Gen I Ryobi 18v +1 impact ??

[Packard V8]

Since the box stores sold Ryobi by zillions, and the orange-danger-garbage batteries which came with them are now dead, we're buried in used circular saw, recip saw, drills, flashlights, weedwhackers, but I never see blue impacts for sale locally.

1. Are they worth having?

2. Why aren't there more Ryobi impacts sold with the more common stuff?

jack vines

 

[jd_1138]

Their newer lithium batteries will work with all their older blue tools. You can pick up a new (toxic green) Ryobi impact driver kit for about $75 that will come with 2 lithium batteries and a charger. You can breathe new life into the older tools with the new lithium batteries.

Probably they just sold less of the blue impact drivers and more basic kits (regular drill, circular saw, recip saw), thus you see less blue impacts for sale.

 

[PugetDude]

Since the box stores sold Ryobi by zillions, and the orange-danger-garbage batteries which came with them are now dead, we're buried in used circular saw, recip saw, drills, flashlights, weedwhackers, but I never see blue impacts for sale locally.

1. Are they worth having?

2. Why aren't there more Ryobi impacts sold with the more common stuff?

jack vines

1. YES
2. Because they know you'll buy one at one-off pricing.

 

[928'er]

I've got a blue P230 that came as part of a 5 piece (I think) set about 10 - 12 years ago. Works fine and has never skipped a beat. I've upgraded to lithium batteries however. I use the P230 with a 3/8 adapter as my "medium" duty impact.

I've got the P260 with the 1/2 anvil for half inch drive stuff and a Nextec 12v for 1/4" stuff.

Don't know how any of them would hold up in a pro environment, but they've held up fine to some pretty hard DIY use.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jack and ALL: I love both my blue and yellow Ryobi 18v impact drivers especially with the new batteries. also the chain saw and hedger are go to tools and I've had Stihl. sure i'm giving up some power, but quieter, lighter and better for small jobs is a big bonus.

I burnt up two Ryobi skill saws using them on too heavy plywood and cedar, but for little stuff I really liked the newer one with it's laser. yes the old orange batteries were **** because they eventually died and never held a charge very long, but he new ones last for maybe hours and hold charges for months.

keep the blue tools and add the yellow ones you need with the new batteries as you find or want them.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I think they just came out with a new one that has three settings on it.

 

[pauls_workshop]

I'll just add, I've had the older blue impact and the newer yellow impacts (but not the very latest). Both are fine with the Lithium batteries. The newer yellow I think is rated a little higher torque but they are both good. Some of the best tools in the lineup I think. - Paul

 

[Vigo]

I still use my blue 1/4" hex ryobi impact on a daily basis. It has seen some pretty hard tumbles and has never even hinted at giving up.

If you can find one for cheap, snag it. The newer ones might be slightly more powerful but for what i use it for it's never been an issue.

 

[PJNJ]

My last set of the old Nicad batteries finally died last year. I decided to wait for the holidays to get the lithium since around Black Friday for the last few years, Home Depot has had a "two for one" special for $99 on the large 4Ah batteries which are supposed to be the best of the Ryobi lithium battery line. Some stores will have them discounted after the holidays - I got a set for $75 at my local store a couple of months ago.

I picked up the new charger with the small lithium battery for $59 last month so my old blue tools will have a new life.

 

[d33pt]

My blue impact is probably one of my favorite tools. Its about 10 years old. I now use it with the lithium pack. One time I forgot it while doing some remote camping in the desert. Came back a couple of months later and it was sitting where I left it. Still had a charge!

 

[PJNJ]

My blue impact is probably one of my favorite tools. Its about 10 years old. I now use it with the lithium pack. One time I forgot it while doing some remote camping in the desert. Came back a couple of months later and it was sitting where I left it. Still had a charge!

I have the P230 impact too and have had for just about 10 years also. I beat the heck out of it for a number of years and it still works fine. Great tool for the price and one of the best buys for me. I am waiting to get the new version of the 1/2 impact with 3 speeds and 300 ft. lbs. of torque - should come in handy.

 

[Packard V8]

Thanks for the positive reviews. I'll continue to watch both retail and craigslist.

FWIW, the blue tools with dead orange batteries are going for $5-10 each and I've had to stop buying them, as I'm getting ahead of need and of replacement batteries. There a dozen of the orange batteries and taking a couple off the charger will usually get a quick job done. They peter-out too quickly for larger projects, so I'll watch for the deals on the yellow-green LiO batteries.

I picked up a whole set for $30, in the original case, which will be going to our son to keep down in his condo in Moab. They're great for light homeowner work.

jack vines

 

[drivesitfar]

Jack: I bought 4 of the newer 18v batteries 2 years ago for a Christmas special at $99 for 2 and they still work great. I hear the newer ones work even better and I've heard the 2 for $99 special sometimes got to $79 and $59 for the 2 bigger batteries so keep your eyes open for battery specials too and stock up.

if you can find the blue Ryobi 18v chain saw i'd buy it because with a sharp chain it cuts tree limbs and trees up to maybe 10 inch diameter without stopping. I cut a limb off my tree alongside my house that was 8 inches and with a little inch deep undercut first I came down through the top 7 inches so fast it was like butter and it is a pine tree.

they are great tools and maybe just not quite good enough for commercial or 8 hours per day every day use. I've used my little blue Ryobi 18v impact for maybe 10 years now and at times I've turned off rusty bolts and put together gyms for 100's of people and it still works as good today as it did when I bought it used for $20.

 

[mv213]

If you can, buy the bare tools (either new or used) and get the 4AH lithium batteries when they are on sale. They are the biggest single upgrade you can make to these tools. I thought my green drill was kinda gutless (I was using it with the first-gen lithium batteries) until I upgraded to the 4AH. Great tools for even serious DIYers with the good batteries.