Ryobi 18V Impact Driver Review

IHI

Doing my walk around the store seeing what products are out there I naturally happened into the tool isle and seen the ryobi section (i got a ton of 18V ryobi stuff) so I started gawkin. I just read a review on impact drivers the other day and i seen ryobi had one for $69.00 and thought WTF and also grabbed another 2 pack of battery's.

Driver is rated at minimum 800in-lbs of tq. and 3lbs, comes with a built in LED light under the trigger and 2 friction clips above battery location for holding bits. I grabbed a scrap piece of 1/2 drywall, screws of varying length/thickness as well as 3/8" x 1.5" and 3/8" x 3" lags and headed to the basement to my good ole 27yr old 4x4 no.2 post holding up the stair girder and started wrecking havoc.

regular drywall screws went in with no problems in both 1 5/8" and 2" models, light under the trigger made it easy to see screw since I did'nt have all the light on in basement, the LED was acutally functional. Vibration from the ahmmering action was pretty intense though since grip is less than perfectly padded/isolated and since this thing belts out 3000bpm it vibrates pretty good Just screws alone drove into the pole with no problems at all and NONE of the wrist twist you typically get with a cordless drill. Figured I'd see how fine tune I coule get it by trying to drill the 1/2" sheet rock up. That was a lil touch and go, but with practice you could modulate trigger enough to reproduce results like we've learned from our cordless drills so it'll work, jut gotta be more careful. Next loaded up a 5" long screw with #2 head started driving it into a 2x10 the long way-not the baby 1.5" way but trying to bury the entire screw. First 3" went without a hitch, and then progress seemed to slow to an almost stop with the driver vibrating like crazy trying to sink it home. Pulled screw out and moved it over a few inches on the 2x10 and tried again, same thing first 3" sank in great, but at least this time the thing buried the remaing 2". Same screw on the 4x4 post drove it clean with just a wee bit more struggle than the drywall screws.

Loaded up the 9/16" socket onto the 3/8" sockete adapter that came with the impact driver and started with the 3/8"x1.5" lag. took a sdecond to start, but then rattled itself in burying the lag to the point my socket spun around the head rounding the corner off. Again, I was impressed with how easy on my wrist this thing is since I'm not fighting a twisting motion. That went well enough with the 1.5" so I loaded up the 3" lag on the same 4x4 and started this one. Again, inital strating of the lag was slow but once it started it was burying it at a slow pace, after it hit the 1.5" mark with the second half of the lag left to go, the thing really slowed down and spent more time vibrating than turning the lag. There was 1" left when it stopped turning the lag all together Even backing it out and retrying produced the same results stopping it dead in it's tracks. but the tool stayed neutral in my hand.

I love how compact this unit is, alot shorter nose to motor section wise so I can see this being very useful in many spots when my current 18V is just too long to get into a space.

Coclusion: Nice "toy" for the money but after getting a taste of how powerful these little thing are and how easy on your body/arm when compared to the twist of a cordless drill, and the fact the bits never once slipped out of any of the screw heads. I will be opting for of either Hitachi or Panasonics this spring once deck season starts. Shoulda got one when they first came out as all the hype I've heard is true...these lil things are bad azzed, light, and compact!!!

Josh

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DecksEtc

IHI, first I want to let you know that the virtual TBA (Tool Buyers Anonymous) meetings should be starting up soon - we just have to finalize the details

About your review, as always you have provided an in depth and detailed analysis. Your results were entirely what I expected too. I've posted before, at length, about my 18V Hitachi impact driver and how much I love it! Get yourself a more powerful impact and you'll never know how you screwed down deck boards without it - tearout on screws will be a thing of the past for you.

And, just to add to your review, I've NEVER experienced any slowdown with my Hitachi - and that includes 1/2" x 12" lag bolts.

sage

IHI just be careful when you get into this situation on a real job. I have more than once had the screw buried 1/2 or 3/4 of the way and the torque snapped the head of the #2 clean off. Now if it binds, and I have to back it off, I just grab a new screw because the first is more than likely compromised.
I have often seen the shank of the screw turn just below the head but not the threads until it just snapped off. So if the tool it still knock'n but there isn't much movement, STOP. That ain't no fun to deal with!

Probably stuff you already know, just a heads up.

