Thoughts on a Ryobi Impact and Compressor for College bound Daughter

[hbabler]

Hopefully you guys can give me some advice on this.
I am looking at buying a couple of things for my kiddo who is leaving for college this fall. I am mostly a Milwaukee guy but I have some Ryobi stuff too.
I am thinking of the following:
1/2" impact P262: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-Tool-Only-P262/314109271
Inflater PCL031: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...Inflator-Deflator-Tool-Only-PCL031B/326666980
Jump Starter P7110: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...th-2-0-Ah-Battery-and-Charger-P7110/324885787
Along with a small tool kit including a breaker bar.
She can change a tire on her own but with a 3 hour drive on a relatively rural highway I want to make sure it is as quick of a process as possible to minimize time at a gas station etc.
Does anyone have any experience with the above tools or thoughts in general? I appreciate any of it as it's my first kiddo going to school so this is new territory for me

 

[mm08822]

I worry that the batteries may be forgotten and when needed are found discharged. (She'll get busy with 100 other things.)

I'm assuming the breaker bar is for tire lug nuts. If so, is the impact still needed with her?

I suggest a 1/2" x 25" breaker bar and make sure the socket set has the right size socket for the lug nuts. Then make sure she can break them free and tighten up with it.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I read the title and thought, "Man that is weird! This poster is trying to scam someone into a trade."
Then I realized he already has a college bound daughter. Not trying to work a swap?
So this makes me wonder - Why doesn't she deserve something better than Cry-obi?

 

[dchawk81]

I can't speak to those tools but I have enough Ryobi that I keep in my semi truck that it makes me consider adding their impact as well.

My stuff currently consists of a drill, bolt cutters, and an angle grinder.

 

[readhead]

I have the 1/2” Ryobi impact and it has worked well for me. Someone on YouTube wanted to see if the guts from a Milwaukee would fit in the Ryobi since they both came from TTI and they were interchangeable.

 

[finn]

Spend the money on a more reliable car with better tires and add road service to her car insurance.

My money says she’ll never use those tools even if she goes on to get her PhD.

 

[hbabler]

Spend the money on a more reliable car with better tires and add road service to her car insurance.

My money says she’ll never use those tools even if she goes on to get her PhD.

Good suggestion and it’s already done.

There are a couple of spots that roadside assistance may be a bit delayed so I’m on the better safe than sorry part of it. That being said I’m hoping she never uses any of it.

 

[hbabler]

I worry that the batteries may be forgotten and when needed are found discharged. (She'll get busy with 100 other things.)

I'm assuming the breaker bar is for tire lug nuts. If so, is the impact still needed with her?

I suggest a 1/2" x 25" breaker bar and make the socket set has the right size socket for the lug nuts. Then make sure she can break then free and tighten up with it.

Honestly that’s my concern too. I may just do the big breaker bar with a dedicated socket like you suggested. Without that I worry she may not be able to get the lugs off since she’s on the smaller side

 

[john.k]

I would also carry a pair of the longest cheap tire levers ,not so much for tires ,but more for changing attitudes in a situation ...and yes ,a 24 to 29" breaker bar and a wheel nut size impact socket is a must ......Yes to a cheap air pump tire inflator .....no to any impact driver ...........I always carried a foot operated tire pump ,easy to use for a fit young person ....surprising how many times it was used

 

[OccupantRJ]

Getting a full size spare to place in the trunk along with the donut spare saved our daughter several times while she was in college and also since. She already had roadside service. There was one occasion where the car ended up with two flats at once in the Asheville NC area involving debris from hurricane Helene. The trucks hauling storm debris were losing **** everywhere. Encouraging her to acquire and maintain friendships is important to establish a reciprocal backup network with other students beyond the acquaintance or roommate level while away from home. As a fix it dad it will mess with your head when they are 300 miles from home and your arms are not that long. Facetime on Iphone was a blessing for diagnostics, situation analysis and to get a reading on her face while under pressure, and it can be reassuring to both of you.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I also suggest checking out the first year student parking situation ahead of time at the school she will be attending. It can possibly have stipulations.

 

[tez929rr]

I bought this Ryobi impact to keep in the wife’s car. It’s been great. The batteries keep a charge for at least 6 months so if you can get her to check them twice a year it’ll be good.

 

[jblnut]

I purchased a Ryobi jump pack like that one and was quite disappointed with it. I have since purchased three different Wolfbox jump packs and they’ve been fantastic. I have used them on the farm to start all kinds of very large things.

https://www.amazon.com/WOLFBOX-4000A-Starter-24000mAh-Portable/dp/B0CRRKRJ2S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I would agree with the manual tire pump and breaker bar vs electric versions. The fewer batteries to maintain the better.

