Gaston literally stepped back when he saw it. He did not want the be associated with or touch it. Like a vampire being exposed to light he ran

@ScooterBean

3 ай бұрын

same lol

@JonathanMWeiss

3 ай бұрын

Imagine if a Mafell or Festool track saw caught Gaston with a Ryobi!

@michaelatkinson1378

3 ай бұрын

Gaston sells quality tools only

@artetaDagoat

3 ай бұрын

Literally, every chippy will do this

@peternatoli2555

3 ай бұрын

Here In Australia , the distributor does not display this tool. I have never seen it in the plastic so I cannot comment. In the review it seemed to have a better cut than the makita 40v. Was this because of the age of the blade and its geometry? Were both tracks clamped down for the test between the makita and ryobi and were the saws tuned to the splinter guards? If not then why not, and how would the straitness and cleanness of the cuts be? Certainly, when I first thought of a saw which fully enclosed the blade when the cut was complete, 60 years ago, I was using a black and decker drill with a b and d saw bolted on and the results were horrific and I never used the saw accessory again. From your test, one man said that the rail cut out in the base would wear as the base was made of plastic. I doubt if I would outlay the ryobi price if I knew that would happen. Would it happen? How solid is the plastic base? Does it twist under pressures involved with making a cut on its rail? COME ON SCOTT AND CO! FAIR CRACK OF THE WIP! GIVE US A FAIR GO! Let us have this test again with all these questions answered.

I'll be scouring Nelson marketplace for a gently used Ryobi tracksaw.

@runejakobsen7046

3 ай бұрын

gently abused..

@EUC-lid

3 ай бұрын

@@runejakobsen7046 Massively verbally abused.

@mgmoody42

3 ай бұрын

So...one that has ONLY been thrown across the work site once?

@numbereightyseven

3 ай бұрын

Maybe autographed.

@PhilandErika

3 ай бұрын

Just no.

They spent 14 minutes bagging on the Ryobi, and it ended up making better cuts than the Makita. And Gaston with the "Why, why?". I say the same every time he shows up with one of his $500 Japanese utility knives.

[ ... glances nervously at my shed full of Ryobi tools ... ] This is gonna hurt

@blackhellebore89

3 ай бұрын

We can hide in the corner together

@myopinion69420

3 ай бұрын

​@blackhellebore89 do i have to hide in a seperate corner because I have a shed full of mostly ozito tools?

@Etacovda63

3 ай бұрын

i feel like ozito is a better choice than ryobi (and i have a lot of ryobi tools, because I wasnt paid enough to buy anything decent when i had a tool allowance, ha!) @@myopinion69420

@CherrieMcKenzie

3 ай бұрын

I COULD NOT stop laughing!!🤣😂

@hartleymartin

3 ай бұрын

@@myopinion69420 Years ago Ozito were the budget brand where you used it for one or two projects and tossed them out when they inevitably broke. However, their tool quality has improved a lot. I have Ozito sanders which I bought with the intention of replacing once I broke them. I have been using them for ages, hooked up to a dust vac and done things like sanding plaster, which is supposed to kill sanders prematurely, but the darned things just keep going. Dust extraction is decent enough, only criticisms are that they are rather noisey and vibrate a lot, but all sanders do to some extent. I have Bosh 12v and Makita 18v tools for my everyday use, and whatever brand is cheap and works for stuff that I use only occasionally.

I have a range of brands in my small shop and Ryobi is one of them. The battery lasts FOREVER on my nail gun, and router. AND, just for weekend projects I still had money left over for a meal. The thing I have found is that going with cheaper brands allows you to find out what you want to upgrade and what works for the one off job you want to do which keeps me making things!!

@hartleymartin

3 ай бұрын

There is a theory that you should buy a whole kit of cheap power tools. Whichever ones break first get replaced with higher-quality tools, because those are the ones where you need the power and durability.

@troyqueen9503

3 ай бұрын

Durability and reliability.👍🏝️🇨🇦

@cmelft2463

3 ай бұрын

@@hartleymartin Theres also that saying " buy cheap, buy twice"

@iplaydums

2 ай бұрын

​@cmelft2463 I've always heard "buy once, cry once"

@troyqueen9503

2 ай бұрын

@@iplaydums started with Craftsman, then went Dewalt and then I went Festool. 👍🏝️🇨🇦

Gaston. “Can you the money back “ .😂😂 Love that guy

@Otto_Irving

3 ай бұрын

Gaston's like the raw unfiltered truth guy. Every YT'er needs a Gaston. Love it anytime he pops in.

There is a lot to be said for the battery shape/compatibility remaining the same... kudos Ryobi

@home-space

3 ай бұрын

Pretty sure you can buy adapters anyway

@TheducksOrg

3 ай бұрын

Exceeept.. that’s not the efficient way to make batteries anymore. I also can’t use ryobi tools because my hand joints can’t squeeze in on both sides at the same time. I mean, I use ozito/Einhell stuff.. aside from the occasional Festool, so no judgement 😅

@nevilenobody606

2 ай бұрын

This is so true. Other brands constantly change the battery design for seemingly no other reason then to force you to buy new batteries to suit whatever new range they bring out.

@elobiretv

2 ай бұрын

Yeah except it's an outdated design now and any batteries people have from the old ryobi stuff are trash at this point. Lots of other brands have moved to that open source design and Ryobi should have done the same.

As a DIYer that wanted a reasonably priced tool that does work very good -- no issues with accuracy on plywood, siding, etc -- this works great for me. Please, note I replaced the blade with the awesome Diablo blades.. Made many shop grade cabinets that turned out great. I would trust this tool to do finish work. But to say this is on the same level as $1,000 tools, that is an unreasonable comparison. This is for the DIYer...

@rinzler9775

3 ай бұрын

A good blade makes a huge difference.

@Kelvallontan

3 ай бұрын

@@rinzler9775 Yes it does. People often forget that what matters the most in a saw is the blade. However good your Hilti/Festool/Mafell is, it's going to suck if the blade is dull. On the contrary, a cheap tool can be surprizingly good with a great blade. I bought CMT Orange Tool blades for my Parkside (Lidl brand) plunge saw, and the cuts's quality always amaze me.

@rinzler9775

3 ай бұрын

@@Kelvallontan "what is the sword compared to the hand that wields it"

@danieldaponte1819

2 ай бұрын

Your argument seems reasonable that this Ryobi track saw is for the DIYer while the other more expensive brands are more for professionals. However, $600 isn't exactly cheap, and if the $1000 ones are that much more reliable and better, then they seem to be a better purchase even for the DIYer. I mean, someone on a budget might be more likely to stick with a $20 circular saw for breaking down sheet goods. As a side note, I see Festool actually sells a track saw for $699. Or $599 without the 55" rail.

