Ryobi Tools?
- Thread starter strkar
- Start date
Ditto..I had one...and only one Ryobi tool
rasit
Well-known member
I've had my well used 18v cordless screwdriver for about 6 years and finally just bought two new batteries for it. Never had a problem.
tpolley
Well-known member
There's nothing wrong with ryobi if they're in your budjet.
supertooljunkie
Well-known member
I have Ryobi drills, hammer drills, recip saw, and circular saw. The tools themselves are good for the money. The batteries ****. I have had to return at least one of every two batteries because the would not take a charge from new, or the charge would last 1-2 hours. Unless they can do better with the batteries, I will not buy them again.
i've got a ryobi reciprocating saw and haven't had any issues with it. i've used it on wood and thick gauge metal, car frames, etc. no issues at all. as far as cheap, yea it is, but for the homeowner there's no need to spend an arm and a leg on this stuff. i bought a cheap skil brand skil saw from lowes and it's done wonders for me.
you just have to be smart when spending money on tools. now, i'm in the market for a table saw. this i won't go cheap on a ryobi $100 model. i know i'll have to spring over $250 for anything that's remotely decent, or that's good enough for the projects i have in mind.
you just have to be smart when spending money on tools. now, i'm in the market for a table saw. this i won't go cheap on a ryobi $100 model. i know i'll have to spring over $250 for anything that's remotely decent, or that's good enough for the projects i have in mind.
I picked up the Ryobi BT 3100 table saw for short money at Home Depot a few years ago and it's worked pretty well. It has a pretty loyal following and a couple of websites dedicated to it. From what I've read about the cordless drills, the people who own them are always surprised at how good they are for the money. When my Makita goes I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Ryobi.
My cousin bought a 14.4 volt Ryobi drill/driver 5 years ago. It's been through hell and back and has the battle scars to prove it. God only knows how many times it's been accidentally dropped and whatnot on the many jobs he's done but it still runs like a champ.
He only just recently bought a new battery and chose to do so rather than upgrade to 18v or another brand.
I agree Ryobi is a great bang for the buck but I'd recommend nothing lower than 18 volts in terms of cordless.
edit: Oh yeah, a 14 amp circ saw should be nice...generally the higher the amperage, the more power you'll get. That's why you'll see that worm saws are usually 15 amps and that higher amp recip saws don't bog down as much.
He only just recently bought a new battery and chose to do so rather than upgrade to 18v or another brand.
I agree Ryobi is a great bang for the buck but I'd recommend nothing lower than 18 volts in terms of cordless.
edit: Oh yeah, a 14 amp circ saw should be nice...generally the higher the amperage, the more power you'll get. That's why you'll see that worm saws are usually 15 amps and that higher amp recip saws don't bog down as much.
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djjsr
Well-known member
I don't have any 110V Ryobi tools but I have almost all of the 18V stuff. I agree that the batteries aren't too good, except for the lithium batteries but they're a bit expensive. I haven't had any of the tools quit but I have one drill that doesn't vary speed anymore (it's about 10 years old). Not bad tools for the money.
I was looking at the corded 14 amp circular saw, 3/8 clutch driver, and reciprocating saw. I've heard the issues with the batteries over time, but I would think that is to be expected.
I'm just trying to build up my tool collection but in a reasonable economical way. I don't want to buy ****. I don't mind spending a little more if I have to for something that will last many many years. I'm now on the fence on this one.
I'm just trying to build up my tool collection but in a reasonable economical way. I don't want to buy ****. I don't mind spending a little more if I have to for something that will last many many years. I'm now on the fence on this one.
Shocker
Well-known member
I have the 13a circular saw. Been great. Had it for about 10 year. Cut everything for several remodels from 2x4's to long OSB cuts. Always been great.
I've had the 3/8" Clutch Driver for probably 10 years now (along with a full 18V set). Can't say I've ever had anything wrong with any of it. I just wish the Clutch Driver had a 1/2" chuck though. Got new batteries and a new 18V flashlight bulb about a year ago. Only complaint (if you can call it that) is the 18V circular saw is a little weak, but it's not designed for heavy cutting.
