Customer Reviews

Skil 2936 3.6-Volt Articulating Screwdriver with Site Light

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchased the Skil 2936 screwdriver and a spare battery Feb 2003 from Lowes. The screwdriver itself is light, balanced, and works good for very light tasks. However, The batteries will not hold a charge for more than a day or two, even when fully charged and just sitting idle. The batteries lose their charge even though they are not in the screw driver. If I want to use the Skil I have to make sure the batteries are charged the evening before I plan to use the screwdriver. While in use, the batteries last only a very short time. I contacted Skil via email about the problem and was advised to send it to a service center since Skil does have a two year warranty on this unit. I may or may not do that, as I don't really think the batteries are meant to perform any better since both the batteries hold a charge the same length of time. I did however recently purchase a Dewalt DW20K 7.2 Volt screwdriver from Tool Crib to replace the Skil, and so far have been very impressed with both the screwdriver and Tool Crib. When I bought the Skil, I remember standing in Lowes with the Skil in one hand and the Dewalt in the other and finally deciding on the Skil because I didn't really want to spend $100 on a screwdriver. Too bad, because I've now spent $140 for screwdriver that is usable.

After 5 years our Skil battery operated screwdriver finally died. The screwdriver was still as strong as could be but the batteries we had for it would no longer hold a charge. (We actually had two batteries because in a move we lost the unit, but still had the battery and charger). We specifically searched for another Skil screwdriver because my husband had been so happy with them for so many years. We purchased a Skil 3.6 volt battery operated screwdriver (model 2936). I am so upset that we wasted $30 on this new piece of junk. It holds a charge for about 15 minutes and it is nearly impossible for my small female hands to remove the battery to place on the cumbersome charger. It actually takes me longer to remove the battery than the charge it holds. Based on the Skil name we foolishly did not save the packaging or receipt or even register the product. I used to recommend the Skil name to everyone, however in a few minutes though I am leaving to purchase a Black and Decker screwdriver!

I have to agree with other reviewers here that the battery life is terrible on this tool. I also had a previous good experience with a Skil screwdriver that I had for 5 years before the battery finally went. I replaced it with this unit because I liked the light and the articulation features (which are great).

My only other complaint is that the flathead and phillips bits are 2 separate pieces and theres nowhere on the screwdrived itself to store the unused bit, making it easy to lose. My previous Skil screwdriver had a reversible bit that was much more convenient.

I had the older skil 3.6 volt model and after seven years of heavy use screwing screws into the backs of picture frames the switch went on it. It was a great tool so I thought the newer model would be fine. WRONG! It's cheaply made light plastic and the bit wobbles unevenly while driving screws in. The speed is painfully slow and the battery life stinks. The stickers on the unit where crooked and actually falling off. I can't return it now because I threw out the box it came in. I guess skil jumped on the "make it cheap and throw it away" band wagon with Black and Decker. I'm cutting my losses and getting a Bosch PS10-2.

Mine works well thus far, and meets my expectations. It drives screws for furniture and disassembling packing crates, and provides more than enough torque for these applications. I haven't had any battery issues. It holds a charge for several days.

The site light is more useful than I expected, especially for furniture, where you need to see inside a countersunk hole.

The Skil 2936 was returned to you as I found the identical product at Menards ten dollars cheaper ($10.00). That was the first time I returned anything to Amazon for that reason.
I will give your return goods policy 5 Stars.
Robert A. Nadolny

Nice tool for nice price.. a good one.