I own a few Ryobi tools, I've never had a problem with them. For the price they are great. Not a tool snob here.

I had this generator store underground for four or five years; it started right up. That didn't really surprise me though.
[video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eeiKrSuTw9A[/video]

All i have are ryobi tools. No one told me I was supposed to hate them. I ruined a drill making dirtholes but i beat the crap out of it. Found knockoff batteries on amazon that were a steal for how long they last. The spotlight is BRIGHT. Ill keep liking them.

When I was 9 years old I lost a huge steelhead because the gears stripped in the ryobi reel I was using. Never bought anything with the ryobi name and never will, lol!

Had a Ryobi weedweater that I really liked. Didnt need to mix oil and gas as it had seperate wells for each and you could swap attachments on it. Lasted about a year before the drive shaft for it stripped.

Haha! My same experience with a bass down here! Like you, I never trusted the name again!!

How long ago did Ryobi make reel? I've never even seen one.
But I will say though, I buy cheapo reels and as soon as they start acting up I throw them out. I get about two years out of a cheap spinning reel.

I've got a Ryobi chop saw going on 30 years. Even running on 110/220 converter half of that time.

I like Makita for most stuff but the top end like Festool seems like too much for most guys. The guy who did the electrical in my barn and wood shop had some Hilti drills that were really impressive.

Pete

As far as I know they still make them. Not know for holding up to any regular or hard core fishing around here. They are a main manufacturer of reels for a long time now

All my tools are ridgid and milwaukee. I bought a new truck last week, and it came with a set of ryobi tools. An impact driver, drill, skill saw, and flashlight. I used the driver screwing down cement board, and useing the flashlight now because my power is out. I know that ain't much, but they seem good to me. They seem a bit heavier than my other brands, but seem solid. Maybe not a daily professional tool, but probably fine for the DIY or weekend warrior.

They got a bad rep right out of the gate when a
pro grade radial arm saw jumped off the carriage and ran up
a guy's chest killing him. That was long ago.

I'm a Dewalt guy. No experience with Ryobi. Had a Makida drill a LONG time ago that was O.K. then switched to Dewalt. Love those newer 20v batteries.

I have Ryobi 18 volt tools. One of my Ryobi drills has been hooked to an adapter for ice augers, Mora 6 inch Lazer. It has been drilling holes for fishing in ice from 10 to 24 inches for over 7 years now. Gets 20 to 25 holes per 400 amp hour battery.

About twenty years ago my brother in law leant me his cordless Craftsman drill and somebody stole it out of my car. I bought him the Ryobi five piece tool kit in a nice duffel bag for the same price just a new Craftman drill and charger would have cost. He was more than happy.

Myself, I love the Ryobi power washers. Affordable, powerful and lightweight.

The following tools mentioned above are all manufactured and private labeled by Techtronic Industries TTI:

Hart- Sold at Walmart as opening price point.
Ryobi- Good quality for homeowner
Ridgid- private labeled for Home Depot, Better Quality.
Milwaukee- Sold for tradesman and heavy DIY category- Best Quality

So far I’m a fan.

When something goes wrong with your tools how many of you bother with the warranties and repair vs buying a replacement?

I have a bunch of Ryobi tools now, started with a drill and just kept adding on cause they use the same batteries. They have worked well for me in part time use. The old batteries were weak, the new ones are good.

I spent my career in the tool and hardware category, no doubt it has the highest level of testosterone influencing decision-making...image is major factor.
Milwaukee Tool defines their customer base as, the "Tradesman"- individuals that use these tools to make a living and have high demands and expectations based on performance. Some DIY individuals, myself included- are willing to pay a premium for the same set of expectations. If you don't have skills- it really doesn't matter what tool you use- chances are the ensuing results will be the same.
To show how image plays a role in that decision-making process- look no further than the automotive industry: the number one criterion in purchasing a hand tool brand is what toolbox do you own? (Snap-On, Cornwell, Mac, Matco, etc,). I'm sure it originated from being an apprentice and working with a seasoned journeyman that said this is what you need and a guy in a panel truck picked up the majority of your check at the end of the week until you had box full of tools. Again, if you're making you living with your hands and have the necessay skills, Snap-On vs Craftsman might make all the difference in the world.
But marketing and image are a big player- you don't want to weigh in naked for wrestling if you have an inferior tool.

I Have Many Ryobi tools

Are there better tools? I'm sure. Are they much better? I don't know....Not sure how hard you have to push a Ryobi to get it to fail, but that might be considered abuse, lol.

Not that I'm a Ryobi fanboy, but they're reasonably inexpensive, readily available, and work well enough. I'm certain I'd be just as happy with any other line of tools, but the battery thing sucks you in. Who wants multiple tools with different batteries and chargers?

It didnt dawn on me until this thread that I had a ryobi fishing combo. Its the fintek blue hawk that Santa gave me when I was about 6. Light, whippy pole. No one told me that thing sucked either because that was my primary carp pole for years. Old enough it did the clicking thing when you reeled with the anti reverse on.