Ryobi one + drill impressions

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#9

I had a Ryobi 18v drill from 2004 until I grew tired of the batteries taking a dive in 2012, this was me using it professionally. Granted it was not on a daily basis but it was asking more of it than your regular homeowner. My boss was cheap then what can I say. Not once though did I have to worry about any brushes or other maintenance items. I did however have a Dewalt that only lasted about 2-3 years of use before it bit the dust. The Ryobi replaced the Dewalt. I replaced my Ryobi in 2012 with a Milwaukee 18v, it served me well until it decided to part ways with me Via storm sewer 3 weeks ago. I had actually let some of the smoke out of that one but it wouldn’t die either. It just decided to jump out of my van into an awaiting storm sewer.

I think the Ryobi’s do tend to catch shit, but you know what, they work. Not a lick of problems out of it. This was as of 2012 for my experience. The speaks volumes of how long they last with us at the space. I’d like to see a cordless-athon between the different manufacturers. DMS would be probably the best place for such a test bed.

For your entertainment a picture of my Milwaukee letting out some smoke.

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27C31A20-2FC6-49AA-8705-677FA1F6057F.jpeg4032×3024 2.15 MB

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#10

It wasn’t the 60s. I just didn’t seem to use them that much until recently now that they are in my work toolbox

#11

I have several Ryobi 1+ tools several years old for light duty work and have had no problems. Some of the batteries have died. What is the best source of replacements?

#12

I got mine from Home Depot

#13

Wayne has several Ryobi that are beaten and abused on lighting gigs and installs. The biggest peril to them is theft. :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:

#14

The member that works at The Tool Box in Music City Mall might have them for less than the 'Despot, however I gather that there are possible warranty issues if sourced from there.

#15

I bought my miter saw, nail gun, jigsaw and inflator from HD… but got 2 cut off saws, circular saw, 1/2" drill, and a couple of batteries from The Tool Box. I’ve had zero issues with things from there. I used that drill to wire one of the cabins on my hunting property and just about broke my wrist a couple of times - that damn thing is a BEAST when drilling through multiple 2x4s at the corners to route the wires through. It drilled straight through where my DeWalt 3/8" wimped out.

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#16

I have a full set of Ryobi One+, they are amazing but I had very similar experiences as @ESmith did. Now only using the 4.0Ah batteries, finally real tools with that kind of capacity and duration of use.

#17

I can’t find the thread - and have slept since then - so perhaps I’m mistaken, but my mind is really sticking on the notion that since they’re not Home Depot (the apparent official exclusive retailer) warranty claims are apt to be Interesting™.

Nothing against them - suspect the service is better since they’re a small independent outfit - but I’d ask first and would love to be wrong.

If I were just starting on my shed project - or had any other significant work lined up - I’d be seriously eyeing the new 6- and 9-Ah batteries.

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#18

At the prices I paid for the ones from The Tool Box, I’d consider them disposable and would buy another to replace it.

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#19

Intriguing. I’ll give them a look next time I have a hankering for more Ryobi green anything since the Despot’s pricing is less than enviable.

#20

I bought the ones that didn’t look pristine and was very happy.

#21

Do they have a good selection of Ridgid? I’m an orange tool fan.

#22

Ego just stacked more li-ion cells to hit their nominal 56V (most likely 15 cells in series at 3V minimum/3.6V nominal/4.2V peak per cell). For the kinds of work their product line is doing - sustained operation and/or significant loads - it makes sense to up the voltage so your current demands remain manageable.

NiCd systems topped out around ~18V because it took a 15 of them to hit that voltage at nominal 1.2V per cell. Funny how today’s top-end power tools are also topping out around that number despite their slimmer, lighter cells.

As much as Ryobi …

  • Brags about 100+ tool compatibility for One+
  • Keeps improving the One+ series of batteries - now on their 4th generation

… I doubt they’re about to drop the platform since that’s smartphone style ecosystem buy-in they’ve developed over the last ~decade that would be a shame to waste. Worst thing I see happening is newer tools being openly incompatible with the low-end pack-in cells - such as their airstrike nailers that are known to require the Lithium+ batteries - some new tools might be “HP” exclusive.

DeWalt’s FlexVolt is an interesting concept with a surprisingly simple party trick. At rest or inserted into a “20V” tool it’s a “20V” (18V nominal, just like Ryobi) 5S3P battery. Insert it into a “60V” tool and tabs on the interface actuate switches that transform it into a 15S "60V (54V nominal) battery. Watt-hours remain constant, but the “20V” form has treble the Ah of the “60V” form.

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#23

It has been a while since I’ve been by there so I can’t say…

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#24

If your looking in that price range.
These are good deals this time of year until about January.

Not brushless motor but in the price range.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Compact-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Drill-Driver-Kit-W-1-2-0-Ah-Battery-Charger-Tool-Bag-2801-21P/305529238

Add a few more $$ and you get an impact driver too.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Drill-Driver-and-Impact-Driver-2-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-2-1-5-Ah-Batteries-Charger-and-Bag-R9602/205762719

This one’s a brushless motor hammer drill.

If you’re looking to do more and need a third tool.
This brushless motor set comes with a free tool of your choice, and is the best deal(comes out to < $72 per tool).

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-Hammer-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-2-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-2-4-0Ah-Batteries-Charger-R9205/206127587

The Ridgids have a lifetime service & parts warranty, including the batteries if it’s packaged with a tool set(with registration; need receipt from Home Depot to register).
If you buy the battery separate, it’s only a 3 year warranty on the batteries.

#25

I think the next shift would be to the compact close to 12v sized tools with “full” 18/20V batteries. Milwaukee & Dewalt are starting to go that way. Makita has been at it for a few years with their <3 lb. 18V LXT line. Their black sub compact line is even smaller, but not quite as powerful.

#26

Home Depot will sell you a drill, an impact driver, two batteries and a charger for $100. The price of the One+ tools is cheap enough that it’s easy to add more tools.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Drill-Driver-and-Impact-Driver-Combo-Kit-with-2-1-3-Ah-Batteries-Charger-and-Bag-P1832/207092155

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#27

They have a decent selection but you can’t avail of the lifetime service and parts warranty without a Home Depot receipt that you need for registration.

#28

Hey folks, Jay here with The Tool Box in Music City Mall(Vista Ridge).

So with Ryobi and Ridgid tools you do need a home Depot receipt to register the product, and must register the product to get the manufacturer warranty.

We do a 30 day mechanical warranty on all of our gear. All that said, we do beat home Depot on price pretty well. At the moment I don’t have too terribly much in the way of used Ryobi drills, but I do have a couple of the carbon brushed hammerdrills (p214) at $30 each tool only that are pretty lightly used. New standard drivers are $30 each tool only as well, for fellow makers i can do the standard drill with standard battery and charger for $50. January through March I’ll be buying alot of stuff, and have some clearance pretty cheap.

Milwaukee has the best warranty. True manufacturer warranty for 5 years from production dates. I rarely get on Maker space talk, but you can find me in Facebook market place pretty easy, or just search for me on Facebook. Jay Knipp. My profile will be the one with me and my Fiancee. I’ll try to check back for any questions, but no promises.