About a year and a half ago or so I needed to buy some power tools so I went and bought a Ryobi 18v (nicad) set but they are starting to leave a bit to be desired now. I am not a contractor or a pro by any means just do alot of odd jobs around the house and for family and what not. The Porter Cable 18v Lithium Ion is starting to catch my eye, is this really a step up or would I be better to just go ahead and drop the cash on a Dewalt set( the new 12 volt stuff seems pretty cool to me but think I need a bit more oomph to the tools). Mainly I'm looking for an all purpose drill and guess I'll drink the kool-aid and get an impact driver as well. The saws I'd just prefer to keep corded.
Upgrading from Ryobi
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nirion
Well-known member
I bought the Ryobi nicad kit also, and the batteries started to get weak. I ended up getting a deal on a string trimmer/leaf blower kit for $69. It came with a lithium battery and they are much better. So, long story short, check out the lithium Ryobi. I think they have an impact driver kit with lithium battery.
Dickey
Well-known member
I've got a Ridgid 18v lithium set. Absolutely love it. I had bought the auto shift power drill two years ago and a few months back I bought a 5 piece combo set that included a hammer drill, impact driver, skill saw, sawzall and light. Lifetime warranty on the product including the batteries if you fill out their paperwork after buying it. The tools are obviously made to be repaired and that says a lot about the product to me.
mdbeck1
Well-known member
I had the same problem a while back. I had the nicad Ryobi (18v) and SWMBFAO bought me the NEW Lithium Ion set. The batteries are interchangable. The tools appear to be the same (except for the color). The old equipment works better, faster, and with more power if you use the new batteries.
PCO6
Well-known member
I was never a fan of cordless tools. About a year ago I also bought some Ryobi 18V tools and I have really liked them. I started out with a drill / driver set then bought a reciprocating saw, jig saw, circular saw, light and a caulking gun. They are basically homeowner tools but they have held up well to some fairly heavy duty use.
About a month ago I also decided to upgrade and and went with the DeWalt 20V line. I bought a drill / driver set and they have been great. I will keep the Ryobi tools until they wear out or the batteries die. One thing I like about Ryobi is that you can buy the tools individually. DeWalt, around here anyway, is only selling its tools as combination sets right now. I know that will change but it's a bit frustrating right now.
About a month ago I also decided to upgrade and and went with the DeWalt 20V line. I bought a drill / driver set and they have been great. I will keep the Ryobi tools until they wear out or the batteries die. One thing I like about Ryobi is that you can buy the tools individually. DeWalt, around here anyway, is only selling its tools as combination sets right now. I know that will change but it's a bit frustrating right now.
Walterchang
Well-known member
I was given a starter set of Ryobi stuff, drill, saw, I have ended up buying a jig saw, fan, right age drill and a extra drill (got 2 batteries with that buy). What I like is that they cheap, they do work, and I did I mention cheap.
What I hate is the nicad batteries do not last at all. Not even close to my Dewalt stuff. The chargers are goofy, I never know if they are working properly. I have nothing but Dewalt at home, Ryobi for work.
Now I am not in construction and these tools do not see a bunch action at work, but when a fresh battery dies before I can finish a simple project I have a problem with that.
What I hate is the nicad batteries do not last at all. Not even close to my Dewalt stuff. The chargers are goofy, I never know if they are working properly. I have nothing but Dewalt at home, Ryobi for work.
Now I am not in construction and these tools do not see a bunch action at work, but when a fresh battery dies before I can finish a simple project I have a problem with that.
I had craftsman 18v stuff from many years back. I rebuilt the batteries once, and the second time they died, I started buying Dewalt 18v. It is expensive, no doubt, but it is worth the money. I started with a hammerdrill, then added a sawzall, then impact and a light, then the saw, finally added the radio and vacuum. A number of mine I bought as "tool only", because you only need so many batteries. A number of them I also bought as "refurbished" from Amazon. All of them have given me no trouble. I have both Lithium-Ion batteries, and XRP batteries. The XRP seem to give a bit longer run time, but they make the tools much heavier. A couple months ago I drove over 1000 2.5" screws into a deck in a period of 6 hours. The drill kept up, and the battery chargers could charge the batteries faster than I could use them.
