7 years ago, I bought a Ryobi 18-volt kit with drill, saw, and flashlight. The
circular saw isn't that hot because the battery runs down too fast but does
have its uses if you plan well, the flashlight is long gone, but the drill is
still
working. The switch cuts out from time to time and the charge doesn't seem
to last as long, and one of the batteries split open after falling from a 6'
ladder,
but it's a strong, reliable tool that's been put through hell. So when I saw
the drill at Home Depot for a hundred dollars, with insidious flashlight and
two batteries,
I got another one. I can't imagine a Panasonic, DeWalt, or other two-and-
a-half times as expensive tool doing any better. It's just my experience.
Maybe you would have to exchange two or three Ryobi drills before getting
one that works, and have a DeWalt that's been around for 10 years, but
the Ryobi experience has been satisfying for me, considering the price.
"BUB 209" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>7 years ago, I bought a Ryobi 18-volt kit with drill, saw, and flashlight.
>The
>
> circular saw isn't that hot because the battery runs down too fast but
> does
> have its uses if you plan well, the flashlight is long gone, but the drill
> is
> still
> working. The switch cuts out from time to time and the charge doesn't
> seem
> to last as long, and one of the batteries split open after falling from a
> 6'
> ladder,
> but it's a strong, reliable tool that's been put through hell. So when I
> saw
> the drill at Home Depot for a hundred dollars, with insidious flashlight
> and
> two batteries,
> I got another one. I can't imagine a Panasonic, DeWalt, or other two-and-
> a-half times as expensive tool doing any better. It's just my experience.
> Maybe you would have to exchange two or three Ryobi drills before getting
> one that works, and have a DeWalt that's been around for 10 years, but
> the Ryobi experience has been satisfying for me, considering the price.
I bought a Makita and love it. The thing has been to hell and back and
still hasn't died.
Fraser
"BUB 209" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> I got another one. I can't imagine a Panasonic, DeWalt, or other two-and-
> a-half times as expensive tool doing any better. It's just my experience.
> Maybe you would have to exchange two or three Ryobi drills before getting
> one that works, and have a DeWalt that's been around for 10 years, but
> the Ryobi experience has been satisfying for me, considering the price.
If it works for you, I'm happy.
I just dumped my 18 month old Ryobi for a Panasonic. Why? The Ryobi was
good for the first year, then the batteries did not last as long. The switch
went and cost $26 to replace. The batteries are now about shot. They won't
hold a charge overnight.
OK, new batteries can be bought for the cost of a new drill so that seemed
silly. I did a comparison. With the Ryobi 14.4 volt, I can hold the chuck
and pull the trigger. It wont turn against my grip. The Panasonic will as
it has more torque
I pull on the trigger of the Ryobi and it turns about half speed and they
abruptly increase (this is the new switch also). The Panasonic goes very
slow and is easier to control and accelerates smoothly as I put pressure on
the trigger.
Either one can drill a hole but it is easier to use the new more expensive
drill to me. It also has a better feel in my hand. You have to decide for
yourself.
On 20 Oct 2004 12:02:41 GMT, [email protected] (BUB 209) wrote:
>>From: "Edwin Pawlowski" [email protected]
>
>>It also has a better feel in my hand.
>
>Valid point - I can always tell I've been
>using the drill a lot because of the
>callus that builds up on the back of
>the first thumb joint. So apparently
>with an expensive tool you're paying
>for extensive ergonomics testing?
If you're going to be using the thing all day, it had better be well
designed, that's for sure. With a cordless, I imagine you're also
paying for battery technology research.
>From: "Edwin Pawlowski" [email protected]
>It also has a better feel in my hand.
Valid point - I can always tell I've been
using the drill a lot because of the
callus that builds up on the back of
the first thumb joint. So apparently
with an expensive tool you're paying
for extensive ergonomics testing?
"BUB 209" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Snip
> I got another one. I can't imagine a Panasonic, DeWalt, or other two-and-
> a-half times as expensive tool doing any better.
You see the difference expecially if you make a living with the drill. The
more expensice Panasonic is comfortable to use for hours on end. My dad has
a Ryobi that I bought for him a few years ago and after using it, a
Panasonic, and a DeWalt, I see the difference.
Does your drill have an electronic brake?
It's just my experience.
> Maybe you would have to exchange two or three Ryobi drills before getting
> one that works, and have a DeWalt that's been around for 10 years, but
> the Ryobi experience has been satisfying for me, considering the price.
If you are satisfied, it is a good deal for you. No need to spend more
money if you are satisfied.
On 19 Oct 2004 12:17:16 GMT, [email protected] (BUB 209) wrote:
>the Ryobi experience has been satisfying for me, considering the price.
I have a couple of Ryobi tools that I'm satisfied with. Since their
my tools for me - it's only my opinion that counts in the end.
On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 12:53:25 GMT, Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Just yesterday I saw a city worker abusing a cordless DeWalt drill.
