Ryobi 18v users, recommendations?

[cheechi]

I am considering buying into Ryobi 18v tools for general items that my current cordless (Bosch 18v, Cman Nextec 12v) don't offer.

hand vac "dustbuster"
possibly some yard tools, been looking at the blower.
Maybe a few other misc items, the caulk gun looks interesting but I don't use it enough to need one.

If there are some really good ones, let me know your experiences. I might not even bother, I'm not dead set on the idea just looking for info besides what I read in HD's reviews.

 

[Mickey O]

I specifically bought the Ryobi 18 volt One+ set because of all the tools they offer specifically the weed trimmer (still looking for a used blower, did pick up another weed trimmer for $5 last week, got one at each house now). The lithium batteries are a must have. The weed trimmer works well for me, not a lot to trim. I've got the radio (use it all the time, listening to it now), the circular saw (works well), drill (works well), 1/4" impact (use a lot, works well), 1/2" impact (have not used it enough to comment), the grinder (not enough power with the regular batteries, haven't tried it with the lithium yet), stapler (not so good, didn't use it a lot), jig saw (haven't really used it much), recip. saw (haven't really used it much), flash lights are great and I have a router trimmer and a spiral tool I haven't used yet. I bougt the original set at Home Depot on Black Friday and most of the other tools used for really good prices.

 

[skeletonizer]

I have the buffer. Works great.

...and the circular saw. Great for using when up a ladder.

 

[GrantCee]

The good:
- Circular saw
- Drills
- 1/4" impact
- 1/2" impact
- Circular (disc) sander
- Recip. saw

The "OK":
- Caulk gun
- Corner sander
- Spiral saw

The Bad:
- Jigsaw (shaft that holds the blade twists, can't cut straight)
- Stapler (heavy, slow, jams, doesn't have a lot of power)

 

[djjsr]

Drills - I have 2 and use them all the time.
Circ saws - I have 2 and use them rarely. Ok for thin material.
Recip saw - Ok. I use only for wood and light metal.
Jigsaw - Use it once in a while. Works good.
Nailer - Got one, never use it. I prefer air powered.
String trimmer - Works good and my wife likes it. Ok by me.
Leaf blower - Works good for clearing grass clippings off the driveway. Not great for a lot of leaves.
Fan - Very nice when you're under a car on hot days.
Flashlights - I have 2 and wouldn't be without them.

Caulking gun - I don't use it for small jobs with latex or silicone caulk BUT this thing is GREAT for bigger jobs using urethane caulking. Urethane is thicker and this gun is a real hand saver.

 

[bigbearcraig]

I have had no problems with mine. Lithium batteries are the only way to go, not NiCads. So far for the price, the combo set can't be beat.

Grant Cee nailed it with his list.

 

[Stuey]

Make sure you buy one of the new kits. No NiCad. Basic Li-ion kits are now available at NiCad prices.

http://toolguyd.com/ryobi-18v-lithium-ion-batteries/

 

[cheechi]

I hadn't thought of the fan, thanks for the suggestion. How about the paint gun?

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

The good:
- Circular saw
- Drills
- 1/4" impact
- 1/2" impact
- Circular (disc) sander
- Recip. saw

The "OK":
- Caulk gun
- Corner sander
- Spiral saw

The Bad:
- Jigsaw (shaft that holds the blade twists, can't cut straight)
- Stapler (heavy, slow, jams, doesn't have a lot of power)

I agree with this list 100% but I would add that the hand VAC is garbage. I would say it ***** but I got flamed in another post when making that comment!

On the other hand the mini shop vac is actually not bad.

 

[cj7365]

HD has the starter kit, drill with circular saw for $99 and I need a new drill, so I think Im going to use my $50 off $100 coupon on this, ill get another battery

 

[amolaver]

i would disagree with grantcee putting the 1/2 impact in the good column. IMO, its near worthless since it doesn't take even lightly torqued (75 ft/lb) lug nuts off. i still use it occasionally, but typically when i've got a second set of hands doing disassembly on something. even a cheapo air gun is stronger, and both a 19.2v HF and 24v northern tool are stronger. the milwaukee is not in the same league - takes off my 1 ton truck's lugs (@150ft/lb) with just a couple of hits.

i would recommend avoiding the 1/2" square drive impact.. that said, i've gotten a LOT of use out of a refurb stapler - literally thousands of staples putting up fencing - and it works great. lots of other tools too, and happy with almost all of them.

ahm

 

[stonesfan68]

I have the leaf blower and trimmer and they work great.

Has anybody used the "Job Plus Base" with the multi-tool attachment? It looks to be very useful.

 

[GrantCee]

Oh, I forgot to add:

- Handheld vac: yeah, not very useful or functional.
- Original blue flashlight: don't even waste your time. Beam is awful, yellow, and the bulbs burn out quickly.
- Right angle drill: great, tons of power, fits in really tight areas.