One thing to watch out for, is that the kits are a great value, but don't always have the top tools in them. For example, a lot of the kits come with the small impact, where I wanted the large one.
I also recently purchased the 12 volt li-ion drill, impact, and halogen light. All of them are excellent, and have quite a bit of power. Not the level of 18 volt, but enough for simple around the house stuff.
I bought Dewalt due to the reviews, wide variety of tools, the professionals I have worked with all love their Dewalt, and I like that they haven't changed their battery in 15 years. With that said, their 20 volt li-ion stuff has just come out, and looks really nice, but also really pricey.
I hear a number of people say "I prefer corded", which is of course cheaper, and removes the hassle of batteries. With modern cordless, the tools are so powerful, that I don't think going cordless is a compromise. Maybe with the circular saw, it is a bit of a compromise, but I find the cordless stuff greatly drops my frustration level, because I can quickly move the tools where I want. It is very frustrating to be trying to rip an 8 ft piece of plywood with a saw that has a 6 ft cord, and having the plug get caught on the end of the board.
One thing to watch out for, is that the kits are a great value, but don't always have the top tools in them. For example, a lot of the kits come with the small impact, where I wanted the large one.
I also recently purchased the 12 volt li-ion drill, impact, and halogen light. All of them are excellent, and have quite a bit of power. Not the level of 18 volt, but enough for simple around the house stuff.
I bought Dewalt due to the reviews, wide variety of tools, the professionals I have worked with all love their Dewalt, and I like that they haven't changed their battery in 15 years. With that said, their 20 volt li-ion stuff has just come out, and looks really nice, but also really pricey.
I hear a number of people say "I prefer corded", which is of course cheaper, and removes the hassle of batteries. With modern cordless, the tools are so powerful, that I don't think going cordless is a compromise. Maybe with the circular saw, it is a bit of a compromise, but I find the cordless stuff greatly drops my frustration level, because I can quickly move the tools where I want. It is very frustrating to be trying to rip an 8 ft piece of plywood with a saw that has a 6 ft cord, and having the plug get caught on the end of the board.
dmsween
Member
I have the Ryobi Lithium Ion set. I would check on upgrading the batteries.
I found this at Home depot, fyi.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...talogId=10053&productId=202564061&R=202564061
I found this at Home depot, fyi.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...talogId=10053&productId=202564061&R=202564061
Lippyp
Well-known member
I was going to get the batteries for my 14.4V Ryobi drill re-celled which was goimg to cost me £64 + postage until I happened to be in a big DIY store and saw that they had an 18V Makita in the january sale for £99 including two batteries. They also had a 18V DeWalt for the same price but I've heard better things about the Makita so I bought one. TBH sending the batteries away for a couple of weeks would have been a PITA as I really need the thing at the moment having just moved house so this worked out better. I may still get them done later in the year as a spare. So far the Makita has been very impressive.
SmokeyDP
Well-known member
I went from Ryobi and I bought this kit and I am very happy with it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00168AFA0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00168AFA0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
JC23
Well-known member
I have used my Ryobi 18V stuff for years and loved it. Now that I haven't bought a new battery in a few years, it's time to get some.
I hear the 18V ones can be rebuiilt. Anyone know about that?
Locally. the battery guy wants more than a new one to rebuild. Any input on that?
I hear the 18V ones can be rebuiilt. Anyone know about that?
Locally. the battery guy wants more than a new one to rebuild. Any input on that?
I have been using the Craftsman 19.2V C3 system for about 4 years now and have been very happy with it. I'm probably using them more then the typical weekend warrior would while finishing off my ASYLUM and they have held up well.
They offer just about every type tool imaginable (30+), ranging from string trimmers to tire inflators. The new Li-Ion batteries pop right into my old Ni-Cad tools so I'm in the process of upgrading when I see good deals on the packs. And the new Li-Ion charger (big red/black one) will charge either type quickly.