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IHI

Decks: I read your reviews but never thought it'd be practical since I seem to do more remodle type work that decks or works that requires ALOT of screw driving so I just blew them off. Glad to have another new tool (silently pleading for help LOL!! this will get thrown in the grunt truck and the Hitachi or Panasonic's will be in my van....and I just read that Ridgid has a right angle impact driver too....STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sitting in my chair shaking like a crack head trying to light a smoke) NO MORE TOOLS!!!

Sage, I've snapped off my share of screws and can easily see the impacting action compounding the problem on brittle screw shanks. I can say I've been pretty lucky with my deck screws I've been using the past couple years, they've held up and I have'nt lost one-knock on wood-but I know what yer sayin.

Looking forward to buying the top dawgs of the fleet once the outdoor stuff picks back up....been using my corded impact for all the lags/carage bolts to this point and cant wait to "cut the cord" when I get something with more pwr!!!

I happened to see they have a cordless jigsaw, trim route in the ryobi isle that I dont have....leave me alone....shut up....once I get those we'll see how they work. friggin alter tool ego taking over

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DecksEtc

One of my associates (i.e another member of our builder's network) has one of the 18V Dewalt cordless jigsaws and he swears by it. I bought the corded Hitachi barrel grip new last year so I may have to wait a bit for that purchase. I have to pull myself away from that "damn tool aisle" ALL THE TIME!

It's really not fair you know, putting the tools right in the same stores where we buy our supplies! Now I know what it's like for an alcoholic having to walk past a bar!

sage

IHI wrote - I just read that Ridgid has a right angle impact driver too....STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sitting in my chair shaking like a crack head trying to light a smoke) NO MORE TOOLS!!!
Ya. I got that one, and Love it. Tight spots, cabinets ect. The thing is worth every penny. I got it cheap too. Kit with a bag, drill, right angle impact for $130.00.

I'm so glad that I'm not alone.
They say that the first step is admitting that you have a problem.

My name is Neil, and I am a tool whore. Its been 45 minutes since I've bought a tool.

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IHI

I DONT have a problem!!! Just dont look in my driveway, shed, trucks, office, basement, or the 4 garages of family/freinds I have shop tools resting idle until I get my own shop built

I just need tools to calm me down on the jobsite since they make the job go smoother.....right?? I will forward this thread to my wife so next time she see's me in the fetal position in a corner stroking a drill or saw she knows she's not alone.

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RobertCDF

I have 2 of the right angle impacts from ridgid (see this proves I am a big tool whore) I bought the first one with 1 battery and case for $99 then I later found a small combo with the right angle, drill, and 2 batteries for $129? I think. I knew I wanted more 12V batteries 1 is not enough and I like the idea of having a small 12V drill. And I have the 14.4V impact and I love that thing although not as much as everyone else on here. In fact I lent it and 1 of the right angles to a gutter guy to try them out. I still love my 18V hammer drill its such a beast. I think its faster when screwing off than the impact, not by much but just a little.

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sage

The only person you lieing to or fooling is yourself!!

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IHI

We're taught as kids to not hang around "bad people" cuz you'll start to emulate them...so why do I hang out with tool whores??? They also put people together with the same addictions and supposedly they help each other overcome their addictions...again I ask, why am I haning out with tool whores that are hell bent on giving examples of great deals they found on tools, and how great these tools work, and how effeicent jobsite time has become??? Dam you..dam you all...

We're all setting bad examples for each other and someday one of us needs to step up and take a stand!! To show the world we CAN actually walk through a store and NOT BUY A TOOL or GADGET!!! My fellow craftsman, I pray that one day we will have the strength and courage to reclaim our lives and our wallets

Sage, u have encourged me to take the step:

My name is Josh, (wiping a tear and sniffling) and I too am a tool whore; it's been 7hrs since my last purchase

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3SEVEN3

You mentioned the 3/8 adapter and a 9/16 socket - is that like typical mechanics tools drives and sockets? I Have been looking at this thing but no one at ryobi can tell me if there are adaptors for mechanics tools and the packaging doesn't advise on the outside.

Any help is greatle appreciated!

Thanks
Joseph

thumper911_11@yahoo.com

Trim40

"Tool Whore" Sounds like an Adam Sandler movie. I have a Ryobi impact driver , It does a good job no compliants.

neolitic

Did you buy yours 3 years ago?


Now we get mechanics coming in
to dig up 3 year ols threads....

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hughjazz

I have the blue 18v ryobi impact driver.

