Ryobi Expand-It

[angelatc]

I saw it on-sale at one point but disregarded it because it is battery powered figuring it would not last long enough for me to finish the job.

I hate battery powered. Batteries are too finicky for an occasional user like me. Until someone develops a smart charger that keeps them charged without over-charging them, they're a PITA. I use corded tools for the lightweight stuff, and hire my neighbor for the stuff that requires a serious chainsaw because DH "fixed" mine.

I rent a lot of tools that I only need occasionally. Or buy them on Craigslist then resell them when I am done.

 

[Suzanimal]

I am no fan of Ryobi either, but I have a very specific M.O. I follow with my tool purchases, I will buy to the level that I will use the tool. For example, tools that I use all the time I buy pro-level quality and enjoy the great benefits, quality and longevity they offer. I wouldn't consider a Ryobi or Harbor Freight / Chicago Electric tool for these. Conversely, there are some tools I don't use much but still get value from occasional use so the economy of Ryobi or Harbor Freight makes sense, and with my usage pattern they'll last a long time. So it's a good balance.

Another key factor for some tools is the available of replacement parts. Big box stores are happy to sell you a $2000 riding mower but won't sell you any parts for it, same goes for all their trimmers, chain saws, etc. Lack of parts is part of what makes them nearly worthless.

Most people don't think of going to a pro level outdoor shop, but ti's not hard, and that's the only place where you can get the best brands and have a real parts department.

I have a Stihl weeder and it has been incredible, starts easy, never has a problem and the head system is very easy to deal with.

That's exactly what we do. The only exception is my husband buys crap Harbor Freight tools to use at the bar because they get stolen, lost, or broken. When he's doing a project there, he'll take his own tools and bring them home but he learned the hard way not to leave anything decent.

What's funny is we've bought crap tools from Harbor Freight that ended up being gems. One is the wet saw for tiles and the other is a cement mixer. We've had the wet saw for over 10 years and it still works like a champ. As a matter of fact, it's been in constant use because people keep borrowing it. My dad bought me the cement mixer for Christmas a few years before he died and although the paint on it didn't last long (not even 6 months and it was kept in a shed - it was so bizarre, the paint came off in a huge sheet ), the cement mixer also seems to be a workhorse and totally worth it if you're going to be mixing more than a bag or two of cement. He told me he got it for $200.00 (delivered, on sale). My husband paid around 70.00 for the wet saw, if I remember correctly. Considering what it costs to rent them, you can't go wrong.

When it comes to shovels, I love Ace Hardware. Their store brand are regularly on sale for 15.00 and they have a nice foot edge on them. It really helps someone like me who gardens in flip flops. I noticed the same quality shovels at Lowes were 20.00 on sale. I buy a lot of shovels, I don't know what the hell happens to them around here but they go missing about once a year. Sometimes they turn back up, sometimes they don't.

The worst thing I've bought recently was a cordless drill. It has the new lithium(?) battery and was suppose to be a great drill. It was almost $200.00 on sale and it's a piece of shit. I don't know if I got a defective one or what but it always acts like the battery is almost dead.

 

[Natural Citizen]

I am no fan of Ryobi either, but I have a very specific M.O. I follow with my tool purchases, I will buy to the level that I will use the tool. For example, tools that I use all the time I buy pro-level quality and enjoy the great benefits, quality and longevity they offer. I wouldn't consider a Ryobi or Harbor Freight / Chicago Electric tool for these. Conversely, there are some tools I don't use much but still get value from occasional use so the economy of Ryobi or Harbor Freight makes sense, and with my usage pattern they'll last a long time. So it's a good balance.

Another key factor for some tools is the available of replacement parts. Big box stores are happy to sell you a $2000 riding mower but won't sell you any parts for it, same goes for all their trimmers, chain saws, etc. Lack of parts is part of what makes them nearly worthless.

Most people don't think of going to a pro level outdoor shop, but ti's not hard, and that's the only place where you can get the best brands and have a real parts department.

I have a Stihl weeder and it has been incredible, starts easy, never has a problem and the head system is very easy to deal with.

I tend to like metal parts for the sake of longevity. So much of everything is plastic these days. I did like that I could rebuild my old Dewalt screw guns. The main reason I bought those was because the parts were readily available. But, yeah, I agree about spending on the right tools for the job. It makes sense not to buy top quality for tools you won't use much.

Those outdoor shops are good, though. There's a couple little mom and pop shops around here like that. I kind of get to chuckling whenever I go into one because the old-timers kind of hang out there shooting the breeze all day. I don't know. Maybe to get out of the house or whatever. They know their stuff, though. That's mainly why I go there I like that environment.

 

[loveshiscountry]

My electric sockets are within easy reach. I use corded tools for inside and outside my house. Lawn mower is the only thing that is gas powered. My lawn edger is an inexpensive brand I purchased at Home Depot for ~$25. About 1 out of every 3 lawn mowings I use it. I figure the less I use it, the longer it will last. It's all about how one does things in life.