Thoughts on this 18v Ryobi?

Yeah, I know Ryobi tools are shit, but hear me out. I had an 18v (the model that currently goes for $100 at Home Depot) that I used in predominantly sandstone for a couple years and it did it's job. The Bosch or Milwaukee I would sometimes borrow from my friends for harder rock or sport routes was always better, but nevertheless, 80% of my bolting needs (mostly just drilling anchors/couple lead bolts here and there/anchor replacement) would be met by the cheap 18v Ryobi.

Anyway, it crapped out on me a couple months ago and I'm in the market for a new drill on a budget. Ryobi tools are somewhat appealing just because I already have a lot of Ryobi batteries, switching brands would mean not only spending more on the drill itself, but also an extra $150 or more on just batteries. 

So anyone used this drill before? It has roughly the same impact energy (2.1 joules vs 2.3) as the Milwaukee M18 and a 3 year warranty which can't be said for the cheaper one I was using. 

I'll also take any suggestions for other "budget" hammer drills, or if anyone wants to hock something used at me, fire away.

I use the new (brushless) ryobi drill that you linked to. I like mine alot. My previous drill was a 36v bosch. The bosch does get the work done faster, but is more than twice the weight. I feel better about beating the hell of out of the ryobi, than the bosch, because of the 3 year warranty. The ryobi has been able to handle 1/2" bolts just fine, but is significantly more efficient for 3/8s. 

Henry Robinson wrote:

I use the new (brushless) ryobi drill that you linked to. I like mine alot. My previous drill was a 36v bosch. The bosch does get the work done faster, but is more than twice the weight. I feel better about beating the hell of out of the ryobi, than the bosch, because of the 3 year warranty. The ryobi has been able to handle 1/2" bolts just fine, but is significantly more efficient for 3/8s. 

Cool. Thanks for the feedback. How long's it take you drill a say, 3"x1/2" hole in whatever rock you're working in?

We have sandstone down here. With a new bit, I'd say between 30s and 1m.

I use that drill in bullet-hard diorite. Yeah one or two minutes per hole for half inch, but I always pause half way to blow on my bit to cool it off.  No complaints, it looks almost identical to the Milwaukee.

Ryobi  cordless  stuff  always  seems to work and lasts relatively long.  It's always  clunky and not as good as the  pro s

Tools.  I  have a ryobi set for  home. My  work tools are much  nicer.  My  rotary  hammer is the  ultralight  makita.  Ryobi  corded tools are total  crap. 

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

Ryobi  cordless  stuff  always  seems to work and lasts relatively long.  It's always  clunky and not as good as the  pro s

Tools.  I  have a ryobi set for  home. My  work tools are much  nicer.  My  rotary  hammer is the  ultralight  makita.  Ryobi  corded tools are total  crap. 

Reviving this thread because I'm buying my first rotary hammer and I already have a bunch of 18v Makita batteries.  Which ultralight Makita hammer do you have for work and would you recommend it for route development?  My priority is ease of bolting when standing in an aider. I have buddies w/ the Milwaukee hammer, which we can use to do the majority of the bolting, but a lighter tool would be useful for getting the first routes up. 

I have the makita brushless sub compact 18v for climbing. super light and works well.  I use my old 36v Bosch for work. 

Thanks for the tips. That unit looks just about perfect. Makita site says the optimum range is 5/32" to 3/8".  Any issue drilling 1/2" holes?  I won't likely need to drill many 1/2" holes for this rock type, but you never know.   

I have only drilled 3/8ths with this drill. on lead and rappell. If I have to do glue ins again I might be tempted to get a new battery for my Bosch 36 

Ordered it, thanks!

I have only run it with the 2amp battery.  usually about 10 3.5 "X 3/8ths holes in granit. thats usually pleanty for me I usually think things through for awhile before i drill that many holes.  the few days i have needed more i had both batteries. 

Here's a good sale on this drill.  $90 brushless hammer drill tool-only:

https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/product/ZRP223

Then Home Depot has four 4ah batteries for 99 bucks (buy the 2-pack get 2 more for free):

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-Lithium-Ion-4-0-Ah-Battery-2-Pack-PBP2005/316767033

Alternatively you can get the 18v leaf blower with two free 4.0ah batteries which makes a pretty good cleaning rig:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-90-MPH-200-CFM-Cordless-Battery-Leaf-Blower-Sweeper-Tool-Only-P2109BTL/303365519

My new favorite drill is the 20v brushless hammer drill from Harbor Freight.  I got it at a sale for $69.    I think it normally goes for a whopping $79.

I have been beating the crap out of it and it’s holding up great.   The charger and batteries are sold separately but you can easily get the whole set up for well below $200.  For comparison next to my Bosch which is also a great drill and better for lead drilling.   The Bauer drill easily gets 20 holes 3/8 x 3” with a 5ah battery   

I am really happy with my Makita compact. thing is super light and i get about 10 holes in granite out of the tiny 2 amp hr battery. i have a 2nd battery that i can leave on the ground and tag it up if necessary.  no doubt a 5amp battery would last all day but I don't have one and it came with the two slim pack 2amp rigs . i really enjoy the weight savings for lead bolting. 

Kevin Mokracek wrote:

My new favorite drill is the 20v brushless hammer drill from Harbor Freight.  I got it at a sale for $69.    I think it normally goes for a whopping $79.

I have been beating the crap out of it and it’s holding up great.   The charger and batteries are sold separately but you can easily get the whole set up for well below $200. 

Might just give this a shot on a few short term projects - right now looks like you get a free (3ah) batt with it too as a limited time promo. Although if I already had (or planned) investment in other cordless kit I would probably avoid due to super questionable HF reputation in general...

ben brownell wrote:

Might just give this a shot on a few short term projects - right now looks like you get a free (3ah) batt with it too as a limited time promo. Although if I already had (or planned) investment in other cordless kit I would probably avoid due to super questionable HF reputation in general...

I have always been super suspect of HF tools but they have gotten better.  I bought a few more new 5ah batteries off eBay for a very good price, like half what HF was asking.  I have drilled nearly 100 or more holes with it in pretty hard rock with zero issue.  I bought it out of curiosity because it was so cheap and now its my favorite drill.  I haven't touched my other two Bosch drills since I bought it.  At the very least I figure this is saving wear and tear on my Bosch lol.

I went and got the Bauer for 100 w/batt and charger, cruised through a couple holes in hard basalt no problem - if it holds up for a year or more I‘ll sing high praise! Going to put it to work chiseling out a root cellar / cheese cave in soft bedrock here next though so we’ll see   

While we're drifting into how surprisingly great Bauer is, I'll throw out that this blower is fantastic for cleaning routes and you can often find it on sale. It's compact and powerful and can be used for blowing up inflatables off the wall too.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-200-mph-compact-workshop-blower-tool-only-56416.html

I've used my drill for about 75 1/2" holes now, no issue. Get the 2 year warranty for $20 and you can treat it like you're renting a drill for $100 for 2 years and anything else is a bonus.