jump ship from Ryobi or stay?

[Vegaman_Dan]

When I was looking at different cordless tools last year to choose as my first set and become brand loyal for the investment, I looked at Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi and others. I then looked at the replacement batteries both in the store and online. What struck me was that at about every three years, the brands would all decide to change designs and make all your existing tools incompatible with the new battery designs. I can't afford to buy all new tools that often and that was painful.

Ryobi has changed colors and designs of their tools, but the battery interface has stayed the same for years now. A tool bought five years ago is still compatible with the newest battery just released today, so you can get Lithium technology for your tool that only had Ni-Cad available at the time. That sort of stability was important to me and I pulled the trigger on a cordless drill and impact set.

I'm very happy with my purchase and now I wonder how I ever lived without a cordless impact wrench. It's my go to tool today.

 

[LordPsychon]

Ryobi's dedication to backwards capability is what sold my dad on the platform, he owns about a half dozen Ryobi tools. Once I get a little more cash in hand, I plan to do the same - I still love my 18v PC but they're not making any new ones and it's pricey to buy the old ones.

 

[jd_1138]

Thanks for all the sage advice. I will stay with Ryobi stuff. On payday, I am going to be ordering the 2 pack of high capacity batteries ($69), the multi-tool, and a jobsite radio (the one with the auxiliary input).

I used a friend's Dewalt impact today. He's a pro contractor and beats the hell out of it. It was heavier than my Ryobi impact because the Dewalt had a Ni-cad battery in it. I sat my Ryobi next to it, and the Dewalt was only about half an inch shorter in length. His Dewalt is beat to hell and back and has some loose pieces.

 

[03protege]

Around here it's all about the Makitas with the electricians, plumbers, carpenters. Hmm, so Ridgids are an upgrade over Ryobi? I haven't thought about them. There's a 3 pack Ridgid combo for $179 that comes with an impact, drill and jobsite radio along with 2 batteries/charger. They seem to have a lot more features than Ryobis and more powerful too.

And they have the lifetime battery warranty I guess?

I would think Ridgid tools are intended to be a step up over Ryobi, but I would wait to make that final judgment once the new line of Ryobi cordless tools hit the market.

http://www.protoolreviews.com/tools/power/corded/ryobi-18v-one-plus-spring-2015/13478/

The thing Ryobi has going for it that sets it apart from any other value minded brand is the selection of power tools it offers. I decided to go with Ryobi and Makita, The Ryobi's will be my less common tools that I cannot justify Makita's price for (due to my limited use or better performance from Ryobi)

EX:
Ryobi 300ft-lb Impact wrench 3.45lbs $129
--------
Makita 325ft-lb Impact Wrench 7.5lbs $189
--------
Makita 210ft-lb Impact Wrench 3.8lbs $189

 

[jd_1138]

I would think Ridgid tools are intended to be a step up over Ryobi, but I would wait to make that final judgment once the new line of Ryobi cordless tools hit the market.

http://www.protoolreviews.com/tools/power/corded/ryobi-18v-one-plus-spring-2015/13478/

Today I bought $190 of Ryobi goodness -- a blue AUX input jobsite radio, a 1/4" impact driver, 2 batteries/charger, and a multi-tool power base/attachment.

I already have a 1/4" cordless impact but I figured it'd make more sense to pay $99 for another 1 with 2 batteries, charger, and a bag instead of dropping $69 on just 2 batteries alone. This way I can have a spare impact and to keep a different bit in it. Could've used it on a recent project where I constantly had to change from a T15 to a T20 bit.

So now, I have 4 batteries, 2 chargers, 2 1/4" impacts, 1 drill, 1 circular saw, 1 sawzall, 1 lantern, 1 flashlight, 1 multi-tool, and a jobsite radio. I probably only have $375 in all of it. Or about the price of 1 Makita drill aone.

I already have a jigsaw, table saw, and a Hitachi compound miter saw, so I should be good for while until I find that a router would sure come in handy.