Ryobi 18V tools

[rockfish]

This has probably been kicked around a bit before, but just wondered what most folks around here thought of Ryobi 18V tools.

I have a 18V two-speed hammer drill/flashlight combo and a 18V right angle drill. So far, I think both of these have been excellent tools. I have had some issues with charging batteries. I bought a couple new batteries last weekend and it took FOREVER to charge both those and the older ones. I would say it took at least 4 hours to charge them. Not sure if the charger has gave up the ghost, or what the problem might be.

I also have two DeWalt 18V drills, and the Ryobi drills aren't quite as powerful nor do the batteries last as long, but my Ryobi drill is close when considering the huge difference in price.





rockfish

[gsmittle]

I own four of the drill/drivers...

Bought my first one as part of the Really Big Set (I forget the name now; the one with the fabric bag and the chainsaw) four years ago. Then I bought the 3-speed hammer drill on sale at HD and the right-angle drill a couple of months later for a project. I bought another drill/driver right before Christmas. I also have six batteries and two chargers.

They get used all day almost every day. My students fight over them constantly. Fortunately, no one has come to blows yet, but if one sets the drill down, another snatches it up right away.

Neither my students nor I baby the tools, and they have worked flawlessly every day. I don't recall the batteries taking a long time to charge at first, but it's been so long since I had a new battery I might have forgotten.

Anyway, I really like the tools; grat value for the money! Even my DeWalt snob friends are impressed.

g.

[Stormbringer]

Anyway, I really like the tools; grat value for the money!

g.

Couldn't agree more. No problems with short battery life (I've read many horror stories about DeWalt batteries go read the Amazon reviews. I have DeWalts too and have had no problems with them though).

I don't use them every day but have used and abused the drill and especially the recip saw while completeing an entire first floor remodel w/o any problems. Also have a second drill, two jigsaws (don't know why I bought the second since the first is still humming but good for rough work only), the cordless miter saw, two flashlights , circular saw, and the zip saw. No complaints.

Greg

[RmeDad]

They're great!

I have the Renovator Kit, drill, recip., jigsaw, circ. saw, sander, flashlight, vacuum etc. I also bought the miter saw. I have 4 batteries and all tools and batteries perform well. No problem with long charge time.

I love them.

[John Hunter]

I have the 18v drill, circular saw, sawsall and flash light and love them.

[ryan.s]

Kinda going against the grain here but I bought the super combo set along with an impact driver a couple of months ago. All the tools worked fine including the reciprocating saw except I had issues with the trim saw. The battery would only allow a few cuts before the power wasn't enough to continue cutting. This was enough for me to return the set. Since then I picked up a milwaukee sawzall (keep in mind I was satisfied with the performance of the ryobi recip saw while i had it) and what a difference. I will probably never buy cordless tools from ryobi again. I have the ryobi bench grinder and love it. Also planning to pick up the belt/disc sander but will definitely stay away from the cordless tools they put out. All the reviews I've read on tool comparisons show that the ryobi stuff usually doesn't perform at the same level as other manufacturers at least for hand tools. Maybe I just expect a little too much from my tools but that has been my experience so far.

[maxparot]

I have a Ryobi 18V Drill. I'll just say it's worth the price. It is no better that my Skill 18V drill. The thing that I think makes it a better value is replacement batteries are cheap. My Dewalt 14.4 is a better drill but the cost of replacement batteries is nearly 3 times that of the Ryobi.
As for the time between charges I've never been satisfied with any cordless tool other than Drills and flashlights. Knowing that if they all have limited used per charge I still find a cordless reciprecating saw and circular saw useful.
As a side note:
My Skil cordless circular saw came with a Ultra Fine Kerf Blade it really helps extend battery life for the saw

[JimD]

I have only the circular saw and the drill. I love the drill and like the circular saw. The saw works OK but I do not use my tools every day and the battery is rarely fresh when I want to use it. Sometimes I have to give up on the cordless saw and use the corded. By the time the battery charges I will be done with the corded saw. It is not exactly a fault of the saw and I doubt it would be a lot better with a more expensive brand. For me, the Ryobi fits my usage and price tolerance very well. They get the job done and while a better brand might be better, not enough better to be worth several times as much.

Jim