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Reviews: Ryobi

Fine planer for the money

Fine planer for the money

357 days ago by ferstler | 14 comments »

Ryobi has recently replaced this discontinued AP1300 model with the AP1301. The new version has two deficiencies, compared to the older-design unit reviewed here. First, the new unit does not have a cutter lock. OK, with good planers a cutter lock may not be necessary, but with a budget model it is not a bad idea. One look at the operation of the lock on the AP1300 shows that it is a very good way, indeed, to make sure that the cutter assembly is not going to shift upward or downward durin...

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A nice joiner at a terrific price

A nice joiner at a terrific price

363 days ago by ferstler | 16 comments »

This is Ryobi’s second biscuit joiner that I know of. The first was similar to this one and cost the same $99 bucks, but had the stock number JM81. The earlier version was cheaply made, with a plastic base plate and rather clunky controls. This newer version has a metal base plate and the controls are more refined. The fence is adjustable from 0 to 135 degrees and the fence height can be set from 0 to 2 inches. It can easily handle number 0, 10, and 20 biscuits and comes with a detachable ...

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A note for those just getting started ... Don't do it!

A note for those just getting started ... Don't do it!

676 days ago by RayW | 20 comments »

I learned basic woodworking from an uncle many years ago while helping him remodel his him. I was an enjoyable time for me I loved the smell of the wood shop and was constantly learning. My uncle was a cabinet and furniture maker, with a long waiting list, in his spare time so he had all the equipment you can dream of. Well, it’s 20 years later now and I’m working a desk job in IT and need a hobby that is not at a computer and I remembered the smell of the fresh cut wood. So in...

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Good saw if space is tight or you need portability

Good saw if space is tight or you need portability

357 days ago by ferstler | 3 comments »

I read a review of another Ryobi table saw elsewhere on this site and the owner was not happy with it at all. He basically criticized the small size of the saw and the lack of quality in the fence. Well, we have to remember that saws of that kind are low-priced items, built for use in tight spaces and for owners (or woodworking dabblers) on strict budgets. The reviewed saw was different from the BTS20 reviewed here, but it is possible that the fences for each unit were the same, or at leas...

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A fine little press for hobby-scale work

A fine little press for hobby-scale work

367 days ago by ferstler | 5 comments »

I own a Ridgid 15-inch drill press that is terrific for larger-scale projects. (I’d write a review here, but somebody else has already done that with decent skill, although I did post some comments on that review entry.) However, the Ridgid is overkill for some smaller operations, and so I also have the illustrated 10-inch Ryobi mounted on a bench for lightweight stuff. When I purchased it several years back it cost $99 bucks, which is a credit to Chinese production economies. Unfortuna...

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A good impact driver for the money

A good impact driver for the money

356 days ago by ferstler | 4 comments »

I own two of these (one for each hand; OK, that is a joke), and you can see both in the photo. I obtained one a few years back and picked up the other a few months ago when I was feeling flush. I do not feel so bad about buying two of the things, since together they cost about the same as one such unit from any number of more upscale manufacturers. These are 18-volt jobs and they are part of the Ryobi One + battery-powered tool catalog collection. This means you can buy the driver without ...

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A good starter miter saw or second miter saw for fast work

A good starter miter saw or second miter saw for fast work

344 days ago by ferstler | 5 comments »

I am not sure if this saw is still available with the exact specifications and model number of this one, but they do have one in the same price class: $99.00 and it probably works just as well. As with all models in this size class, the saw can cut a 2×6 at 90 degrees and a 2×4 at 45. The miter-lock handle in right in front and the bevel release is in the back. It can bevel in one direction out to 45 degrees and the motor is a decently powerful 14-amp job. It comes with a decent ...

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You need this if you sand inside curves

You need this if you sand inside curves

367 days ago by ferstler | 6 comments »

This device is no longer in production, but used models might show up here and there. It had a list price of $99 when it was available new, and I lucked out and got the last display model at my local Home Depot for sixty-seven bucks. The top is cast iron, the rotational speed is 2000 rpm, and the oscillating range is 5/8 inch. The motor draws 3.5 amps and the weight is 49 pounds. The metal spindle is 1/2 inches in size and while it will hold a sanding sleeve that diameter you also have fou...

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work smarter not harder

work smarter not harder

635 days ago by Partridge | 6 comments »

Hello, Lumber JocksNot real sure how to format a tool review, but here I go.RYOBI 18v Impact DriverI needed a tool to screw in a lot of 1 5/8 dry wall screws. The job was the inside of my shop, putting up chipboard (OSB). I started off with a Bosch drill drive and it was working alright but I could see it taking a long time, besides it was starting to work my wrist and arms when pushing up tight on the screw to get it in place or to keep it from stripping. That’s not Bosch’s fault, that’s...

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Good concept but made from poor materials

Good concept but made from poor materials

187 days ago by TNBodger | 4 comments »

I wouldn’t mind having a 6” x 48” belt sander, but like many weekend woodworkers, I don’t have the floor space for one. I have always managed fairly well with the smaller benchtop 4” x 36” machines so when it came time to buy a new one I looked at everything I could find out there and settled on the Ryobi BD4600 sold at Home Depot. I liked the easy way belts are changed by the flip of a lever. Aligning the belt is done by a quick turn of the thumb wheel. Bu...

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