Milwaukee or Ryobi 1/2" impact?

So the batteries on my old Milwaukee M18 1/2" impact are done. Even fully charged they don't put out enough torque for the impact to spin off the lug nuts (torqued to 100ft lbs) on my cars. I've tested the gun with a friends M18 battery and it's not the gun, definitely my batteries.

Ironically, for just a little more money than what 2 new M18 batteries cost, I can buy a brand new Ryobi 1/2" impact that puts out twice the torque (1200ft lbs) that my old Milwaukee one does.

All my other tools are Ryobi and I have multiple chargers and batteries for it. So, just ditch the Milwaukee gun then?

You're already bought into the Ryobi system, so even as a Milwaukee fan I can't recommend continuing to split your battery investment between brands

Ditch Milwaukee, buy the Ryobi

Edit: I don't put a lot of faith into the marketing torque specs. If peak torque is all that matters to you maybe go watch some of the Torque Test Channel or Project Farm on YouTube to see some real world comparisons

I somehow ended up with both. Ryobi is fairly priced and never failed me. I only buy Milwaukee when they're on sale. Also have never failed me.

Pop that case open and replace the cells for ten bucks. I am guessing, but my EGO $Texas battery was fixed with like $8 worth of cells and an hour of soldering.

If you get rid of the gun...   Willing to ship it?

In reply to tuna55 :

Where can I buy replacement cells and will it be obvious which cells are bad in the old batteries?

What am I missing with cordless tools?  My experience has been that if I leave them on the charger it ruins the batteries.  If I don't leave them on the charger they are not charged when I need them.  So far I've stuck with corded tools because of this.

Dunno I've had Milwaukee M18 stuff for 10 years.  Some of the batteries have basically spent all 10 of those years on charger but I have 4 batteries, 2 chargers, and the batteries not on the charges in tools never loose charge while on standby.  I once left an 1/4" impact in a closet for a year and forgot about it. It still had 3 bars of juice when I used it.   I've not yet had to replace any batteries but I suspect my time is coming.  

I'm a dewalt guy. Got my first 8 years ago. That battery was dropped and cracked. Still holds a full charge. Now I have a bunch of friends for it. 20v stuff is good. 

But if we are limiting to the original two choices? Coin toss.

I bought my Ryobi half inch Drive Impact Before Christmas. It's even taken Rusty axle nuts off in the junkyard. Would wholeheartedly recommend

docwyte said:

In reply to tuna55 :

Where can I buy replacement cells and will it be obvious which cells are bad in the old batteries?

Places like this:

https://www.18650batterystore.com/

Their open circuit voltage will be far below normal, or even -0-. Just cut the tabs, solder something suitable to the new one and you're done. The packs can be a pain to assemble and disassemble, but they are expensive enough to do it. 

If you end up with the Ryobi, make sure to you have one of the high performance batteries.  I have the 1/2" impact and it works great when using the more expensive battery.  Not so much when using the regular ones.

-Rob

I’ve had Ryobi 18 volt tools since the 20??. My first ones were a gift from a smart lady named Cathie. I still have those and she and I have added other Ryobi tools to what I have. They are all updated to the Lion batteries. Upgrading the batteries without obsolescing the tools was a ‘good for the customer’ move – I respect that. I have used them a lot, and abused them a bit – they keep on going. A couple have fallen from the roof or from a ladder – they keep on going. I will likely be sticking with them until I can no longer use tools.

My 1/2" Ryobi has been pretty solid. I did need to borrow my buddy's Milwaukee M18 Fuel for some big leaf spring bolts, but I just have the baby 375 ft lb Ryobi. I'd say stay within your ecosystem. 

 I just rebuilt one of my 20v DeWalt battery packs.   Wasn't difficult and even considering the cost of the spot welder and new cells, it was still much cheaper than a new battery.  Plus, I now can repair batteries for the other tools I or the tools the Habitat for Humanity I work with have for the cost of the new cells.

This is a guide for your battery - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cMM3D2v_vfA

Got the cells here - http://18650BatteryStore.com

This is the spot welder - https://hobbyminder.com/products/minderrc-dh30-spot-welder-adjustable-30-gears-oled-screen-5000mah-lipo-include-for-max-0-15mm-nickel-strip-portable-spot-welding

Spot welder is fine for this kind of work - not gonna weld new quarter panels on with it...

Which Milwaukee 1/2" impact do you have?  I have a 2767-20 that's a few years old, but I use it to zip off the notorious Honda crank bolts (with the high-mass socket).  I use the M18 mid-torque for most of my work, but like having the beast in reserve in case I need it.

I love my Ryobi tools (no impact, just drills, work light, and air compressor), but if I needed to work with the tools all the time, I'd get Milwaukee tools. From everything I've heard, Ryobi is really good, but Milwaukee is really great.

Anyone try out the off brand batteries?  Are they any good?

In reply to docwyte :

I had that question a year or so ago. The consensus was yes, the work, no they don't last as long and may not have the power of the original or replacement name brand 

docwyte said:

Anyone try out the off brand batteries?  Are they any good?

Somebody (I think project farm) did a test on off brand batteries. It was a total crapshoot. Some were near OEM while others were horrible. It's a coin toss.

If you are already on Ryobi for your other tools I would go with the Ryobi. You can probably sell that Milwaukee for close to what a new Ryobi would cost.  The latest HTIW (high torque impact wrench) to come out of Ryobi (model PBLIW01B) is a solid performer and rivals the M18 2767-20 which has been the gold standard in cordless HTIW for a few years now.

In reply to RacetruckRon :

Thanks again Ron, for your insight into the Ryobi tools.  Always appreciated when you share your opinion.

Don't forget Rigid. I got a 1300 ft-lbs breakaway monster with two batteries for $269. 

Scotty Con Queso said:

Don't forget Rigid. I got a 1300 ft-lbs breakaway monster with two batteries for $269. 

^This as well for those out there looking at the Ridgid battery platform.  Ryobi, Ridgid and Milwaukee are manufactured under the safe roof, though Milwaukee's engineering team is a separate entity from Ryobi/Ridgid. 

Scotty Con Queso said:

Don't forget Rigid. I got a 1300 ft-lbs breakaway monster with two batteries for $269. 

And lifetime tool replacement! Sign up, enter the serial numbers into the website and they are good for life. 

Love the Rigid line and have a ton of their battery tools to replace my air tools.