Cheng Liu

The main issue I have with Kobalt cordless tools is the limited selection of tools. They only have the most basic tools (drill, impact driver, circular saw, reciprocating saw, light) plus an impact wrench. If that is not an issue to you, go for it. If it is I would look at other brands i.e. Ridgid.

That sucks man. I guess I just got lucky. I have used Ryobi tools for years now and my batteries are fine. I will say that I don't use them all that much though, but they have worked just fine when I do use them.

What Conductor562 said. Also even though Hilti makes great tools, the problem is that they are very expensive. Only the most hard core users would want to pay $419 for a Hilti impact driver when a Ryobi one is fine and only costs $129.

I can't speak for the brad nailer, but I have the Ryobi 18 gauge narrow crown stapler and it can drive the staple in all the way. Even sunken into the wood a litte if you wanted.

Ryobi had one as well.

I also wish I had a father that was into tools. Mine was never really all that handy and he died when I was 12. I instead had to learn it all on my own.

Their tools are really hit or miss. I have a dual action polisher of their's and it works great, but I have heard bad things about other tools of their's. When I have the space, I would like to get a miter saw like this one. As of now, it would be between this or the Ryobi equivelent (if I decide that the extra $100 is worth it). I'm sure the Dewalt or Ridgid one is better than either of these, but they are also $500 or more.

This is much smaller than their old one which I have and love. The only issue I see is that it appears to be only for high pressure applications i.e. on tires or balls, whereas the old one could also do low pressure applications i.e. air matresses and ballons. I would find this one good for people who don't need it for low pressure applications and want the smaller size.

I don't know what Craftsman is offering but I know that Ryobi is offering the impact wrench, a 4AH battery and a battery charger for $179.99 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-3-Speed-Lithium-Ion-1-2-in-Cordless-Impact-Wrench-Kit-P1830/206157712

8 1/4"? That seems like an odd size. Do you have trouble finding blades for it?

It's too late for you now, but Ryobi 4 aHr batteries are now $100 for a pack of 2. That is by far the best deal I have ever seen for any comparable battery.

I would say that it depends a lot on your needs. I would say they are probrably the best tools you can get considering the price and target demographic (weekend warrior types like myself). If you are within that demographic then I would say they are great. If you are a construction guy who is going to use his/her tools everyday and/or if price is not a concern then I would reccomend something like Dewalt, Makita or Milwaukee. Another advantage of Ryobi though is some of the unique tools they have that other brands seem to lack i.e. the inflator and lantern. They also have some hybrid tools (can be corded or use an 18v battery), that is something I have waited for for a long time.

For power equipment importation is not an option because for whatever reason the power equipment they sell in Australia uses a 36v battery while the stuff they sell in the U.S. uses a 40v battery.

I recently visited Ryobi's Australian website and it seems they have a number of cool looking tools that are not availible in the U.S. I am just wondering why that would be, considering that the U.S. is a far bigger market than Austrailia. For example if they made this in the U.S. I would sell my current blower now and get that ASAP. The current Ryobi 40v. blower is great, but unlike that one, this is also a vacuum. The same thing goes for this. The current Ryobi 18v SDS rotary hammer drill (which I own) is great and all, but a major sticking point for me is the lack of a hammer only mode.

@DR99: It is. The pastor in my former church is Chinese-Australian-American and he said that in Australia Ryobi tools are only sold in a store called Bunnings Warehouse.

If that comes out in the U.S. I will sell my current one for that. The current one is great and all, but I would love to have a hammer only function. Also is it just me or does that rotary hammer drill not have a foregrip. If so I find it odd. It would be litterally the only sds rotary hammer drill (including the current Ryobi 18v one) I've ever seen that does not have one.

Ah I see, a great tool that was simply ahead of its time; but now that Li-Ion batteries have been out for years what's the delay? The used ones being in demand proves that there is a demand for it.

For this please only include tools that already exist from other manufacturers. 1. 18v wet/dry shop vac. Most manufacturers i.e. Dewalt and Milwaukee have one, I really wish Ryobi would as well. I would buy it immediately if I could afford it 2. Air Strike framing nailer. I know Dewalt makes one. I would also buy this immediately if I could afford it. 3. 18v band saw. Most manufacturers also make one of these.

Something like this? If so I would say it looks nice and I love the fact that it is hybrid. Hopefully they will release it in the U.S. sometime soon.