Ryobi ONE+ drills, any good?

[BrazosJake]

My 18v DeWalt is critically ill and rather than spend the c-note for life support it needs, I'm thinking it's time to pull the plug (oops, it doesn't have one!) and go with a new drill.

Are the ONE+ tools any good? I've read widely mixed reviews of Ryobis cordless drills. You gotta like the price of the batteries. I had been wanting 14.4 since I use a cordless for drilling pocket holes and a big 18v wears out my old wrists, but it looks like Ryobi doesn't make a 1/2" 14.4, and the primo brands (Milwaukee, Makita, etc) are more than I want to spend, though I sure do like the Milwaukee compact 14.4 hammerdrill.

Another attractive feature of the ONE+ is the $69 impact driver. I absolutely love my little DeWalt 12v impact driver, but it consumes batteries for breakfast. A driver that takes $20 battery packs looks awfully good.

Thanks,

James

[jgrobler]

I have the Ryobi ONE+ drill/driver and the impact driver. Love them both, specially the impact driver, but I was actually thinking that when they go out I'll get a Dewalt set.

Johan

[rickd]

i have the ryobi ONE+ drill/driver as well and have been very happy with it.

[jp_spins]

There's definitley a difference between the Dewalt and the Ryobi and you can tell as soon as you pick them up, as far as the Ryobi being any good it depends on what your using it for. If your using it for woodworking and small projects the Ryobi is a great buy, but if your using it for construction on a frequent basis then spend the money and get the Dewalt.

I recently went from the Ryobi system to Dewalt and I am loving the Dewalt right now.

[os1kne]

If you were considering a 14.4v drill to replace your 18v Dewalt, the Ryobi will probably work out great for you. You will feel that the 18v Ryobi doesn't have the power of your 18v Dewalt (w/ good batteries) - but the Ryobi will handle almost all woodworking tasks. You will like the ability to use other Ryobi 18v tools for relatively little additional cost.

[leehljp]

I have a Porter Cable Drill/Driver and the Ryobi ONE+ also. As jp_spins says, there is a world of difference between them. BUT you will not necessarily notice the difference until you get into daily hard grinding work.

My PC is a workhorse and heavy too. But since my primary work is not construction oriented, I do not get its full benefits. The ONE+ does some major work after hours and I reach for it, rarely wishing I had the PC. I came from a construction and farming background and know the need for tools that won't break or quit. However, for non-industrial/construction use, the ONE+ has been more that I expected. I will say too, that the ONE+ Impact driver will outperform 18 and 24 volt drill drivers of ANY brand of drill driver when driving screws. But that is because it is the nature of impact drivers versus drill drivers.

The One+ Drill driver is fairly powerful but it does not measure up to my PC. For drilling holes in wood or metal, it does a good job. I don't have any regrets, and I love the flashlight that came with it. I use that flashlight ALL the time.

[BrazosJake]

I found some useful info on 14.4 drills on this site:
http://www.cordlessdrillworld.com/ca...25&startpage=2

The Porter Cable looks like a lot of bang for the buck, $128, it's not much more than the ONE+ (I know, it's 14.4 vs 18v).

Lee,

I hear ya on the impact drivers. My little 12v DeWalt ID is my favorite power tool, period. One of my requirements before investing in a new battery system is that there must be an impact driver that takes the same battery. My drills now only get used for making holes or light driving, like interior electrical work.

[Larryl]

I got a Dewalt 18v drill/driver in January and love it. But I recently needed to build two chest of drawers for our closets and decided I wanted a cordless circular saw for the initial cuts in the plywood. Anyway, to shorten the story it was almost as cheap (~$6.00) to purchase the starter kit with the drill/driver, saw, sander, and light all in a canvas tote bag as it was to purchase the saw with two battaries and charger. I promised to make this shorter and now my point, I find that even if the Ryobi is larger and heaver than the Dewalt drill/driver I will reach for it first when in the shop because the trigger and clutch are more sensitive than the Dewalt(easier to control the amout of torque). With that said I believe that if I were building a deck or something that required using the drill all day that the Dewalt would last longer and certainly be much more comfortable. HTH

[gsmittle]

I have four of the 18v Ryobi drill/drivers (two two-speed, one three-speed hammer drill, and one right angle) and my students pound on them all day every day building scenery. The price was right, and after three years they just keep on running. If you've ever seen the abuse a teenager can heap on a tool, you'll understand why I 'm very pleased.

Plus the battery price is great!

g.

[steve-u]

If you want a top notch powerful 14.4v drill look at the Bosch Brute Force. I have one and had the Ryobi 18v which was a decent drill but the Bosch is much more powerful and lighter. If you don't mind reconditioned CPO Bosch has a Brute Force 14.4v kit for $130. I have purchased a couple reconditioned tools from them and they both look like and worked as new with a warranty. --- Steve

http://bosch.cpotools.com/cordless_t.../33614-rt.html

[Crash2510]

Ryobi makes great tools for a great price. Our sets of ryobi tools get everyday use probably 3 or 4 hours a day of constant use.
This includes 4 drills (two normal two hammer) sawzall circ saw flashlight impact driver and jigsaw without a problem
do go through a lot of batteries, but we are hard on our tools especially when we have to use the drills with 1 1/4" nail eaters

Man these things will rip your arm off when you hit a nail

[Stormbringer]

Another vote for the Ryobi. I have worked the drill and impact driver hard over th past year with no complaints. I will say the circular saw and recip saw are average though. There are definitely tougher models out their but in cases where I need more power, I just take out the corded version of the tool I need anyway.

[vanguard]

I'm very happy with my set. I've used the heck out of the drill and the chainsaw mostly. The chainsaw uses batteries fairly fast, but its great.

[JimD]

I will add a vote for the Ryobi. I drilled 1/2 inch holes in a steel boat frame with mine to relocate the axles. Worked fine. I have also drilled a 2 1/8 hole in a solid pine door. Worked fine. The little magnet on the battery housing is handy as are the bubble levels. Others may be better but I wouldn't pay twice the price to get them. I feel about my Ryobi drill about the same as my BT3100 - no need to pay more.

The circular saw is not as clear cut a choice but is useful. I got them together.

Jim

[messmaker]

One of the last drill comparisons in a WW mag placed the Ryobi as best value. It was above average in all the important areas.