Ryobi

[hvacrjones]

Presently we have 2 service vans and a install truck soon we will be adding a 3rd service van and I’m in the process of setting up a install/retrofit trailer. Our power tools are a mix of everything other than drills its all corded. My partner and I have decided its time to cut the cord. Our fist thought was dewalt but after talking to an old teacher and contractor of mine he has claimed to have good luck with Ryobi on all 10 of his trucks. My first impression was he lost his mind but then I got to thinking and realized that I have a few of Ryobi’s corded tools and they do fine. I went out and picked up one of Ryobi’s combo kits tonight and have been putting around with it here at home and it’s better than I thought it would be and the cost makes them almost disposable tools.

Ok my question. Is anyone using Ryobi on the job for installs ECT. And if so how are they holding up for you?

My thought is drop a kit in each van and have corded backup in the install truck. At $400 less per kit than dewalt that’s a big savings and it would help standardize our tools for easy management.

[seabiscuit]

Had a Ryobi once I bought from Home Depot. Lasted about a month til it broke. Took it back for exchange and they asked if I using it for contracting work because if I was, it wouldn't be covered under warranty. So check your warranty terms. By the way, I bought a Milwaukee instead.

[easybend]

Funny thread. One suggestion: Bosch. I have few of their tools left by my smart grand pa. He had a wire cutter from WWII that my father and I still use. We shipped most of our stuff from Europe here when we moved.

When it comes to manufacturing, I do not think any country can compete with Germany.

The only thing that I have by Ryobi is a table saw. It still works, but it is a disaster machine. The ironic thing: In my language, Ryobi means "work".

[chucko615]

Have you looked at the Milwaukee 24 volt ion kits, they look really nice and when my cordless dies, I'm going to buy the combo kit.

[hvacrjones]

part of my thinking on ryobi is that in truth we dont use most of the tools that mutch cut out sone register boots ect so i have a hard time justifying the added expence of dewalt bosch ridgid and the others. i also see no need for anything more than 18 volt. if i was bulding houses or a general handyman i could see it but as a hvac contractor im having a hard time mot going cheep

[easybend]

I learned long time ago that the cheapest way is to overpay for the best possible tools, especially when talking tools.

[Richard Kletty]

Originally posted by seabiscuit
Had a Ryobi once I bought from Home Depot. Lasted about a month til it broke. Took it back for exchange and they asked if I using it for contracting work because if I was, it wouldn't be covered under warranty. So check your warranty terms. By the way, I bought a Milwaukee instead.

Yup same thing here. They exchanged it the first time and then the second time I had em give me my money back. The 18volt drill was fine but the sawzall wont last. The second time you use it to cut some drywall the trigger wont work anymore cause of the dust.

Of course Ive almost had to go buy another kit because for the price its right...

A few guys on the job sites are using the new Craftsman cordless stuff and Ive used the drill and sawzall and they both are pretty tough.

Of course now Im hearing that Craftsman is doing the same thing as the depot and asking if you use it for contracting work...Go figure...

Richard

[chucko615]

A buddy of mine brought one of those Coleman cordless kits. The drill burned out 3 months after he got it, he really saved some money there.

[Freezeking2000]

I use the Ryobi and I have not had a problem, but i do not use it heavy. Others i talk to all like them, except the cuuck sucks on the drill, sawzall is great, skill saw ok too.

[karl k]

I run Milwaukee and have had no problems with it. A lot higher quality than DeWalt. When the batteries die, I send them off to get re-built or do them myself. I've had the same cordless Sawzall for 5 years now. You can't kill this thing. I had to replace my drill, which I bought online for $70 (just the drill, no batteries, charger, etc...). That was only because my original one started making noises and was getting worn out, not because it failed on me in the field.

What I'm saying is, you can pay now and not have the added cost of guys always looking for a battery or breaking the tools OR you can cheap out right now and be replacing the cordless tools 2 or 3 times in the time it takes to wear one good set out.

It looks a lot more professional when you whow up with contractor tools instead of homeowner tools anyways. How would you feel if your guys showed up to a job with your shiny new Ryobi sets and the homeowner said "Hey, I've got that drill too! It keeps breaking on me, though. What a peice of junk!"

