I saw a sign at the returns desk at the local Home Depot that they were no longer accepting returns on the rigid and Ryobi brand tools. I thought that they were "exclusive" brands to HD. Does anyone know why the change in policy?

Chris

 

actually they can't refuse to return them they have tried similar things out here but it is against the law a store thats offers a return policy can not deny a return if it is within the stated time period and the product was not abused

 

All I really know is that Ryobi and Rigid are not exclusive to HD
Mike

 

I've used both brands since before Home Despot existed, so definitely not their own brands. On the other hand, The last Rigid tool I bought kinda sucked for quality ...so I can see reason for their attempt at refusing returns.

 

I work at a hardware store in ark. it is old 101years and looks like a genral store that is bustings at the seams we still have rigid tools not that cheap crap that home depot sell ether pipe wrenchs dies pipe machaines industral stuff you know the good stuff We can,t get the stuff the sell all our rigid is made in the U.S.A

 

I bought a Rigid alum ladder on blowout from HD, great value. I also own several Ryobi cordless drills. They work fine but the problem is with the batteries, they suck, they fail within the first year or so...

Anyone else have Ryobi battery problems?

 

Both Rigid and Ryobi are home owners grade, and are both made in china. Thanks to our friends at the big name stores they have forced tool companies to lower prices at the sake of quality, so every major tool company now has a chinese or japanese line of tools just for these stores. Ever wonder why you can get a cordless 18v drill at these stores for $99 and everywhere else is $300, now you know!! It may look the same, it may be in the same color box, but I bet if you check the model # on their tools against an industrial supply chain you'll see what I mean! As far as the ryobi batteries go, good luck, in my part of the world no one will work on the junk, or has access to parts, so definately pawn it off on some one soon!! Oh just a tip on these cordless tools, you may do it already buy, don't leave the charger plugged in all the time!!!!!! Plug it in only when charging, and then unplug as soon as they are done! Also don't run chargers on extension cords, and try to keep them as cool as possible, most all chargers charge by heating the battery cells up, if the charger is in a hot environment or the battery is hot it will kick the charger off early thinking its charged. This goes for any cordless tool not just drills!! Good luck!

 

My Ryobi drill was made years ago and is a commercial grade tool. The batteries and charger that came with it lasted for many years. One battery still works. I bought a new Ryobi cheapo homeowner model mainly for the batteries and they will not work in my good charger. The new batteries are very poor and have both failed within 6 months. I will just rebuild the packs with batteries from a hobby shop and install the thermistor that my good charger takes. The plastic case of the battery will have to be modified to fit in my charger also. I will have good batteries after that. The new Ryobi equipment is junk and suitable only for a one time use application. Ryobi still makes the batteries for my drill but they cost $70 each.

If you want good stuff buy commercial grade Milwaukee tools.

 

TTi, the parent company of ryobi and ridgid power tools, has recently aquired Milwaukee Electric. I sure hope this does not lead to the demise of "Big Red" quality.

Here is the info. http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/ezine/interview.cfm

 

That is sad...

 

Right now the best cordless drill is a Bosch. Consumer Reports also said it, not just me. Their 18v Brute series has a ABS Nylon housing gaurenteed to fall 40 feet and not break, the motor and transmission are banded together internally so nothing flies apart when it hits, it has external brush holders so you can replace $4 brushes instead of $35 motors. It also has carbon steel chuck teeth, a ratcheting chuck, and Plantinum cell batteries. And It comes standard with one year warranty, but there is a 1-800 number in the box were you can call and get it set up, at no charge, for a 3 year warranty. Bosch stands behind their tools very well, and they have the fastest parts and repair service in the industry, period. Don't get me wrong, milwaukee, makita, metabo, and porter cable all have good drills, but in this instance Bosch gives you the most bang for the buck!

 

I will not buy Ryobi anything. Bought a weed trimmer a few summers ago and it wouldn't run right from day one. Took it back for a refund and bought a John Deer like I should've in the first place. I was advised not to buy the ryobi from a customer who was returning his at the time. My neighbor bought a ryobi trimmer after I returned mine, and had the same problems; now he cusses it out every time he uses the poc. My friend who is a contractor seems to have had pretty good luck with his Rigid stuff though.

 

are there any good companys out there you rember what happened to dewalt after b&d took over it turned into junk

 

Torque1st, if you send me a pic of the bottom of the junk batterys, I may have a charger for you, I have more chargers than drillls and Batteries, I think the extra chargers are 14.4 volt.

 

Thanks for the offer, my unit is old enuf it is a 12V unit.