Ryobi Tools - Yes or No

Thank you for your question on Ryobi tools.

Having worked in both construction and hardware retail for a number of years, I have been able to use tools from a number of power tool brands including Ryobi, AEG, Makita, Dewalt, Hikoki and Paslode to name a few. Each brand, and each specific power tool has its pros and cons and their own devoted "fan base", whose opinions reflect their own personal needs and experiences.

I believe a lot of the opinion on Ryobi power tools from trades professionals, comes down to the fact they are not their target market. Some of the negatives that professional trades people find with Ryobi tools are absolute positives for their intended target market.

Where trade professionals like to have all the bells and whistles and the ability to adjust the tool to any situation, the average D.I.Yer, who is new to the world of power tools may find this overwhelming and unnecessary. Ryobi tools are usually very light, simple to use and it's easy to learn all the functions. Depending on personal circumstances and opinions, all of these things can be considered either a pro or a con, it's all up to personal preference and opinion.

As this is a very opinion-based question, allow me to tag some of our helpful members for their thoughts @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @TedBear @Noyade.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Hi Jacob,

Many thanks for your knowledgeable and considered response. I agree with you 100% and it is interesting that you say about fine tuning, as that was one major thing.Thanks for tagging the others too.

I guess my main question is, will using Ryobi tools (circular saw, mitre saw, nail gun etc..) to frame walls and create rough openings, hang plaster board) create a quality product that will pass inspection (user error aside)

Thanks

Jeff

Ryobi tools are perfectly capable of producing anything that more "tradie facing" brands are capable of producing. As long as the correct method of construction is used, any tool can be used, power tools just make it easier.

You might like to have a look at Ryobi's ONE+ HP range of tools. They are their top of the range power tools that are still compatible with all existing Ryobi batteries and are engineered to meet the demands of tougher, complex tasks that require more power.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good Evening @Jeffersm963

Opinion hahhahah 🙂 Whenever I ask that question at the round table of coffee at work there are seven opinons and only 6 people....

The answer I would have to say is yes you can. Tho I dont own any ryoboi tools 😲

I do have Ozito tools and Makita tools. I swear by both. I have used the old ozito to countersink all my holes for building a timber deck out of recyled hardwood and hardwood planks. I have also used the current style ozito torque drill and drill (both battery) to frame up my garage (check out my bookmarks if you want to see what they can do 🙂 ), build a hardwood privacy screen and screw the slats in without any issue and they are still going strong.

Ryobi, I havnt heard any bad reports and have looked at them in passing but mainly because the battery packs I have are ozito... Well I really dont want to go down the path of two sets 🙂 Id say I am very Pro Ozito.

Dave

TedBear

I am a fan of Ryobi tools for DIYers. They are pretty good for that level of work, but probably wouldn't deliver the long term reliability that a professional needs when using tools every day, all day. But professionals will pay dearly for that level of service and get a return by what they charge for a job. Most DIYers don't need to have a machine that's designed to work all day and it generally is a waste of money to buy them when a brand such as Ryobi will deliver the goods. To me the comparison is like buying a Mack truck to fetch a household's weekly groceries.

Noin

Nothing wrong with that brand, if your going down the battery operated route, make sure you’ve got enough larger capacity ones that’ll last longer, don’t over work them and they don’t seem to like being in the sunshine, if you keep them cool they go way better. Good luck with your project.

Noyade

Afternoon Jeff @Jeffersm963

Reading your opening post - are you saying you have Ryobi tools and are now concerned about seeing negative online feedback? Or you're considering Ryobi tools but concerned about the negative online feedback?

Cheers.

Hi Noyade,

I have many Ryobi tools and love them, but generally use them for small projects like hidden shelving, fixing plasterboard, sanding etc… nothing structural as yet.

Thanks

Jeff

Great advice. Many thanks. So One+ can be used with 36v batteries too?

Love the analogy 😂 Many thanks for your reply.

Hey Dave,

Many thanks for your response.

Great to hear that you have used the tools I am proposing to use in similar situations.

I will definitely be checking out your videos.

Jeff

Hey Jacob,

For any new Ryobi purchase I’ll definitely be looking at the brushless option.

Thanks

Jeff

Sorry, I should've clarified before posting.

The One+ HP range has both 18v and 36v tools. The existing batteries of the corresponding voltage can be used with their compatible One+ HP tools.

Let me know if you'd like further clarification.

Jacob

So the non-Brushless versions cannot take 36v?

Nailbag

Hi @Jeffersm963 I'm ex 30yrs in the powertool industry across many brands from sales, product development but mainly product training both locally and OS. The gap in recent years between the brands has closed considerably. In the early days it was all ball-bearings. These days it's technology with electronically controlled and managed lithium batteries and brushless motors. One of the main considerations is how often you intend to use the tool. If it's your all day-everyday tool, then go for a trade brand because the components are built for that purpose. If its occasional use tool then you can afford to go with one of the DIY brands providing your ok with two battery platforms. Personally I think thats the way to go. The other consideration is environment. If your say a landscaper and your tools are going to be working in dirt, mud and weather, then a trade tool can last just as long as a cheap DIY.

Regardless of trade or DIY, I always recommend "Brushless" motor tools where available. They are more reliable, battery efficient and powerful of standard motors and well worth the little extra investment.

As far as Ryobi tools go, they have very highly advanced electronics in both batteries and BL motors. They actually had this tech before a few top trade brands. Ozito now have this Tech in their tools for the past couple of years.

Regarding your last comment can ONE+ batteries work in 36V tools, no they can't. Completely different batteries and platform. Sometimes this can be confusing across all brands mainly when it comes to power garden tools as 36V using 18V batteries means the tool actually needs 2 x 18V batteries (36v) to run. In this case use the most powerful (highest Ah rated) you have. The higher the rating the bigger the fuel tank with more energy. 5Ahr Battery vs 9Ahr would be like 5ltr fuel tank with 91 octane fuel vs 90Ltr fuel tank with 95 Octane fuel.

Hope that helps and makes some sense.

Nailbag.

There are both 36v and 18v tools in the HP range that I linked to earlier in the discussion. There are also both 36v and 18v tools outside of the HP range. The HP range are their top-of-the-line brushless tools, but not the only brushless tools they have.

Basically, if you see 36v in the product's name, it requires a 36v battery, if you see 18v in the product's name, it requires an 18v battery.

Because their range is so vast, there really is an option for almost everything.

Hopefully this clears things up a bit.

Jacob

Jason

Great to see you receive plenty of helpful advice on this topic.

You might be also interested in the opinions of Bunnings Workshop community members shared on this popular previous discussion: The great power tools debate - What is the best brand?

Jason

Nailbag

Brushless refers to the motor type and is available in any battery voltage just not always available in every tool with a voltage system. eg: Brand X may not have an 18v brushless hedge trimmer but brand Y does.

18v systems are available in all brands. Currently the only single battery 36v system is available in Ryobi. All other brands require 2 batteries for a 36v tool.

Nailbag

MitchellMc

A long-awaited welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community to you, @Noin. It's fantastic to see you posting after being a member for a considerable amount of time.

We look forward to you sharing your knowledge with the community and hearing about all your projects and plans around the house and garden. Feel free to reach out anytime you need a hand or have something to share with the community.

Mitchell

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

Thanks

Ooooohhhhhhhh!

Thanks again

Cheers Jason.

Was well worth the read.