I’m not sure why Ryobi stuff gets so much hate. “Why doesn't she deserve something better than Cry-obi?” Good grief get over yourself lol. I’ve been using the **** out of Ryobi stuff in the farm shop and have had incredibly few issues with any of their stuff. The newest 1/2” impact has enough snort to break lug bolts loose on our farm machinery and semis so I’m not sure what more one would want.

 

[RTM]

may just do the big breaker bar with a dedicated socket like you suggested. Without that I worry she may not be able to get the lugs off since she’s on the smaller side

Teach her the science of getting a Lug nut off when stuck and alone

Loosen slightly before jacking up
If you can’t remove the lugs by hand
1 Stand on it
2 Use the car as leverage by wedging the wrench against the ground and drive forward a bit. (Or back on the drivers side)


Was impressed to see a young couple do item #2 here in a parking lot. Was gonna offer an assist, but they jumped right to it.

 

[Mr_B]

If was going get battery platform tool I would consider the new Walmart range as very affordable and batteries can directly be used as power bank for phones etc which handy in a vehicle support kit .
Can't beat a manual foot pump and decent breaker bar with nice socket to be ready when ever needed, can of tyre inflator/repair can be handy get you moving quick in a real jam & covers issue of 2 flats or spare gone bad .
Besides real bad punctures I been able just pump them up and get home, do carry repair kit so can plug to some extent if needed .
Good tires saves you having issues most of the time, all my vehicles AWD or 4WD and have decent AT tires as the minimum and to date I only had 3 punctures in 33 years roughly .

 

[cvairwerks]

Teach her the science of getting a Lug nut off when stuck and alone

Loosen slightly before jacking up
If you can’t remove the lugs by hand
1 Stand on it

Better trick is the longest 3/4 break bar you can buy, a 12" or 18" extension and an impact socket for that size lug nut. Use the jack to support the extension near the break bar and then she can jump or stand or bounce on the break bar til the nuts break free. Adjust the jack as necessary to get the extension level with the nut. With the long bar, it's easy to generate lots of torque when bouncing on the end of it.

With good bouncing, it's not unheard of to have the ability to momentarily generate 2-3 times your body weight on the end of the bar. F*D get the job done!

 

[jayemm]

No to a foot pump, yes to a decent 12v plug -in inflator. A good flashlight. A pair of work/mechanics gloves. A little toolbox with basics (tighten battery terminals etc). Hand cleaner a nd a roll of paper towels.

 

[Cruzan80]

Maybe it is where I live, but I haven't had to worry about swapping out a flat in a long time. Inflator/jump pack, both get used every so often.

 

[rust in the eye]

The usefulness of tools is dictated by one's ability to use them and the availability of parts to effect a repair.
A good (inflated) spare tire, a jack that doesn't actively try to kill you and an effective lug wrench is all she ought to need. Making sure the wheel nut/bolts weren't run down by some knuckle dragger with a giant impact will help her perform that tire change if she needs to.
Good tires, battery and a well maintained car are her best insurance.
All of these rechargeable devices you suggest are only useful if the charge is maintained. Probably a low priority for a college student.

 

[Relax]

The first thing I'd do to prepare her for a potential wheel change is to make sure the wheels are properly torqued to the manufacturer's recommendation and not blasted on with an impact - so they'll come off easily with even a standard breaker bar. Maybe add some anti-seize to the hub to prevent bonding (or add a mallet to your list of tools and remind her not to hit the tire without at least 2 opposing lug nuts/bolts attached loosely).

 

[rust in the eye]

I would also carry a pair of the longest cheap tire levers ,not so much for tires ,but more for changing attitudes in a situation ...and yes ,a 24 to 29" breaker bar and a wheel nut size impact socket is a must ......Yes to a cheap air pump tire inflator .....no to any impact driver ...........I always carried a foot operated tire pump ,easy to use for a fit young person ....surprising how many times it was used

Perhaps you would but unless the daughter is a Ninja evasion seems a better tactic.

 

[a6hux]

Run-flat tires would be my choice instead of a air compressor.

 

[hbabler]

Getting a full size spare to place in the trunk along with the donut spare saved our daughter several times while she was in college and also since. She already had roadside service. There was one occasion where the car ended up with two flats at once in the Asheville NC area involving debris from hurricane Helene. The trucks hauling storm debris were losing **** everywhere. Encouraging her to acquire and maintain friendships is important to establish a reciprocal backup network with other students beyond the acquaintance or roommate level while away from home. As a fix it dad it will mess with your head when they are 300 miles from home and your arms are not that long. Facetime on Iphone was a blessing for diagnostics, situation analysis and to get a reading on her face while under pressure, and it can be reassuring to both of you.