@bobbrouillard6979

2 ай бұрын

Although I agree with your conclusion, however I only paid $169.00 for my Ryobi tracksaw, no battery ( already invested in platform) so that is a reasonable price for a diyer.

So. I have several Ryobi 18v tools. I bought them because I needed many tools all at once when I moved into a house again. I had sold all of my good tools when I moved into an apartment for a while in an expensive city. I had no need for my power tools at that point and also had nowhere to store them. Plus, this was a collection from over a 20 year period so the next time I needed them I would just upgrade. The Ryobi tools are what they are at the price point they come in at. I have been steadily augmenting and replacing with Makita once again because they are what they are at the price point them come in at. One thing to note is that the "package" sets that Ryobi sells usually come with lesser tools and than the standalone versions. That is, they don't package the standalone tools into packages (if that makes sense). Another thing to note is that I will often see new trades people with these tools exactly because it gives you a good library and then you replace with better tools as the Ryobi ones break or are stolen. You can't beat the fact that the one battery works with sooooooo many tools. My Ryobi lawn mower uses two 18v batteries (in parallel) to give it a longer run time and it works like a champ. I have no need for 40v (aka 36v) tools here and even with the Makita's I've stuck with the X2 system rather than invest in a whole new battery setup.

@DamienMcGuinnessKiwi

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, the battery platform certainty has definitely been a factor for peace of mind with Ryobi purchases.

My father learned me to buy the best tools you can afford, because they will last longer and they're more pleasant to work with. I only buy cheap tools when I expect to use it once or twice. In Europe the Parkside (Lidl) brand is nice alternative for the DIY market

@johncart59

3 ай бұрын

The same logic applies when buying laptops. Buy the best spec available that is in your budget. The higher the spec, the longer it will last before you need to replace it

@kiwigrunt330

3 ай бұрын

And much cheaper in Europe. In the UK the (corded) Lidl can often be found for around 200 NZD equivalent.

As a homeowner and a noob DIYer in EU (mostly building outside stuff for my garden) I have a bunch of Ryobi tools and for the rough stuff I do (i.e. not any precision work) they have served me really well, especially for the price.

@gavinhay6627

3 ай бұрын

I think you would have saved money by buying Lidl parkside tools.

@SoBek49

3 ай бұрын

@@gavinhay6627I've done the same as the comment you replied to, but I have to say that you actually have a point when it comes to one off jobs. I think the dude from Mythbusters once said that you should buy the cheapest version available and if you use it so much that you break it then you invest in proper stuff. However, compared to product lines like parkside, Ryobis are widely available and actually have a really cool library of products that you can choose from. Also they're on sale regularly. Still, you have a point but I'm actually not minding the money spent compared to an even cheaper alternative.

@SuperMatt1969

3 ай бұрын

same, they will never serve you the same as the big boys, but for DIY, especially outside, the garage etc Ryobi are a real option

@MK-U-N

2 ай бұрын

@@gavinhay6627 If you actually want to get something done, you stay far away from Parkside tools.

@danieldaponte1819

2 ай бұрын

@@gavinhay6627 A Lidl opened near me recently, and so far I've only visited once to check it out. They obviously sold groceries; I had no idea they sold tools too. Is Parkside the name of the brand? Are they similar price/quality as brands like Ryobi or Black and Decker?

Cheap tools definitely have their place. Owner of both Makita and Festool here. I would love to had acces to them cheap ones when i started out. 6 years ago i picked a cheap €70 Lidl corded tracksaw. I use the thing all the time! I had an issue with the track, and the store replace it without any questions. The manager just grabbed a new one. My local Makita dealer would tried to fix it, and that takes time. In short. I welcome them cheap tools.

@cb2000a

3 ай бұрын

I've talked with contractors who buy Ryobi for their workers because they abuse their tools so they did not want to buy a more expensive brand.

@gtvwill

3 ай бұрын

Eh festool, expensive price and cheap construction. It's track guides glue can't last a day in the aus heat. Thing delaminates near instantly. Festool want 30 bucks everytime it does. Not what you expect from 2k of kit.

@russellseaton2014

3 ай бұрын

Kind of agree with you. When I bought my Festool track saw 20 years ago, there were no alternatives. Well maybe Mafell had one at the time. But no Makita back then. Or any of the cordless brand ones to come later. I wish I could have bought the Makita back then. Not sure I would have even looked at Ryobi though. I would have just done without a track saw. But I am glad there are different price levels of tools to choose from. I have bottom barrel cheap cordless drills that work just fine. No need for $300 Festool.

@juseppejoki3300

3 ай бұрын

Long live Parkside!

@UnjustifiedRecs

3 ай бұрын

I have both the festool ts75 and the Lidl track saw, the lidl one has been great out the box, the only thing I did was put a decent blade on it. Really can't knock it especially as you said for 70 quid, could buy 5 of them for the price of the festool for

I own it. As a DIYer, it’s worked well enough for me to be able to break down sheet goods. I only have a small job site table saw so the rip capacity is not wide enough for sheet goods usually and this was a much better option for me than a used cabinet saw. I’ve also never seen a 2nd hand Makita or festool track saw for sale! I would have probably gone that route but at least around here people who get those don’t tend to get rid of them.

@johncart59

3 ай бұрын

If you've never seen a second hand Makita or Festool track saw for sale, that should tell you a lot about how respected/reliable those tools are...

@djvasforever

3 ай бұрын

It's hard to come by a used Festool. Especially considering they can give you a lifetime warranty in some cases.

@lisabraun6036

3 ай бұрын

@@johncart59 I get that, but saying it in the video makes it seem like it should be a viable alternative.

@NoName_213

3 ай бұрын

​@@lisabraun6036Facebook marketplace if you're in the states

@russellseaton2014

3 ай бұрын

@@lisabraun6036 Used higher end tools, like track saws, are available. Just not too common. The guy saying it in the video is probably in a clique of highly paid and sought after carpenters. Or woodworkers. Who all use high end tools. Professional level tools. And frequently trade or sell those tools to buy the latest and greatest high end tool. So for him, it is somewhat common to have the opportunity to buy older high end used tools. But not for the average Joe who works in his garage on the weekend.

How about a tour of some of your fellow carpenter's shops, at some point. Eva's looks very interesting. Really enjoyed this style of video.

One point that many people haven't mentioned is that I believe that Ryobi has the largest range of tools that are compatible with the one battery. As well as my DIY tools, I have a Ryobi tyre inflator, strimmer, and even a lawn mower (it's a small lawn). All use the same battery and I don't need to have multiple battery's and chargers. I am not a professional though so it doesn't matter too much for me.