The only complaint with my Ryobi tools (18V cordless) is that the batteries are weak. They save money buy using cheap cells that dont have the capacity. My experience is with NiCd. Maybe the lithium batteries are different. When I got tired of buying replacement ryobi batteries that loose capacity quickly (1 year of moderate use), I decided to buy my own quality cells and now I LOVE my ryobi. I can say that my high capacity NiCds outperform the ryobi new battery packs. They are absolutely saving money by using low capacity batteries - but that problem can be solved easily.
CatfishXpress
Well-known member
I have a Ryobi router,
I would not buy another one,
nor will i be buying anymore of their products,
you get what you pay for
I would not buy another one,
nor will i be buying anymore of their products,
you get what you pay for
Homoudont
Well-known member
Check your local craigslist, you can pick up Milwaukee, Dewalt, etc for a fraction of the cost new. And these power tools are worth having rebuilt at a local rebuild center if they ever fail on you. A lot of contractors are going out of business and are selling their tools to make ends meet. Its unfortunate but I'll go in there and buy the tools at their asking price if its reasonable and we have two happy parties. I just bought a Porter Cable Circular Saw, Milwaukee 1/2 heavy duty drill with metal case, Makita 3/8 drill and Bosch Jigsaw for $85 his asking price.
IMHO if you don't need it right away, just keep your eye on craigslist for decent deals.
IMHO if you don't need it right away, just keep your eye on craigslist for decent deals.
djjsr
Well-known member
If you do want to buy Ryobi, check Home Depot's website. Sometimes they have pretty good prices compared to the stores. I agree that Craigslist is a good place to find good deals on tools. I just got a DeWalt biscuit cutter in almost new condition for $50.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
One of my bosses rarely uses a drill. When he does, it isn't on anything tough. I recommended the Ryobi cordless to him. I know several contractors (or did prior to this economy) that buy the kits for their help. Cheap enough and the batteries from one work for the other.
My needs were heavier duty then I consider their cordless stuff for, so I went elsewhere. I do have some of their corded stuff including their 3/8" corded clutch drill (one of only two I am aware of). The stuff I have is pretty decent.
Now recently I had been looking to obtain another battery for my impact driver. I found the Ryobi 12v kit (Lithium with two batteries) for less then one battery for my impact driver (woodworking not vehicle). It made more sense to pick it up.
My needs were heavier duty then I consider their cordless stuff for, so I went elsewhere. I do have some of their corded stuff including their 3/8" corded clutch drill (one of only two I am aware of). The stuff I have is pretty decent.
Now recently I had been looking to obtain another battery for my impact driver. I found the Ryobi 12v kit (Lithium with two batteries) for less then one battery for my impact driver (woodworking not vehicle). It made more sense to pick it up.
Soon2AdjustYou
Well-known member
I have had the 18v drill/recip saw/circ saw/flashlight combo for honestly 8-9 years. I JUST bought two new batteries for it. I think I may need a charger too.
The circular saw loses power on long cuts
Sawzall runs a battery down fast
I would definetly buy another set
Dr. B
The circular saw loses power on long cuts
Sawzall runs a battery down fast
I would definetly buy another set
Dr. B
Tale of three 4.5" angle grinders:
1. Harbor Freight. Cheapest at $29. Lasted about a year, then shorted out internally. Into the trash...
2. Ryobi. $40 at HD. Has been doing the job for quite some time. Seems well built and is lasting.
3. Milwaukee. Newest addition. I picked them up three-for-$112 during a promotion, but normally around $60 each. Definitely a bit more power than the Ryobi.
I'd have no hesitations recommending the Ryobi tools to a friend on a budget for occasional use...
1. Harbor Freight. Cheapest at $29. Lasted about a year, then shorted out internally. Into the trash...
2. Ryobi. $40 at HD. Has been doing the job for quite some time. Seems well built and is lasting.
3. Milwaukee. Newest addition. I picked them up three-for-$112 during a promotion, but normally around $60 each. Definitely a bit more power than the Ryobi.
I'd have no hesitations recommending the Ryobi tools to a friend on a budget for occasional use...
krooser
Well-known member
I bought my wife a Ryobi 12v drill kit several years ago so my 14.4 Milwaukee would stay in my shop... worked maybe four times before it died... the replacement was good for about a year.