They offer just about every type tool imaginable (30+), ranging from string trimmers to tire inflators. The new Li-Ion batteries pop right into my old Ni-Cad tools so I'm in the process of upgrading when I see good deals on the packs. And the new Li-Ion charger (big red/black one) will charge either type quickly.
+1000 million
Every contractor I know, is rocking the Makita 18v. I have the whole set, including the little vac, I love them that much.
The driver has gone through **** and a half. I must have driven over 2 million screws with the thing. (renovations, especially when replacing flooring and roofing systems)
The batteries get a workout as well. Nothing abuses the battery like the cordless circ saw cutting 8x8 wet wood. The batteries still hold charge, tools are over 4 years old now.
Dropped from a roof once. I thought it was a gonner. Nope. Even the grips are still intact, not peeling like the dewalts. Have not had to referb anything either. The dewalts, I seem to be replacing the trigger once a year. Pisses me off, when Makita keeps going and going without a problem. Even the brushes are still original.
Oh and you gotta love 110ft-lbs of torque from the impact driver. It has more torque than some Hondas.
wnstwolf
Well-known member
I am one for bigger is better and have the Makita 18v system and as mentioend above love it. Recent projects had me looking for a smaller lighter unit and went with the smaller Makita 10.5v drill-impact set. HOLY MOLY the impact unit is my favorite tool in the chest. I drove close to 5,000 self tappers on my barns siding with it. The larger one would have done it just as well but that many/that long the weight comes into play. I bought an extra battery but all 3 are like new. just an option and HD has the set for under $200 on sale or at least did..
1950ChevySuburban
Well-known member
I've got an 18v Ryobi set. First pair of batteries lasted 3 years, still keep them in rotation. Next set I bought 02-10, still going strong!
I mark all my batteries with purchase date, cycle them regularly. They're all ni-cads.
My first Ryobi drill, the reverse switch broke. Still use it occasionally, works fine forwards!
I mark all my batteries with purchase date, cycle them regularly. They're all ni-cads.
My first Ryobi drill, the reverse switch broke. Still use it occasionally, works fine forwards!
londonsteve
Well-known member
Why upgrade!. We ( 11 craftsmen 2 apprentices) use Ryobi, Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt, Bosch and various other18v cordless tools. They are used everyday with everybody using whatever is available and it is only the youngsters who seem to go for the Makita or Dewalt everybody else just grab whats available and as I am the one who has to buy them I am always intrested in what lasts the longest,
I can honestly say that 5 years ago Makita and Dewalt were the ones to go for, with Bosch next. But nowdays most other named makes have caught up and Ryobi is excellent and every bit as reliable as Dewalt and a lot cheaper.
The big store own brand ones are generally rubbish. But believe me people who prefer to use Dewalt instead of Ryobi are the Same as those who like to use Snap on instead of Mac, All good tools and do the same job, but in the end it is just personal preferance.
I can honestly say that 5 years ago Makita and Dewalt were the ones to go for, with Bosch next. But nowdays most other named makes have caught up and Ryobi is excellent and every bit as reliable as Dewalt and a lot cheaper.
The big store own brand ones are generally rubbish. But believe me people who prefer to use Dewalt instead of Ryobi are the Same as those who like to use Snap on instead of Mac, All good tools and do the same job, but in the end it is just personal preferance.
PCO6
Well-known member
I do too. I mark the date I bought each battery on the side with a silver sharpie. I also put a number on each one (1, 2, 3, ...) in a more visible location so I can tell on any given day which ones I have been using, which ones need charging, etc. When #1 dies it will get thrown out and it won't be replaced with a new #1. I'll just keep adding new #'s so I can tell how many batteries I have used over years.
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cderalow
Well-known member
I've got a set of the Ryobi NiCad system and upgraded to the Li+ batteries.
My original NiCads still function (purchased in 2004).
It's all about battery maintenance. Never Store NiCads charged. Always depleted.
I've got the drill/driver, worklight, circular saw, new style sawzall, 1/4" impact driver and the jigsaw.
all function great, some after 7+ years of routine weekend abuse.
