I know many here on this forum don’t think too highly of those blue tools sold at HD, I’m talking about Ryobi. My feeling is that as long as you understand what you are buying they can represent some good value. Some years ago I bought the18 volt 5 tool kit with charger and two batteries. The original batteries were absolute CRAP. They were so bad that I almost chucked the whole set. Then I took a chance and bought two new batteries for $40 and they have been great and the tools have served me well for several years. I was at the HD the other night to replace a prybar that snapped in half, hey it was probably 15 years old. As I was heading for the register I passed a clearance display with some space heaters, some really ugly sink/vanity packages, etc. There on the clearance table was an interesting Ryobi combo set, 18 volt drill/driver, 18 volt impact driver, 2 batteries and charger for $119. So I figure how much longer can my original drill/ driver possibly last, and the impact driver would be handy, and the batteries would be compatable with the tools I already have. So I bought it. I have only used them for a few days but I am happy I made the purchase. As I said earlier, as long as you don’t expect Makita or Bosch or Panasonic quality or power for Ryobi money, I think they are a great buy. If I was buying tools for employees I would have bought three or four sets.
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Without any irony, good for you.
Buy what you need, and it'll be fine. Expectations are nothing.
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada
A buddy of mine who subcontracts for me has the same Ryobi tools you mention. I have on occaision used them and found them to work just fine.
I myself bought into the 19.2 volt Sears Crafstmen packaged tool sets. I bought a circular saw, flashlight, cordless drill combo several years back for $160. I later bought a few more drills; including a cordless hammer drill. The extra drills I bought were for use by my men on jobs...all have been dropped many times but all still function properly. To me, they have as much if not more torque power than any other brand name tool. I have bought additional replacement batteries, but I managed to get approx 3 years of everyday hard work service before the originals needed replaced.
Personally, I think my Craftsmen drill is more powerful than my friend's Ryobi, but the Ryobi is a great deal for the money.
Anytime anyone asks me what cordless drill they should buy, I always tell them to buy the Craftsmen. The price is right, and they perform great. I am a residential remodeler and use these tools every single day...hours on end. Someone may find one that costs more., or perhaps is a bit more powerful or something, but at the end of the day when the work is done, my Sears toolswill have performed just as good if not better, than all the rest that were on the jobsite that day.
Davo
I have the 18V Ryobi set as well, and have found them to work just fine. Yes the batteries could be a bit stronger but since I have quite a few of them (6) it's never a problem.
I swear by sears hand tools, and had pretty much given up on their power tools. I also bought the 19.2 drill several years ago. I have a Makita 14.4 drill and impact combo, but I do rec. the sears to many people it's held up well.
MikeInsert initially amusing but ultimately annoying catch phrase here.
I really wanted to get that new Makita lithium-ion impact driver and drill combo. It sells for a little over $300. And I still might. But it occurred to me that I often leave my van open when I'm working nearby and I'd really rather have more "disposable" tools for everyday use.
So for the same $300, I bought a bunch of Ryobi 18 volt stuff: drill, impact driver, jig saw, recip saw, circ saw, radio, flashlight, hand vac, 4 batteries and charger. I'm just going to throw it in the van, abuse them at will and not fret if they ever grow legs. And when I need new batteries, they're only about $20 each as compared with about $75 for the lithium-ion.
I've only used the impact driver so far, but it seems to work just fine.
I have one of those Ryobi mini biscuit joiners. It is about twelve years old and I hardly ever use it. When I do, it is a great tool. It is in like new condition and I would not want to part with it.
My oldest Ryobi table saw just won't die. After ten years, I bought a second one dirt cheap. These saws are great. I know it's not a three thousand dollar cadillac, but it does some fine cutting for me.
In the early ninety's I bought my first cordless drill, a 14 volt Ryobi. Although it is now fifteen plus years old and I now own a makita, that drill is still going. It is no longer ergonomically(?) correct, but I sure got my moneys worth out of it and continue to use it. It came with two batteries and a charger with a "real" cord unlike some of the other chargers I have seen.
I almost bought a Ryobi 3 1/2 " planer yesterday, saw it at home depot for $69. I may go back for that.
I worked with an electrician who swore by Ryobi cordless drills.
said he bought them mostly on sale ...
and considered them fairly disposable.
Instead of buying new batteries ... he bought a whole new drill.
said he goes thru pretty much one a year ... and when U divide the initial purchase out plus buying new batteries for other brands ... not such a dumb idea after all.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I've seen quite a few guys that swear buy cheap Ryobi drills. Cheap replacement being the main reason.I wish I had a reason; my flaws are open season
I can't say I'm ready to buy any Ryobi tools anytime soon. BUT.... I'm really beginning to feel that cordless tools from the Big Guys are the biggest scam going. Not so much the tools... but the cost of the batteries. It's sinful really. If you got two batteries for $40 that work even "pretty good" then you've done very well for yourself, IMO. I just priced out 18V batteries for my Bosch stuff again (not even LI, mind you) and was horrifed. I've been trying to purchase them for about 6 months now and can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on batteries.
I'm really dreading when I need new LI batteries for my Makita stuff. And to be honest... some of the top dollar Makita LI tools that I have aren't really super either. The impact driver is great, the cordless drill/driver is great. But the ciruclar saws is very delicate and has tons of plastic on it. And the recip seems built well, but cuts like molassis.