@jbbresers

3 ай бұрын

Makita LXT system overtook Ryobi last year for the most tools compatible with one battery. They even have a coffee maker that runs on LXT batteries 😂

@Skornogr4phy

3 ай бұрын

@@jbbresers I did not know that! Thanks for the info. Once you are invested in a system though it's easier to just make another purchase in the same line. Having said that, I have many Ryobi tools, but not the tracksaw. Mine is a cheap corded model. It was enough for what I needed it for.

*** Episode Suggestion --- The Blue Container Workshop Tour *** - Hey Scott, can you please do a tour of your friend's blue container that's converted into the nice and tidy looking workshop/tool storage? It's a neat and inspiring idea and it would sure make a good video 😉 I am sure they will let you do it. Thank you

I'm a self employed Carpenter and Renovator based in Sydney, when I went to 18v battery tools the "Brand Names" offered very little in range and little more than drills and impact drivers, the biggest range was in Ryobi. So I purchased what I needed in Ryobi around 14 years ago, have built numerous decks etc and the only failure was a recipro saw that I asked way too much of. Over the years I have upgraded as better ranges became available in better quality/more durable brands, but still have the Ryobi in storage and when 2 drills and 2 impacts are warranted with different sizes of attachments being used on a project I get them out. Many I know with Makita had them off for repairs too often so I went to DeWalt in drills/Impacts, their 3 nail guns, battery mitre saw, grinder, laser level etc., I started with a Schepach corded track saw which I still have, and have added the Bosch corded track saw, after researching enough to see the Bosch track system and saw in my opinion was the most accurate, and it has not disappointed me in the 3 years I've owned it.

@homegeneralconstruction972

11 күн бұрын

Good comment , I have the same experience

Scott Brown: man of the people. YT on the other hand: feeding me Milwaukee tracksaw ads in the same video

@sillytorque

3 ай бұрын

haha I got a Ski ad ;D

@barron204

3 ай бұрын

Ozito ad.

@nursebronnie1

3 ай бұрын

I got the Milwaukee add to…and an ad to visit Canada

@tmmtmm

3 ай бұрын

Milwaukee and Ryobi are the same company :)

@TheFatherOfPizza

3 ай бұрын

i got skill saw ad

There are three ways to get cheaper tracksaws: 1) corded - excellent for serious DiYers with a decent shed for a workshop; 2) second hand refurbished - battery or corded; 3) circular saw with a track attachment - I have two corded Makita circular saws, one cuts 85mm deep and doesn't work with track, one cuts 55mm deep and works extremely well with Makita track and even does good dust extraction. But it is fiddly, you don't want to change from 90-degree cuts, depth setting is a pain. If I get a load of odds and end jobs cleared and I don't have another heart attack, I may start making lots of cabinets for ourselves and our daughter's family. Then I'll probably get corded Makita. Reasons for getting a tracksaw on top of having other saws must be a combination of precision and speed - setting depth, angle fast and accurate, clean straight cuts, ability to take a knock or two, dust extraction works easily. If it's wobbly plastic, it's no good as a tracksaw, even for occasional DiY use.

my brother a sole proprietor (works by himself occasionally hiring casual help) General Contractor in the US buys lots of Riobi cordless tools,, drills and impact guns in particular. He says that with the way most of his casual help treat and miss-use the equiptment it makes sense. He can replace a broken or stolen units at a fraction of the cost. And they are stout enough to work every day for at least a year. By that time he's expenses them and replacement cost is written off. FYI he doesn't let the help use his personal tools which are a mix off all the pro brands all builders prefer. This probably says something more about the quality of his help thank Riobi, but I thought I'd add it to the discussion.

Biggest point you missed is how easy they are to return. Take it back to Bunnings with a receipt and they give you a brand new one on the spot. Can't beat that for value.

@jackoneil4164

3 ай бұрын

Exactly. I wanted to return a faulty track. Tried to show the store manager the fault. He just said: nah, here is a new one.

@debandmike3380

3 ай бұрын

why would you want a brand new one.

@hw2508

3 ай бұрын

To be honest, as nice as this is for the customer, it shows that they don't value the tool very high. The time they would spend on evaluating and repairing the failure is to expensive. And that means, they probably just throw the returned stuff away, no matter how easy the fix would be. Don't know if wasteful procedures should be supported. Also, if they don't evaluate the failure, how will they improve the product? Why should the new product work better than the faulty device?

@JamesYale1977

3 ай бұрын

In North America they have a similar deal with Home Depot. Rigid is the "store brand" but Ryobi is a close second.

@ericwolff6059

3 ай бұрын

Ryobi, AEG (Rigid in the US), and Milwaukee are all owned by the same company.

I am a Diyer that has 30ish Ryobi tools around the house and garden. I make 30/40 table and bench set each year with the tools. I also have an acre of land that has trees and hedges i have a hedge trimmers/chainsaw. I've had Ryobi for 8 years and have only had to replace one reciprocating saw as I pushed it too much. They are light weight but at half the price of some good brands I'm never going to complain. Next purchase will be the track saw for sure. Not for finishing buy great for all round. Great video Scott.

@thomasthetankengine2257

3 ай бұрын

So you’re a table maker not a DIYer 😂

I’m a DIY’r and like my Ryobi tools. I’m not kidding myself ever thinking they are anything but entry level though. I’ve done some extensive work around my house with them and never had one fail on me.

@jepulis6674

2 ай бұрын

Some are on par. Problem is that not all so its a bit shit if you need loads of pro level stuff. You cant beat the 150€ price of hp+ impact drill with a battery. Its so close to highest end pro-level stuff that the other prices seem like a huge scam.

@castorchua

Ай бұрын

Same here. A contractor can't make money professionally using these tools on jobs but a DIYer can save money by buying these tools instead of getting in a contractor.

So far I’m liking the style of this video. I feel like it’s different then your usual videos

@greasy_beefcake

3 ай бұрын

Yeah feels like a new series being born. I also really enjoyed the bloopers/more candid stuff at the end

@Bigergism

3 ай бұрын

Definitely had a nice light vibe to it, the great people you are surrounded with help heaps you are so blessed to have great people around you!

@KepaTairua

3 ай бұрын

That's that kiwi vibe. More chill, laid back. I feel it too.

As a trades person, i don't have the time for inaccurate, fiddly, unreliable tools. It needs to be reliable, it needs to provide confidence, it needs to perform the work correctly the first time, and it needs to save me time. That way when its wrong or has to be done again, I know its my fault :)

@Tobby4063

2 ай бұрын

100% especially with a track saw.