My original NiCads still function (purchased in 2004).
It's all about battery maintenance. Never Store NiCads charged. Always depleted.
I've got the drill/driver, worklight, circular saw, new style sawzall, 1/4" impact driver and the jigsaw.
all function great, some after 7+ years of routine weekend abuse.
mdbeck1
Well-known member
I've got both sets of the Ryobi batteries. I charge them both in my pickup with my 12 VDC charger. I haven't tried the Lithium batteries in the 120 V chargers.
About 7 years ago on the advice of an electrician friend, I picked up a 12v Dewalt. For my light homeowner use its been fine, but last summer I started to notice the batteries not lasting as long as I would like. I saw an ad at Lowes for a Dewalt 18v NiCad for $100 and picked one up. It's been great, significantly more powerful than the old one and the battery lasts a long time. Plus I was able to sell the old one for $55 on ebay!
regguy1
Well-known member
The P104 Lithium (larger ones) batteries are good, here's 2 for 100.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Ryobi-18V...545567&po=LVI&ps=63&clkid=5407553045519847714
Makita and Milwaukee cordless are by far the best in the industry right now. Dewalt is WAY behind in the technology, thought they would live off their reputation while all the others passed them by.
Dewalt owns Portercable, Portercable used to be outstanding, but is now no better than Ryobi.
Go with Makita or Milwaukee, if your not a contractor I would absolutely go with the White Makita, it is outstanding. Get the combo kit that includes the impact gun, you will not regret it.
By the way I own Ridgid and have for a good 8 years, it is outstanding, but if I were in the market today I would have Milwaukee or Makita in my garage. My Ridigid just will not break and I have every peice made including like 8 batteries, none of them have gone bad yet.
kert
Well-known member
I bought a Makita L-ion hammer-drill / impact kit a couple years ago. Couldn't be happier.
I absolutely love the impact driver. When I first saw them, they looked frivolous, but after using one, I wouldn't go back to a regular drill. Especially for drywall. If you have a screw that isn't quite set, it is easy to go one or two clicks and get it set just right where a standard drill/driver will often give you more than you wanted. I even gave away my drywall screw-gun. Seemed like I was always adjusting it and never getting it right, but the problem may have been that I'm always going into old wood, which can be unpredictable.
Li-ion is very nice. Great battery life and lightweight. I have the bigger of the Makita batteries. The tools are still a whole lot lighter than my 18V Hitachi NiMH, and I can usually go all day on a charge. Li-ion is good till it's done, which is usually nice, but occasionally it'll die as your trying to get something "tacked" in place. Some brands have a charge indicator, but Makita does not.
One thing worth mentioning is that some drivers have a light that stays on for a few seconds after you let go of the trigger. This is a very nice feature. My Makitas do, and I know my brother's Bosches do not.
I'd stay away from Hitachi. I have an 18V drill which I cracked the case on when a hole saw got caught. Still works, but for a drill that came with a side-handle, I would have expected more. We also have a couple of Hitachi mini drivers at work that sound like they have stripped gears. Though honestly, they have sounded like they had stripped gears and have kept working for 3-4 years.
Oggy
Well-known member
Fixed it for ya.
FWIW I'd say go with the Makita, it's light, powerful, and they were one of the early adopters of the Lithium Ion technology, they've had time to perfect it. I have the Craftsman C3 series (it was a gift), with one each NiCad and LI, it's worked so far but I haven't really had a chance to put it through it's paces. Bosch typically puts out a very high quality tool, and I've always like their products (even when I worked for a direct competitor). Don't rule out the Lithium Ion 12V power tools, most home owners don't need an 18V, most contractors don't even need 18V, but they provide the oomph without a cord when they need it, and the run time in the past was so much better with what they were using it for that they could justify the cost, the reasoning now isn't as valid, but the habit is still there.
If money were no object, I'd be rocking a Festool for anything wood related, and a Hilti for a cordless hammer drill...
mdbeck1
Well-known member
SWMBFAO bought me a couple of those "refurbished" batteries for Christmas. One doesn't work worth a D@MN and the other shows an error when charging. I got an E-Mail back from the vendor today attempting to fix them.
