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    1. DoT Forum
    2. Power Tools
    3. Milwaukee, Ridgid and Ryobi. What are your thoughts?
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    Red Beard
    Mar 4, 2019

    Milwaukee, Ridgid and Ryobi. What are your thoughts?

    And yes, we all know that TTI does't own Ridgid but they make the orange tools for Emmerson so they get lumped in here.

    elcam84
    Mar 5, 2019

    I have lots of the m12 line and it works well overall. Have multipule oscillating tools drills and impact drivers. My favorite tool is the m12 bandsaw, very handy.


    For 18v I have the ridgid. Not too bad of tools and bought the set on clearance for a newer model. I am not a fan of the drill that much as it just doesn't have enough power. It bogs down too easily. The newer versions are probably better though.


    Tempted to get some Ryobi stuff as there are a few like to have tools of theirs and they are cheaper especially at the direct tools store.

    jadef2
    Mar 5, 2019

    I have quiet a few of the old blue Ryobi toos that have served me well. Just ordered a brushless drill/driver outfit from Home Depot. I liked the warranty, comes with two (albeit low amp hour) batteries and I get a 10% veteran's discount. Harbor Freight, can you hear me?

    grumpyjapaw
    Mar 6, 2019

    As stated in my profile I bought a M12 combo kit about 2 years ago. That has given me the confidence to attempt doing things besides just simple things around the house. The M12 kit has almost the same

    power as an older DeWalt 20v kit I had.

    brentcoomes
    Mar 7, 2019

    Have always been a DeWalt guy but this job site uses Milwaukee and I like them. If I had to start from scratch, it would be a difficult decision.

    jsp_designs10
    Mar 8, 2019

    I was lucky that my wife bought me the m12 drill and impact along with the m18 drill, impact and recip saw, brushless kits, for Christmas and it is unreal the difference in them compared to my ryobi and craftsman tools that I have, so all those are for sale now and I am going Milwaukee all the way. Once you use a brushless Drill you will wonder why there is brushed tools..lol.

    grumpyjapaw
    Mar 8, 2019

    I be jealous Japaw ! You are one lucky person . Have a great day.

    jdastardly
    Mar 10, 2019

    I spent a decade using dewalt battery tools, professionally, and never liked them When I shifted careers and had to give up my company tools, I purchased a Ryobi drill/driver set and used and abused it for good 4 years. While it wasn’t always the strongest dog in the fight, it was pretty darn reliable.


    I have used the battery brad nailer and 15 gauge nailer almost daily for A couple years now too and love both, I’ve had minmal issues with either. While my partner has used the Milwaukee, Porter Cable and Hitachi battery nailers with tons of complaints.


    I have upgraded in the past year to Ridgid for my main battery tools though and love them. The reciprocating saw is great, the circular saw has exceeded my expectations, the oscillating tool is fantastic and I like the jobmax heads, and of course the drill and driver are great.


    I haven’t fully abandoned Ryobi though. the battery nailers, jigsaw, random orbit sander, and trim router are all used regularly at my day job and in my shop.

    0509kj
    Mar 11, 2019

    I've considered the Ryobi cordless line as I have Porter Cable cordless currently - they've served me well but there's a few Ryobi ones that look enticing and they have so many! I really wanted a battery brad nailer but my gosh I just could not get over how stinkin' big the Porter Cable one is. I wound up getting a pneumatic gun instead. Maybe if my PC drill gives up there ghost I'll make the switch though. I don't have a ton of tools and batteries but I have enough that I'm hesitant to jump onboard another line.

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    jdastardly
    Mar 11, 2019

    @0509kj I agree on the size of the PC nailer. It’s borderline ridiculous. And it’s not weighted well which adds to the discomfort while using it, in my opinion.


    Going battery was life changing for my partner and I though. We do a lot of trim work in kitchens and bathrooms and eliminating the need for dragging hoses around in small spaces has been amazing.