I have a whole garage full of Ryobi tools for my house renovation and to be honest most of them work very well and they offer a 6 years replacement warranty which I had to use a few times already. You literally walk into bunnings with your broken tool and walk out with a new one, I even got upgrades if they didn't have the exact tool in stock.

I like Ryobi. I have a ton of their tools, because of battery compatibility and they are surprisingly rugged. I do not have their track saw, but I do have two of their battery operated circular saws. The older one I have had for 15+ years and it still works. It has a bearing that is going bad and I only use it for messy jobs like cutting steel and concrete. The poor thing will not die. Is it for a pro, heck no, but for someone using it for hobby work, it is more than acceptable.

I’ve already made the choice. I picked up a secondhand Makita plug in track saw off marketplace for $500 NZD. Which had the systainer, 1400 track, two clamps, near new blade and spare rubber strip. Sold by a kitchen installer upgrading to a battery tracksaw. He was reluctant to sell it as thought it was a bit better and lighter than the battery saw. I am DIY homeowner using it on the weekends! My only concern was wear from its commercial use but it’s working well. And most of my tools are Dewalt.

I have about 10 handheld Ryobi tools, work great -- I went with a corded makita over this though. Few reasons: 1. I am a home owner, but I do work with 1200x2400 sheets a lot. 2. Tracksaw is about long, straight cuts. Ryobi drill/grinder etc is fine, but their high accuracy tools don't seem as good. 3. For a track saw, since you normally have a vacuum, I don't mind having it corded. Current setup is Ryobi for smaller handheld stuff, dewalt/makita corded for big stuff (miter, track, table).

Wait till they find out Milwaukee and Ryobi are owned by the same company and built in the same place...

@bikeracerdude

19 күн бұрын

Chinese company is the more important detail.

The thing with the "snobby" tool choice is: It is not only the tool that makes a good result. And it is not only the person that makes a good result. It is the sum of the parts and not depending on one thing. With power tools much depends on the blades and the bits, not only the machine itself.

@TheTacoking1

2 ай бұрын

Disagree, the machine matters greatly. Material quality , in this case the Ryobi base is plastic I went with Ridgid track saw(also a budget saw) because the base was metal which is way more durable than the Ryobi. As you already stated " It is the sum of the parts and not depending on one thing." so a good blade doesnt negate a bad tool or a good tool doesnt negate a bad blade.

@hw2508

2 ай бұрын

@@TheTacoking1 When you know what you are doing, you can even achieve an accaptable result with a not so good tool. Not a perfect result, but not a bad result. When you not know what you are doing, the best tool won't guarantee an accaptable result. Both goes hand in hand. Of course, a professional will use the best and most reliable tool if possible.

Enjoying the video so far, but I had to mention that it's heartwarming to see your Northern Works shirt! I've been enjoying his videos for a few months now.

I've had a Ryobi bag of drill, right-angle drill, lamps, and large pack of bits for at least 15 years. It's blue and came with NiCAD batteries which died donkeys years ago. Bought a lithium battery - works fine. The whole pack was clearance at B&Q in London, an astonishing bargain and worth it just for the right-angle drill. The two lamps died a long time ago. The drill is huge and cumbersome and I don't use either drill very often but extremely useful to have the extra drill, eg with countersink when the Milwaukees are set up with other bits, and the right-angle drill is, when needed, fantastic.

There goes one potential future channel sponsor 😁

@Davey768

3 ай бұрын

I wouldn't be too sad about that. 😅

@sw6188

3 ай бұрын

Ryobi might step up and still sponsor tools for review. Any tool manufacturer knows that their products will be scrutinized - even the expensive tool makers are going have their products looked at and critiqued. Sometimes there will be negative points about a tool, and that's good for them to learn where to improve. Ryobi tools have come a long way since the early days.

@home-space

3 ай бұрын

Not really and it cut better than the one that cost double

@DamienMcGuinnessKiwi

3 ай бұрын

Look I don't think Ryobi would be too unhappy with that, it was a fair review, and let's be honest, the person buying a Ryobi tracksaw probably isn't thinking about a Makita/Milwaukee/Festool at a considerably higher price point. Honestly, it was only the professionals having an aversion to the Ryobi - and they admitted to their own snobbery.

@GmailNexus

Ай бұрын

Integrity man

I brought a Ryobi drill, circular saw, grinder combo with 2 batteries 7 years ago, still work well and never had any issues, don’t use them much anymore cause I have Makita versions of all of them but they definitely served a purpose but most importantly I could afford them at the time. They have a place in the cordless tool market for sure but I’m not sure that they should be making track saws. They are for people looking for precision and that doesn’t look very good for that. Also great thumb nail, very professional looking 👌

Good video Scott and team. Good to get a break from the house build stuff. That container shed look interesting. Future topics for you. Nelson builders?

Brothers a Chippy, I’m an engineer. If I ever borrow a tool off of him I have to clean, sharpen, straighten it before using the tool as I think most chippies are very rough on their tools so anything DIY would be a struggle for them to use

@Zarooney

3 ай бұрын

Buy your own then

@Metalsignman

3 ай бұрын

@@Zarooney you should see what he borrows of mine I think he gets a far better deal

@dereckhasken9055

3 ай бұрын

DIY’ers who think they are professionals buy the overly priced Yankee junk called “ Milwaukee”

@tmmtmm

3 ай бұрын

@@dereckhasken9055The irony that so called "Yankee junk" comes from the exact same Hong Kong company that owns Ryobi. Milwaukee is just the premium brand of said company.

@abdouldmml

3 ай бұрын

​@Zarooney chill dude he's not complaining he's stating facts and the reason why we can't have lower end tools! We are rough with them that's the nature of the game! There work horses

I think a lot of people overlook the fact that working with your hands is a very tactile pursuit.....I buy tools not based on price but on their suitability to do the job , but how the tool feels in my hand is very important as well. I need the connection with the material I'm working with to be uninterrupted so I can get a great result ...a little esoteric for some but that what 30 years working with my hands has taught me.