Basically I posted this to tell you to watch out on the refurbished stuff... I've had bad luck (so far).
IslandOlds
Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2011
- Messages
- 24
I have the Rigid combination set and a couple of extra Rigid Drills. I would buy it again in a heart beat. Lifetime service agreement rocks. Haven't needed it yet. Makita or Milwaukee are excellent too.
Oggy
Well-known member
If we're getting technical, Stanley Works and Black & Decker merged to create Stanley Black & Decker. Also owned by the conglomerate: Ingersoll Rand, Mac, Proto, Dewalt, Porter Cable, Delta, DeVilbiss, Kwikset, Baldwin, Price Pfister, Oldham, Vector, and DustBuster, to name a few.
melliott28
Well-known member
I have 8 of the Porter Cable 18v tools with 4 NiCad batteries and they are great. Basically they are the old Black & Decker Firestorm. Performance wise, I don't think they are any better than the Ryobi 18v tools (I almost bought the Ryobi tools, but I liked the appearance of the PorterCable tools a lot more). If you already have Ryobi tools that still work, I would first invest in new batteries for your current tools, and maybe down the line get an additional charger.
Bleak & Dorker destroyed Porter-Cable, they are just a "homeowner" line now, since Satanly (Stanley) took over Delta has been spun off but they had long been reduced to cheap ChiCom products, w/ exception of the Unisaw.
IMO, Porter-Cable sanders & routers were the #1 choice, now I buy used.
IMO, Porter-Cable sanders & routers were the #1 choice, now I buy used.
tcianci
Well-known member
I have experience with DeWalt, Ryobi, Makita, Milwaukee and Ridgid. A couple of things to note: Ryobi and Craftsman are basically the same tool and if you get a Makita or DeWalt through Depot, you're not getting the same grade of tool that you would get through a tool distributor.
The comment about DeWalt riding too long on their name and being behind in their tools may be refering to the fact that they seem to be the last to have introduced a lithium ion system. Good for them. Lithium ion batteries are a technology that IMHO is not quiite ready for prime time. I have been disgusted in my experience with both Makita and Ridgid Lithium ion batteries and tools. I have the lifetime service agreement on the Ridgid tools and that agreement is the only reason anyone should buy the stuff. It is no more reliable than any other manufacturer and depending on your proximity to an authorized repair facility, you could be out of commission for weeks waiting for the repair cycle if you drop the tools off at a Depot store. Depot gave me a nice discount on the Ridgid tool set that I bought because they knew how ticked off I was with the Makita tools I had bought there. The Makita tools experienced battery failures, charger failures, drilll gearbox failures and the recip saw is a total piece of ****. SO, I "upgraded" to Ridgid.
With Ridgid, I experienced worse battery failures, charger failures, the recip saw broke too. The last time I brought my 1 month old dead "new" replacement batteries back to Depot to have them sent out under the agreement AGAIN, the store manager just pulled 2 new batteries out of the tool corral and handed them to me. They're great tools when they work, but they don't work well enough to justify the cost.
I have beat the stuffing out of Ryobi tools and although the batteries are their weak link, the batteries are dirt cheap and dollar for dollar outperform the Makita or Ridgid product.
My advice would be to go with the Ryobi products if you want to save a buck or if you want to go full tilt professional, get Milwaukee or DeWalt from a reputable tool supply house, not a box store.
The comment about DeWalt riding too long on their name and being behind in their tools may be refering to the fact that they seem to be the last to have introduced a lithium ion system. Good for them. Lithium ion batteries are a technology that IMHO is not quiite ready for prime time. I have been disgusted in my experience with both Makita and Ridgid Lithium ion batteries and tools. I have the lifetime service agreement on the Ridgid tools and that agreement is the only reason anyone should buy the stuff. It is no more reliable than any other manufacturer and depending on your proximity to an authorized repair facility, you could be out of commission for weeks waiting for the repair cycle if you drop the tools off at a Depot store. Depot gave me a nice discount on the Ridgid tool set that I bought because they knew how ticked off I was with the Makita tools I had bought there. The Makita tools experienced battery failures, charger failures, drilll gearbox failures and the recip saw is a total piece of ****. SO, I "upgraded" to Ridgid.