I hate to admit it, but dollar for dollar... all things considered... I'd bet the Ryobi saw has a good chance at out performing my uppity little Makita circ saw. I don't think Ryobi can match the quality of the Makita drill/driver or the impact driver, but like you said... that's not what you're suggesting. So I'd say for certain applications and with certain model tools, you probably have a very valid point that I'd have to agree with. They probably are a very good value in many respects.
And I'm a legitimate certifiable Tool Whore.
And I'm a legitimate certifiable Tool Whore.
Can I steal that? I need a new tagline.
"This is a process, not an event."--Sphere
It's all yours babe. Wear it proudly.View Image
And I'm a legitimate certifiable Tool Whore.
I cannot think of a higher aspiration!
Dang, now that your certified and legitimate are you gonna have a corner to yourself?
And to think the cordless I ever bought was a 9.6v Ryobi. That little drill sure comes in handy some times.
Here's another vote for that drill and impact driver combo. Really, $100 bucks for both, 2 batteries, charger and a bag; that's like a sore dick - (can't beat it).
They are heavier and a bit bigger than panasonic and don't have the life, but they still work great and the battery life is still "acceptable".
That $300+ Li-Ion Mak is sweeet, but not for that price. . . .
IMO, Ryboi quality is better than is generally assumed.
Adventures in Home Building
An online journal covering the preparation and construction of our new home.
>>Here's another vote for that drill and impact driver combo. Really, $100 bucks for both, 2 batteries, charger and a bag;that's like a sore dick - (can't beat it).<<
I did - got the same combo for $95. in an after Christmas clearance. Impact driver has done 900+ 3-1/8" GRK's so far - the cost of the screws approaches the cost of the tools and batteries at this point.
I have never thought much of Ryobi cordless tools with the exception of the drills. Had a 12v "Jobsite" drill since 1998, 14.4v drill since 2003 or so, 18v drill and impact driver since 2007 - all are going strong except the 12v - batteries are basicaly shot (14.4 drill w/ batteries and charger was cheaper than 2 - 12v batteries - older style - still available only from the factory - $$).
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
I have beeb burnt over the years buying some low end stuff, so normally I stay away. I have the makita lithium ion stuff, and feel it is more than worth what I paid .
I have an old milwaukee{1988} or so 4 1/2" grinder that still works great, but was hard to find wire wheels for. I ended up buying a Ryobi to finish a job. I was pleasantly surprised by its performance. Just a simple wrench to remove the wheel was such an improvement over the knucklebuster from milwaukee.
I've seen quite a few electricians and hot air mechanics with the ryobi kits, so they all can't be bad.These guys aren't stupid.
Greg in Connecticut
Power tools are a crapshoot for me. None of them are perfect and I often end up with a sawzall that doesn't really suit me because it shares a battery with the drill and circ saw that do or some scenario like that. Also, I don't know if you are a full timer or a part timer. Doing a little cutting on the weekend is different from having a tool in your hand for 40 hours a week.
There's a guy I've worked with (he's our local timberframing celebrity) that has several Harbor Freight cordless minichainsaws (they cost about$19.00) that he uses to rough in. But, I bet there's not a chisel in tool box that cost less than $100.00.
I used a Ryobi 10" miter saw for years. Now I have a Dewalt 12" slider. I bought it because I can cut 6" copper gutter and none of the other saws would do that at the time I bought it. If I were just doing trim, I wouldn't even consider the Dewalt.
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"We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart?"
Got the Makita 18v li impact and drill. Impact driver seems the same as the 12volt version just runs longer! The drill runs rough, so much so i returned it to Makita and they are asking why I sent it in for repair. It is so bad i think it will break soon. Not good value for the money as I keep going back to my 12volt stuff!
That's interesting because the drill in my Makita LI combo is my favorite part. In fact I think it has the best fit, finish, and feel of any that I've owned including Panasonic, older Makita, Bosch Brute, Dewalt, and even a Hilti. What a bummer. Hopefully you just got a lemon and they'll hook you up right.View Image
I feel the same way about my Mak.
just feels "solid" ... runs smooth as anything.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I'm struggling right now in justifying the replacement cost of cordless all together.
Yesterday I was doing volunteer work on a set of a show, and there we all were with our cordless drills screwing the entire set together which is fine. The rest of the guys were non pros and had either Ryobi or Craftsman, I had my Makita impact and Milwaukee 18v. Well the Milwaukee after 3 years of constant (almost 7 days a week) use finally crapped out right then and there, and it wasn't the batteries, (just bought 2 new ones)...I think it may be brushes, switch or just a good cleaning. Somebody had grabbed my impact and was falling in love with it and I decided to let that dalliance continue. SO...I went to my truck and brought out a tool that hasn't seen daylight in a very long time. My CORDED screw gun. 4000 RPM. Zip, zip, zip...git 'R done! and done she was in about half the time, leaving all cordless justification in the dust. Stronger and faster. Two or three of the guys stopped working and just watched. The light bulb went on and I've decided to resurrect my CORDED tools to supplement the use of my cordless. At the stationary projects why use 'em at all?I say 'why not?' with the Ryobi and Craftsman. If they serve you and get the job done, then...yeah.Personally, I'm starting to think there's a little man behind the curtain with the whole cordless thing.
Yeah, after you get over the convenience of cordless, you can be impressed by the lighter weight, speed and power of corded xxxxxxx.