I know, that this is extreme, but my point is BUY GOOD TOOLS.

It just make good business sense.

Karl

[gan]

I use a Milwakuee 18V cordless set and had no problems with them what so ever. I use it a lot when doing my rough ins, I went to Louisana after Katrina to do some volunter relief work and my cordless set was priceless. I recently just switched to some Makita 14V impact drivers for driving screws, and leave the 18V drill in the truck unless really needed. I agree spend the money on quality tools and you save money in the long run, they will outlast the low cost tools. I know contractors who use the Ryobi tools and to them they are throw away tools.

I agree with showing up at the house and having proffesional tools, thats we spend the money on fluke, Klien fieldpice, yellow jacket, robinair, etc. instead of tools you can get at the dollar store.

[hvacrjones]

our original thought was dewalt ridgid or milwakee we had trown our makita even know we would have gone with them no questions asked if we had a distributer here in town that handled them as reguler stock but for anything more than the drill or combo set we would need to specal oreder and wait 2 weeks. so i hapened to ask my old teacher/ friend what his crews use and he told me ryobi i thought he was kidding me but we walked out to his truck and yep ryobi. ive got 4 instals this week so im going to do them myself and try out this ryobi kit i figure we will still end up buying one of the big names but i must prove the cheapskate in me that ryobi is junk first.

i just wish that i could get a combo price for the kit i actuly would want insted of getting the drill/sazall/cerc kit and adding the impact.

[mark beiser]

I'm kinda stuck on DeWalt as far as tool durability goes. Got my 18v combo kit 5 years ago. The whole set has seen tons of use, since I have to install what I sell. In 5 years I have had to replace the trigger in the drill once. My employer buys me 2 new batteries a year, about $54 each, so I have 8 batteries. I only use 4 of them, the other 4 are in a box needing to be recycled.

My only complaint is the batteries, nicads just don't have that long of a life, but when I got my kit there was not much of a choice.

If I was buying a kit today, I would get something with lithium ion batteries. The charge faster, go longer on a charge, and can be recharged more times than nicads. Accedently completely discharging a litium ion battery when using it in the flashlight won't damage the battery pack like it does with nicads.

Dewalt has 36v tools now that use lithium ion batteries that weigh no more than the 18v nicads. Unfortunatly the tools weigh more.
If DeWalt comes out with a new line of 18v tools using lithium ion batteries, I will probably buy a new kit.

[karl k]

Millwaukee has the new 18v Li-ion battery kits

Karl

[2story]

dewalt 1/2 hammer drill and sazall, I won mine I love it! expensive yes but cheaper then being frustrated with repeated battery failures.

[gear junkie]

I love the dewalt 18 volt nicad because they're well built, have the best cordless sawzall and have numerous tools that run off that battery. The cordless 2 1/2 gal vacuum is great for residential work. Other companies make a better drill, better light, better saw but NOBODY makes a better complete set. As far as the weight being an issue; get stronger.

[karl k]

The thing I really like about the Millwaukee Sawzall is that the cordless version is exactly the same as the corded version from the handle forward. No need to worry about the mechanism dying on that sucker!!

[kbd]

if you where getting the tools as personal tools then i would get the higher end tools except for dewalt. it is just an over priced black-n-decker. but since you are putting them in your service trucks then i would go with ryobi. i have all of them. love the ryobi drill with 1/2 chuck. people have the tendecies to miss use what is not theres. ryobi in my opinion would be the best for the equasion.

[BobbyBJr]

My son and I both use the Ryobi 18 volt stuff and haven't had any problems with them. I bought my stuff a piece at a time rather than in a combo kit. I got the 1/2" 18 volt drill when it first came out and have used it almost daily and it has held up very well. I'll buy another if and when it finally does quit.

Bobby

[juggalo66]

remember guys the tools don't make the man, the man makes the tools.the tool is only as good as the man who uses it.

[referdog]

Impact screw gun and calk gun work well. I have had Ryobi for about two years and have been through 5 batteries and three chargers. I also am on my second regular drill. I use my stuff almost every day.

