Diyers

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I must say I'm impressed with the 18volt Ryobi tools. The company I'm with now swears by them. All the journeymen are purchased a set for work and personal use. The price is around 120 for a set. That's about 35 dollars more than what I'm paying for 1 Milwaukee battery. So yeah the price is phenomenal.

Power is more so than expected. I figured the battery would last a while. However the torque and power put out by these is awesome. Its right up there with my Mulwaukees in my opinion. The impact drives screws like a champ. Self tappers and wood screws. I haven't tried it on lag bolts yet. However I will before its all said and done. Drill punches holes like a champ. Even with a one inch uni bit through metal. As with all battery tools I wouldn't use a whole saw over 2in. unless on low torque and low speed. Still it runs small augers and butterfly bits good. The sawzall performs as well as most every other one I've ever used. Its got a variable speed trigger. Which is always a plus.

Appearance. From a contractor stand point. They don't look anywhere near heavy duty. They definitely have that homeowner look to them. Weight is about as expected. A little lighter than the contractor grade tools. I would prefer them to have hooks or clips on them. It makes it nice having a way to chain them off to my belt and/or harness. They are durable though. We had one of their impacts drop 15 feet to the concrete the other day. No cracks or breaks still works fine. I would be scared to drop it from higher up than that. My Milwaukee impact cracked from 40 feet up. (A helper didn't chain it off to himself) I think that the ryobi would explode from that height. Anyway. The ergonomics leave something to be desired contractor wise. If you are not using it everyday or are wearing gloves it is unnoticeable. Even with the cheap look they are durable though. I'm extremely impressed with them.

Conclusion. I'm very impressed with these tools. Homeowners should love these things. They have the power of contractor grade tools, yet are a quarter of the cost. The investment should not deter the average DIYer or contractor from purchasing. Ryobi has definitely stepped up their game on these. I wouldn't expect them to replace their corded counterparts, and they don't. For residential and light commercial work they can not be beat.for home projects and repairs nothing is going to be as economical as these are.

[tomustang]

They are sister to the craftsman 19.2.

I've had the 19.2 system since it came out and had great results working with them, still do. Used them at home and in industrial environments without problem.

[deaknh03]

A great set for around the house, probably the best. On the job, there are better, not enough power and I have found the batteries kick rather quickly.

[clayton86]

the tin knockers that work with us have them and hate them the drill never works its not new though about 3 years old they said. One of the old timers had a old hand drill no power just man power and was drilling sheet metal quicker then the ryobi power drill. The batteries never hold charge, fall out the bottom, the drill you have to shake to get it to work right. 

[flyfisher]

I hope they changed them because my 2 year old Ryobi stuff sucks.  I do use my tools pretty regularly even though it is not my trade and i will never buy them again.

 

My next set will be Milwaukee as i used them extensively when working for my dad who is an electrican and in construction.  They are pricey but they sure do last forever.  To think what abuse the sawzall and right angle drill was put through over the years and how they all still performed flawlessly is pretty amazing acutally.

 

 

.....batteries never hold charge, fall out the bottom, the drill you have to shake to get it to work right. 

Sounds like mag lights....aka the crappiest flashlight ever but works as a pretty good club when needed

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I use my Milwaukee's for work. The Ryobi's are used as my home set and occasionly by my helper. I've invested too much cash in them to give them up now. I'm running 8 batteries, four charger, Two impacts, one drill, a sawzall, and a flashlight. Those are just the 18volt ones. I supply my helper with power tools until he can get his own. Anyway. For what they are. the Ryobis aren't bad. At least for a homeowner. I would never bring them on a industrial job. I think it would kill them. I ain't had that Ryobi set for long so MY batteries work great! At least when I use them.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I hope they changed them because my 2 year old Ryobi stuff sucks.  I do use my tools pretty regularly even though it is not my trade and i will never buy them again.

