to do manual turning for initial loosening or final tightening.
It looks interesting at the surface, but $50 seems like a lot of money, let alone $70.
Ryobi has a cordless screwdriver for $25.
This Ryobi cordless screwdriver, priced at the same $50 as the Skil basic kit, has a pivoting handle and features a replaceable battery.
The Ryobi adjustable handle cordless screwdriver is also slim on features, but 55 in-lbs of max torque will go further than 8.85 in-lbs.
Amazon is still selling the Skil Twist 2.0 cordless screwdriver, priced at $22.48. It has 3 pivoting head positions. Lowe’s also still has it at the same price.
Even though that also has a built-in battery, it’s more functional and less than half the price.
Is Skil back to gimmicky holiday gift idea tools?
A decade ago, Skil launched new hand tools every year.
They all looked like they could be practical, but not really.
They stood out.
Each one sold for a holiday season and then fizzled away.
Even if I push my thoughts aside and consider the new Skil tool through a purely objective lens, it’s incomplete with a cheap bit loadout, and underpowered.
The pricing is part of the problem. $50 for the basic tool and $70 for the still-incomplete set that lacks SAE hex bits?
If Skil were to throw in more hex bits and a handheld L-key with magnetic bit holders, slash the price to $25, this might seem like more of a practical tool to me, and less of a gimmick.
I can’t tell if I’m being too judgmental about the design. Do you think it’s an innovation, or a solution in search of a problem, and destined for the clearance bin at the end of the holiday season?