@differentbutsimilar7893

Ай бұрын

It's the legend of the crafstman's tools. See, he has this apprentice who is squirming to become a master, and he IS very talented. And as he grew his knowledge, his master's tool selection puzzled him all the more. Many of his master's tools are old and appear quite worn. Some of them he recognizes as tools that aren't made anymore, while others simply lack in amenities ubiquitous in the current generation of tools. But none of them appear 'ideal' to the apprentice, in his vast knowledge of tools. Objectively speaking, the masters tools are inferior. Yet, when the master works with them, he creates miracles! This frustrates the apprentice greatly, he simply MUST know the secret in the tools. So one night, he slips into the master's shop and makes a cabinet with them, and it's the worst he's ever made. It takes him twice as long, and he can't get the precision he needs. The master see's it and just laughs, "Sonny, you'll know when you know. This is one thing I cannot teach to you." So what makes the master's tools so good? They're HIS tools! A true master knows what he needs in a tool, and knows that if a certain tool feels right, that's the one he needs to use. He doesn't need aggregate opinions, but the tool that does his job and has something they can't know - the feel the tool needs to have for him specifically to feel a physical connection to it when he uses it. It's sort of like how a good guitar player sounds good on any guitar, but his best playing is only gonna happen when it's a guitar he can lock-in on and stop thinking about the maneuvering. Same with tools. Bad-feeling tools make you work more just to use the tool - because you aren't fully comfortable, you are doing the equivalent of driving a stickshift with your mind fully on it, but no feeling of the gearbox under the shift knob, or clutch status underfoot. It's hard to do fancy driving when your mind is dedicating power to the basic movements of operating the car, just because they don't feel right! Or more because somewhere in your brain, the feedback isn't matching expectations, keeping intuition from taking over the shift process. I don't know if people appreciate how deep our visual-spacial runs. That "locked-in" comfort you feel when manipulating a good physical tool, to me, speaks to better interfacing with that deeper processing. That's your brain telling you "Yeah, we know what to do with this, so focus only on your goal with it, I'mma be down here in intuition-land handling all of the geometry." The reason some things feel bad to use is because those more abstract spacial senses can't fully grok the placement or movements, making you use conscious brain energy to do it, which is orders of magnitude more calorie-expensive. That's why the best tools are the ones you almost forget are in your hands when using them.

It's very nice to see a side by side comparison of these tools. It seems like you put some effort into fairly evaluating it.

Loved seeing all the other NZ builders in this episode!

for that price i'll just keep borrowing my neighbors tools, Thanks for Sharing.

Scott shocks the world by coming out as a RYOBI owner. Meanwhile, Gaston is currently getting couples counselling to try and selvage their relationship.

When I saw the thumbnail I thought to myself don’t go there Scott, Gaston will have a coronary if he sees this!!’

As always.....I completely appreciate your honesty in your vids Scott. Thanks for posting this one.

Ryobi are built in Milwaukee factories so they’re basically the same 🤣 I have full Milwaukee set up and bought Ryobi to see if it’s the same and they work equally as good. Granted I don’t have the saw but the drills are the same.

@clutteredchicagogarage2720

3 ай бұрын

They are NOT basically the same. Having a magnesium or even aluminum base vs a plastic base will be more precise and durable. If you're just drilling into wood and doing DIY then any drill is going to be fine. If you need to drill into concrete or other masonry then you really want a pro-grade hammer drill or a rotary hammer rather than a cheap Ryobi hammer drill. In that case the difference is huge. But for drilling some holes in pine, the ryobi drill will be OK if you're just doing occasional work.

@Etacovda63

3 ай бұрын

@@clutteredchicagogarage2720 I've got an 18v Ryobi SDS drill thats drilled thousands of 6mm holes for ankascrews, and plenty of 10mm+ holes as well that would like a word with you...

@russellseaton2014

3 ай бұрын

@@Etacovda63 Maybe. But I'll stick with my proven Makita SDS rotary hammer drill.

@firesurfer

3 ай бұрын

Not even close. They may have the same parent company, but the tools themselves are very different.

@MrIdiotkiwi

Ай бұрын

Tell us you don't know much about manufacturing without explicitly saying it. Stanley Black and Decker/De Walt are a part of a different group. You gonna claim that those brands are exactly the same too?

For those DIYers in Europe just get a corded Parkside track saw for £80/$102USD which comes with a two section 1400mm track. I get clean cuts with masking tape along the cut lines.

@ChainringTours

3 ай бұрын

Parkside is lowkey one of the best tool brands there is. I've had a few of their tools I've pushed HARD and they work well to this day. I think my hammer/chipping hammer drill is maybe on the way out after 12 years of serious abuse. I've used it way harder than one should to break concrete. Just picked up the drywall vacuum sander for €50 on black friday sale, it's been great. I still usually buy Makita when I am in the US and bring it to Europe back with me, but I just got a Ryobi nail gun (and a Makita batter adapter) as the braid nail gun is like half the price!. I

@alexandredevert4935

2 ай бұрын

Parkside is surprisingly really okay for the price

@pauleaves469

2 ай бұрын

And spend £25 on a branded blade. It's a game changer on a cheap saw.

The cutting work, b roll and composition of the video is next level. Well done

@OhneMehrwert

3 ай бұрын

@@S-cottBrownCarpentry dude you are an obvious fake account, what content could you provide 😂

Love the concept behind this vid! Cheers

I have around 15 makita 18v machines, but a corded makita track saw. I love them all, but I also have a Ryobi 18v caulking gun, because I've used it like 10 times in 4 years, and I could buy 4 of them for the price of one makita. But then, when I already had the batteries, I bought a Ryobi seed/sand/salt spreader, and a electric brush, to brush the house with before painting, and those have been great. Oh, and I'm not a professional, I only have really much renovating to do.

Wait. Do we not like Ryobi ?

@KMCarpentry

2 ай бұрын

This comment is concerning 🫣🤣🙏

I dare you to place it in systematic homes van as a joke to see Kameron's reaction

@DamienMcGuinnessKiwi

3 ай бұрын

Have an ambulance on standby, but yes, I would love to see that.

I own a few Ryobi tools. I actually love my battery powered non-sliding Ryobi miter saw because it's super lightweight and compact. It fits in a cabinet. It's great for cutting 2x4s (uhh, 50mm by 200mm? or maybe you guys use 40mm x 160mm or something?). I like working out in my garden when the weather is nice so I don't get sawdust in my garage. It weighs like 18 pounds without the battery (8kg). I can carry it around with one hand. You cannot find another cordless miter saw that is as lightweight and compact. That makes a huge difference to me. I actually love some of the Ryobi 4v tools with their little rechargeable batteries. The batteries are very convenient to charge. The 4v Ryobi magnetic LED worklight is awesome for lighting up the inside of an air handler or working under a car. The batteries are totally fine, and in that case, the lightweight and cheap tools are just as good. You know what else is awesome? The Ryobi 18v mini glue gun. I don't use it for carpentry. I use it to do stuff like glue thick felt pieces to the underside of my chair legs. Sometimes I make little bumpers for furniture by slicing cross sections of old wine-bottle corks. Hot glue is great for adhering that stuff to the underside of furniture so you don't scuff up your floors, and that cheap Ryobi mini glue gun is awesome for those jobs. On the other hand, I bought a cheap ryobi circular saw years ago, and it is totally rubbish. Maybe the highest-end Ryobi circular saw may be OK, but I there's no way that the ergonomics or precision would match any of my Makita cordless circular saws. Ryobi drill drivers are totally fine if you're a DIY homeowner. Let's be honest. If you just need to drill a hole in a piece of wood or drive like a dozen deck screws, you can use any drill driver, and it'll be fine. With that said, I own a Makita 18v drill and a Milwaukee impact driver, and the ergonomics, durability, power, etc etc are better than Ryobi. But if I were at a friend's house, and they wanted me to help them finish building their deck by driving some deck screws and they handed me a Ryobi drill or driver, I wouldn't care. It would work fine. If they told me to use a Ryobi circular saw to cut all the lumber for the deck, I'd probably drive home to get my Makita circular saw (or actually my Ryobi 18V cordless miter saw, which can actually be super precise once you calibrate it and get used to it). I'd never get that Ryobi track saw or any other hand-held Ryobi saw.

