Bauer or ryobi for seldom used cordless tools?

[signcrafter]

Anybody have experience with bauer or ryobi cordless tools? I have all milwaukee and like them but they cost a premium, just bought a cordless belt sander and it was 330 dollars. I have a pretty large milwaukee collection and have all the tools I use most often for construction, auto repair, and yardwork. But there are still plenty I wouldn't mind owning. My air narrow crown stapler just broke so need a new one and would like cordless. Milwaukee is 330 dollars and bauer is 99, both bare tools. I don't use a narrow crown stapler often but need it for smaller jobs so cordless would be nice instead of dragging out compressor and hose. But 330 dollars for a tool I don't use often is getting harder to do, especially when you can get 3.5 bauer tools for the same cost. Just don't have experience with them to know if they are good or not?

 

[Digster]

I've had good success with Ryobi for seldom used tools and their lawn & Garden. For me it was cost and use frequency....cost won and not been disappointed. Milwaukee is my go too also....

 

[Jakeweldsalittle]

No experience with Bauer cordless ( I do have a couple corded d/a polishers), but I have a lot of Ryobi cordless stuff. I like that they continue to expand the tool line, and that one battery runs all. I would think either brand would suit you well for seldom use. I would lean ryobi just for that fact that they carry a bunch of tools that you may want to expand into one day, but either line would be fine.

 

[WildBill]

I vote Ryobi, their cordless brad nail gun and stapler are both really decent tools. I've ran thousands of brad nails and hundreds of staples through mine. I also really like their little 1/2" wide cordless belt sander, thing is crazy handy. I have mostly Makita but have a handful of Ryobi specialty tools that I am really happy with for the price.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have had very good luck with Ryobi tools. the only cordless I owned was a drill many years ago .

 

[rockbaron1]

I use Milwaukee professionally. I have ryobi for the home shop, ive been pretty impressed so far. I'm sure the bauer stuff is fine too though, there are lots of youtubers using their stuff pretty hard because harbor freight is a big sponsor.

 

[mark-NJ]

If I made my living with my tools, I would "reach to the higher shelf." But I don't, so it's Ryobi for me. If I destroy a drill (which I've done), I can buy 2 more to replace it for less than the cost of a "Red" tool.

I made the switch from a mish-mosh of NiCad tools to standardizing on Ryobi LiIon tools back around 2015. I have several variable drills, several impact drills, a sabre saw, a ******** saw...all well used (and a few abused). Batteries seem to last pretty well, too. And everything is readily replaceable five minutes from home at the local HD.

So far, no complaints.

I will say, though....I wish they had not discontinued these nice 120V robust charging stations. I like them a lot more than the new ones that have dinky wires & cheap wall-warts... When I occasionally find these on Craigslist locally, I snap them up.

 

[The Cobbler]

. If I destroy a drill (which I've done), I can buy 2 more to replace it for less than the cost of a "Red" tool.

and from the tool repair guys I see on you tube, the red & yellow tools aren't really that great anymore ...

 

[mark-NJ]

and from the tool repair guys I see on you tube, the red & yellow tools aren't really that great anymore ...

I've heard the same.

From 2015 to 2017, I scratch built a boat. I beat a couple of Ryobi drills to death...and they're still kicking! Filthy & covered in epoxy, but still fully functional. By comparison, my Makita (admittedly older & NiCad) drill gave up early in the build, and was the motivation to buy all-new battery-operated tools... I have *zero* regrets going with Ryobi...

 

[bwringer]

For sheer selection, you're not going to beat Ryobi. Their brushless stuff is fantastic, and the majority of the brushed stuff still gets the job done - read the reviews. (For example, the brushed impacts, angle grinder and guybrator aren't great; these tools benefit from the added power of brushless motors.)

The box-with-a-stick-on-top battery form factor is a little more bulky and awkward than the plain box style. In any case, I've been pretty happy with my extensive Ryobi collection.

I have added a few Milwaukee M12 tools where the smaller form factor makes sense. Their "trueview" work lights are fantastic; they use special full-spectrum LEDs that make a huge difference in accurate color perception. I also have an M12 screwdriver and 1/4" ratchet.

 

[txvwnut]

I've had Ryobi cordless in the shop for about 25 years and for the home gamer its good stuff. Hell a good professional that doesn't abuse tools could probably use Ryobi on a day to day basis with no issues. I will say this, the da sanders are a consumable in my wifes hands. She'll run one till it so hot you can't touch it. I have not had good luck with the circular saws but I have yet to try the newest iteration of them, yet. I've got a small deck project to do this weekend so the newest circ saw will get its time in the spotlight.

 

[Kurt4440]

I also have a bunch of Ryobi cordless tools, all have been purchased on sale or as a "special deal". They hold up well and there is an extensive lineup available. Since I also have Makita 18v and Milwaukee 12v tools I can say that you will be fine with the Ryobi tools.

FYI - Milwaukee and Ryobi tools are made in the same factory(s).

