Ryobi Shop Tools

[Jeffy]

Hey Tool Gurus, how are the $99 Ryobi Belt Sanders and Drill presses? I've seen them and they look ok to me, but should I go for a Craftsman setup or what. Suggestions? Looking at setting up a small guitar workshop with double duty for cabinets and cpo work.

thanks!

Jeffy

[ChadTower]

If you're setting up a shop to push out any type of quantity (more than the occasional one) you shouldn't go with either.  You'll want a higher level of tools in the Delta and DeWalt range.

[bigh4th]

Older craftsman stuff (60's and 70's) is pretty good.  I've got a beat-to-death 60s craftsman belt-sander that still works as good as new....

However, like chad said, the new stuff is junk.  I have a ryobi saws-all and handheld grinder that still work great, but they rarely get used.  I doubt I would trust them for everyday use.

If you're closed to the idea of buying used powertools (some are, and I can't blame them), look higher up like Delta or DeWalt.

-Harry

[sstorkel]

Why do you need a belt sander? I own one and rarely use it for anything. Certainly nothing that I'd consider woodworking (as opposed to carpentry)...

[ChadTower]

I use one to strip paint/finish off of stuff a couple of times a year.  I do a lot more refinish work than I do creating it.

[fjl]

Yup, avoid junk brand name tools, namely Ryobi, Black and Decker, Craftsman, Porter Cable.

Craftsman and Porter Cable aren't really all that bad but not great either.

Better brand name tools are DeWalt, Bosch, Milwauki, Hilti. Go for some of those. Not sure about Delta since I never tried those.

[TOK]

Yup, avoid junk brand name tools, namely Ryobi, Black and Decker, Craftsman, Porter Cable.

Craftsman and Porter Cable aren't really all that bad but not great either.

Better brand name tools are DeWalt, Bosch, Milwauki, Hilti. Go for some of those. Not sure about Delta since I never tried those.

First time I've heard Porter Cable tools being called junk.
Not that DeWalt is bad, but they are by Black and Decker as are Porter Cable and Delta.

[kingflynn]

You are wrong about Porter Cable.  They are commercial grade tools.  Same as Bosch, DeWalt, and Milwaukee.

[ChadTower]

My Porter Cable router is fantastic.  This thing will outlive me with proper maintenance.

I have a good amount of Black and Decker tools.  Good for occasional use, decent enough to get the job done, but not for heavy use.  I'm doing my basement mostly with Black and Decker tools and it's going just fine.  Black and Decker's higher lines are a decent value for the cost, IMO.

[Jdurg]

I've got a Ridgid Router, and from what I've heard the rest of their lineup of power tools is pretty damned good.  I've also got their wet-dry vac and am happy with it.  Hell, now that I'm getting MUCH better using my various power tools, I'm happy with pretty much anything.   

[fjl]

I already know that Black and Decker owns Dewalt but that doesn't mean the lower quality parts that go into the Black and Decker tools go into the DeWalts.

As for Porter Cable, I just go by what I've heard of them.

[fixedpigs]

fjl...
have you used all of the tools made by the companies you just trashtalked & praised...?

i bet you haven't...

[sstorkel]

As for Porter Cable, I just go by what I've heard of them.

Perhaps you should listen more and talk less?

The fact is that every brand has some stand-out tools (e.g. Ryobi's award-winning portable table saw) and every brand has some crappy tools (e.g. the cordless drills that carried the Delta label a few years ago). I've done this for longer than you have and I haven't heard many bad things about Porter Cable...

[ChadTower]

I've got a Ridgid Router, and from what I've heard the rest of their lineup of power tools is pretty damned good.  I've also got their wet-dry vac and am happy with it.  Hell, now that I'm getting MUCH better using my various power tools, I'm happy with pretty much anything.   

Ridgid is like Black and Decker... great for home use, but once you've used a contractor grade version of the same tool like a DeWalt or Delta the Ridgid is going to start to feel like what it is - a consumer grade tool.  The main difference I can see between Ridgid and Black and Decker is that Ridgid doesn't have eleventy brazillian models and accessories like B+D.  That really annoys me about B+D - buy a tool now and 5 years from now replacement parts and such are impossible to get.

[sstorkel]

Ridgid is like Black and Decker... great for home use, but once you've used a contractor grade version of the same tool like a DeWalt or Delta the Ridgid is going to start to feel like what it is - a consumer grade tool.  The main difference I can see between Ridgid and Black and Decker is that Ridgid doesn't have eleventy brazillian models and accessories like B+D.  That really annoys me about B+D - buy a tool now and 5 years from now replacement parts and such are impossible to get.

This used to be true, but isn't so much anymore. Ridgid is really trying to step-up and make decent tools. I've got a Ridgid 6" jointer that's as good as anything on the market. Both of their table saws have won numerous awards, as has their 5" (or maybe 6"?) random orbit sander and their 12" lunchbox planer. In fact everything they've released recently has received pretty good reviews both in woodworking magazines and online forums.

My guess is that Home Depot is really trying to move Ridgid upscale to be a contractor-grade tool, while Ryobi covers the home market. I would definitely look at Ridgid tools if I was in the market for something...

[ChadTower]

Good to know... next time I'm looking for a tool I'll take a closer look at Ridgid.   

[milhouse]

I've got a Ridgid Router, and from what I've heard the rest of their lineup of power tools is pretty damned good.  I've also got their wet-dry vac and am happy with it.  Hell, now that I'm getting MUCH better using my various power tools, I'm happy with pretty much anything.   

Ridgid is like Black and Decker... great for home use, but once you've used a contractor grade version of the same tool like a DeWalt or Delta the Ridgid is going to start to feel like what it is - a consumer grade tool.  The main difference I can see between Ridgid and Black and Decker is that Ridgid doesn't have eleventy brazillian models and accessories like B+D.  That really annoys me about B+D - buy a tool now and 5 years from now replacement parts and such are impossible to get.

The Ridgid jigsaw I have is one of the nicest and well-built tools I have used in a long time.  I also have several other of their tools, including the Table Saw and everything they are making now is really well made.  I can't say much about their older tools, as I never used, but I would put my Ridgid tools (Jigsaw, Recipro Saw, 5" Random Orbit Sander, Table Saw) right with my Milwaukee Circular Saw and Milwaukee Router which are definitely contractor grade.

Now, as for Black and Decker, I couldn't agree more.  I have a B&D drill and I am looking for any reason to replace it.