Looking to start a tool collection here, does this brand suck?

[spanky]

i was over at home depot looking for some drill bits. what started off as a need for a simple 1/16" drill bit lead me to look at the whole drill bit sets, then some other all inclusive tool kits. the kits i was looking at was made by ryobi. just wondering if u guys had good/bad experiences or comments about this brand. i'm just beginning to add to my tool collection, which currently consists of a 10 piece craftsman screwdriver set (which was a present from a cousin). i'm not looking to spend a fortune. i'd like to get the "AMD" of tools... the best bang for the buck

any brand recommendations?

 

[MrChad]

I have a Ryobi drill that I got as a gift. It's worked well for small jobs around the apartment. I have a Dewalt drill bit set to accompany it.

 

[Heisenberg]

Ryobi is a decent brand for power tools I think. For hand/mechanics tools, I prefer Craftsman.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Ryobi is a decent brand for power tools I think. For hand/mechanics tools, I prefer Craftsman.

yep

 

[AmigaMan]

For power tools if I had lots of money, I'd go with Milwakee brand tools. For hand tools, Craftsman is good.

 

[broon]

Ryobi and Dewalt are both good power tools as well as Milwaukee and Makita (sp?). For hand tools, stick with Craftsman. They're inexpensive and lifetime guaranteed.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Ryobi is fine. Dewalt is better.

 

[cavemanmoron]

The Ryobi stuff I have has been excellent,and great for the money too.

 

[deerslayer]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
For power tools if I had lots of money, I'd go with Milwakee brand tools. For hand tools, Craftsman is good.

 

[Drakkon]

I like Skil, Makita and Craftsman brand tools myself.
ryobi screwdriver bits turns into a point in no time (no bite) and Black and decker/ryobi drill bits broke on me half the time.
dewalt is ohkay but doesn't cut it if you use it a lot i dont think.

 

[Mr N8]

Ryobi is definitely a middle-of-the-road brand. A lot of their tools are hit and miss for longevity, and they don't have the nice features that you get with Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Makita. Of course, Makita is another middle-of-the-roader, but much higher quality.

 

[Wingznut]

You have to remember that it's all relative... If you are planning on using a drill 3-4 times a year, it's not as important to you as someone who'd use it as a way to make a living.

Case in point: As an auto mechanic, I did all I could to avoid Craftsman. It just didn't stand up to the rigors like Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Cornwell, etc. did. And when your paycheck depends on your tools...

But for home use, Craftsman is more than sufficient. Ryobi is good enough for the home environment, as well. If you are going to drill a lot, or drill particularly hard materials, you're going to want better equipment.

 

[GasX]

If you are the type of guy to do something around the house once in a blue moon, then you don't need high end tools. Go to Sears and buy Craftsman. If anything breaks EVER you take it back for a new one. I know a guy who is a framer and takes his chalk line back whenever he runds out of chalk...

That said, I am a big fan of Porter Cable and Dewalt.

 

[spanky]

basically, i am just afraid of buying a tool that will snap in half or break on first use.

hehe... i've bought a screwdriver from a dollar store one time... i went to take a screw off a computer case and the screw warped the tip of the screwdriver. so yeah.... no more tools for the dollar store.

 

[AmigaMan]

I don't think you'll have to worry about that if you stick to the good stuff and not the dollar cheapies in the bargain bin at Lowes/Home Depot/Sears. I have several Black and Decker Firestorm power tools that have held up well to light use. I also have a cheap Skil circular saw I bought for $40. It's done all I've asked of it, but if I were trying to build a deck or something similarly big, I'd get something better than Skil and B&D. But since I'm not Norm Abrams, my tools suffice.

 

[TechnoKid]

Milwakie(sp) hammer/percussion drills own. Youd have to go Bosch for something better. Do no ever get the black and decker hammer drill. It sucks.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
Milwakie(sp) hammer/percussion drills own. Youd have to go Bosch for something better. Do no ever get the black and decker hammer drill. It sucks.

Actually we have a Milwaukee hammer drill and its a rebadged Bosch Made in Germany as well.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: spanky
i was over at home depot looking for some drill bits. what started off as a need for a simple 1/16" drill bit lead me to look at the whole drill bit sets, then some other all inclusive tool kits. the kits i was looking at was made by ryobi. just wondering if u guys had good/bad experiences or comments about this brand. i'm just beginning to add to my tool collection, which currently consists of a 10 piece craftsman screwdriver set (which was a present from a cousin). i'm not looking to spend a fortune. i'd like to get the "AMD" of tools... the best bang for the buck

any brand recommendations?

Ryobi power tools are made in America, in fact they're assembled and repaired here in Anderson, South Carolina. If you buy a Craftsman Power tool, chances are it's a Ryobi Re-Branded tool.
I buy the remanufactured ones at the once a montth employee sale. I love them.
As a matter of fact, they took an old model 12v screwdriver I had since 1993, which finally took one drop too many off the ladder and REPLACED it without question. The 12v Batteries I have still work great in the flashlight that I have.
I own a lot of them, as my sister in law works there. They are great, as if I was going to diss them.
PS. My 12volt screwdriver outlasted my buddies Makita. He now owns a Ryobi 18 volt set. The only Makit he uses is the right angle power screwdriver. Anyone who says Ryobi's don't hold up has either abused their tools or is talking out his butt. I'm a contractor that uses my tools daily and I go for best value, not name or cool color or what everyone else has. I started in 1993 with the 12 volt screwdriver and now own the 18v set, and the 12 in compound miter saw and 7 " circular saw and it kicks Makita and Dewalts ass, imnho. Now for drills, I have Milwaukee, because no one builds them like they do. There is no substitute for the Hole Hawg or the 1/2 in hammer drill. I also have two table saws, a craftsman for rough work and the RYOBI for cabinetry.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
If you are the type of guy to do something around the house once in a blue moon, then you don't need high end tools. Go to Sears and buy Craftsman. If anything breaks EVER you take it back for a new one. I know a guy who is a framer and takes his chalk line back whenever he runds out of chalk...

Considering how cheap chalk is, that's pretty pathetic. The lifetime warranty only applies to hand tools, power tools have a shorter warranty for obvious reasons.

I've used a Ryobi quick change drill bit set, thing jammed so much I might as well have used two seperate bits.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Mwilding
If you are the type of guy to do something around the house once in a blue moon, then you don't need high end tools. Go to Sears and buy Craftsman. If anything breaks EVER you take it back for a new one. I know a guy who is a framer and takes his chalk line back whenever he runds out of chalk...

Considering how cheap chalk is, that's pretty pathetic. The lifetime warranty only applies to hand tools, power tools have a shorter warranty for obvious reasons.

Not even all the hand tools. I was disappointed to find that the torque wrenches are no longer covered for life.

 

[spanky]

alright, i am back with some n00b tools. got some craftsman drill bits, tips, and a screw guide. you guys are talking hardware like tim the toolman, but i come home with measely pieces of hardware

 

[fjorner]

I'd start with Aenima, then move on to Undertow and Opiate, then Salival and Lateralis.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: spanky
alright, i am back with some n00b tools. got some craftsman drill bits, tips, and a screw guide. you guys are talking hardware like tim the toolman, but i come home with measely pieces of hardware

I guess having a dad that hates hiring someone to fix stuff gets one interested at an early age

 

[Colt45]

Bosch, Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Makita.

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: fjorner
I'd start with Aenima, then move on to Undertow and Opiate, then Salival and Lateralis.

i dont think they sell those at sears, home depot, lowes, or walmart