Thanks for that info!
It’s very helpful to hear from someone who has been there

 

[bwringer]

The impact and compressor are great, but that jump starter is weaksauce.

 

[RTM]

All of these rechargeable devices you suggest are only useful if the charge is maintained. Probably a low priority for a college student

Or, if she leaves them in the car. When my children were in HS, they kept taking things like jumper cables and the package cover out of the car for more space for ****. I didn't see their cars much during college, but I suspect none of the bare minimum, much less the "longest 3/4 break bar you can buy, a 12" or 18" extension and an impact socket for that size lug nut."noted above would stay in the vehicle.

I was fortunate that their uncle was about an hour away from both, which helped my peace of mind, but we never used that option either. Modern cars are a bit more reliable than when I was in college, and carried a GMTK full of **** in the trunk, and mostly used it for other people's problems.

 

[jayemm]

The impact and compressor are great, but that jump starter is weaksauce.

jump pack can be handy but I'd still recommend jumper cables as a backup or first choice before jump pack.

 

[dchawk81]

jump pack can be handy but I'd still recommend jumper cables as a backup or first choice before jump pack.

I like my jumper cables but they're useless when you don't have another operational vehicle handy.

I have 2 boost packs for my semi truck and at least 3 hanging around for cars.

 

[KCZ]

Speaking as a woman here. I just came home from spending the afternoon looking at cordless power tools, and a couple of things I always evaluate are whether I can hold the tool comfortably and how heavy is it. I checked out the Ryobis today, and while they're pretty light, I concluded the grips were not made for a woman's hands and crossed them off the list. For the record, I do have all the stuff mentioned above in my SUV's and have used about half of it. Cars without a spare or jack are a whole different problem.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I cannot comment on the Ryobi car jump starter, but I have had these and all of my cars for a long time

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT5YNC5Z?tag=atomicindus08-20

I chose it specifically because it tested well on project farm. I also had a lower power version that worked well but I gave it to someone else who was having a lot of car trouble and I replaced it with the higher power one.

I have managed to start a bunch of cars of various sizes using that. I think a lot of it has to do with first. I let it sit and just charge the car battery for a bit... Then I hit the boost button and tell them to turn it over.

Never had a problem with the battery even after sitting for months. Maybe twice a year. I'll pull it and recharge the batteries just because.

Ryobi keeps changing their tire pump, but I have a Ryobi tire pump and I have used it very often.

I've also used my Milwaukee a lot.

What I've used that is slower is made by some unknown Chinese company, at least I don't know the name or remember it, and they've changed the form but it rolls up now on Amazon to this

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGQDSXZG?tag=atomicindus08-20

I do not know the difference between the black one that is selling for less than $15 and the orange one that is selling for over 30 dollars... It is much slower than the Ryobi or the Milwaukee, but I've done a lot of tires with it.

But I have no reason to adopted the Ryobi inflator would not serve you well. But I have the cheap Chinese brand one in every car...

These days I'm on my tires is down. I usually don't even fire up my air compressor. It's just as easy for me to grab my Ryobi or my Milwaukee cordless just connect it to the tire and off I go..
Takes less time than running them. Line off the reel.

No comments at all on the Ryobi impact, but even my brother in law was complaining that the Ryobi drills did not have enough ugga ugga and he was only driving screws. That said, I never had a problem with them while driving screws.. well, I wasn't using the impact for driving screws.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I purchased a Ryobi jump pack like that one and was quite disappointed with it. I have since purchased three different Wolfbox jump packs and they’ve been fantastic. I have used them on the farm to start all kinds of very large things.

https://www.amazon.com/WOLFBOX-4000A-Starter-24000mAh-Portable/dp/B0CRRKRJ2S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I would agree with the manual tire pump and breaker bar vs electric versions. The fewer batteries to maintain the better.

I’m not sure why Ryobi stuff gets so much hate. “Why doesn't she deserve something better than Cry-obi?” Good grief get over yourself lol. I’ve been using the **** out of Ryobi stuff in the farm shop and have had incredibly few issues with any of their stuff. The newest 1/2” impact has enough snort to break lug bolts loose on our farm machinery and semis so I’m not sure what more one would want.

I am not aware if I have gotten over myself. (Not aware of what that means, or what you may have meant.)
Glad to hear you are happy with your tools & gear.
BTW - Milwaukee guarantee is better than Cry-obi.