 

My next set will be Milwaukee as i used them extensively when working for my dad who is an electrican and in construction.  They are pricey but they sure do last forever.  To think what abuse the sawzall and right angle drill was put through over the years and how they all still performed flawlessly is pretty amazing acutally.

 

 

Sounds like mag lights....aka the crappiest flashlight ever but works as a pretty good club when needed

The corded Milwaukee RA drills are beast! We would wedge a 2x4 between some angle iron and the drill when mounting reactor vessels. Then pull down on the 2x4 thus making a drill press. Worked like a charm for putting 5/8 in he's through 1in thick carbon steel. Cut drilling time by a third.

[flyfisher]

I think the best milwaukee drill my dad was his cordless hammer drill.  Wasn't one we used often but we were running conduit on the top of a concrete plant roof once where the roof was a good 300-350yards long.  Well you can imagine how many holes we had to drill for all the hangers and that thing worked like a champ.  I want to say it took 2 batteries to do the entire run.

[clayton86]

we use all milwaukee and some dewalt on the roof but our stuff gets very used and abused the sheet metal guys got the ryobi because it was cheap and the owner is switching everything over to it as it breaks.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

we use all milwaukee and some dewalt on the roof but our stuff gets very used and abused the sheet metal guys got the ryobi because it was cheap and the owner is switching everything over to it as it breaks.

Everyone knows tin beaters can't use power tools. That's why they get them cheap stuff.

Im surprised you tar babies get good stuff. Hell y'all nasty critter make a dang sticky mess out of everything.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I think the best milwaukee drill my dad was his cordless hammer drill.  Wasn't one we used often but we were running conduit on the top of a concrete plant roof once where the roof was a good 300-350yards long.  Well you can imagine how many holes we had to drill for all the hangers and that thing worked like a champ.  I want to say it took 2 batteries to do the entire run.

Not including boxes and assuming it was a straight run. Also assuming it was ten foot between straps. The minimum allowed by code. Around 30 to 35 holes. That's at the minimum. Unless they were two hole hangers. Then it was a minimum 60 to 70.

[flyfisher]

Dumb electricians and their math skills lol....300-350 yards equals 600-700 feet divided by 10 is 60-70 single hole

Maybe it was reading comprehension though....lol

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Reading comprehension. My math skills are working perfectly today. All my pipe bends are working out perfect. All my pipe geometry is flawless right now. Its just one of those good math days for me.

Besides who gives pipe length in yards? Sheesh. It ain't concrete. I'm in the zone right now. All numbers are appearing as feet and inches. I read yards and my brain translated it as feet. Stupid electrician brain.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Dumb electricians and their math skills lol....300-350 yards equals 600-700 feet divided by 10 is 60-70 single hole

Maybe it was reading comprehension though....lol

Now wait a d**n minute. 300 to 350 yards equals out to 900 to 1050 feet. so ha my math skills are working today.

[tomustang]

Home cordless tools shouldn't be used for commercial use, it's in the manuals that they are voided of any warranty. The actual commercial grade ones are available at special retailers, not box stores like Home Depot, Sears, Ace Lowes, etc. The ones in big box stores are made to wear down with plastic components, just like lawn mowers and other household items now, so you can buy more years down the road.

[flyfisher]

Now wait a d**n minute. 300 to 350 yards equals out to 900 to 1050 feet. so ha my math skills are working today.

d**n electricians sons and their math skills.....lol

[clayton86]

Everyone knows tin beaters can't use power tools. That's why they get them cheap stuff.

Im surprised you tar babies get good stuff. Hell y'all nasty critter make a dang sticky mess out of everything.

We do make one hell of a mess of everything all te other trades hate borrowing our tool or power cords or letting us borrow stuff it always come back a sticky mess.

[tomustang]

it always come back a sticky mess.

What do they build, Casting couches?

[Raider Nation Fisher]

What do they build, Casting couches?

ROFLMFAO!!! I just sprayed beer across the room!!!

[clayton86]

What do they build, Casting couches?

Omg just choked on my trail mix