[hvacrjones]

so far don about 15 instals with the ryobi set and find it to be working out fine ony thing i dont like is the batts seem to die fast in the sawzall.

just today i picked up the 5pice ridgid set for myself and will be using it for about a month when then ill decide what we will go with as a company.

[rookie 19]

Ryobi is junk it don't don't last for **** on com. and ind jobs.

I killed the drill sent it in
killed five three batteries
The drill is like a baby rattle
The chuck wobbles
the sawzall useless
circular saw eats batteries to fast
The light tends to melt(plastic cover)

This all happened in 4 months

[m singer]

Originally posted by 2story
dewalt 1/2 hammer drill and sazall, I won mine I love it! expensive yes but cheaper then being frustrated with repeated battery failures.
My experience is just the opposite. I was going though Dewalt batteries just about every time they were exposed to wet conditions. I work in the rain and demand that my tools do too.

I bought a Royobi 18v drill that came with a battery, a battery charger and flashlight for $30 last x-mass at Home Depot. For another $30 I bought 2 extra batteries. A car charger cost me another $30. I have been using them since and find them to be "better' them the more expensive and less reliable DeWalt.

[hvacrjones]

I’m in complete agreement with Singer although we have decided to go with Ridged as the company provided tool set you just can’t beat the service agreement. Now were just trying to get word from ridgid of when there 18 volt li-ion batts will be out so we can decide if we want to hold for a month or so before buying a few more sets.

[grasshopper]

One of my old employers of mine started giving the guys Ryobi and quit because he said they wouldn't hold up on installs. He said that he went through 3 times as many drills and batteries and figures he was losing his a$$ on the downtime and time spent fixing, replacing and warranting drills etc. He switched over to Dewalt as they have the best kits and "accessory tools" to match. They offered the most power for weight and were the most readily available brand for servicing and relacement parts. Heck you can pick up Dewalt batteries anywhere on the fly. That boss issued me a new 14.4 volt drill the day I started for him. That drill was used everyday for over 4 yrs and and despite being dropped and getting used never broke or even killed a battery. Now every boss and co-worker I have had say that I use the heck out of my cordless tools but that I take care of them. (Whatever that means) I have 2-9.6, 1-14.4 drill and the 18 volt kit. All have been used long term(years) without problems. I have experiance with Milwakee, Rigid, Bosch, Makita and other from other jobs over the years. I think that there are alot of good drills out there but I echo what was said about Dewalt having the best kits and best assortment of "other" tools in there line up for all the contractor brands. I love and use my 18 volt sheetmetal shears on every install it seems. Some of the guys I work with have started getting these newer 24 and 36 volt lith/ion tools. They are about the same size and weight. The 36 volt Dewalt drill is less then a lb more then my 18 volt. The batteries last forever. The Rigid weighs alot more then the Dewalt and the Milwakee is inbetween, just about like there 18 volt stuff. The Rigid does have an nice lifetime warranty that includes the batteries. However every guy I know with a Rigid set NEEDS that warranty which increases the hassle factor for me. Thats why I always keep a back-up drill on the truck.

[scottsacavsfan]

I have the 18volt ryobi kit and I purchased the right angle drill seperate its nice but the regular drill is junk the level never stays in place,THE CHUCK WONT STAY TIGHT,and the clutch is weak even on the highest setting it just clicks away on tough holes.
The cicular saw doesnt have the laser guide and it drains batterys to fast.
The rubber on the sawzall is all chewd up and the stroke is to short to cut any real metal
Never used the flash light (I have the badest maglite ever its great)
I had to hide the vacum from my wife tired of going to work with no battery because the crack in the couch needed vacumed
The tools had a good run but Im going to retire them and give them to my dad (while they still work)to do home owners work
I think im going to get the new 36v dewalt kit
any body got a coupon?

[ga-hvac-tech]

While we are on this thread, does anyone have a link for a mail-order place that rebuilds batteries? I have a dozen Dewalt and Milwaukee 18V batteries that are no longer servicable. I would be glad to trade them in for 4 or 6 reliable rebuilt ones.

THX in advance!