Meanwhile the Milwaukee is now about 14 years old a still going strong on the original batteries.
No thanks.
Meanwhile the Milwaukee is now about 14 years old a still going strong on the original batteries.
No thanks.
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Vinko
Well-known member
I tried the detail sander. Worse tool I've ever bought.
Shocker
Well-known member
Ok, so there are those that don't like them. If you guys would be so kind, can you quantify why?
Had a drill, never again...that brings little to the table. Tell us why you didn't like it, what happened with it?
Had a drill, never again...that brings little to the table. Tell us why you didn't like it, what happened with it?
i've had my ryobi set for a few years now and have been impressed. upgraded to the lithium batteries recently and it's like a new tool. i do agree the old batteries were junk, BUT they were cheap. Only $20 each compared to $80 for a makita 18v battery.
My reciprocating saw and circular saw are both plug in not battery powered so I can't really comment on the battery powered stuff. However with the plug in stuff I have nothing but good things to say about it. Circular saw's never given me any trouble, rips through everything with a good blade. The recipricating saw has seen it's share of metal, plastic, wood, you name it and held up just fine. I give their power tools an A+. I can see maybe if you were using these tools professionally where they may not hold up but these aren't made for that, IMO. They are made for the home do it yourselfer.
sammerdog
Banned
I also had one and only one Ryobi tool - also a cordless drill. Rickster described my experience to a "T".
In addition, no matter how much I tried to tighten the keyless chuck, silly thing wouldn't hold a bit. Seemed stupid to have a drill that could only handle a hex-shanked driver/bit/accessory.
fwiw - I also have a supposedly higher end DeWalt corded drill. Same problem with the keyless chuck. Dang thing won't hold a bit. My middle of the road Craftsman corded does fine.
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My sister bought one of those Ryobi 5 in one packages from HD. I used them, and IMO they're somewhat useless. I can't justify spending ANY money on junk tools, so I wouldn't even say they're cost effective for the price. DeWalt or Milwaukee would be a better choice. Check Craigslist and look for some Black Friday or Christmas deals.
tpolley
Well-known member
for what its worth i've got the craftsman set which is made by the same company as ryobi. the batteries are from a different manufacturer. not sure if they're any better or worse. the two batteries i got with the 5pc set lasted 2 years. i didn't take care of them i let them loose charge and sit dead for months at a time. i would say the set was worth every penny of the 189.99 i paid for it. the tools are built well. i've cut everything from 3/4 plywood to 2x6's with the 5 1/2 trim saw. i've screwed siding with the impact driver. i've drilled holes in 1/2 inch steel with the drill. i've done some pruining with the reciprocating saw but other than that i haven't used it much.
the only thing i don't like about the nicads is they get hot when you use the **** out of them. they won't charge when their hot. you have to wait for them to cool off before they will charge. there's a thermistor in the battery. really ***** when you're in the middle of a job and you've only got 2 batteries and one is dead and waiting to cool down before you can charge it. the new lithium batteries don't get as hot so they will charge immediately when you've been using them hard.
dewalt and milwaukee are better. the batteries last twice as long but they cost twice as much. some of the tools have nicer features. if you're using them all day every day i would say they're worth the extra expense. if you're using them on the weekends around the house craftsman or ryobi will serve you well.
personaly i have to push craftsman because thats what i have and i want them to sell alot of tools so they'll stay around awhile and develop more power tools.
the only thing i don't like about the nicads is they get hot when you use the **** out of them. they won't charge when their hot. you have to wait for them to cool off before they will charge. there's a thermistor in the battery. really ***** when you're in the middle of a job and you've only got 2 batteries and one is dead and waiting to cool down before you can charge it. the new lithium batteries don't get as hot so they will charge immediately when you've been using them hard.
dewalt and milwaukee are better. the batteries last twice as long but they cost twice as much. some of the tools have nicer features. if you're using them all day every day i would say they're worth the extra expense. if you're using them on the weekends around the house craftsman or ryobi will serve you well.
personaly i have to push craftsman because thats what i have and i want them to sell alot of tools so they'll stay around awhile and develop more power tools.