I use a full 10' lenght of Unistrut and a 7" cerc' saw and it works for what I need :)

I have many ryobi tools even picked up one of their old drills made in the 90s and all have been used and abused and still work fine, but my first drill is starting to show it's age but being 15 years old left out in the rain, used on fishing boats at sea. But for a tracksaw I would still buy a corded one as they can be picked up for pennies as most builders are moving to cordless ones

Big fan of the outro edit style. Very fun!

Good to see ya out and about! Felt like the love was gone from videos the last 6 months! One day ill pay for you to come reno my house in Perth and pay for it through the business as marketing 😂

I would like a closer look at your friend’s cargo container. Definitely a sweet set up. I could see one of those at my job site!

great video! as a DIYer (shelf builder ;) and a part time repair/builder for others, i do own ryobi. no of it purchased new...a brad nailer and a cat sander. both purchased second hand for less than $50 US. i do not use these tools for every job so they perform just fine. i do agree with the DIYer/affordability aspect you talked about for the hobbyist as well as staying in the battery ecosphere. i am in bosch's.

Here in the US theres a huge variety of Ryobi ONE syatem tools available. TTi have Milwaukee as their top, Ridgid for the weekend warrior and Ryobi for basic DIY. When i started back in the early 80's Ryobi were premium tools (and one of the first plunge routers available) I STILL have that router 40+ years later!

@jimurrata6785

3 ай бұрын

@@S-cottBrownCarpentry This episode? Or going way back to Aukland when Jess was an enigma?

@cartoonhead9222

Ай бұрын

Over time they will use the same moulds, same components, etc. It's just natural cost cutting that happens with corps with several brands.

@jimurrata6785

Ай бұрын

@@cartoonhead9222 That's not the way "good, better, best" operates. You (TTI) need features, visual and tactile cues to distinguish between. Look at Horrid Fate's Warrior, Bauer & Hercules lines.....

You should review the Ozito track saw. It's.... better than the Ryobi. Also compatible with the Makita 165mm blade. It's currently $339, but I paid $199 back when it first came out a few years ago. The Ozito is also compatible with Festool tracks (and Makita tracks if you cut off some of the anti-tipping lip, or file down part of the base of the saw) - so you can buy this saw, buy Makita tracks and accessories, and then upgrade the saw later. See Peter Millard's 10 minute workshop - the Ozito is the same saw as the Parkside available over in the UK.

Love the Dutch frugalness: ''why not secondhand?'' Honestly, we should ask ourselves that every time we make a purchase. Consider if it is viable, available and the value difference? 👍

@russellseaton2014

3 ай бұрын

True. All the quality tools I bought 30 years ago are still as good today as back then. But, I treat my tools well. And I would always be worrying about whether the used tool I am buying was abused by its previous owner. Having a peaceful mind is worth something for new tools. It would be nice to buy used tools from someone I knew cared for them very well.

Appreciate the review. I'm not a professional but have learnt SO MUCH from your videos to enable me to talk to tradies and manage home-reno projects. I have high hopes for doing some of the smaller jobs myself, and would be looking at this type of price point for tools. Of course, we are already committed to the Bosch battery ecosystem, so same same, but different 😉

Here in Canada the Ryobi kit goes for ~$500, if you got a Makita corded track saw with a 55” track you only have to spend an extra $150. Definitely a better value proposition to purchase a higher quality and better built tool, plus the added bonus of a more functional track.

@JamesYale1977

3 ай бұрын

Why would you go to Makita you would just buy a Milwaukee the same company that makes Ryobi...

@Etacovda63

3 ай бұрын

the makita tracksaw is pretty much the benchmark tracksaw, has been for years. @@JamesYale1977

I'm no Carpenter but love making thinks in my work shop. I went with Ryobi because there will do what I need them to do for my level of skill but I do like that Track Saw, Retails at £299 here in the UK. Love watching all your videos and have followed you on all your projects and you both have taught my so much. Thanks for your content, Stay safe Guys.

I purchased a couple of Ryobi tools a year ago (they’re still in the box) but I got a really good deal for them. And as more people are getting into carpentry and doing their own home renovations, and not everyone could afford contractor grade tools so I think this is genius!

I have a project coming up that will need a track saw. I will probably rent one for the day.

I think there is a place for cheap tools, like if there is a single job to do. E.g., i recently put down lvl and got a multi tool to cut under door trims, also got a concrete grinder to level an bit of concrete near an old fireplace to put flooring over. Then sold both. But if im planning to have a tool long term, or need accuracy, ill buy quality each time. May take longer to save up for it but uts worth it. My kids will benefit also when I'm gone because the tools will still exist and be functional. Good tools feel great to use. Love these video Scott. Love the guests. Keep it up and keep it fun.

I have so many Makita “kit” boxes, because you could basically pick up the drill+impact kit for the price of the batteries… plus some of them had 3 batteries. Those days seem to be over now, in Canada at least.

Another great video thank you for making it.

You made the point a few times. A couple of times a year for a DIY'er A negative for me is the length of track you get. I regularly cut full 2.4's I'll stick with my Bosch (Snob). Before I got my Track. I had a couple of different lengths of ply with a batten to make a track, and used my Circular Saw.

As a diy'er ryobi is decent. Ive built a lot of wardrobes, cupboards and a welsh dresser with ryobi kit. No issues, apart from the base circ saw, which burnt out cutting 1 by, along the grain. If ur a diy'er u dont need to spend £600 on one tool for a dewalt or watever. U could kit urself out for 600 quid with ryobi.

