Ryobi 18Volt Tools

Eric asked me 2 years ago about these tools.
I am not sure if I answered, he made the comment

Their reputation is that they are a cheap/budget brand but I am not so convinced.

I am aware even the company in Australia states they are not sold as Trade tools, but I have only damaged a drill, which they replaced.
I had a stapler lose a part and the whole tool was replaced under warranty, which I am aware they will do willingly.
So overall I say I think for my purpose they are great.
I did use the drills for a long time to drive screws in but they did explain use an impact driver instead and I have had no further issues.

Hi John, thanks for the update!!

Nice to know that some of my suspicions are confirmed.

Eric

I was a journeyman electrician and a plumbing technician.
Milwaukee and DeWalt dominated the job sites and if I were a professional running a company, I would probably buy one of those brands.

For diy use, Ryobi is hard to beat for one main reason: batteries.
They are not only cheaper, they are backwards compatible.
Milwaukee and DeWalt have both changed the kind of batteries that their 20 volt line uses, resulting in tools otherwise perfectly good tools that don't work with the currently available off the shelf batteries.

By comparison, I can buy a used Ryobi battery drill and run it on new, Ryobi batteries straight off the shelf.
I am forgetful and therefore hard on my tools, but Ryobi tools have taken all the abuse I can dish out, and they all still work.
These tools are very common in my local pawnshops, I often get them for less than half of the new price.
I don't expect them to last as long as corded electrical tools can, but I don't expect that of any battery tool.
I keep waiting for a Ryobi battery to refuse to charge.
It hasn't happened yet, but my Milwaukee 20 volt tools sit idle, for want of affordable battery to replace the one that no longer charge.
You can buy a new Ryobi tool with battery and charger for the same price as some individual Milwaukee batteries.

I have bought and used other budget power tool brands, but none of them have the  combined longevity , ubiquity, durability,,and price point that Ryobi seems to have.

Did you know that Permies has a Gear Review Grid?

One of the items up for review is the Ryobi 18V Tool System which I personally own. In my industrial workplace, we exclusively use Milwaukee tools but at home I appreciate the variety that Ryobi has at a better price point. The only tool I have had fail was a tire inflator/deflator that I have used for many years and put it through its paces due to leaky tires and other inflation work. I call that good!

John, William,

A while back I mentioned in another thread that I considered Ridgid tools to be a good bang-for-your-buck tool.  I am no longer so certain.  I still like my Ridgid tools, but they went from being good quality, pretty high performing tools at a very reasonable price to having the same quality and performance but at a much higher price.  If I were thinking about buying a new cordless tool set and Ridgid was on my list, I think I would just go with Milwaukee.

Another gripe I have about Ridgid is that many years ago, they were right at the leading edge of innovation.  They were also rapidly broadening their selection of tools.  Today, I don’t see the innovation I once did, and the array of tools is actually pretty mediocre.  They cover the basics well enough, but there are so many specialty tools offered by other brands and Ridgid just isn’t in that game.  That might be changing a little bit as Ridgid is just starting to dip its toes into OPE—outdoor power equipment.  But many other brands have been there for years.

One Ridgid tool that I would like to get is a battery powered backpack chemical sprayer.  I have no plans for the chemical aspect, but I do burn the edges of my pond every year or two just to clean them up.  I would like the sprayer as a way of controlling fire and preventing it from getting out of control.  These sprayers hold 4 gallons of water and can really shoot out the water to something like 20 feet.  For the longest time I was contemplating getting a Ryobi or Milwaukee version simply because they were available.  Finally, Ridgid came out with one!

And Ryobi had just about every cordless tool under the sun, including ones that I would never think I would ever want or need (floating pool speakers with pulsating lights anyone?).

Who knows,  if I need a tool in the future and it is NOT available in the Ridgid platform, I might just go and buy the Ryobi version and be done with it!

Eric

not a contractor - 100% diy..

that being said - i probably have 40+ ryobi tools and overall they are really really good for my purposes.. i keep them dry, maintain them and don't ask them to do TOO much (the new brushless have overheat shutoff)..

the array of tools is staggering and you can get batteries on sale - their top end batteries are excellent. some gems are:

submersible pump
small cutoff cutter
wand sprayer (wrist saver to mist seedings)
quick n dirty weedeater
10 and 12 " chainsaws (they are surprisingly powerful and sooooooo much easier to grab n go)
insanely reliable drills and drivers (some going great since 2007)
wide array of powerful lighting
booster for vehicles
bluetooth speakers
glue gun
dremel type tool
300w inverter for the batteries during power outages
right angle powered socket wrench
inflator in the truck

the saws and grinders are average at best tbh but overall ryobi is a great ecosystem for the homesteader... kits often have batteries and charger

i have been more than satisfied with them - cheers!

I have never thought to buy them at a pawn shop, since I dont normally look inside, but perhaps I should.