 

[no704]

Have a bunch of Ryobi tools at work, but no batteries. I got an adapter so i can use my Dewalt 20v battery’s with them.

 

[fech]

Love my Ryobi tools. Can’t recommend them enough. I have the drills, hand vac, reciprocal saw, inflator, and the nail gun. No problems with any of them.

 

[sparky 1971]

It's been around 20 years since I last had any Ryobi tools; for what they were, they were fine but nothing earth shattering but that has nothing to do with what is available today. I do have a few cordless Bauer tools in my shop: both 1/2" impact wrenches, right angle impact wrench, right angle drill, glue gun, reciprocating saw, metal cutting saw, grinder, both blowers, two different chain saws, pole saw, the itty bitty pressure washer and I'm sure there are a few things I'm forgetting. I also have the corded blower, belt grinder, 7" grinder, and the drywall sander. None if it is anything special and the "high torque" impact wrench isn't all that high torque, but they get the job done.

 

[Aaron_W]

I'm still mostly a corded tools guy, but with the exception of a few selected Makita, my cordless tools are Bauer, Ryobi, and Hercules in descending order. Initially I didn't expect cordless to compete with corded. Now I mostly stick with corded because they are often cheaper and I don't have to take a battery platform into consideration.

I started getting Ryobi in 2012, at that time mostly garden tools. Since I already had the batteries over time I've branched out into others. I've been happy with them, no complaints.

Probably 2 or 3 years ago I started getting Bauer. I started with a drill and driver, they were really cheap and I thought it would be nice to have a set in the house when I just needed something in a hurry, plus my family can use them and I don't have to worry about where they got left. That was the older brushless, and while not on par with my Makita, they really were not bad and I think they were only $30 including a battery and charger. With the included 1.5 amp hour batteries they are on the weak side, but usable and they perform significantly better with the 3 or 5 ah batteries.
Later I got the brushless drill and driver which are quite a bit better, although I'd have no problem recommending the brushed ones to someone on a really tight budget.

It seemed like for a while there HF had a buy a tool get a battery free deal a couple times a month, and they got me. Now I've got a gaggle of batteries, 7-1/4" circular saw, jig saw, cut off tool, couple of inflators, 3 gallon shop vac, hot glue gun and I'm probably forgetting a few. They have all exceeded my expectations (which were admittedly not set very high), and in fact have resulted in my corded tools only coming out if I have a fairly good size project.

Last I have added a couple of Hercules, mainly because I wanted a portaband, and they don't make one for Bauer. I was debating between Ryobi and adding another battery platform, when HF had a buy a Hercules battery and charger for $99 and get a free tool deal which included the portaband as an option. The tool alone was $129 and Ryobi's was more, so that was kind of a no brainer. Since I had the batteries I've also bought the 2 gallon "dust buster".


Ryobi are good, I've got no complaints but HF has really been nailing it with Bauer and Hercules. I'd consider most as good or better than Ryobi, or any of the Box store brands, and they are cheaper. I still buy Ryobi because they are good tools and they offer a much larger selection of tools, but I will usually look at Bauer or Hercules first.

The Bauer and Hercules batteries are one of the best selling points, as they are cheaper (much cheaper during sales) and they now offer 8ah, and 12ah batteries as well. Not cheap, but most of the other budget brands are only now starting to anything bigger than 4 and 5ah.

 

[jblnut]

I have probably 50 different Ryobi things and the only things I’ve managed to destroy in all my Ryobi years have been a box full of reciprocating saws. It’s really not their fault though as they don’t like to be run under water or in the mud when we’re doing field drain tiling.

I’ve had a number of batteries **** the bed but that happens. I think I have close to 40 batteries scattered all over and buy 5-6/yr at most. I have a couple NiCad batteries still rocking it. I’ve been a Ryobi guy since they were blue and still use my blue stuff. Some guys ask “where’d you get the neat blue Ryobi stuff ?” “Uh, Home Depot back in 2005 lol”.

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm still mostly a corded tools guy,

Nice , me too and no desire to switch anytime soon/

 

[Skellyii]

I used to have a buddy that worked in the HQ of a small Home Improvement store chain, and he would pass along salesman samples of tools from time to time. Of the cordless tools he passed out back then, the blue Ryobi stuff was the only stuff that lasted

Since then, I've acquired way too many Ryobi tools to mention. i.e. drills, drivers nailers, saws, grinders, yard equipment etc. The only one I've broken is a drill that I dropped off a mezzanine unto a concrete floor. It's just jammed, I would fix it, but I had already scored a couple of replacements dirt cheap from estate sales.

I've only had the corded Bauer stuff, but was pretty pleased with it, so I wouldn't hesitate to buy their stuff if they had something I couldn't get from Ryobi or Milwaukee.

Yep, I'm a fan of the M12 stuff as well. The M12 ratchets have a much better form factor than the bulky Ryobi stuff.

 

[blown94conv]

If you like your Milwaukee tools, then get the Ryobi. Both owned by the same parent company, Techtronic industries. They have owned Milwaukee since 2005.