Was going to laugh at the snobbery then realised I'm on still on Black and Decker ☹

Twenty years ago, I would've loved having a track saw like that. Back then I just got out of college, and I really did not have the money for A-brand tools. Now I have a couple of Makita tools, mostly LXT, but my track saw and router are corded ones. Still, for tools I rarely use, I'd still easily choose the Ryobi or similar brands. Why would I need a gardener-grade leaf blower and mulcher, if I use that thing twice a year? And for back when I just got started working after graduating college, hey, any tool you can buy, is infinitely better than the tool that might be _technically_ better, but not affordable to you.

I'm a builder. When I first started out 15 years ago I couldn't afford the big name tools, so I bought a Ryobi 18v drill. I used it exclusively building decks and fencing, small interior renos for 3 years. It was working great so I didn't feel the need to replace it. I have since "upgraded" to Milwaukee tools. My broken pile of Milwaukee tools currently has 2 18v hammer drills, 1 18v drill, 1 12v hacksall, 1 18v sawzall, 1 12v drill, 1 12v impact driver, and an 18v 3/8 drive impact driver. Now when I get some time most of them are likely repairable with parts ordered from the manufacturer, but I shouldn't need to repair so many tools, some of them don't have much time on them at all. My old Ryobi drill? Still works great, and has actually been used quite a lot over the years, mainly around my own home when the "good" tools were on a job site or packed away in the truck. Some Ryobi tools are great, some not so much. Overall the Milwaukee's are nicer to use, but the quality leaves me wondering. And as an added bonus you never "loose" a Ryobi battery or tool when working on jobs with other trades.

In the UK you can get cheap corded track saws with proper metal construction and compatibility with premium tracks and blades. Peter Millard does excellent comparison & review videos.

@davebennett7550

3 ай бұрын

I’ve also watched Peter’s videos. The prices for low end tracksaws in NZ seem to be more than double the UK prices.

I have both Ryobi tools and Milwaukee. For tools that always use, i'll spend more and get Milwaukee (drill, impact driver, etc...) For tools that I know that I will only use a few times a year, i'll get the Ryobi (brad nailers 16 and 18 guages). Ryobi also makes fantastic LED lights and small blowers because who needs to spend $300 on a Milwaukee one when for under $100 you get the same thing. People knock on Ryobi but i think they're fantastic tools. If you're in the trade i would definitely get the more expensive brands but as a home owner that does DIY, it's a great option.

@AngelaRawks

3 ай бұрын

The Ryobi nailers are amazing. For price and performance, those are #1.

@Knight..

2 ай бұрын

Milwaukee is made by the same company that makes Ryobi, the housing differs (mw typically have an alloy jacket somewhere to 'feel' more premium) but the internals are the same. I always find it hilarious when people try to compare them.

I have no need for a Track Saw...but I have a wide range of Ryobi 18v tools...most importantly a Lawnmower (which is actually 36v and takes 2 x 18v batteries). I have drills, a hedge trimmer, a weedeater, an angle grinder, an inflator (for air beds and balls), a skill saw etc, etc. I know they aren't the best tools on the market, but the ability to use one battery across everything is great.

@hasbeenracing

3 ай бұрын

Yep, they win just for the garden tools.

@DamienMcGuinnessKiwi

3 ай бұрын

Totally agree, I'm heavily invested in the Ryobi cordless platform (drill, impact driver, lawnmower, leaf blower, belt sander, orbital sander, brad nailer, etc.). I've recently started on the Festool platform with my purchase of my first track saw - and the thing genuinely is a delight to use. But there's no way I'm going to buy a Festool inflator (if they even make one) at three times the price just to blow up the kids pool toys.

When I started as a self employed tradesman I had a Ryobi drill. Most other trades were still on the old Nicad tools so it was ok back then, but after a couple of years then bearings were shot.

As a Canadian, I will say that I own several Ryobi 18V tools. There are a few reasons, but the major one is that they simply make different things. They were the first battery powered 23 gauge pin nailer to market, at least as far as I could find, I bought mine 2.5 years before Dewalt got theirs to market. They have battery powered Dremel-style rotary tools, 18V glue guns, PVC pipe cutter, electrostatic sprayer, submersible pump, 10" random orbit buffer, and so on. Some of those they were first to market with, others they're the only brand that makes them. And honestly, I have a couple old Ryobi 18V tools that are blue from before they rebranded and they still work well. In my opinion, Ryobi is perfectly fine for homeowners/weekend warriors and even fine for professional builders to grab a couple seldom-used specialty tools on the cheap. My pin nailer works amazingly and brand new still costs half what the comparable Dewalt costs new. As for the point of this video, the track saw... I wouldn't buy it either. In Canada, and in the US, its only about 10-15% cheaper than the Makita and twice as expensive as the wired Wen branded track saw that is of similar quality with similar accessories in the box. Even in NZ, where it costs half the Makita, the drawbacks of poor tolerances for a precision tool like a track saw and the narrow plastic base are just too great to ignore. You can get similar or better results with a circular saw and a homemade track made of MDF. *Edit* For context, I make fine furniture and own Festool, Mirka, Dewalt, Laguna and Milwaukee tools as well as my Ryobi.

Thanks for a great video Scott, and a big shout-out to the cool community that's sprung up around your videos. Even the people that don't like the idea of a Ryobi tracksaw have been respectful that it's made to a price and there to service a gap in the market. I'm a keen DIY'er that probably owns 10 different Ryobi tools. They've all served me well, standing up to plenty of DIY level abuse. I'm now at that point where I'm upgrading to premium brands (Sawstop table saw to replace my Ryobi version - it's fantastic to use and I get to keep all my fingers) and a Festool cordless track saw. The Festool cuts more like a lightsabre than a power tool, but I did give the Ryobi some (short) consideration when it came out. But the price premium on those products meant I held off on purchases for a year longer than I ideally wanted to - so there are definitely trade-off's to getting a premium tool. Thanks for giving the Ryobi a fair review and acknowledging the brand snobbery that permeates this space. It doesn't help that there are content creators reviewing unacknowledged gifted products and making the average DIY'er feel very inadequate about their tool budget. In the track saw space you previously were faced with choices between super cheap junk, and seriously expensive premium brands. If Ryobi want to try to service that gap, good luck to them.

Ray you are so funny. Great episode Scotty and Jess. Nice to see you testing tools that us home handy persons would use.

Liked and commented to help you recoup the cost of it. Good vid 👍

"Strong stuff" - that's a reference to a Dutch commercial for Fisherman’s Friends. Great one, Ray!

I bought the ozito corded one late last year and so far its been fine. Cuts malamine chipboard fine without chipout. I did immediatly replace the blade with a higher tooth count 'premium' blade. The track it came with was 2 short lengths like this but the 'extra' tracks are 1400 long in a single piece. Handy to have both. The track also looks more like makita etc. lm not sure if its compatible, but looks similar.