GAhvacTech

[grasshopper]

Originally posted by gahvactech
While we are on this thread, does anyone have a link for a mail-order place that rebuilds batteries? I have a dozen Dewalt and Milwaukee 18V batteries that are no longer servicable. I would be glad to trade them in for 4 or 6 reliable rebuilt ones.

THX in advance!

GAhvacTech




http://www.batteriesplus.com/default.aspx

I am not sure about mail order. Around here several guys I know use Batteries Plus. Batteries Plus will either rebuild yours or sell you new ones. They even have generic replacements according to one of my old bosses. Either that or buy the Dewalt 2 packs for less then $100. That way you are paying less then $50 per 18 volt battery.

[Edited by grasshopper on 12-04-2006 at 12:36 AM]

[karl k]

I just rebuilt my own 18 volt millwaukee batteries.

I used cells that will supply up to 30A. They are rated at 3.8Ah which is quite a bit more than the 2.4Ah that is standard from with my drill. I went the extra mile and put in NiMH cells so that I could charge it anytime I wanted.

Took me an evening to rebuild a pack, but it was a good learning experience.

It cost me about 90 bucks for 30 cells. That's enough to rebuild 2 18v packs.

Karl

[garnerac]

Originally posted by juggalo66
remember guys the tools don't make the man, the man makes the tools.the tool is only as good as the man who uses it.

Yeah, maybe so, but when the batteries are dead how big of a man are you?
Ryobi sux and we'll never go there again. The batteries are strong for a month or 2 and then they wont hold charges long enough to cut a 2x6.
The sawzall is a toy.
Buy Makita, Ridgid or Milwaukee.
I get mine at Pawn Shops. Bought a 14 volt Ridgid drill, charger and 2 batts yesterday, like new $75.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Originally posted by karl k
I just rebuilt my own 18 volt millwaukee batteries.

I used cells that will supply up to 30A. They are rated at 3.8Ah which is quite a bit more than the 2.4Ah that is standard from with my drill. I went the extra mile and put in NiMH cells so that I could charge it anytime I wanted.

Took me an evening to rebuild a pack, but it was a good learning experience.

It cost me about 90 bucks for 30 cells. That's enough to rebuild 2 18v packs.

Karl




Interesting idea! I had not thougth about doing the rebuild myself, used to do lots of that stuff years ago.

How do you make the connection between the cells? Seems to me soldering would overheat the cells. And speaking of cells, would you mind sharing the link to where you find the cells? THX in advance.

GAhvacTech

[grasshopper]

Originally posted by karl k
I just rebuilt my own 18 volt millwaukee batteries.

I used cells that will supply up to 30A. They are rated at 3.8Ah which is quite a bit more than the 2.4Ah that is standard from with my drill. I went the extra mile and put in NiMH cells so that I could charge it anytime I wanted.

Took me an evening to rebuild a pack, but it was a good learning experience.

It cost me about 90 bucks for 30 cells. That's enough to rebuild 2 18v packs.

Karl





Cool idea. I would also be interested in some more specific info. Like where to get parts, etc. This might be an option for an individual who is into DIY things. But I fear this would not be a realistic option for a buisness. It took you an evening of time and $90 in parts to rebuid one to two batteries. I can walk into the big home center a few miles from here and buy a Dewalt 2-18 volt battery pack for $99. It takes 5 minutes and comes with a warranty. So most buisnesses I would think would buy new or hire professional buisnesses like Batteries Plus to rebuild if it was financially avantageous.

[ga-hvac-tech]

I wish I could go into a big box retailer and get a two pack of Dewalt or Milwaukee batteries for $99. NOBODY in town (Atlanta) sells them that way (that I am aware of). I have asked and been told that perhaps (maybe) for the Father's Day sale, they 'might' have two packs again. All I see is one battery for $89.

And BTW--At the local Batteries Plus stores, the generic Dewalt 18V battery is $129.

I did an internet search a month ago looking for batteries, nobody had them cheap.

Perhaps after the first of the year...

