Originally Posted by
Leo Graywacz
You only spend the money once.
If that were only true. For a serious user, you kinda have to approach cordless tools like computers, you know you will replace them. The cordless tools of 10 years ago are several generations behind today's tools.
The funny thing about Ryobi 18v to me is I have had excellent luck with them. I bought a big set 10 years ago on Black Friday as beaters and loaners and all of them especially the drill and impact driver have been abused, the drill took a dip in the lake and the impact multiple dives off ladders. They all still work and now I use Li batteries in them. They are not as high quality or as powerful as my Bosch, Festool and DeWalt tools that I consider my mainstays but I just can't kill them and I honestly consider them a better value unless you make a living with them.
If I were buying today from scratch and didn't want to jump in the super high end like Hilti I think I would pick Milwaukee 18 and or 12v. The selection is enormous and I doubt a non-tradesman will see any longevity issues before they switch platforms in a few years. Me personally I have DeWalt 20v and Bosch 12v simply because I liked specific tools in the lines as well as I got good deals on them. While I have been known to turn up my nose to tools Ryobi 18v has earned my respect, the fact I (nor the people I loan them to) have killed them AND they made their Lithium Ion batteries backward compatible keep them around and beckon me to use them instead of my "better" tools on occasion even when I don't plan to abuse them.
Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.
Deep thought for the day:
Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.