 

[Aaron_W]

One thing that may be a factor for some, Ryobi uses the old style "stalk" battery format. I don't care but people have their various pet peeves and I see that one brought up from time to time. Bauer and Hercules use the now pretty standard slide on battery format.

If you are one of those who hates the stalk style, then that might be a knock against Ryobi.

 

[MichaelP]

For some simple tools used only occasionally, I sometimes consider a Chinese "beauty" that works with the batteries of my main tool lines (20V Dewalt and M12). At least, I don't need to invest into new batteries and chargers.

 

[mazdeuce]

I do the same with Chinese tools off Amazon that use the Milwaukee batteries that I already own. If I use it enough to destroy it I seriously consider buying the Milwaukee version.

 

[signcrafter]

Thanks for all the advice. It's hard to deviate from what you have and know and has worked for you but when you can get 3 tools for the price of one for things you won't use often it makes it hard. I'll go to HF and depot and check them out and see what all they offer and how they feel. Never really even looked at them when at the stores because I've always just added to the milwaukee collection.

 

[rust in the eye]

Years ago I had blue Ryobi drill/driver and small saw. The tools were decent enough but limited by poor batteries. Rebuilding the packs after they died(didn't take long)with better cells made them more powerful with longer run time.
Just a thought since you already have some red tools. What about a second hand or factory refurbished Milwaukee? That ought to narrow the price gap.

 

[ecotec]

I have used other people’s Ryobi, and it was fine.

I looked at the Ryobi glue gun, but I think that I will buy a Chinese glue gun off Amazon that takes Milwaukee batteries.

I want more tools, but I do not want to increase the amount of battery platforms that I have.

 

[Asphalt Animal]

I destroyed a Ryobi inflator, Their warranty replaced it no questions asked.

 

[signcrafter]

I have used other people’s Ryobi, and it was fine.

I looked at the Ryobi glue gun, but I think that I will buy a Chinese glue gun off Amazon that takes Milwaukee batteries.

I want more tools, but I do not want to increase the amount of battery platforms that I have.

I bought the glue gun off amazon that uses m18 batteries and love it. It's got good heat and seems built well enough for the 20 or 25 bucks I paid for it. I also bought the mini blow gun from amazon and have the tile ******** in my wish list. As I write this it makes me think why am I asking about getting ryobi or HF tools when I don't have a problem buying these cheap chinese knockoffs from amazon. Guess the only reasoning would be ryobi and HF tools are more money. If my 20 dollar glue gun dies I toss it in the trash without thinking twice but if a 100 or 150 dollar tool dies I'd be more upset and wished I had just spent the extra money to get the milwaukee version.

I have looked a little bit and will look more when I pull the trigger on a ryobi or HF tool, at the battery adapters. I have so many milwaukee batteries that if the adapters don't make it bulky in some way I will do that vs getting another battery line. I do have a couple ryobi batteries and charger. Last year we were in home depot and they had a pallet of ryobi electrostatic sprayers on clearance for 30 something dollars that came with the batteries and charger. The sprayer never worked and I searched online and found all kinds of issues with it getting to prime. I tried a few suggestions I read but nothing worked so decided it wasn't worth my time trying to get it to work. Not even sure what I would have used it for but for 30 something dollars I bought one. LOL

 

[alinc100]

I bought the glue gun off amazon that uses m18 batteries and love it. It's got good heat and seems built well enough for the 20 or 25 bucks I paid for it. I also bought the mini blow gun from amazon and have the tile ******** in my wish list. As I write this it makes me think why am I asking about getting ryobi or HF tools when I don't have a problem buying these cheap chinese knockoffs from amazon. Guess the only reasoning would be ryobi and HF tools are more money. If my 20 dollar glue gun dies I toss it in the trash without thinking twice but if a 100 or 150 dollar tool dies I'd be more upset and wished I had just spent the extra money to get the milwaukee version.

I have looked a little bit and will look more when I pull the trigger on a ryobi or HF tool, at the battery adapters. I have so many milwaukee batteries that if the adapters don't make it bulky in some way I will do that vs getting another battery line. I do have a couple ryobi batteries and charger. Last year we were in home depot and they had a pallet of ryobi electrostatic sprayers on clearance for 30 something dollars that came with the batteries and charger. The sprayer never worked and I searched online and found all kinds of issues with it getting to prime. I tried a few suggestions I read but nothing worked so decided it wasn't worth my time trying to get it to work. Not even sure what I would have used it for but for 30 something dollars I bought one. LOL

This is your answer right here.

 

[kngelv]

Every single day I check Home Depot’s “Deals Of The Day” About every ten days or so it will be power tools. Usually Milwaukee, DeWalt, Rigid and Ryobi. The deals are better than even the HF sometimes and you get better tools. I get anything I think I might use one day. I’ve gotten all my Milwaukee Forge batteries this way. I’ve also picked up yard tools the same way.

James