Thanks a lot for the video, and for trying out the tools the masses (Us!) use and questioning your gut feelings. I bought a corded version of the Lidl brand (Parkside, aluminium base) for 80€, it's compatible with Festool rails and I happen to own several of them (for a tracked grinder, yes it exists and can be very useful for a plumber/HVAC tech). I bought good CMT blades (about half the price of the actual saw each, how crazy is that?) and am very happy with the results. Of course, it's never going to be as good as my brother's TS55, but for what I'm doing with it (DIY furniture making and work around the house), it's just fantastic.

As a DIYer around home i use ryobi cordless stuff. Its a good stepping stone for me as i use the stuff once a month on average .The affordability is the key for me at the moment along with durability. I can see why people on a budget with other ryobi gear would like the tracksaw as an option. Having said that there's always going to be a point when you need to upgrade your stuff doing bigger projects

From a retired carpenter, I was "wanting" track saw for some time now. These were not around when I was still working, or I would probably have purchased the Milwaukee. I own some Ryobi tools and already had some batteries so when I got the chance to buy a refurbished Ryobi track saw for $150 U.S. I jumped on it. First thing is you need to take the time to set it up correctly and understand the saw. I have used it for breaking down plywood, ripping some 1x materials and cutting some foam board. I think it is a heck of a deal IF you are not using it every day. If I were still working, I would have saved my money up and purchased the Milwaukee.

All my cordless tools are ryobi, including a 40v leaf blower and 2 stage snow blower. I do not have the track saw but probably wouldn’t get one. For the panel type cuts I use a clamped straight edge and a hand saw. Not the same, but good enough. Good episode!

Here's an even more derided brand for you... I borrowed a friend's Ozito corded track saw for my new solid core front door. The construction of it is solid, if basic. It has a metal base and blade housing, swivelling dust port (that is important) and decent solid feeling adjustments. And TEN out of ten carpenters wouldn't touch it! : ) Frankly, it did everything I needed for my new door to fit my old, out of square jamb. The tracks lined up and clamped nicely, the cut was dead straight, giving me the desired 3mm extra at the bottom. (Old houses...) My only criticism was that his blade was a little dull, but a couple of strokes with my ancient (much loved) jack plane cleaned it up. Metabo gear is beautiful, I own some. But I was pleasantly surprised. That old cheap tool isn't too bad at all!

Fair review!

For a while I was running Ryobi tools, because I needed to replace a whole truck full of tools due to a theft issue. The Ryobi tools lasted about 3 years of hot suppers and abuse before I started replacing them with my old favourite Makita tools. The Ryobi tools did ok, although I wasn't using a track saw or any other high precision tool. As far as I know 6 years later those Ryobi tools are still doing stirling work for my buddy who I sold them to, and who is using them for his reno business.

Cool format! bringing all your chippy mates into the video

If you can find the tool you need, factory-reconditioned professional tools provide the best value, in my opinion. The generally carry the same warranty as new and usually cost 10-30% less. Some of my Makita recons have been in service (in professional use) for >10 years with no or only minimal service (brush replacements and the like).

I needed a tracksaw for one job, purchased an Ozito corded tracksaw (I think it was $249 NZ). Same setup with the tracks as the Ryobi, 2 short ones. It did the job well, and I will use it until it breaks, and then I will consider if I need a trade quality tracksaw for the amount I use it.

@johngoodare9122

3 ай бұрын

@S-cottBrownCarpentry Hi Scott. Your content is great. You are one of the few You Tube channels whose videos I watch to the end. I have learnt from you so much about how, and what to tackle around my home. Thanks for the help you’ve given me, and the hours of viewing pleasure (I think I’ve watched every episode you’ve made). It’s nice to watch a video that is New Zealand based, with less hype than other places. All the best to you and Jess.

I dont have any experience with this tracksaw, but as a homeowner and not a builder i really like my other ryobi tools, the 18G nailer is really good, the drill is plenty powerful. The other stuff work really well to. The HP line seems to really pack a punch for the price

Scott pretty much hit the nail on the head. as a General Contractor, I no longer buy"cheap" tools like Ryobi for the reasons mentioned. And that comes from experience. When I 1st started as a carpenter and wasn't making much money, I bought Ryobi tools ( sawzall & belt sander). The sawzall had an electronic trigger switch that would burn out if there was a slight power drop ( like on a jobsite when multiple tools are running from the temp. power pole). And the belt sander broke while being used and causing me to get injured and subsequent medical bills which I couldn't afford.

I loved Gaston’s reaction

Ray is a wise man. Good on you Ray for suggesting the tool for the little man. Would be interesting to see how AEG stacks up though, something to think about if they make one one day.

Here in Australia, Victoria where I live, the local retailer Bunnings Warehouse which is probably the biggest retailer of Ryobi tools doesn't even stock the Ryobi tracksaw. Also Total Tools & Sydney tools don't stock it. By the looks of it you can only get it from Ryobi themself. I do have a few Ryobi tools and have never had an issue with them, apart from the biscuit joiner which is rubbish and I would stay away from. That didnt cut the wood it was burning it, and that was in pine. I latter read reviews and other people had the same issue. Luckily Bunnings have a good return policy and ended returing it and getting a Makita which is great. Getting cheap tools doesn't mean they are bad and will not last. Years ago I got a Dremel which at the time was really considered the king of multitools. I used it a few times and within just after 12 months it was dead, did not power on. Ended up getting an Ozito multitool and it is great, still working after about 3 years and happy with it. I have a mix of tools and tool brands, Ryobi, Ozito, Milwaukee, Makita and now Dewault with a resent table saw purchase. As a weekend wood worker I don't need higend tools like Festool, couldn't justify it for the use it would get.

I got one on special from Bunnings in Petone, purely because I needed one for a project at home. I'm sure I'll probably get a proper track saw at some point, but for now it'll do. Suggestions for other owners of this saw: * Avoid disassembling the track once you've got it together. The extrusion isn't precisely square at the ends, so you'll need a reliable straight edge to get it aligned. It is tedious to get the thing perfectly straight, so just leave it assembled and save yourself the grief * Check the black slide strips where the tracks join. I had to file one down a bit as it protruded enough to make a small gap when the tracks were pushed together * Spend a bit of time dialling in the friction screws to remove as much play as possible but not so tight as to prevent the saw sliding easily There are the tools you know you'll still be enjoying in twenty years, and then there are the tools you buy to get you through just until you replace them with one's you'll be enjoying twenty years from now. No shame in budget tools when there's no justification for a big expense, and you'll save a bundle on the fat "professional tool tax" that Makita and friends add to the price for anything a tradesman might use, despite the massive economies of scale that comes from selling millions of power tools to an industry that doesn't demand constant innovation.