The Ryobi Tool Appreciation/Review Permathread!

[jgromada]

I like the Ryobi Sawzall and I actually have one but it doesn't compare to the Milwaukee Sawzall for cutting ability vs battery life

i personally think cutting ability is more about the blade you select rather than the saw. Sure orbital can be a little faster but..


I have no M18 batteries or tools not to mention it was part of the Ryobi special they had out so Milwaukee was a non-starter for me.

 

[Bacon!]

I have no complaints about my P517 sawzall's battery life or cutting speed, but it or the P516 brushed model, are the only Ryobi sawzalls I'd even consider. All their lower model #s are weak... yet might still do fine for light pruning, with a pruning blade if the wood is still green. Otherwise the blade will be the slowdown.

 

[tomwil]

Here’s the Ridgid branded one..

This was available at Home Depot last April 2019, for $48. Keep hoping it goes back in stock.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-JobMax-Ratchet-Head-Tool-Only-R8223403N/202176282

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=392949

 

[Farmall450]

This was available at Home Depot last April 2019, for $48. Keep hoping it goes back in stock.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-JobMax-Ratchet-Head-Tool-Only-R8223403N/202176282

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=392949

Wow, big money. The Ryobi multitool I'm offloading says it'll run all the ridgid attachments, which would be cool if they were less money.

Anyone need a new multitool or sawzall? LOL

 

[cderalow]

Grabbed one of the hybrid work lights recently.

Thing is great. Love the hook for hanging on things plus corded or cordless ability.


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[ronaldSwanson]

Picked up some new brushless stuff today. Really excited about the circular saw as I don’t like dragging the extension cord out every time I have to cut a sheet of plywood.




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[Henricogolfer]

Nice!


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[1982fxr]

Bought the 3x18 corded belt sander.

Doesn't track worth a ****.

 

[rick carpenter]

I'm looking for a replacement chuck for my P251 hammerdrill. I don't need a high dollar unit, just one that holds a drill bit better than the stock chuck. Apart from that, I'm liking the drill quite well. Its relatively heavy with the 4.0 battery, but in use the weight is perfect.

I'm also liking my P263 3/8" impact wrench a lot. I mostly use it with torx & phillips bit sockets and impact sockets for construction screws.

 

[1982fxr]

Got one of the cordless sets a few months ago.

Each battery has maybe an hour of total use. Now one has developed a short life and when you put it on the charger it goes from dead to fully charged in like 30 seconds.

Not looking good.

 

[may0naise]

May not be the strongest ever but I just cleared my VERY overgrown yard with my 18v P2006A string trimmer and it did the job no problem without me having to baby it.

This is just one small part of the yard taken a little after I started



And here is the same area after



Every year I think "this is the year it will die and I can get a "better" brand tool", and every year it powers right through with no complaints.

 

[upgrading]

I want to get the new One+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable Brushless String Trimmer

Used my 12" 18v chain saw today.
Worked great.

 

[jrbab]

Just got a 40V push mower. Super lightweight, cuts well. Battery still had 2 bars after 30+ minutes of use. Sure beats messing with my old gas mower - that is getting donated to one of my kids. The new one is quiet - will be able to use it 1st thing in the AM w/o annoying the neighbors. Now just have to hope it holds up well. I expect it will based on my experience with their other tools...

 

[thomasmessi]

Got it recently too. Really like features and I would say power is good enough for a diyer and the prune blade from Diabolo really make it a good tool for work around the yard. 50$ for the bare tool or 99 with 2 battery is good enough for me.

I got the Recip Saw recently as well. Been a god send pruning in the backyard. So much better than loppers.


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[Bacon!]

Hmm, just noticed that Ryobi must've released the new P518 brushless recip saw in NA because Home Depot has it on sale right now.

It's not on Ryobi's main site, but HD has a linked PDF showing the parts diagram. They rotated the motor 90 degrees this time.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...i-Tool-Attachment-Tools-Only-P1933N/310710636

P518 Repair Sheet diagram PDF:
https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/b9/b9d04534-912f-4a7f-beb2-d561de7739e8.pdf

 

[cderalow]

Just got a 40V push mower. Super lightweight, cuts well. Battery still had 2 bars after 30+ minutes of use. Sure beats messing with my old gas mower - that is getting donated to one of my kids. The new one is quiet - will be able to use it 1st thing in the AM w/o annoying the neighbors. Now just have to hope it holds up well. I expect it will based on my experience with their other tools...

