Cool Tool (Page 2/4)
shemdogg AUG 21, 10:58 PM
The early ryobi stuff was weak garbage. Once they switched to lithium batteries, everything changed. I beat the snot out of my tools daily and dont maintain em. Only thing that goes is the batteries die after heavy usage, but I still get a year out of em. I have a dewalt 20v set, and its nice, but to me its all made in china(junk), and probably all made at the same factory, just different prices for different colors. Dewalt is the "cool" and "trendy" tools to have on the job. There also what gets your truck broken into lol. They look in my truck and move on. The tools dont fail, just the batteries. The only ones that die on me are the impact screw guns, those get the most usage and last 2-4 years. The drills last forever if you dont overload em, but I do lol. Theyre cheap so if it fails a whole new sets still cheaper than a dewalt kit. The tools just need to do what I need em to do. The saw saws, the drill drills, n the vacuum sucks!

Just took down a really big tree today w the cordless chainsaw, pole saw, and 4 batteries. No more balancing up in the tree trying to pull start the chainsaw, just point n cut. Luv that thing!

shem
theogre AUG 21, 11:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:
I had some Ryobi stuff, back around 2006. 18v. It was 'ok', kinda like that guy that assembles the carney rides...and like some of my old girlfriends.Ok around the house but ya wouldn't want to take 'em on the road anywhere.

Maybe they've improved since then.

Part of that was the NiMH batteries. Most things that run NiCD or later NiMH had issues like Battery Self Discharge for Tools you didn't used every day and batteries are dead siting on a self.

Again... Blue 18V tools can upgrade to any Gray, Green or Black top LiIon that's including "High Performance" pack w/ 2 more contacts used by Some HP tools. (Many New HP tools don't used the extra contacts and doesn't seem to care if use older or newer LiIon battery pack.) You have to Upgrade the charger that knows what type of battery to change or only charge LiIon.

⚠️ Note that even some older "Intelliport" Chargers like PN P114 to handle Orange NiMH and Gray/Green LiIon may not charge Black top HP batteries. But P118 near same age has no problem.
While the packs can use same 18650 cells HP packs have different management board and cause some chargers to report "bad battery."
See https://toolboyworld.com/eBay/Ryobi_Chargers.htm for more charger numbers (Not All numbers listed) but seems doesn't have HP batteries vs old chargers.
If you buy a new from HD then that will charge all LiIon but many have old chargers or buy from flea markets etc and link will help many.
maryjane AUG 22, 11:06 AM

quote
Originally posted by cliffw:


Tools, or girlfriends ?



touché
82-T/A [At Work] AUG 22, 02:21 PM
I reluctantly buy these. They sell a great product in a good package, with lots of options. Marketing and features are excellent.

Almost all my tools are Ryobi now, and all cordless.


I say reluctantly because they're made in China, and that does irk me because I'd much rather be buying things like Dewalt or Makita... but again, why would I spend $200 bucks for something that costs me $50? The $200 tool may last 10 years, but the $50 toll lasts 10.

As for the quality... I think the quality is getting better. Some of the Ryobi stuff breaks, but my experience overall has been pretty good. The batteries don't seem to last very long...
cliffw AUG 23, 08:08 AM

quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
... that does irk me because I'd much rather be buying things like Dewalt or Makita...



I made that mistake. A brand new Makita had a plastic gear lock pin. It failed soon. I was able to get a refund. I think I then bought a Rigid. Ridgid had a deal where the tool was guaranteed for life, including the batteries. Still works good, years later. I have a few Makita and Old Milwaukee corded tools. At least 20 yeas old and have seen usage.

I used to look down on Ryobi but tried a few because of so many different tools using the same battery. Very happy with my Ryobis.

I have not ventured into the 40 volt tools. I have a one man powered post hole digging auger, gas powered. If you hit a large rock, be ready. It could break your wrist. Powerful, but not used enough to stay easy starting. Yours is interesting. I think will get one.
theogre AUG 23, 10:48 AM
⚠️ Battery Life even w/ LiIon depends a lot on the user.

Not just 2Whr can die running a "weed eater" easy.
When using higher WHr battery w/ anything can drain fast, Never run them until the battery shuts off. Many newer batteries for all brands have something to show battery charge. As soon as you see below "half full" then stop and change batteries.

High Drain can unbalance any battery and many heat them pulling high amps. Worse, because of plastic shell, you can't trust feeling as battery cells heat up.
So Ryobi and some others, the battery can shut down for low volts or high temp even when the tool is dumb and only has ± connections to it. Is part of why to avoid "auto shutdown" and treat 2nd bar as Empty.

Example: I used a blue angle grinder w/ wire cup to strip paint on ~6 foot yard poll. I watch the batteries to 2 bars then switch to fresh unit. I used all 5 batteries in ~ 2 hours. I used weed eater etc before and after. But Because I didn't push 4AHr units to auto shutdown all batteries are still working after years of use. Since then I have some 6AHr and bigger but makes the Tools heavier to run so don't use them very often.