With Ridgid, I experienced worse battery failures, charger failures, the recip saw broke too. The last time I brought my 1 month old dead "new" replacement batteries back to Depot to have them sent out under the agreement AGAIN, the store manager just pulled 2 new batteries out of the tool corral and handed them to me. They're great tools when they work, but they don't work well enough to justify the cost.
I have beat the stuffing out of Ryobi tools and although the batteries are their weak link, the batteries are dirt cheap and dollar for dollar outperform the Makita or Ridgid product.
My advice would be to go with the Ryobi products if you want to save a buck or if you want to go full tilt professional, get Milwaukee or DeWalt from a reputable tool supply house, not a box store.
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nehog
Well-known member
I have a bunch of various ones:
1. Ryobi... I got two of the 18V NiCad drill/drivers when I started to build my building. My feeling was that if they survived the build (there were *thousands* of screws that had to be driven...) they would have done the task I got them for. Bottom line: I still use them today. the first set of batteries crapped out, and are worthless now. The second set are going, I may replace them with Lithium. The drills work fine.
2. Milwaukee... Arrgggggg! WTF? Two of them too... One didn't make it a week on the building, it was repaired, and failed a second time. The other one still works, but I'm constantly convinced it will die soon. Never bothered to fix the first one for the third time, instead I now use the other one, and have lot's of battery packs for it! The Milwaukee batteries are much better than Ryobi. My Milwaukee corded tools are tough. Two worm-drive saws, two sazalls, and some other stuff.
3. Makita... Old, battery was still good last time I used it. My first reasonably good rechargeable unit. All my Makita tools are workhorses, including two corded 1/2" drills (one hammer, one not) an angle grinder, and some sanders.
4. I have some other rechargeable tools, including a (non-working, charger lost) Bosch, and some that I long ago tossed out.
1. Ryobi... I got two of the 18V NiCad drill/drivers when I started to build my building. My feeling was that if they survived the build (there were *thousands* of screws that had to be driven...) they would have done the task I got them for. Bottom line: I still use them today. the first set of batteries crapped out, and are worthless now. The second set are going, I may replace them with Lithium. The drills work fine.
2. Milwaukee... Arrgggggg! WTF? Two of them too... One didn't make it a week on the building, it was repaired, and failed a second time. The other one still works, but I'm constantly convinced it will die soon. Never bothered to fix the first one for the third time, instead I now use the other one, and have lot's of battery packs for it! The Milwaukee batteries are much better than Ryobi. My Milwaukee corded tools are tough. Two worm-drive saws, two sazalls, and some other stuff.
3. Makita... Old, battery was still good last time I used it. My first reasonably good rechargeable unit. All my Makita tools are workhorses, including two corded 1/2" drills (one hammer, one not) an angle grinder, and some sanders.
4. I have some other rechargeable tools, including a (non-working, charger lost) Bosch, and some that I long ago tossed out.
Dewalt and Milwaukee are not different in a Tool Supply House, they like to tell people that because they can not compete price wise. Depot and Lowes carry lower grade, but also carry the same ones as any other Supply House.
I agree Lithium had a few bumps in the road, at this point problems are few and far between, Milwaukee Red is by far the best Lithium on the market, look it up, outstanding technology.
Dewalt has been living off XRP for decades, used to be the standard, but is now stone age.
Colonial Cobra
Well-known member
You have to use the new charger also. The new one will charge the old batteries though.
Look for a deal on a set. i was looking at the new batteries and found a set on sale. impact driver with battery and charger for what it was going to cost me for the battery alone.
I love the Ryobi ONE system. Have two different drills, a saw, stapler, impact, vacuum, radio, two lights. Use something nearly every day.