Did the same recently here. Along with a 40V trimmer.

Both are great.


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[jg4660]

Good deal on this today:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...}+smf:{ca,br}:smf+nf:{1}:nf+qu:{302648209}:qu

JG

 

[Handyandy23]

Did I miss the good Ryobi Days deals this year, or did they just **** due to the pandemic? My local HD (Ontario, Canada) has all the "Ryobi Days" displays out, but there aren't really any deals. Most of the tools are regular price, and there's no offers for free batteries or starter kits like usual.

I want to pick up a couple new batteries but would be ideal to get them "free" with a tool. Kind of a letdown if that's all Ryobi Days is this year.

 

[jmhinkle]

It's starting on June 11th in stores in the states. It's already happening online. Crappy 4ah battery starter kit and a "free" tool.

 

[bwringer]

Picked up some new brushless stuff today. Really excited about the circular saw as I don’t like dragging the extension cord out every time I have to cut a sheet of plywood.

I recently got the low-buck brushed motor version of the circular saw, and it's been a revelation. One of the handiest widgets ever. I'm sure the brushless version is even mo' better.

The one thing I had to get used to is that the blade leaves a smaller kerf than the usual corded saw blades (uses less power), so I have to be somewhat more careful to cut straight on freehand stuff. Perfectly acceptable and expected, I think.

 

[Muckman83]

Can this bandsaw be fitted with a metal blade to cut pipe work ?


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[jg4660]

Good deal on this today:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...}+smf:{ca,br}:smf+nf:{1}:nf+qu:{302648209}:qu

JG

I bit on this deal (was $109 when i ordered $139 now) and it arrived yesterday. I was impressed by its torque...it easily and quickly removed the lug nuts on everything i could test it on including some i Torq'd as tight as i could without worrying about snapping the stud. However it had an intertermittant problem on the 3rd speed, it would take a few trigger pulls to get it to start. HD is shipping a new one and picking this one up. I hope the new ones better because it was really a nice tool...We'll see. If still an issue i'll probably go yellow because i already have a 5AH batttery with my weed wacker.

JG

 

[Copymutt]

My 2nd season using a Ryobi 40V string trimmer. Not a happy camper. Doesn't have the line speed of a gas model, thus limited to grass & dandelions. Its actually heavier than my Stihl. You constantly have to feed out line to max to be effective. The battery/ charger is failing. Just sits there w/ a red light. Calling customer service was an exercise in futility. They never pick up nor return the call. Out of frustration I slammed the battery home into the charger. Works now! For how long i don't know.

 

[Nineeightyone]

Last night I picked up the 18v Ryobi string trimmer & blower kit for $99, and spent another $50 on 2x 2AH batteries. All my other stuff is Dewalt, but between mixed reviews on the flexvolt system and the overall pricetag for something I already don't enjoy, I wanted cheaper. For far less money than I was going to spend going yellow, I got myself 3 batteries, a charger, and a blower too.

It's definitely not as powerful as gas, but the little single-string Ryobi trimmer works pretty well. It's not as long as I'd like it to be either, but it's not unbearable. The blower also has enough oomph to blow pollen and dust off of my car sitting in the garage. If I had spent Dewalt money on this level of performance, I'd be pissed. But for what the kit cost, I'm downright estatic. Edging performance is good enough for me, and it clears what I need to clear.

Link if anyone else needs a cheap lawn option: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...-Battery-and-Charger-Included-P2036/303180210

2x2AH batteries for $49: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...ium-Ion-Compact-Battery-2-Pack-P161/301289966

 

[upgrading]

2.0 mAh batts are kind of a waste.