>He was using it to mix a 5-gallon bucket of concrete mix !
How is that abuse?
I use cordless drills to mix paint and driveway sealer on a regular
basis. Mixing involves turning a shaft, so does drilling.
Barry
That's great that you're satisfied with a Ryobi, because you're saving
some money. I just get a lot of enjoyment out of using my 12V Porter
Cable. I've had it two years, it gets used almost daily, and performs
as new. It will last for half a day of screwing up fence rails without
a battery change, and charges only take 45 minutes, so there's no
problem with it keeping up with two batteries. It even kept up on a
decking job for a Habitat for Humanity home. Plus, I don't have all
the extra weight of a higher voltage battery.
It's a wonderful tool.
[email protected] (BUB 209) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> 7 years ago, I bought a Ryobi 18-volt kit with drill, saw, and flashlight. The
>
> circular saw isn't that hot because the battery runs down too fast but does
> have its uses if you plan well, the flashlight is long gone, but the drill is
> still
> working. The switch cuts out from time to time and the charge doesn't seem
> to last as long, and one of the batteries split open after falling from a 6'
> ladder,
> but it's a strong, reliable tool that's been put through hell. So when I saw
> the drill at Home Depot for a hundred dollars, with insidious flashlight and
> two batteries,
> I got another one. I can't imagine a Panasonic, DeWalt, or other two-and-
> a-half times as expensive tool doing any better. It's just my experience.
> Maybe you would have to exchange two or three Ryobi drills before getting
> one that works, and have a DeWalt that's been around for 10 years, but
> the Ryobi experience has been satisfying for me, considering the price.
On 19 Oct 2004 12:17:16 GMT, [email protected] (BUB 209) wrote:
>7 years ago, I bought a Ryobi 18-volt kit with drill, saw, and flashlight. The
>
>circular saw isn't that hot because the battery runs down too fast but does
>have its uses if you plan well, the flashlight is long gone, but the drill is
>still
>working. The switch cuts out from time to time and the charge doesn't seem
>to last as long, and one of the batteries split open after falling from a 6'
>ladder,
>but it's a strong, reliable tool that's been put through hell. So when I saw
>the drill at Home Depot for a hundred dollars, with insidious flashlight and
>two batteries,
>I got another one. I can't imagine a Panasonic, DeWalt, or other two-and-
>a-half times as expensive tool doing any better. It's just my experience.
>Maybe you would have to exchange two or three Ryobi drills before getting
>one that works, and have a DeWalt that's been around for 10 years, but
>the Ryobi experience has been satisfying for me, considering the price.
I too am conscience about the price. After my cordless Ryobi died 10
years ago, I bought a corded drill--never ending power, no batteries
to mess with, rugged, and under $150 for top quality. I needed the
drill in my backyard one day, so I bought a 50-foot heavy-duty
extension cord.
Just yesterday I saw a city worker abusing a cordless DeWalt drill.
He was using it to mix a 5-gallon bucket of concrete mix !
"Phisherman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 19 Oct 2004 12:17:16 GMT, [email protected] (BUB 209) wrote:
>
>>7 years ago, I bought a Ryobi 18-volt kit with drill, saw, and flashlight.
>>The
>>
>>circular saw isn't that hot because the battery runs down too fast but
>>does
>>have its uses if you plan well, the flashlight is long gone, but the drill
>>is
>>still
>>working. The switch cuts out from time to time and the charge doesn't
>>seem
>>to last as long, and one of the batteries split open after falling from a
>>6'
>>ladder,
>>but it's a strong, reliable tool that's been put through hell. So when I
>>saw
>>the drill at Home Depot for a hundred dollars, with insidious flashlight
>>and
>>two batteries,
>>I got another one. I can't imagine a Panasonic, DeWalt, or other two-and-
>>a-half times as expensive tool doing any better. It's just my experience.
>>Maybe you would have to exchange two or three Ryobi drills before getting
>>one that works, and have a DeWalt that's been around for 10 years, but
>>the Ryobi experience has been satisfying for me, considering the price.
>
> I too am conscience about the price. After my cordless Ryobi died 10
> years ago, I bought a corded drill--never ending power, no batteries
> to mess with, rugged, and under $150 for top quality. I needed the
> drill in my backyard one day, so I bought a 50-foot heavy-duty
> extension cord.
>
> Just yesterday I saw a city worker abusing a cordless DeWalt drill.
> He was using it to mix a 5-gallon bucket of concrete mix !
I keep a PC 14.4 and two Ryobis in the shop (one of which only
tension/detensions the bandsaw and adjusts the PRL height). The 18v Dewalt
is ALWAYS in the truck for
drilling/screws/augerbits/holesaws/lagbolts/lugnuts/mixing paint or drywall
compound/you name its! The Ryobis are nice at the price but not trustworthy
IMO.
The PC is/was trustworthy for near 10 years, but the batteries won't fit the
Dewalt Sawzall, so it gets to stay home now.