    0509kj
    Mar 11, 2019

    @jdastardly I'll bet if you're doing it every day it makes a huge difference not having an air hose to wrangle. Same reason a lot of mechanics have gone to the battery impacts. I have a swivel on the nailer and a coil hose - both definitely help - I only break it out for the odd project here and there though. I think I'm with you though and would want a battery for anything I'd be using all the time.

    elcam84
    Mar 11, 2019

    I see cordless nail guns, impacts and rachets going to battery powered for all users pro and hobbiest as it just makes sense. In a hobby setting some may not have a compressor and in a pro setting you don't want to haul one around...

    I can see air being mainly in the mass production factory setting in the future.


    But air tools are cheap so itll be slow. Also Every air tool needs a swivel on it. I have been doing allot of framing lately and I don't have a spare swivel for it and it's so annoying not having one on it.

    0509kj
    Mar 12, 2019

    The Ridgid brad nailer I got came with a swivel on it - thought it was a nice touch!

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    Dezfan
    Mar 17, 2019

    I’m a Ryobi guy and I’m very satisfied with them. I’m not a contractor, Im just a DIYer and the extensive line of tools Ryobi offers that work in their eco system works perfectly for me. 👍🏼

    elcam84
    Mar 17, 2019

    I use my Milwaukee stuff on job sites. I see allot of "pros" that buy Ryobi as here it's rare for a company to provide tools. Pretty much all trades here you supply your own tools and don't get paid much to start with...

    I have seen new ryobi drills not last a day and those 6 battery charger things are a monstrosity on a job site. These guys all laugh at me for my m12 stuff(electrician) but years down the road when their shoulders and elbows are failing they will regret those choices. Anyway these guys will keep buying it and stick with it cause it's cheap. That said for it's intended customer Ryobi is perfectly good stuff and much better quality than the days of the old blue tools.

    Jhammond_82
    Mar 17, 2019

    I’m just an at home user but I favor the Ridgid tools. I started with their 18v drill/ impact combo. Got it for Christmas. We have several outlet malls here and there’s a store called Direct Tools Outlet. Recently I got their corded 5” disc sander, remanufactured for $30. And just yesterday their 10” miter saw, on sale for $112. Again, refurbed. But still comes with a one yr warranty. Circular saw, $59. Can’t go wrong in my opinion. The name is synonymous with quality.

    elcam84
    Mar 17, 2019

    We have a direct tools finally... Across from Texas motor Speedway. I stop in every so often and they have some good deals at times. Wish they had Milwaukee though.


    If you ever want a 6" sander the ridgid 2611 is a good tool. I have it and its predecessor the 2610. The 2610 was a Metabo in orange. The 2611 is actually better in some respects and the replacement pad is cheap on Amazon. The pad for the metabo version is $25 or more. I would like the ridgid cordless belt sander...

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    JAyers
    Apr 24, 2019

    @elcam84 Is that in the outlet mall? I was there in February on business and looked for it but couldn't find. Maybe the flu I came down with will on business travel had something to do with it. I'll be back in that area again, since my HQ is by the airport in Alliance so I'll be sure to look for it.

    drathus
    Mar 27, 2019  ·  Edited: Mar 27, 2019

    Back on the 15th I made it to a TTI outlet-mall location (under the DirectTools Factory Outlet brand.) Here are some pics, all these prices on the signs were pre-25% special that was running at the time.


    And yes, I picked up a few Ryobi toys...errr... tools... for my home-gamer collection.

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZE4r1zEpYseDPSay5

    grumpyjapaw
    Mar 27, 2019

    Wow , I would be like a hog in slop there ! Thanks for sharing.

    drathus
    Mar 27, 2019

    @grumpyjapaw It was *really* hard not spending a lot of money. Only knowing that I have two of those stores less than an hour away from me kept me from going, "Just ... get one of everything." =P

    grumpyjapaw
    Mar 27, 2019

    drathus I’m not near one so you will have to shop for me lol .

