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Ryobi Impact driver

Dunc1 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on April 21, 2007 04:51am

I am a diy-er, not a pro. Have been looking at the 14/18 volt impact drivers as they seem to have a lot more screw driving power – and a lot slower rpms – than my 18 volt battery drill.

The Ryobi looks nice but I wonder… Even buying a battery (or 2) and charger plus the driver itself it is priced at HD (in Ontario, Canada) a couple of hundred below the Bosch, Makita & DeWalt. Seems to have similar torque specs, etc.

Any comments on this brand/model? Want to do repairs/upkeep and general woodworking, not build a house.

Thanks for your insight.

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Replies

  1. roger g | Apr 21, 2007 05:11pm | #1

    I know a lot of professional guys use ryobi and are very happy. Also you as a home owner can take them back for replacement for I think 3 years, maybe more. I have bought expensive tools and cheap tools and when they get lost or stolen I feel a little better knowing it was the cheap tool that was gone. Not much better but a little.

     

     

    roger

  2. JulianTracy | Apr 21, 2007 05:58pm | #2

    HD tools has a weeked special on the Makita 14.4 impact/drill/fl light kit for $148 (US).

    That's a deal that cannot be beat by any cheap a** Ryobi or Craftsman setup.

    JT

  3. MVAgusta | Apr 21, 2007 06:31pm | #3

    I bought one from this guy, perfect condition, didn't appear to have seen any use at all. For $80, who needs the fancy batteries. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000CBZRBY/ref=sr_1_olp_6/002-7905675-6955214?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1177169331&sr=8-6

  4. User avater
    xxPaulCPxx | Apr 21, 2007 07:18pm | #4

    I've been beating the crap out of mine for the last 3 years on my own DIY projects, like replacing my garage roof - rafters and all.  I frame with screws instead of nails (that's a different topic) and I drive a ton of them in all sorts of different ways.  I'm also clumsy, and I've dropped it probably about a hundred times now from 3' to 14' onto concrete.  Just have to put the battery back in and replace the bit if it's bent.

    It's a little heavy for extended overhead work, but that's my only quibble.

    Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

    Also a CRX fanatic!

    1. iluvgear | Apr 21, 2007 09:53pm | #5

      Last month I picked up a Ryobi 18V impact driver and drill/driver, 2 batteries and a charger for $120US at HD.  I have been very happy with them.  They may not have the power or the performance of Makita, but they don't cost Makita money.  I would say buy it.

  5. Dave45 | Apr 22, 2007 01:35am | #6

    I don't have the impact driver, but I've been using two Ryobi 14.4v drills and the saw for about four years and am very happy witht them.  My buddy has the 18v set and hasn't had any problems, either.  We've built quite a few corrals out in the middle of nowhere and his tools last longer than mine.  We take several extra batteries and by the time the last battery dies, we've had all of that fun we wanted anyway. - lol

    For some reason, Ryobi has a reputation of being junk, but I see a lot of their tools on jobsites and I've heard few complaints from the folks actually using them.

  6. JTC1 | Apr 22, 2007 03:34am | #7

    I have the Ryobi 18v impact driver.  Granted it is only about 4 months old.

    It has only driven 3" GRK screws into framing lumber, 1500 would be a reasonable guess.

    Tool works well for me so far, some will bad mouth it here just because it is dark blue - my current opinion - plenty of bang for your buck.

    I bought this tool in combo with a 1/2" drill, 2 batteries, one hour charger, and a bag for $95 (US) in an after Christmas clearance sale.

    Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

     

    1. gyros | Apr 22, 2007 03:41am | #8

      Buy it ,I've got one.8 months use on the job ,works great .

      1. JTC1 | Apr 23, 2007 12:01am | #9

        I already did.  My review is in .....32.8

        It's Dunc1 that is on the fence.

        Jim

        Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

  7. plumbbill | Apr 23, 2007 01:32am | #10

    You would be hard pressed to find a Ryobi on any of my jobsites, but if you were to look into the guy's garages you would definatly find a bunch.

    This morning I just bought the Dewalt 18v impact driver from Amazon $99.00 tool only, but I have about 6 chargers & 8 batteries allready.

    I think the Ryobi cordless line is a decent product for the price, & it will last the common DIY who takes somewhat care of their tools a long time.

    I fear no man & only one GOD. Me

  8. SBerruezo | Apr 23, 2007 01:46am | #11

    I've used the a friend's Ryobi 18v impact to see how it measured up to the Makita impacts I've used.  It may not be quite as fast or as powerful as my Makita Li-Ion, but it still did the trick.  I just used it to throw a few screws into some plywood, so I haven't tested how well it would handle longer screws.

     

  9. User avater
    dieselpig | Apr 23, 2007 01:54am | #12

    I'd buy it.  I'm seriously considering buying a couple myself.  I've got a few Makita impacts and a Bosch drill/driver and now need to replace the batteries.  I'd like to think that the difference in price between 'big name' batteries and Ryobi batteries is justified.... but I just don't see it.  I've come to the conclusion that cordless tool batteries are the biggest scam going.  I could buy a pair of Ryobi drivers... with batteries and chargers for what it would cost to replace a couple of my Bosch 18V batteries.  That's tough for me to jusitify.  And I can justify just about any tool purchase out there. 

    View Image
    1. plumbbill | Apr 23, 2007 02:38am | #13

      Spot on, about the batteries.

      You would be pretty hard pressed to find a battery that is not made by Panisonic, even the cheap crap @ Harbor freight are Panisonic batteries.I fear no man & only one GOD. Me

    2. JulianTracy | Apr 23, 2007 04:12am | #14

      These days, any of the brand name batteries can be had on Ebay for $50 or less each.The Makita 14.4's can be had for closer to $35-40 each.Folks are selling parted out combo kits all day long for great prices.Paying $79-99 retail would be absurd, but at those Ebay prices, you'd be better off using the better tools.Sheeet - HD tools just had the Makita kit for $148 and it came with a flourscent light and the mforce drill - how could anyone justify Ryobi crap when deals like that are around and the Makita impact is years and years proven.Probably the biggest diff is the batteries and chargers - the better chargers treat the batteries nicer and make them last longer.I'm at 3 years plus on my Bosch 18 volt batteries and they are still going strong so far...Never understood why folks do the battery rebuilds either - or, for that matter the ink refill cartridges.Some folks will go out of their way to save $5-10, but if you look hard enough and smart enough the good tools can be had for great deals.I've used my Makita impact hard for hours until it was hot to the touch - I think that's when the Ryobi's would give it up. It's like my Fein multimaster - don't think I could kill it.JT

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