You can also take a bad battery and install a transformer to use them with a cord if needed.
lotsoftools
Well-known member
Skip the Porter Cable stuff. I usually buy Dewalt, but I got lured in by the low price on the 18v PC set and was totally disappointed. The batteries never held a charge. The chuck on the drill would loosen and spit out drill bits every time I let off the trigger.
I had them for about 8 months and took them back to Lowes. They gave me a full refund and I got a 20v Dewalt, which I really like.
I had them for about 8 months and took them back to Lowes. They gave me a full refund and I got a 20v Dewalt, which I really like.
olytdi
Well-known member
I love these threads. Thirty-eight posts and there is no discernable pattern. "My brand ** rocks" followed by "brand ** *****." Just replace ** with Makita, Dewalt, PC, etc., etc.
I would pay a subscription fee to be part of a forum for which the information provided was somehow summarized every few dozen posts. I'm starting to resent how much of my life I've lost reading through thousands of posts to come to the conclusion that there is no conclusion. That said:
My Ryobi "one" kit has generally been very reliable, sturdy, and useful while building my shop, a largish chicken house, and many home projects. What ***** is the batteries. They seem to last less than a year no matter what I do and I've now got quite a collection of dead batteries lying about in addition to extra drills, etc. gathered by buying "package deals." I just despise paying over $50 for batteries each year and it's never clear whether you're supposed to charge them and leave them charged, supposed to run them down or not run them down, keep them warm or leave them cold, or if it's okay to keep them on the charger or if that kills them. The instructions are always perfectly vague about these things. Perhaps my lack of knowledge is the reason I'm having this experience.
It also seems that keeping them in a mostly unheated shop isn't good for them. But lugging them into the house and back out each time you think you may need them makes them less than convenient and sort of kills the concept of "quickly useful."
I'd probably take a hit and dump the whole kit in favor of something else that had good battery technology, smart charging (that allows you to "forget" you left the batteries in the chargers all week) and clear instructions on how to use/store the batteries...
I understand that anything that results in a trip to the store to buy more battery packs is beneficial to the bottom line of the company -- kinda like a free printer so that you can endlessly buy overpriced ink!
I would pay a subscription fee to be part of a forum for which the information provided was somehow summarized every few dozen posts. I'm starting to resent how much of my life I've lost reading through thousands of posts to come to the conclusion that there is no conclusion. That said:
My Ryobi "one" kit has generally been very reliable, sturdy, and useful while building my shop, a largish chicken house, and many home projects. What ***** is the batteries. They seem to last less than a year no matter what I do and I've now got quite a collection of dead batteries lying about in addition to extra drills, etc. gathered by buying "package deals." I just despise paying over $50 for batteries each year and it's never clear whether you're supposed to charge them and leave them charged, supposed to run them down or not run them down, keep them warm or leave them cold, or if it's okay to keep them on the charger or if that kills them. The instructions are always perfectly vague about these things. Perhaps my lack of knowledge is the reason I'm having this experience.
It also seems that keeping them in a mostly unheated shop isn't good for them. But lugging them into the house and back out each time you think you may need them makes them less than convenient and sort of kills the concept of "quickly useful."
I'd probably take a hit and dump the whole kit in favor of something else that had good battery technology, smart charging (that allows you to "forget" you left the batteries in the chargers all week) and clear instructions on how to use/store the batteries...
I understand that anything that results in a trip to the store to buy more battery packs is beneficial to the bottom line of the company -- kinda like a free printer so that you can endlessly buy overpriced ink!
PCO6
Well-known member
olytdi - I'm not sure what you expect to get out of this or any other forum but what you will get is people's opinions. They aren't going to be unanimous and I doubt any one is going to summarize them for you.
You could have used the search function for this but, to help with your question about leaving your batteries in the garage or taking them in the house, try leaving them in the garage and on a pet heater. Just my opinion for what it's worth.
Pet heater ...
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8171886/
You could have used the search function for this but, to help with your question about leaving your batteries in the garage or taking them in the house, try leaving them in the garage and on a pet heater. Just my opinion for what it's worth.
Pet heater ...
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8171886/