18-volt One Cordless 3-speed 1/4 in Hex Impact Driver Review

avril 16, 2022 Enregistrer un commentaire

If you caught our guide on choosing the all-time bear upon driver, then y'all'll know what distinguishes a smashing bear on from a so-and then i. No doubt that the Ryobi P238 18V Brushless Impact Driver would like to be in the running for a great tool. We're going to find out today if information technology deserves to be at that place.

Check out our review of the upgraded Ryobi HP Brushless and Ryobi HP Compact impact drivers!

Fundamental Features

For years, Ryobi's tools flirted with the line between DIY and Pro tools, with near of its offer falling in the DIY category. More recently, all the same, Ryobi tools have stepped up the game a bit, and some tin certainly be considered for professional apply. In fact, we use them quite often on our jobs—nosotros regard them as having a lot of blindside for the buck. We've used the older Ryobi P1870 affect driver for a while at present. This new version packs a bigger punch.

Brushless Motor

Correct out of the gate, the Ryobi P238 18V brushless bear upon driver has a leg up on its older brother. The brushless motor is evidence of either technology that trickles downwardly, Ryobi's readiness for the big leagues, or perchance some of both. If you're a regular reader, you know that brushless motors areelectronicallycommutated;that is, there is no concrete contact between brushes and the commutator. Brushless motors are more efficient, longer-lived, and lighter than their brushed counterparts. They are also the foundation ofsmart tools, that is, tools whose motors and batteries communicate to optimize performance and prevent thermal overload.

Ryobi 18V Brushless Impact Driver Review

RPM Ranges and Variable Speed Trigger

In the introduction, I mentioned that an bear upon drivers gives y'all a lot of control over the piece of work past virtue of mechanical function. The Ryobi, similar other impacts, further increases that control with the use of three RPM ranges: up to 1,050, and then two,200, and and then up to 3,200 max. The switch to toggle betwixt these speeds is on the back of the motor housing.

But those three speeds aren't static; they are aided past a variable speed trigger for more nuanced control. Like just virtually every other tool on Earth, in that location are times when yous need to run it wide open and other times you demand to attune the speed. These two functions accomplish that.

Ryobi 18V Brushless 3-Speed Impact Driver

Impacts Per Infinitesimal and Torque

Impact drivers work by using a hammer and anvil system to generate pulsing rotational torque (in dissimilarity to static torque like a drill). The measure of hammer-anvil strikes is unsurprisingly called impacts per minute (IPM). This is a measure not used for drills.

The Ryobi P238 18V brushless impact driver offers up to 4,000 IPM, which is actually on the loftier cease. By way of comparison, the older version of this tool was at three,400 IPM. The Hitachi Triple Hammer—one of the finest impacts available—is the same at 4,000 IPM. Impacts per minute aren't the be-all and end-all metric merely a higher number tin certainly assist.

Likewise, this new model delivers more than torque than the older model: two,200 inch-pounds compared to 1,500 inch-pounds. Information technology's of import to note that that is in line or higher than only most every other cordless bear on driver you lot can find at the Pro level. Ryobi might exist punching above its weight, but yous have to acknowledge, on paper, it's doing a fine job.

Auto-Load Chuck and Other Notable Features

Virtually impact driver chucks need both hands for bit changes, but the Ryobi 18V Brushless Affect Commuter's auto-load chuck is designed for 1-handed changes. Once you lot eject one flake from the spring-loaded chuck, you button the side by side one in without having to pull out on the collet.

Nearly every ability tool has an effective LED worklight these days, and then we don't spend much fourth dimension talking about them. Simply that doesn't mean manufacturers can't have a crack at improvements. The 3-LED design around the front end of the motor housing isn't unique to Ryobi—I've seen them on some Hilti and Ridgid tools—but I'm surprised it doesn't prove up more frequently.

A magnet for holding bits and screws is another handy feature. If you're lucky – or just good – you lot can sometimes catch falling fasteners with it! An ambidextrous belt clip and redesigned overmold grip round out the features I'll have an eye on. Time to do some work!

Performance

Making An Impact

We've used the older version of this Ryobi impact driver for about iii years now. Nosotros employ it all the time – and we have beaten it up! But it's never let united states of america downwardly. It only works. Time will tell if the new version is as durable, but I accept hopes with its tough pedigree and bigger muscles.

So permit's review what'due south new and improved in this model. The three speeds are new equally are the motorcar-load chuck and belt clip, the torque is bumped up, the IPM is higher, the LED lights are a lot brighter, the chugalug clip is new.

These are large improvements over the older model. Since an impact driver is a tradesman'southward everyday tool, at that place was no shortage of test material during this review. I drove all sorts of fasteners, even large three/8-inch lag bolts, and the Ryobi 18V Brushless Impact Driver didn't break a sweat! I most felt proud of Ryobi for making such a sweet tool for—wait for it—$99 (bare).

Fasten-ating

It weighs ii.7 pounds blank merely, of form, the battery you cull volition add some weight. Ryobi offers a meaty 18V battery, but you'll encounter I used the larger iv.0 Ah pack. All the controls are easy to reach and operate with one hand. That's important—we've all been in tight spaces where getting your other hand/arm/shoulder is difficult or precarious.

The redesigned grip zone overmold is comfortable and secure in the hand. Like Ryobi'due south brushless round saw and brushless reciprocating saw, the handle has a much better handle design. I like it a lot.

Touch drivers accept a stubbier profile that'south well-suited to those tight spaces. At a fleck over half dozen-1/iv inches long, information technology'southward not the almost compact touch in the globe, but it's certainly shorter than a drill. If you take a very modest working area, you'll probably have to opt for a 12V version from another manufacturer. Otherwise, this should do only fine.

The Bottom Line

These days, I generally refuse to bulldoze fasteners with a drill. Compared to the bear upon driver, it's just the wrong tool for the chore, if that'south not besides bold. You have to fight a drill'due south rotational strength, its weaker hand, and its larger profile.

The Ryobi 18V Brushless Touch Commuter put on an impressive show during this review. It definitely swung for the fences and determined it wants to run with the Pro pack. I call back information technology can – particularly for that remarkable toll I mentioned earlier—$99 for the bare tool. All told, it's just a powerful, super-handy tool that's now role of the 100+ Ryobi 18V family unit. Get yourself some impact-rated $.25, and you're prepare for anything effectually the business firm or the job site.

Ryobi 18V Brushless Impact Commuter Features

Brushless motor provides more runtime, more than power, and longer motor life
3-speed switch: 0-3,100 RPM, medium speed: 0-two,150 RPM, low speed: 0-1,100 RPM
Variable speed trigger
The powerful design produces upwards to 2,200 inch-pounds torque to hands bulldoze or tighten big fasteners
Up to 4,000 IPM (impacts per infinitesimal) for fast driving applications
3 LED lights minimize shadows
Machine-load chuck for fast and easy i-handed chip changes
New gripzone with micro-texture for user comfort and control
Chugalug clip mounts to either side of the tool for convenience
Magtray magnetic holder for convenient placement of screws and $.25