...specifically the 18 volt series that I'm familiar with.
GOOD: the lithium Ion batteries ($$ :o) are superb! I am amazed at how long the 5 1/2 inch circular saw cuts as compared to the NiCads. And I'm talking about cutting 2x10's and 2x8's as well as long rip cuts down sheet goods.
BAD: The 5 1/2 inch circular saw does not like being asked to cut 16D Hot Dip Galvies. >:( It stopped the blade dead in an instant. Inspection of the blade revealed that no carbide tips had gone AWOL. I pulled the trigger to continue the cut. Whoa! Bad vibration. Okay, I figured the blade had been whacked hard enough to twist it or something. Changed the blade for a new virgin blade. Same vibration. ??? Closer inspection revealed a slight wobble to the blade arbor.
K was heading into town for a day so I asked he to pick up another saw at HD. The noisy vibrating saw still cut a straight line, it just felt and sounded bad. I figured I'd try a warranty claim on the month old saw later when I wasn't so busy. It would be nice to have one at home and one in the mountains; just haul the batteries back and forth.
The new saw came with a laser beam. More sales sizzle than real useful as far as I can see. But then I'm used to sighting down pencil lines on my own.
Don,
I bought my son a laser miter saw & it screwed me up good!
I am like you, "Give me my pencil line!"
Bruce
Don, I have 2 of the 5.5's busted in the same place - plastic breaks holdng the bearing right behind the blade. At least you know how you did it. I didn't think I did anything to hurt it.
That's about my only complaint with it.
I have a newly replaced 5 1/2 inch saw (under warranty). :) That makes 2, one for home,one for the mtns.
I also now own the right angle close quarters drill as I deemed it to be a necessity. ::)
Plus another Lithium upgrade kit (battery and charger). Now I can have a Li-ion charger at home and in the mtns without trying to remember to transport it back and forth. (twisted logic for owning toys if there ever was...)
The 5 1/2 inch saw bearing right behind the blade seems to be a very weak one. Both of mine broke there - I was thinking about trying to check it out and fix it on my own - maybe improve it - that's as far as I got so far. d*
The lithium batts are great - 2 of them eliminated about 8 of the others.
More whining by me -- don't get me wrong -- I really like the Ryobi tools - they make me money , but....
The 10" chainsaw - oiler cap- push button combination - came apart. Slow chain anyway so I now run without oil and eliminate getting it all over my truck. Oil the bar a bit as needed.
Air pump - 18v. The plastic valve stem pusher in the connector broke for no known reason - may just replace with a standard one.
18 V Chainsaw... My biggest complaint was that the oil runs out of it when you "park" it. I didn't read the manual and asked Ryobi what was wrong. They told me to drain the oil between uses. ::) ... I now store it upside down. :)
Chain speed is slow but it's handy to have around.
Guess that wouldn't work if/when the oiler cap falls apart. ???
Most saws leak oil when sitting . The chain being slow is a bit of a surprise when you are used to gas or 120v saws but it works great and has pretty good gearing to get through the wood. Being slow - I don't worry about the chain getting hot anyway. Much cleaner.
Drain between uses... d* that has got to be a pain in the (!) .