Cordless tools - Ryobi any good?

[LeMarchand]

Not that I do much DIY, but I have been looking into getting a new drill of late (mains one still fine, but the cordless ones have died). From my research it seems that each brand uses "unique" batteries, so once you buy one item, unless you have plenty of cash, you need to stick to that ecosystem. Amazon have a pretty good deal on a Ryobi drill + 2 batteries + a charger atm: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YT5HGH3 - any thoughts?

 

Also, next device likely to be a mower. The drill has 1.5ah batteries, the mowers start at 2.5ah. Does this mean the drill batteries aren't useable, or just that they won't last as long?

[Ditto]

I haven't used Ryobi but generally seem to be good feedback from friends that have. I went for a more expensive Makita 6 tool set a while back and have added grass strimmer, hedge trimmer and multi-tool so definitely flexible once you start down that road. I have several batteries up to 5.0 Ah. More expensive than Ryobi but I have been thoroughly impressed by their kit throughout. I have to admit I have a petrol mower, but I would have thought you need at least 4.0 Ah for a mower but I see no reason for the smaller batteries to work - albeit for a shorter time. The amazon price looks good - I couldn't see better and camelcamelcamel says it is as good as it has ever been.

[localzuk]

My dad has about 20 Ryobi tools and loves them.

[Chris_Cook]

Not used Ryobi much, but I get the impression its at the better end of the DIY market. The drill I borrowed from one of our site managers seemed pretty decent.

 

If the batteries are similar to the Worx ones I use, then they should be compatible with the different sizes, but there is a tradeoff between runtime and weight/size. For a drill, a smaller battery works well as you are holding the drill up in the air, and typically not using it continuously for a long period. for a mower/strimmer/jetwash, a larger battery battery would be better. But my 2Ah batteries are enough to run the strimmer over my small lawn, or jetwash a couple of motorbikes. Lithium batteries have a surprising amount of power in them.

 

Its probably best to get the mower with the 4ah batteries and then get the drill without if possible. Some of the mowers also seem to take 2 batteries, so that might be worth checking.

[3s-gtech]

I recently went for Ryobi One+ for a strimmer ('brush cutter'). It's okay. With something like a mower, you'll need the higher capacity batteries to make it worthwhile - I paired mine with a 5.0Ah battery and a fast charger which added a lot of cost. The smaller batteries are ideal for smaller power tools though.

 

Ryobi are very much a mid brand. Milwaukee and DeWalt are far ahead, and Stihl make some very decent electric chainsaws etc. Where Ryobi are ahead is choice and variety of tools.

[Aprice]

I think their 'decent' DIY tools, Definitely wouldn't swap my DeWalt kit for it but for the odd DIY job it's probably more than capable.

[nicholab]

I am planning to go with Erbauer tools as I have a reciprocating saw with 2x 4ah batteries. Also father in law has an extensive range of tools so I can just borrow tools.

[XiJ]

I’m a makita man myself but we do have a Ryobi strimmer. It’s pretty decent but the 2AH battery doesn’t last long. I reckon a couple of 5ah for a mower. I did see they have a 9ah recently tho!

[HPlum78]

I do a lot of DIY as seemingly outside of IT I fix cars, build and fit kitchens and bathrooms... I have sworn by makita gear for years and my trusted drill of 12 years (it did some work in that time) packed up. Since then in the past 4 years I have replaced it twice, I have took my original and subsequent drills apart and there is a clear difference in the quality of the parts and builds. I was going to go and buy yet another one but in the mean time the better 1/2 has been out and got some of the ryobi one+ gear so I strayed into the world of ryobi and will say after using the drill for the past 2 months I am happy with it and right now even tho I dipped in to ryobi I am in no rush to go and get another makita (even tho I have a fair few batteries).

[3s-gtech]

My brother’s engineering workshop was all Makita, but he was struggling with certain tools lasting any time with that level of use. He switched to DeWalt with good results, though still has a Makita impact wrench.

 

In his line of work the Ryobi stuff wouldn’t last. You may watch MCM on Youtube - they’re sponsored by Ryobi but do have to frequently replace their harder working gear.

[webman]

I have a couple of Ryobi drills (one was a kit similar to the one linked in the first post) and have been very happy with them. My use case is just general DIY stuff around the home and they've coped brilliantly. The SDS+ hammer drill (with Ryobi bits) goes into old Victorian brickwork with ease. Edited September 13, 2023 by webman

[speakercon]

I can't comment on Ryobi as I've never used them. I'm usually a Makita fan, but I've tried a few of the CPC Duratool - Power Tools | CPC (farnell.com) power tools (out of interest mostly to see how they are) and I would say they offer good value for money. None of them have broken yet and get used a few times a month.

[Davit2005]

Bought my Dewalt hammer/drill 5 years back now on a special offer. I would not of said I use it a lot but have certainly had it do some heavy drilling including hole cutting wooden worktops 140mm diameter holes to point of stalling the drill a number of times, still on the original batteries but I have a torch too which uses same batteries. Paid half the cost of the dewalt for electric power drills that have not been as good or lasted as long.

[LeMarchand]

Thanks for all the advice, folks. The CPC kit is very well priced, but they don't seem to do garden stuff (yet?). I am going to have to look at costs more as it seems the lower aH batteries aren't going to cut the mustard (or the lawn).

[pooley]

Just to weigh in, I've a few Ryobi items, drills, a strimmer, hedgecutter. All from the Ryobi one+ range. You will need 5ah batteries for the gardening kit. Although I have bought some 3rd party batteries from ebay and they work just fine.

[LeMarchand]

Well, I went for the Ryobi in the end, and fairly pleased. I do, of course, have a couple of more questions!

 

It's fine with drilling and screwing in, but not so hot at unscrewing. This has been on screws that have been in decades, though. I have ended up using a manual driver to loosen and then my "normal" powered driver to finish. Is there a speed/torque setting that is best for such jobs?

 

Also considering a reciprocating saw. Has anyone used https://www.cbspowertools.com/ ? Their prices seem too good to be true.

[3s-gtech]

An impact driver is the best thing for stubborn and tight screws, where a drill can be useful an ID applies an impact torque rather than a hammer action as a drill does. Awesome things.

[LeMarchand]

An impact driver is the best thing for stubborn and tight screws, where a drill can be useful an ID applies an impact torque rather than a hammer action as a drill does. Awesome things.

 

Thanks. With my current usage not something that I can see spending around £100 as a "must", but worth filing away.

[southhamster]

I find with my DeWalt just turning the whole drill by hand can loosen a stubborn screw as you can apply a lot of torque. May not with other makes as the DeWalt locks the chuck when unpowered.

[Davit2005]

I thought I had the original receipt for my Dewalt DCD785 in the carrying case and yes I did. Cost me £150 in April 2014 and still going strong even though I have stalled it many times mostly hole cutting thick wood.

 

But yes impact is what you need, you can get non-battery Impact drivers too https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver for the odd job or even do what I have done and drill out the screw as long as you do that with the drill rotating in the opposite direction to the thread so the screw undoes.

Edited October 16, 2023 by Davit2005

[LeMarchand]

But yes impact is what you need, you can get non-battery Impact drivers too https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver for the odd job or even do what I have done and drill out the screw as long as you do that with the drill rotating in the opposite direction to the thread so the screw undoes.

 

Seems a more reasonable price for likely usage - ordered one!