Got to disagree with you on the 1/2" impact, amolaver. Used mine this very morning to put snow tires on the pickup; in fact, tire rotations are one of the main things I use it for. The nuts were torqued to 90 ft-lbs and the Ryobi took them off no sweat; "hammer time" was about a half-second each. If I had to pick a favorite Ryobi tool, the 1/2 impact would be vying for first place.

Now if you're using the NiCd batteries that might make a difference, but who uses those any more??

 

[bigbearcraig]

My 1/2 impact will take the lugs off my car which are torqued at 140 lbs. It is rated at 200 ft lbs, but I doubt it has that much power. It certainly was not designed for a professional, but for home use it does what I want. What I like is, I don't have to fire up the compressor and drag out the airline for a small job.

 

[GSteg]

The Ryobi 1/2" impact is the twin of the Craftsman C3. With that being said, the impact is a good value. It will take off lug nuts most of the time unless they're over-torqued severely.

 

[L5wolvesf]

My usage is mostly around the house and garage. Some use when I do small side jobs.

3/8s Drill - Have 1 use it all the time, works great. Never did the recall thing. Original, at least 5 years old, from Home Depot.
Circular saw - Have 2, original is used a lot mostly 2x4 & 2x6 works great. 2nd was via garage sale ($10 including a charger) have not used it yet.
Reciprocating saw – Have 1 just got it recently, not much use yet. Blade change is different than my Ryobi electric saw.
Weed trimmer - Have 1 use it a lot, especially this year, works good. String replacement is a bit of a pain but not a big issue.
Flashlight (green) - Have 2 work very good. The twist head is very useful.
Angle grinder - Have 1, not much use yet.

Chargers – Have several older ones (black) work good. 1 green works good.

Batteries – not sure how many. I rotate them, 1 was dead when I got it, considering having Batteries + rebuild it. Originals (black), 1 at least 5 years old, still going strong, no problem with them. 1 green battery, a couple years old still going strong, no problems.

L

 

[Tucko]

I am considering buying into Ryobi 18v tools for general items that my current cordless (Bosch 18v, Cman Nextec 12v) don't offer.

hand vac "dustbuster"
possibly some yard tools, been looking at the blower.
Maybe a few other misc items, the caulk gun looks interesting but I don't use it enough to need one.

If there are some really good ones, let me know your experiences. I might not even bother, I'm not dead set on the idea just looking for info besides what I read in HD's reviews.

Ryobi in my opinion is just one small step above Harbor Freight.

 

[bigbearcraig]

Ryobi in my opinion is just one small step above Harbor Freight.

Is that opinion based on experience or just your opinion? While not professional quality, I have no problem with them, if I were using these tools in the trades, I would buy the high priced brands, or if I had failures due to poor quality, I would buy something else, but neither of these apply to me or the average homeowner. I don't abuse any of my tools, use them for work they were not designed to do, so I seldom if ever have failures.

 

[WWIIjeep]

hand vac "dustbuster"

Skip the hand vac/Dustbuster. It's just barely better than worthless. The small canister vac is better.

I mainly use and like the 1/2" drill-driver and reciprocating saw. The circular saw is decent too.

 

[ddawg16]

Ryobi in my opinion is just one small step above Harbor Freight.

I'm inclined to think that is an unqualified opinion.

I have a bunch of the 18v tools....I use the dog **** out of my drills....the sawzall has more than paid for it's self.

I've got 2 of the lights (replaced the bulbs with LED's, brighter and last a LOT longer)
2 Drills
Sawzall
Vac
Right angle drill
Circular Saw

And a bunch of the wired tools....portable planner...drill, router, buffer, grinder, table saw, compound miter saw.....etc...etc....

I have the NiCad's....watching the sells for new tools....I'll upgrade to LI when I find something I need that comes with

In my 'qualified opinion', the Ryobi 18v set is a great value

 

[cj7365]

Ryobi in my opinion is just one small step above Harbor Freight.

you might as well include Milwaukee, Mikita, Rigid etc.. all of the drills are made in China

 

[dankicksass]

On the other hand the mini shop vac is actually not bad.

The shop vac is great, I have the C3 model, I think it's discontinued at Sears. I'd never give it up. Ryobi has a bigger line than Craftsman C3.

 

[GSteg]

The shop vac is great, I have the C3 model, I think it's discontinued at Sears. I'd never give it up. Ryobi has a bigger line than Craftsman C3.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...1&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=33-104965992-2

This one? I have it also and it's great. A lithium-ion is a must though.

 

[cheechi]

Skip the hand vac/Dustbuster. It's just barely better than worthless. The small canister vac is better.

I mainly use and like the 1/2" drill-driver and reciprocating saw. The circular saw is decent too.

This really disappoints me. Part of the reason I was considering the Ryobi cordless platform is this vac. I have a shop vac, a bucket head vac, and I got my dad a PC version which I like.

