Cordless tool kits

[Brian425]

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...earch&cm_pla=HD&cm_ite=bid10111496-home_depot So I am thinking about buying this They will not be my main tools. Just supplements to use when the real tools might be a pain to haul out. I own Milawalkee sawz all, circular saw, 1/2 inch hole shooter and angle grinder, so they should never see any real hardship.

Anyone use Ryobi stuff? Any recommendations? I am looking to keep it under $200.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[nickb857]

Is it "The Works" cordless 8 pack with the small chainsaw? I dont know much about Ryobi but it seems like a well rounded kit at a good price. Otherwise i like Makitas cordless packs a lot but they are more than what you wanted to spend.

 

[Peterb]

In the business that i am in, we use and destroy many cordless tools, It seens as though consumer reports says that the royobi brand is a best buy, But the makita's i have used for so many years with their nimh batteries have lasted the longest in use and durability,
Buy what you need, but think of drilling through 1/2"steel, thick wood, cutting thick wood ect, What will your uses be and how long do you want the tools to serve you well? strictly house hold? buy royobi, more substantial jobs deserve a more substantial tool, Makita,
Peter

 

[crusty]

a shop I worked at had both ryobi and dewalt. we used the stuff everyday installing windows treatmens and large industrial blinds on rollers. they never gave us any trouble. so, for the everyday handyman kinda stuff I picked up the ryobi kit. i have had it a couple of years. working around the house the only problem i have had is the light bulb in the flashlight going out. they worked for me.

 

[offroven]

I saw a show on the Discovery Channel a few weeks ago about tools and it mentioned the guys who started Ryobi all used to work for either Bosch or Makita ( I cant remember which) and they left to start their own company. From what I have seen on my work sites the Ryobi seems to hold its own. I think Bosch is definately the top tool company as far as I'm concerned though.

 

[Steve Rupp]

I use cordless tools everyday in the field. I have had anything and I would have to say that nothing compares to Milwaukee cordless. One tool that I am impressed with is the Rigid. They have really nice features, but the batteries do not last that long. The nice thing is they charge in 20 minutes. The 12v rigid drill seems to be as powerful as most 14.4's. This is the tool that I use the most and have to say that I am pleased with it's performance.

 

[GregH]

I prefer Bosch or Milwaukee. Be careful of the Rigid (Home Depot brand). I have a Rigid 4 1/2" angle grinder I like and a friend has a Rigid drill that works well, but everything else seems like crap.

It's interesting to me that that angle grinder and drill are German-made and the rest of their tool line is made in China.

 

[Ian95rrc]

I have a RIGID 6" random orbital sander that is really nice. German made as well. It seems like RIGID has made a switch to more high-end tools. I previously assumed their tools to be junk. Maybe Ryobi just filled that niche.

 

[AndyThoma]

Now there are two grades of Ryobi, the contractor in that orange color or that blue lower grade. Which on are you guys refering too?

Steve - Your right, this last weekend my Dewalt 14.4v drill finally died after many years of hard use. To finish my construction project I borrowed my buddys 18v Milwaukee hammer drill combo cordless and damn that thing was nice. Went through all day with only one battery change and so much torque I realized how weak my wrists were

 

[Steve Rupp]

Andy, I don't think you can buy a better cordless kit than the Milwaukee. I have the kit with the 18v hammer drill, sawzall, circular saw, and flashlight. That kit rocks. One thing that pisses me off though is I bought the radio thinking that it would charge the batteries and it doesn't. Although it has an AUX input, so I can hook up my iPOD. . And I'm still holding strong on my RIGID 12v. That thing rocks.

 

[DiscoJen]

Love my Ryobi

I bought the Ryobi 18V kit over 3 1/2 years ago and it is kicking very strong to this day. I have used them very hard, I never maintain them, leave them out in the rain, drop them from ladders, etc. and they have performed great for me with the exception of the flashlight. But I usually lose the flashlight shortly after I get one anyways. Very recently one of my battery packs started to die and doesn't want to charge fully, but I am thrilled with their life and got more than my $200 worth out of them already.

Jen

 

[nickb857]

I bought the radio thinking that it would charge the batteries and it doesn't.

The same thing happend to me when i bought the radio, i thought it would charge the batteries. That is where the dewalt radio is better, it can charge the batteries.

 

[spydrjon]

Go with the Ridgid for all around best performance. I have had Ryobi, milwakee(sp?) and default...um, dewalt. I use and abuse them every weekend at HFH and the ridgid hasn't let me down yet. Clark Howard told me I look like a working advertisement for ridgid.

If it is the screw driver that you are looking for only.... the panasonic 15.6 is rated #1 for driving screws, but the ridgid 18V has the highest torque at 510 in#.

Do yourself a favor... stay away from battery operated sawzalls. The best rated one is the milwakee and it only lasts for 3 min at full use.

Yours truly,
1/3 of the atlanta HFH tool fools.


Finally a topic I can speak competently about

 

[kellymoe]

I know this won't apply to some of the tools you are thinking about but for around the house and even when wheeling I have switched over to air tools. I have drills, wrenches, impact wrench, angle grinder and small saw. They all work great and are a fraction of the price of there electric or battery powered equivalents. I have a 20lb Co2 tank mounted in my truck and use the impact wrench and other tools allthe time with it. Just something to consider.

 

[landylight]

I am suprised non of you said anything about the Firestorm brand. Black and Decker is a sub company of Dewalt. I had a first generation 14.4 cordless drill and that thing ROCKED until i drop it from a ladder and the thing got BUSTED. Still the drill never let me down and the power was there with it only bein 14.4
I bought the Ryobi 18v set and am very happy with it, the only thing as others have said is the battery life. Although I have put these things to max for the past 2.5 years, i dont mind the $40 for 2 new 18v batteries, try and get that from any other company. The new Plus 1 batteries which replaced my old have performed much better than the originals, and the 1 hour charger keeps up pace as well.
For the money go with the Ryobi

 

[alex3324]

This is only my opinion, but I think the 8-tool combo pack from Ryobi that you get at Home Depot or Lowes is only meant for comsumer-grade use. YMMV, and if you're only using it to hang pictures or drill a hole into pine a few times a month, Ryobi-blue or Black and Decker will work fine. However, if you want something a little more robust, DeWalt, Milwaukee or Rigid are my choices. Personally, I try to stay away from anything made in the far east.