GAhvacTech

[grasshopper]

Then there is a whole list of online retailers that sell Dewalt and other brands of tools on Ebay. You can pick up 18 volt batteries all the time for like $50.




http://cgi.ebay.com/DEWALT-18V-18-Volt-DC9096-BATTERY-XRP-NEW_W0QQitemZ270060638949QQihZ017QQcategoryZ20794Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/DeWALT-18-VOLT-DC9096-XRP-18v-Battery-2-PACK-NEW_W0QQitemZ120060773541QQihZ002QQcategoryZ50393Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/DeWALT-DC9096-18v-18-volt-XRP-Batteries-5-PACK-NEW_W0QQitemZ120060010676QQihZ002QQcategoryZ50393Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Voltman even has a rebuild service advertised on Ebay. I have never used them though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/WE-REBUILD-18-VOLT-DEWALT-MILWAUKEE-BATTERY-BATTERIES_W0QQitemZ280055346398QQihZ018QQcategoryZ 50393QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here is Voltman's website....
http://www.voltmanbatteries.com/FAQ.htm

[billybadd]

Ryobi sawzall went bad after a month. Cordless Vac.. worthless. Circular saw.. ok if batteries hold a charge more than 10 mins. Drill is ok but bulky and heavy. I got the Makita 14.4V impact drill/driver, Flourescent light, and Drill Kit for $200 bucks from tylertool.com Best investment so far.

[hvacrjones]

About a week ago I went to the depot and stacked up 5 rigid sets on a cart. That’s when the Dewalt rep team that was changing their display almost **** a brick and both of them one being the regional manager came over to talk me out of it. Well after over an hour of talk they had me half way sold on Dewalt and he definitely had about 30 others that had gathered around sold. Finally the regional manager gave up and asked me to follow him out to his truck he gave me his card and dropped a huge bag in my hands told me to try it for a week if I didn’t like it call him up and he’ll pick it up if I like it its mine.

After a week I’m sold and I must apologies for any and all the bad things I’ve said about Dewalt my past experiences with them had been poor but their present tools are top of the heap I'm my book especially the hammer drill which kicks the rigids but in fit finish and speed. The one down side to the dewalt is the NiCad batts but the rep assured me that they are considering lithium’s and if/when they do they will retrofit into the present battery setup. One more thing on the drill its chuck is the best I have ever seen it holds as good as or better than a keyed chuck and blows away anything keyless.

[scottsacavsfan]

I agree with you hvacrjones,
I recently bought the 18v kit and gave my 18v ryobi away to one of the new install helpers, hopefully the kid wont pawn it.LOL
I will never buy anything but Dewalt now.
The sawzall has a multipostion head that is an amazing feature,and the circular saw is atleast double the power.
I love the chuck on the hammer drill it holds the bit even when you bump it on something it wont open up.
AND I got a free wet/dry vac (local special) that is sweet! This thing can suck the rust out of a heat exchanger from the truck and does a nice job on condensate drains to.

[craig1]

Originally posted by gahvactech

How do you make the connection between the cells? Seems to me soldering would overheat the cells. And speaking of cells, would you mind sharing the link to where you find the cells? THX in advance.

GAhvacTech



solder the batteries using a really hot, powerfull soldering iron. you can get the job done fast before the heat transfers down into the cell. kind of like brazing service valves and TXVs

[R12rules]

I run Milwaukee and have had no problems with it. A lot higher quality than DeWalt. When the batteries die, I send them off to get re-built or do them myself. I've had the same cordless Sawzall for 5 years now. You can't kill this thing. I had to replace my drill, which I bought online for $70 (just the drill, no batteries, charger, etc...). That was only because my original one started making noises and was getting worn out, not because it failed on me in the field.

What I'm saying is, you can pay now and not have the added cost of guys always looking for a battery or breaking the tools OR you can cheap out right now and be replacing the cordless tools 2 or 3 times in the time it takes to wear one good set out.

It looks a lot more professional when you whow up with contractor tools instead of homeowner tools anyways. How would you feel if your guys showed up to a job with your shiny new Ryobi sets and the homeowner said "Hey, I've got that drill too! It keeps breaking on me, though. What a peice of junk!"

I know, that this is extreme, but my point is BUY GOOD TOOLS.

It just make good business sense.

Karl

I agree.

If I need a tool for ocassional use, I dont mind shopping at Harbor Freight. But when its something critical like a drill or saw, you simply CANNOT AFFORD CHEAP!!!