    Jhammond_82
    Mar 29, 2019

    You can order from their website and shipping is cheap. Although, the stores sometimes have one day super sales. Like my miter saw for $112. That won’t be online.

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    Dezfan
    Mar 27, 2019

    It’s like I died and went to tool heaven!😍

    0509kj
    Mar 27, 2019

    @drathus @grumpyjapaw @Dezfan they have 20% off going on a lot of the stuff in their website this week. https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com


    I bought a sander and a router for like $62 last night. I really wish I had one of the stores close by too lol.

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    elcam84
    Mar 27, 2019

    The 20% discount is every day but sometimes goes up to 25% and rarely 30%. They are the cheapest place for pressure washer accessories. I bought a wand extension and flex head for the tips for $12 after tax. That's less than one piece anywhere else. Now the wand is longer and I don't have to bend over to use it.

    0509kj
    Mar 28, 2019

    @elcam84 Nice! Yep I just checked, now they're doing 25% off on their site. I just re-did my order and added some stuff lol. Their prices are better then what a lot of the crazy people on offer-up want for their clapped out pieces they're selling for. I'll take that with the shortened refurb warranty over the offer-up specials for sure.

    elcam84
    Mar 28, 2019

    @0509kj Yup got that email too. 30% off in store. Might make a trip to ours by tx motor Speedway. Their prices are better than craigslist and pawnshop prices here and its new or like new stuff vs beat to hell.

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    jadef2
    Mar 28, 2019

    Pulled the trigger on a Ryobi table saw. Been looking at it, the Kobalt and the Hercules. For $130 including taxes and shipping I just couldn't help myself.

    DIYDaddy-o
    Mar 29, 2019

    Have you used it yet do you like the Ryobi table saw? How is the fence on it

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    jadef2
    Mar 29, 2019

    @DIYDaddy-o I haven't received it yet. I have a Ryobi BT3100 and I know Ryobi can get fences done right from that. I just don't need a big saw, capacity wise or size wise. New it was $249 at Home Depot. With the current 25% off sale at Direct the factory reconditioned/previously owned saw was $130 with taxes and shipping. I was attracted to it for the ability to fold it up and put it out of the way in my small shop.

    DIYDaddy-o
    Mar 29, 2019

    Ok cool. So wait it’s not the small 10” green model then? Because around here at Home Depot it’s always $130. Which one did you get?

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    jadef2
    Mar 29, 2019

    I got the one HD sells for $249. It has a greater rip capacity. It is on a roll cage frame of a sort, probably has the same internals as the $139 saw, just different externals.

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    0509kj
    Mar 29, 2019

    @jadef2 I'm also curious to know your thoughts on it when you get it and take it for a spin. I just picked up a used Kobalt from Facebook for $100 a few days ago - for the same reasons - I specifically want something I can fold up and tuck in the corner of my shared garage / shop space the same way I do with my rolling miter saw stand. I haven't had time to give it a go yet but I figured for $100 I'd bite and see how I liked it, if I don't than I'll sell it on and be looking for something else. On a side note I kind of wish Ryobi would go back to their blue lol. That neon green on the table saw is a little um, loud.

    jadef2
    Mar 29, 2019

    @0509kj I agree, that green shouts at you. Won't have to worry about misplacing it though.

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    DIYDaddy-o
    Mar 30, 2019

    I still have some old blue tools my father in law used in his business making cabinets for school districts in Washington. They still work fine

    Dezfan
    Mar 30, 2019

    The Ryobi color is one of the reasons I like them. They stand out.👍🏼

    jadef2
    Mar 30, 2019

    OOPS- that 25% off at Direct was too much for me. Got a little 7 1/4 inch miter saw I've been wanting. Needed a smaller one on the bench. I have a 12 inch Central Machinery on the CM rolling stand to use on really wide, heave cuts. y

    0509kj
    Mar 30, 2019

    I really like that little horizontal clamp on some of the Ryobi miter saws so it clamps the work piece against the miter fence instead of the table.