I bought it a year ago.

I paid $40 because it was a demo or something, I have used it to drive 4 big boxes of deck screws plus everything else i needed it for.

It has been problem free and for the price I have absolutely no regrets.

I've had good success with ryobi.

imo. ryobi tools are 7/10 for build quality.
9/10 for value.


I wouldn't be without a impact driver again.
They are way faster and easier on the hands.

Southern Build

I have the Dewalt 18v impactor and its has a good deal more power than the ryobi. Highly recommended if you have other Dewalt 18v tools. The Ridgid 12v right angle impactor is great for small areas, but lacks the power of the larger units.

And I have not bought a tool in about 3 hours, but there is one I really think I need.... Does it count agianst you if you have to have the tool?????

joshua1

We use two 18v ryobi impact drivers, they live in the vans permanently, and have replaced every other cordless drill/driver we used to lug around except our 24v makita sds+. The battery life is the only drawback, coupled with the slow recharge speed, so we just carry plenty of spare batteries.
The upside is that they will drive screws, set tec-screws, tighten and loosen nuts and bolts, without operator strain, and do all the above efficently and well. I work all across the country for multinational pharma and warehousing companies, and when we are away fromn base cant afford for any of our equipment to let us down, and the cheapo ryobis never have. (We have Hilti, makita and milwakee cordless drill/drivers and never even look at them anymore, and I would never buy another, impact all the way is better)

IHI

Seriously- buy the new lit ion batteries and chargers. I bought 3 batts and 2 chargers, it's unbelieveable how long these same tools run now with the newer batteries. I know for a fact we drove over 338 2 1/2" screws through deck spindles on one battery and then used the impact the next day when we were assembling the steps...day and night difference and worth every penny. 3 batteries is all you need unless you got a big crew and multiple drills/impacts going.

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mickeyco

I picked up a couple of Ryobi 18 volt sets on black Friday, they were like $60 or $70 bucks for the drill, circ. saw, flash light and vacuum cleaner plus a free tool, I got two because I bought two sets, I got two extra batteries and the impact. I bought them for around the house, I was expecting crap, I was pleasantly surprised, I don't know how well they would perform in the field but from IHI's review it seems pretty well.






.

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IHI

Some of the guys scoff, but i've got well over 4 years on this Ryobi "junk" and the dang things refuse to die, i dont care if it's been roof slides onto the concrete, 8' ladder drops, i'm still using the SAME kits i bought 4 or 5 years ago and they get the job done just fine. Cordless tools are very nice, but i also know when to bring a corded beast into the mix to expediate a process. #1 reason i'm so pleased...these guys acutally did'nt put profits first by mass producing tools and then selling junk batteries, and if i wanted to upgrade, add more cordless stuff- ALL the batteries from 4 years ago to today still interchange...say that about any other cordless tool manufacturer..oh wait, you cant

The few sets of Yellow garbage i had often the tools were fine, battery's never lasted a full season, i would get 7-8 months of use...and then the price to reupfit batteries it just made more sense to buy a whole new tool kit instead...so with the yellow junk given the 2 yrs and 2 kits i had to buy, i'd be weeeell over $2K in cordless yellow junk by now...instead, i still have the same blue ryobi "junk" from yrs ago, every one of them is still working and used daily, and in all this time i've bought 4 18V standard batteries and just decided to try the lith ion stuff so i've got $360 in batteries...a heck of alot cheaper than a took kit per year and plus i have more batteries than i know what to do with.

I keep telling myself once these tools die i'll replace them with Milwaukee brand since i've been wanting to give them a shot, but these little bastards just keep on keep'n on so it makes me seriously rethink a brand change is even worth trying...less i spend on replacing and upfitting tools, the more money i got to travel and race

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joshua1

That's dead right about the li-ion batteries. I saw them in the local Big-Box the other day, but just could not justify buying them as the ordinary ni-mh are doing what I want. I am the ultimate tool junkie, I have sheds full of tackle, for almost every job you can imagine, from drills through diesel tow-behind gen-welders costing 15k to 6 ton excavators. We do a different job every day, whatever a client wants, the answer is yes, so we need gear. Tomorrow we are in the worlds 3rd largest pharma company, installing a hi-security cage for top end medicines to be stored in, and yes, I will be using the ryobis to drive all the tec screws and tighten the floor bolts, and I bet they do the job without complaint.