 

[techieman33]

Last night I picked up the 18v Ryobi string trimmer & blower kit for $99, and spent another $50 on 2x 2AH batteries. All my other stuff is Dewalt, but between mixed reviews on the flexvolt system and the overall pricetag for something I already don't enjoy, I wanted cheaper. For far less money than I was going to spend going yellow, I got myself 3 batteries, a charger, and a blower too.

It's definitely not as powerful as gas, but the little single-string Ryobi trimmer works pretty well. It's not as long as I'd like it to be either, but it's not unbearable. The blower also has enough oomph to blow pollen and dust off of my car sitting in the garage. If I had spent Dewalt money on this level of performance, I'd be pissed. But for what the kit cost, I'm downright estatic. Edging performance is good enough for me, and it clears what I need to clear.

Link if anyone else needs a cheap lawn option: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...-Battery-and-Charger-Included-P2036/303180210

2x2AH batteries for $49: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...ium-Ion-Compact-Battery-2-Pack-P161/301289966

You would have been better off buying something from the ryobi days sales and getting 2 of the 4.0 batteries. If there's a tool you want, great. If not just choose the most expensive tool and then return the tool and keep the batteries for $55ish.

 

[Handyandy23]

Last night I picked up the 18v Ryobi string trimmer & blower kit for $99, and spent another $50 on 2x 2AH batteries. All my other stuff is Dewalt, but between mixed reviews on the flexvolt system and the overall pricetag for something I already don't enjoy, I wanted cheaper. For far less money than I was going to spend going yellow, I got myself 3 batteries, a charger, and a blower too.

It's definitely not as powerful as gas, but the little single-string Ryobi trimmer works pretty well. It's not as long as I'd like it to be either, but it's not unbearable. The blower also has enough oomph to blow pollen and dust off of my car sitting in the garage. If I had spent Dewalt money on this level of performance, I'd be pissed. But for what the kit cost, I'm downright estatic. Edging performance is good enough for me, and it clears what I need to clear.

Link if anyone else needs a cheap lawn option: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...-Battery-and-Charger-Included-P2036/303180210

2x2AH batteries for $49: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...ium-Ion-Compact-Battery-2-Pack-P161/301289966

I did pretty much the same thing, I had all DeWalt 20V tools, but wasn't looking to spend a fortune on yard equipment. My lot isn't big and it's in town so I'm not out weed whacking brush or anything. Picked up a Ryobi trimmer and blower combo and I've been very happy with it.

2ah batteries are a little small, but I certainly wouldn't call them useless. I can trim and blow my whole yard about 2-3x on a single 4ah battery, swapping it back and forth between the tools. I'd assume having two separate 2ah batteries, one for each, would net roughly the same result.

I think the smaller batteries are a little underrated by people on here. Really depends on the tool. I always use the "free" combo DeWalt 1.5ah batteries with my drill and driver, and in a pinch I'll use them in any of the saws or the grinder if I just need to make one quick cut or whatever. In the drill they last all day depending on what I'm doing. No reason to lug around a huge battery in a tool that doesn't need it.

 

[dagofast]

I bit on this deal (was $109 when i ordered $139 now) and it arrived yesterday. I was impressed by its torque...it easily and quickly removed the lug nuts on everything i could test it on including some i Torq'd as tight as i could without worrying about snapping the stud. However it had an intertermittant problem on the 3rd speed, it would take a few trigger pulls to get it to start. HD is shipping a new one and picking this one up. I hope the new ones better because it was really a nice tool...We'll see. If still an issue i'll probably go yellow because i already have a 5AH batttery with my weed wacker.

JG

Just curious if you charged the battery first? My Ryobi cordless drill will behave like that when the battery is starting to get run down. Slap in a freshly charged battery and it works flawlessly.

 

[jg4660]

Just curious if you charged the battery first? My Ryobi cordless drill will behave like that when the battery is starting to get run down. Slap in a freshly charged battery and it works flawlessly.

Yes, It came with a 4AH battery that was pretty much drained on arrival. It took about 1 1/2 hrs to charge.

JG

 

[dagofast]

Yes, It came with a 4AH battery that was pretty much drained on arrival. It took about 1 1/2 hrs to charge.

