However, the NiCad battery began running low on power while I was still doing this minimal fastening, and it was sufficiently spent just before I reached the ninth board: The idea here was that, with all the boards just minimally fastened, I’d next attempt to drive all the remaining deck screws (112 screws) in rapid succession, and thereby subject the NiCad battery to a reasonable stress test. I used only two screws per board, in an alternating pattern, just to secure them to the outer joists. That done, I began securing the deck boards to the joists, using a 1/4″ scant to ensure proper spacing. Then, I used the template, along with a punch, to mark the screw locations on each of the deck boards: Then, I used the Ryobi 18V 1/2″ Cordless Drill to secure the first footing to one of the joists. Next, I cut all the components on my backyard deck, which makes for a great outdoor work area on good days. ******* NiCad powered 18V 1/2″ Cordless Drill The NiCad batteries took a bit more time, but were certainly fully charged in under an hour. While I didn’t specifically time the charging process, I noticed that the Lithium Ion batteries were fully charged after only about twenty minutes. So you need to charge them up before actually using them for the first time. The batteries ship with a very low charge for safety reasons. The first step, of course, was to fully charge both pairs of batteries. I’d also measure how well each drill/battery performed, quite literally in terms of the total number of deck screws driven. When finished, I’d subjectively compare the drills on ease of use and overall performance. The second using the Ryobi 18V Lithium Ion ONE+ Compact Cordless Drill. The first using the Ryobi 18V 1/2″ Cordless Drill powered with a NiCad battery. More Information: Learn more about decking & other types of screws in our Guide to Screws. The fasteners consist of #9-3″ square drive, composite deck screws. There are three fasteners per board/joist connection, as well as three per joist/footing connection. The deck itself is 19″ wide, and consists of 5/4×6 deck boards, spaced 1/4″ apart.

Its substructure consists of three 2×4 joists, 8″ on-center, and resting on four 2×6 footings. I deliberately designed the assembly to include far more screws than necessary, so as to put the drills through their paces by driving a whole lot of screws.īelow is a 3D rendering of one of the test assemblies (if you like messing about with Google SketchUp):Įach test assembly is 8′ in length. My real project of choice would’ve involved laying the surface of a deck down, but since I had no actual deck construction project underway, I simulated one by building several assemblies consisting of decking boards on top of 2×4 joists. I was asked to review both Ryobi cordless drills with the above points in mind, while also using them in a real project. ******* Sample Project: Installing Decking

BUT the Lithium Ion “dual chemistry” charger will accept either type of battery.) Furthermore, nearly all ONE+ components can be purchased separately, which is great if you have an existing investment in either battery technology, because you can readily purchase a tool from either line without having to worry about buying additional batteries and chargers. (The only non-interchangeable situation I’ve encountered is that the NiCad charger will not accept a Lithium Ion battery. While these Ryobi drill kits are supplied with two different battery technologies, all Ryobi ONE+ branded 18V batteries and tools are readily interchangeable. And the Compact Drill is indeed noticeably more “compact”, with an obvious shorter overall length. (without battery) while the 18V Lithium-Ion ONE+ Compact Cordless Drill is a tad lighter, at 2.7 lbs. The NiCad powered 18V 1/2″ Cordless Drill weighs about 3.1 lbs. Both feature a 1/2″ keyless, single-sleeve chuck, 2-speed gear box (440 maximum RPM/1600 maximum RPM), and a 24-position clutch. The Ryobi 18V Lithium Ion ONE+ Compact Cordless Drill Kit. Building Moxie, on behalf of The Home Depot, recently asked me to review two Ryobi 18V cordless drills: Ryobi’s Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) powered 1/2″ 18V Cordless Drill (P204 drill/P850 kit) (Amazon Affiliate Page), and their newer, 18-Volt ONE+ LITHIUM Compact Cordless Drill (P208B drill/P818 kit) (Refurbished on Amazon from around $100).

Ryobi cordless drill review 18v