Many tools are "best" when are plugin to 120VAC but dragging 50-100 feet cord etc isn't an option or short job and just easier w/ battery tools.
I use 1 or more 4Ahr every time cutting the grass for weed eater and blowers even when have B&D "Lawn Hog" and other 120v Electric mowers. That way only have to drag the cord around the yard 1 time. I have plugin weed eater etc and know how much more work to use them. Still use 120VAC Blower/vac to pickup leaves and other crap.
theogre AUG 23, 10:52 AM

quote
Originally posted by cliffw:
I made that mistake. A brand new Makita had a plastic gear lock pin. It failed soon. I was able to get a refund. I think I then bought a Rigid. Ridgid had a deal where the tool was guaranteed for life, including the batteries. Still works good, years later. I have a few Makita and Old Milwaukee corded tools. At least 20 yeas old and have seen usage.

I used to look down on Ryobi but tried a few because of so many different tools using the same battery. Very happy with my Ryobis.

I have not ventured into the 40 volt tools. I have a one man powered post hole digging auger, gas powered. If you hit a large rock, be ready. It could break your wrist. Powerful, but not used enough to stay easy starting. Yours is interesting. I think will get one.

Rigid is same maker as Ryobi. You're paying more mainly just for that warranty.

Makita and others have different levels of tools but most buyers just see the brand = "better tool" but often isn't.

Many 18V and lower volts tools can hurt you too.
Some may remember B&D VPX 6v LiIon tool series... Drills or Drivers can pull very hard cause damage to your hand and arm if not careful.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 08-23-2023).]

cliffw AUG 25, 09:20 AM

quote
Originally posted by shemdogg:
Starting a big deck job tuesday where I have to make a buncha piers, picked up this bad boy.

Put the work on hold, took it to the backyard. Loose soil or packed soil this thing ripped right thru. Good torque. More toys



That is a 40 volt, correct ?

I was looking at it online (HomeDepot) and noticed they had a Ryobi with the common 18V +one battery post hole digger. Auger. I am going to try one and see if it will dig well.
maryjane AUG 25, 09:49 AM

quote
Originally posted by cliffw:


I made that mistake. A brand new Makita had a plastic gear lock pin. It failed soon. I was able to get a refund. I think I then bought a Rigid. Ridgid had a deal where the tool was guaranteed for life, including the batteries. Still works good, years later. I have a few Makita and Old Milwaukee corded tools. At least 20 yeas old and have seen usage.

.


Your Freudian slip is showing...
shemdogg AUG 25, 05:58 PM
Hey Cliff yeah thats the 40v auger w the 8" bit. I used it a bunch this week, its good enuf. What surprises me is how little battery it uses. I did a test in my backyard of medium packed soil w a 2ah battery and I did 8 24" deep holes pushing it in about 2.5 minutes and still had 3 bars on the battery. At the job I was going next to roots, very hard packed dirt w rocks in it. Still did good. Its not a chief, its got just enough torque to get the job done. It has an anti-kickback and an overload built in. Definitely worth it in my opinion, saves me time n energy. It was 95 in the shade most of the week, and I didnt have to use the post hole digger and bar much. Its a home depot product, try it and return it if you dont like it.

I thought about getting the 18v auger for when I have a buncha plants to get in the ground. Itd be great for making lil holes, dont think the 18v batteries have the oomph to power an 8" auger bit.

Im the opposite of ogre when it comes to batteries. When my tool stops working, then I change the battery. The bms will cut power to the tool for 3 reasons, low power, too much draw, or overheated. The 40v 14" chainsaw is a friggin beast(gonna get an 18" bar n chain for it), but it eats batteries quick. A 2ah battery gets maybe 10-15 mins of cutting time before it cuts out. And it gets the batts really hot. I have 2 2ah and 2 4ah and I get about 3 hours on the chainsaw, and im not babying it. I have no love or remose about beating the hell outta these tools because theyre so inexpensive. If the batteries ever do become unusable( and they rarely have on me), just wait for a holiday and search homedepot.com, for the price of 2 batteries, there will be a something the same price or cheaper that comes w a tool, charger, and 2 batteries.

And not all ryobi batteries are the same, some have higher end sony or samsung cells, while some have cheap chinese cells. Theres charts online of what battery #s came w what inside. I dont look cuz I dont care, I just go get more when/if they die. I have so many 4ah 18v batteries, I dont even use the 2ah.

Ryobi corded tools are junk, stay away. Precision and ryobi dont go in the same sentence. But for basic cordless tools for simple jobs, they rock. The only ryobi corded tool I have is the sawzall. Thats cuz im rough to it, cut pipes in water, toss it off the roof, etc lol

shem