02-06-2013, 04:02 PM
Michael wrote:
[quote=davester]
Ryobi power tools are pretty much bottom of the line. I've had quite a few of them and frankly they don't last and they use inferior quality batteries, no matter what chemistry they are using. If you want something that will last then buy something like a Milwaukee or Bosch with lithium batteries. You'll generally get a much more durable tool and batteries that last much longer than the cells Ryobi puts in their packs.
I've pretty much decided that if I'm going to go to the bottom of the barrel, I'm going really low. You can buy an 18v drill/driver at Harbor Freight for $20. It will work fine, but the day you drop it from a ladder, it just might break. Use it until the battery goes bad, toss it and repeat.
I've owned the Harbor Freight drill for 2 years. It's heavy and bulky and I am starting to lose the charge in the battery after a few uses. But I installed plenty of item in my house with it for only $20.
I saw the Craftsman deal posted here and just ordered a new drill. Hopefully, it will give me a few years of reliable use.