JG

Then I hope the replacement impact gun they send you solves the problem. My impact has been great from day one in the 1, 2 or 3 switch positions. But unlike drills, saws or grinders, I've never had to take off enough fasteners to run the battery in the impact gun down.

 

[Henricogolfer]

Anyone have experience with the 18 volt chain saw or pole saw? Have lots of other 18 volt tools I’m fond of, need something for light work around the yard.


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[awdblazer]

pole saw is awesome!!! it is cheaper than a manual pole saw in canada at least!!!

 

[DeeDubz]

My first ryobi power tool finally took a dump. My Cordless battery powered leaf blower died the other day. It lasted 8 plus yrs. It was refurbished when I bought it. Id buy it again. The blower started making a high pitched noise a couple of weeks ago. Finally had enough and it quit working. I replaced it with a Stihl 50 leaf blower gas powered. Its night and day. I think ill get a little battery powered on just to use in the shop or when im camping.

 

[Henricogolfer]

pole saw is awesome!!! it is cheaper than a manual pole saw in canada at least!!!

Yeah, with battery for $99 right now, think I’m going to pull the trigger.


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[zendriver]

Might have already been covered, but according to the wife, this sprayer rules! I liked it just testing it out.

No more pumping the sprayer!

 

[JerryC]

Got the Water Broom about a month ago and it rocks. I use a surface cleaner on my pebble finish driveway and patio and it does a good job loosening the dirt but most of the dirt just settles back down in the pebbles.

I had been using the wand to push the dirt away and the broom has three nozzles and it goes way faster. It seems like 5x faster but I have not actually timed it. It is also strong enough to do spot cleaning of places missed with surface cleaner, but it isn't quick doing that.

It's great for pre-cleaning, I use a backpack blower on low speed (Ryobi 40v of course) to get the loose stuff off first but loose pebbles won't all come off and the water broom gets 99% of them so you don't have as many pebbles rattling around inside your surface cleaner. The water broom also keeps them in a low trajectory and pushes them along versus my blower on high making missiles out the pebbles.

Other new stuff;
Handheld One+ blower; great blower for the small jobs.
One+ Caulk gun; should have got this years ago.
1600psi pressure washer, got this just for car washing. One car wash in and a big thumbs up so far. Paired up with a MATCC foam cannon. IMHO if you have a pressure washer and it doesn't have quick disconnects for the hoses, spend the $20 to get them, they make storage and setup so much easier.

 

[AngryEngineer]

Quick question and apologies if this should be posted elsewhere. I have two newer yellow Ryobi drills that won't hold bits at all when drilling. I bought a new 1/2" Jacobs chuck to replace with however neither chuck will come off. I've got the internal screw out and tried using a hex wrench and mallet, hex bit with 1/2" impact driver, neither chuck will come off. Has anyone ever gotten one off or is there a secret?

Lot's of Google sleuthing just says to do the same as any other drill, which only works on an old blue Ryobi which already has a 3/8" Jacobs chuck on it.

 

[jg4660]

I bit on this deal (was $109 when i ordered $139 now) and it arrived yesterday. I was impressed by its torque...it easily and quickly removed the lug nuts on everything i could test it on including some i Torq'd as tight as i could without worrying about snapping the stud. However it had an intertermittant problem on the 3rd speed, it would take a few trigger pulls to get it to start. HD is shipping a new one and picking this one up. I hope the new ones better because it was really a nice tool...We'll see. If still an issue i'll probably go yellow because i already have a 5AH batttery with my weed wacker.

JG

Well the replacement does the same thing just not as often. Its still usable but annoying having to sometimes keep squeezing the trigger to get it to run in the 3rd speed. It does work very well other than this. Now to decide what to do with it...

JG

 

[dagofast]

Well the replacement does the same thing just not as often. Its still usable but annoying having to sometimes keep squeezing the trigger to get it to run in the 3rd speed. It does work very well other than this. Now to decide what to do with it...

JG

Did you try a different battery?

 

[B T C]

Has anyone used the angle grinder included in the current Ryobi Days deal, the P421? Looks like the grinder alone can be had for 45 bucks and the reviews seem mostly positive. My grinding needs are pretty light and pretty rare, but needing to grind and not being able to grind is never fun.