 

[ptabatcher]

If was going get battery platform tool I would consider the new Walmart range as very affordable and batteries can directly be used as power bank for phones etc which handy in a vehicle support kit .
Can't beat a manual foot pump and decent breaker bar with nice socket to be ready when ever needed, can of tyre inflator/repair can be handy get you moving quick in a real jam & covers issue of 2 flats or spare gone bad .
Besides real bad punctures I been able just pump them up and get home, do carry repair kit so can plug to some extent if needed .
Good tires saves you having issues most of the time, all my vehicles AWD or 4WD and have decent AT tires as the minimum and to date I only had 3 punctures in 33 years roughly .

good thought on those new Greenworks Pro tools.

for the OP, I had an older ryobi impact that I replaced when Lowes was closing out flex. it always got off every lug bolt I tried it on. Though there were a few times when it did struggle. I think the one you are linking too would be fine.

 

[Cheesy1]

I’ve got a 1/2” Ryobi, not sure which model. It presses me. 3/4 ton tires and suspension work, it hasn’t batted an eye at.

I have that inflator. It was awesome. Until it wasn’t. It ended up after a few years squalling like a stuck hog and basically burning up. I used it mostly for mower tires and topping off trailer tires. Wasn’t used a whole lot.

 

[john.k]

When I was at uni ,I purposely bought four wheels from a earlier model Ford so I could easily change tires myself .........mainly so I could use the $1 remould tires that all the taxis used ..........i always had good tread while other student cars had canvas showing thru

 

[Ohio Andy]

I’ve got a 1/2” Ryobi, not sure which model. It presses me. 3/4 ton tires and suspension work, it hasn’t batted an eye at.

I have that inflator. It was awesome. Until it wasn’t. It ended up after a few years squalling like a stuck hog and basically burning up. I used it mostly for mower tires and topping off trailer tires. Wasn’t used a whole lot.

For certain those battery powered inflators get nice and toasty... If you just feel the hose, it's hot.

 

[jblnut]

I am not aware if I have gotten over myself. (Not aware of what that means, or what you may have meant.)

The amount of attitude given at times on here by calling names like Cry-obi tells anyone reading that you may just be dumber than lumber for caring so much about one brand vs another. Who really cares ? Evaluate on price vs use and need. I don’t care what you run at home but don’t know what others run or may be able to afford.

Glad to hear you are happy with your tools & gear.

Happy, sure. It does the job. If I was given a blank check I’d buy all red stuff in a heartbeat but I don’t want to afford that so I don’t.

BTW - Milwaukee guarantee is better than Cry-obi.

When I can buy 2 or 3 green tools to 1 red one at times it makes the decision easier. I have had very very few green tools fail so that better guarantee would be about worthless to me. I don’t go around saying things like “that Milfuckee stuff is red because you gotta bleed a bit to afford it” because I just don’t care. I’m not gonna stand on a roof and defend Ryobi either because again, I really couldn’t care less. I started with blue stuff and went green with them and haven’t had a reason to look elsewhere

 

[mikedodge]

I would forget about the battery powered impact and look for a 12V wired one that plugs into the lighter or clamps on to the battery. With a battery one you'd need to be on top of keeping the battery charged, with one that runs off the car you don't have to. I like the idea of breaker bar also. It's always good to have a back up.

Any inflator will do. I always buy the cheapest ones I can find, like $15-$20 and again plug in type. It's actually saved me when I came out one night from work to a flat tire. I used it to get enough air in it to drive home, then got it fixed the next day. I wasnt in any mood to mess with putting the spare tire on on a cold night.

For jump pack my current one is a noco. I also have one of those ones with built in inflator but again the trick is keeping it charged. I mainly use it around home. For this I would also do like others have said and suplement it with jumper cables.

Id also get a small portable hydraulic jack. Far easier to use then messing around with the stupid ones that vehicles come with.

The gift of CAA/AAA would probably be the most convenient thing. When you have other problems like it over heats or needs to be towed for whatever reason, dead battery that won't start with that battery powered booster, lock keys inside etc that can be a huge panic trying to figure out who to call when you're already stressed out.

 

[powertrip]

The P262 is a beast. I use it mainly over the other 2 impacts I have. I am sending one off with my son to college for his GMC Sierra 1500.

 

[Cheesy1]

Just used mine to pull lug nuts off jeep and then caliper bolts in Walmart parking lot. Bungeed to frame and drove home. God bless cordless impacts, harbor freight floor jacks, and friends to take you to grab them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Before you can even take the lugs off and consider swapping tires, it's got to be up in the air. I've got a no name little trolley jack that has earned it's keep over the years. While they aren't much, I'll take one over the factory jack any day.

Don't have to spend big money... $35-40 give or take.

 

[i84x]

I like those Noco jump starters they even have usb ports to charge a phone with. She would probably do better with that and a standard 12v plug in compressor.
In my experience how many times do you change a tyre driving on normal roads. You would probably do better getting a top level breakdown cover (24/7 & anywhere) then investing hundreds in tools that will sit in her trunk and be dead if she actually ever needs them.