Ryobi 18 Volt Miter Saw

[Lance Norris]

I would like the thoughts, good and bad, from owners of this miter saw. If you dont have one, I dont want to hear... "I wouldn't own a piece of Ryobi junk". I know Ryobi is what it is. I just won one on "you know where" and havent received it yet(*!#~%&! Parcel Post). I have several outdoor projects coming up and need a light, portable miter saw and dont want to keep hauling my heavy Dewalt 12" up out of the basement shop. I know it didn't have good run time on the Ni-cad batteries of old, but I have new lithiums for it, so that shouldn't be as much of a problem. I probably will only be using it for 90 degree cuts of 2x4 and 2x6, and an occasional miter. Overall... do you like it or not, and if not, why?

[Norman Pyles]

Lance, I don't have the miter saw, but I do have the 18 v circular saw, and really like it. Sounds like the price is right on your saw.:cool:

[J. Z. Guest]

I didn't even know they made one. That is good to know.

[Lance Norris]

Lance, I don't have the miter saw, but I do have the 18 v circular saw, and really like it. Sounds like the price is right on your saw.:cool:

I like the circular saw as well. It was one of the first One+ tools I owned.


I didn't even know they made one. That is good to know.

Jeremy... here is a link to the owners manual. Its listed as the P550, MS180 and MS181. I think the last 2 model numbers are when it came in a kit of tools, and the P550, when it was sold by itself.

http://oneworld1.inetu.net/manuals/ryobi/P550_656_eng.pdf

[Lance Norris]

Well... here is an update on the Ryobi 18 volt miter saw. I got the chance recently to use it extensively, and its an excellent little miter saw. If you have the need for a portable, cordless, light(19 pounds) miter saw, this is one to pick up. I installed a new 40 tooth Tenryu thin kerf blade, and used a fully charged Ryobi 18 volt Lithium Ion battery. I was working with very wet, pressure treated 2x4 and 2x6 dimensional lumber and made 74 cross cuts before the battery needed charging. That to me is great performance for a miter saw that can be easily carried with one hand and can be miles from any power source. This is a hard one to find because it has been discontinued for several years, but I feel it is well worth the search and is the perfect tool for portable, light-medium duty use. The last photo shows the miter saw with the battery, for scale.

[J. Z. Guest]

Very nice Lance.

A couple questions:

1) Is it capable of crosscutting an 8/4, 6" wide hardwood board?

2) How much did it cost you, including shipping?

[Mark Kosmowski]

Lance:

Thanks for the review. I haven't been able to justify buying one of these even though I am a big fan of the ONE+ system, because I have a really nice RAS and don't need to go into "the field" often or at all, being a hobbiest / homeowner.

However, my folks want me to install some laminate flooring for my grandmother while I'm laid off starting in July - perhaps I'll have them buy me one for this job. Hmmm... the Ryobi site is down at the moment - what is the maximum crosscut capacity at, say, 1/4" thickness?

[Lance Norris]

Very nice Lance.

A couple questions:

1) Is it capable of crosscutting an 8/4, 6" wide hardwood board?


Its capacities are 2~1/16" thick, 5~1/2" wide


2) How much did it cost you, including shipping?


Including shipping, $160

[Lance Norris]

However, my folks want me to install some laminate flooring for my grandmother while I'm laid off starting in July - perhaps I'll have them buy me one for this job.

Mark... keep in mind this miter saw has been discontinued for several years. You occasionally see them on Craigslist. I got mine from that big online auction site. They are always on there for sale.


what is the maximum crosscut capacity at, say, 1/4" thickness?

5~1/2"

[Rick Potter]

Home Depot was clearing them out about a year ago, and I bought two.. When I gave away my One+ stuff to a good friend, I kept one even though I have no batteries for it. If I need it I will use jumper wires from a Makita 18V LiIon.

I kept it because it will be handy occasionally working on rentals.

As to how it works, it runs slow for a chop saw, and you need to take it easy and not force it. If you have a light touch, it works great, a perfect trim saw for use in the field. You can cut 2X with it too, but it is a bit slow. These results with the NiCad battery, LiIon are probably better, and longer lasting.

Oh yeah.....I paid $39 for each. Well worth it.

Rick Potter

[Lance Norris]

Heres another update. I used the Ryobi 18 volt miter saw again today and am very happy with this saw. It cuts like a dream and doesnt kill me lugging it up from my basement shop. You cant shove it through the cut like a powerful 110 volt saw, but using a light touch, it cuts very well. I built a stand for my step-daughters window air conditioner and its sure nice not to have to run an extension cord for the saw. I haven't used it for anything critical like picture frames, but to just crosscut 2x stuff, its great.