Ryobi Tools

[gearheadbill]

I have been looking at Ryobi tools at Home Depot. What are your thoughts on the brand? I was looking for a drill press and a saw.

 

[Steve@Advance]

I've been using Ryobi 18v tools for years.

What sold me on them was the batteries will interchange between all the 18v, and they have kept the same batteries for years.

They are pretty much exclusive to Home Depot. Good quality for what they cost, serious DIY, semi pro quality.

I haven't used any of their 120v tools, but I suspect they are of acceptable quality, probably not for commercial/industrial, but good home shop duty.

 

[RM-MN]

I have a set of cordless Ryobi tools that includes a drill, impact driver, and skilsaw. I love them now that I replaced the NiCd cells with Lithium. I use mine regularly and love them. I have no experience with corded Ryobi tools.

I have found that there are other brands of cordless tools that have more torque or more battery life or are more compact but these work for me and the price was better.

 

[Steve@Advance]

One more thing, if buying the drill press or saw for metal, be sure it is in the right RPM/FPM range.

Most Home Depot tools are designed for wood, too fast for metal.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

About 20 years ago I wanted a table saw. Sears sold a table saw it called a craftsman.
I bought the same table saw, a ryobi, for half the money. Best table saw ever. Ryobi stopped making mine. So I put an ad on craigslist and bought a second one for my workshop up north.

 

[Janicholson]

When first introduced they were pretty poor tools. weak drive train and low power motors (cord or cordless). they have improved to the point I can say they are a value at the price. Not as expensive as the Makita/Milwaukee/DeWalt/Hitachi/Bosch variety, but good. Jim

 

[Russ from MN]

I bought my first Ryobi tool in about 1985, a 4.5 grinder, and it's still going strong!

 

[Goose]

I have quite a collection of the 18v tools. Several drills, a couple of small skil saws, a couple of lamps, a sawsall, a hand vacuum, etc. several chargers the do both types of batteries.

Whenever I run into some on auctions, garage sales, etc, I buy them.

I've never worn one out. The only casualty was a lamp I was using for light while working on something. It fell off into the grass and I didn't notice till I ran over it with a mower. The battery survived. I still have a couple more lamps.

 

[JGayman]

Ryobi was originally a bit on the crappy side but lately they have really been stepping up their game. They now offer very good tools at a great price point. They might not hold up to the abuse a contractor would subject them to but for home use they will last a long time. Couple that with Ryobi's lifetime battery warranty and you have a pretty good deal.

 

[Gene Davis (Ga.)]

I just wish they made a battery powered pole saw. The other tools I have by them are excellent now with the new style lithium batteries. I have had some for several years now and they are good tools. I like the fact they stayed with the same battery for a long time.

 

[M-MAN]

Didn't have much luck with Ryobi tools myself.

 

[Texasmark1]

Been using them for 15 years or so. My preferred brand. Not over priced, quality excellent. I had one years ago and a "hand" didn't know this from that and ruined the motor for me. No problem getting a new one at a price that made sense to change the motor and not the whole thing. Otherwise had zero problems with all.

 

[Dusty MI]

(quoted from post at 20:04:01 10/23/18) I just wish they made a battery powered pole saw. The other tools I have by them are excellent now with the new style lithium batteries. I have had some for several years now and they are good tools. I like the fact they stayed with the same battery for a long time.

I have a Black & Decker 20 volt Li weed whip and hedge trimmer and like them and they work well. So I bought a pole saw that uses the same battery. It works well but is rather slow. I wonder if it would be faster if it was 120 volt?

Dusty

 

[1946 BN IHC]

I have had ryobi hand tools since mid 80 s and 7 to 12 volt.
Have had skill and poter cable saws and sanders and corded drills. My main preference is ryobi. Most easy to use, well ballanced and reasonably powerful. Used to have my own renovation business and used them exclusivly. Still have 2 4.5. Inch circular saws, easy to weild off a lader and no embilical cords to tangle, 3 drills and an impact all 18 v. Yes there are other more powerfull tools out there IF you want to pay the price! Ryobi a reasonable tool for the price.
Wm.

 

[barwinn]

The only Ryobi tool I have is an 18v nail gun. Have it for 4 years now and it is still working fine.

 

[NCWayne]

I've got a few Ryobi 18V cordless drills, and saws. I've had one of the drills and saws for nearly 20 years, and used the heck out of them. In that time I've gone through about a dozen of the old batteries. I recently upgraded to the new batteries, and they are awesome. I just finished building a set of shelves 4 high, 26 inches wide, and about 30 feet long, out of 2x4's and 7/16 OSB, using all screws. I'd bet about 5 or 6 full length cuts on the OSB with the saw, and I never ran a battery dead with the drill, even after all of the 3 and 3 1/2 inch screws I used on the framework. They have all been dropped at least once, and the only casualty so far was the handle on the saws blade guard, which I still don't know how I broke. Thankfully I can get a new one for less than $5.

 

[Texasmark1]

Totally agree on battery performance difference and the neat thing is the older tools accept the new tomato worm green and black Li-Ions......Ryobi didn't stick it to the customer requiring new tools to accept the new type batteries.

 

[Sparktrician]

When I first started out on my own as a electrical contractor, I had some Ryobi stuff. Thought was it was cheap enough and held up that if I dropped a drill off the roof of a grain bin, i was out $60...not $300.

However, as I went on Ryobi (at the time) didnt have all the other battery tools I wanted and needed. SO I switched to Makita. Makita has been good to me. I have stayed with them since the switch, probably 9-10 years ago.

For home, farm use Ryobi would be good. Probably not pro quality...but works good enough.