Drills, drivers, jigsaws, recip, I'm well taken care of with my Bosch. They Ryobi wouldn't be that big of an investment to buy a second set of tools/batts to fill in the gaps.

Regarding the comparison between HF & Ryobi; have you used HF's cordless tools? You may be the lucky one without shorted batteries or nicads that wouldn't charge the fourth time or tools with missing bearings that just seize in the middle of drilling a hole. Far too many stories like that for my taste, while I've used Ryobi portable & corded tools off and on for the past decade and generally they do what you could reasonably ask of them for the price. Really the only 'bad' thing in my experience is how long the batteries take to recharge compared to my Bosch big batts taking about 30-40 mins. The package even says 'one our charge' as if it's a selling point.

If you want to say Ryobi is a low end tool, fine. It is, they aren't trying to be top of the line. Mention Skil, fine valid comparison. Some may get offended by saying Cman is not a high end product but we've already seen mention the C3's are largely the same exact tools. Comparing any to HF is not fair to either.

 

[CoryZ]

I have the Lion 18V+ from around '09.

Jigsaw, not bad for light use. Eats batteries.
Drill--good
Blue Flashlight--eh..it's ok I guess, I don't really use it
Handvac--good. This has sat next to the cat litter box for 2 years. It does the job.

 

[bigbearcraig]

I have the Lion 18V+ from around '09.

Jigsaw, not bad for light use. Eats batteries.
Drill--good
Blue Flashlight--eh..it's ok I guess, I don't really use it
Handvac--good. This has sat next to the cat litter box for 2 years. It does the job.

Cory, do you have the NiCads or the Lithium? Not sure the Lithiums were available in 09, but I could be wrong. In you don't have the Lithiums, there is a huge difference performance.

 

[WWIIjeep]

This really disappoints me. Part of the reason I was considering the Ryobi cordless platform is this vac.

Well, to be fair, I probably expect too much from "Dustbuster" style vacuums, because I've never liked any brand of them. My expectation has always been partly based on the portable industrial vacuum (Cadillac brand) I used to carry in the truck when I was a field service tech, and that's certainly not an apples to apples comparison.

 

[Richard D]

All of mine work fine, and I don't even have the lithium batteries yet.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've had these tools for several years, In my opinion they are OK, not great.

I have:

Drill/driver - best tool in the bunch, but 18v is overkill for a cordless drill.
Circular saw - near junk - just not powerful enough for practical use
Recip saw - good for light work or short bursts of heavy work
dustbuster - OK, for what it is
Chainsaw - useless
light - OK it lights things up and the batteries last a long time
jigsaw - One of the tools I like very much
Mini router - short battery life, but very handy for small roundover or trimming projects.

I really like the concept, but I bought Milwaukee V28's which put the ryobis to shame - and relegated the Ryobi tools as my backups.

 

[3xpendable]

I have been using ryobi for around 9 years I still have all my original tools. The ones I used everyday did the name proud. They all took on a hole new life with lith batts. My prob is with the triggers they don't hold up and stop working with variable speed and just jump to full on. I worked for rebath for 5 years my ryobis hung with all top brands and got **** talked on them all the time but they was still kicking and refused to give up the good fight. I only have two tools that no longer work. My first drill took a dive from a travel trailer and lost variable speed and my best bud my 1/4 impact. Man I bought that when they first came out and fell in love there is no telling how many 3 in screws this guy has run thru. no fuss just nails them home after about 6 years of everyday use the trigger started to ack stupid just full speed. At around the 7 year mark it stopped hammering it would just drive screws in like a drill lol. You can tell they are not pro tools they are not as fine as the top brands but they put in work son and don't let up

Tools I think are a wast

At top of list. Stapler POS. brad nail option is a joke if it drives it in will leave a big flat plunger mark in wood

Jig saw. Just dont have the stroke count to make nice cuts it's around 800. Most real jigsaw are like 1200- 1300 I think that's what my DeWalt is

circular saw. No luck with both of mine one has a pos lazer I just think they ****


Tools that I have had good luck with

Spiral saw. Used it every job to cut molding out next to tub for my wall leg to go

laminate router. In the rv biz we use a flush cut routing bit to cut out the wall paneling and aluminum siding on windows and doors and such . It was pure win

Saw zaw. I though this thing was a POS at first but it has cut out every fiberglass one peace tub I have ever removed (about two a week for 5 years ) and steel tubs

Hammer drill. Let's be real it's a joke when it comes to hammer drills but works great on mud set tile walls. Mine Is still working fine

Blue light. First bulb was a pos replaced with a DeWalt bulb and is still going to this day

Shop vac. It's win. not the best but it works

Dust buster vac. It does it's job. But the amount of water it can hold is better soaked up with paper towels. Unless you want a nasty bath of vac water

 

[L5wolvesf]

gf was watching cooking show last night. In the background was a chef using a Ryobi (dark blue body, black & yellow battery) recip saw to cut what looked like a rack of ribs.

L