NEWS – Ryobi recently announced a new rechargeable battery that will power a line of handheld tools.  The battery is a 2 AH lithium-ion battery that is rechargeable with USB-C, much like the battery in my Cyansky K3 flashlight.  The primary benefit seems to be that a custom battery charger would not be required; any USB-C cable and outlet should work.  Ryobi has four tools planned for this new USB Lithium line, including a rotary tool, a power carver, and a cordless screwdriver.  Personally, I’m looking forward to the power cutter.  With all the boxes we are constantly getting from Kohl’s, Amazon, and Boxed, I’ll be happy to have a faster way to cut them into small pieces.  The USB Lithium line of tools will be available exclusively at Home Depot and on their website.  The battery is expected to cost $20 and the tools around $60; they should be available this spring.

I’ve just started switching over to Ryobi for my hand tools due to their great prices and great tool selection. I’m definitely going to check these out!

Yeah, I have some SnapFresh tools, which I reviewed for The Gadgeteer (https://the-gadgeteer.com/2021/06/03/snapfresh-cordless-drill-review/), and I also have some DeWalts that I’ve purchased myself. I don’t have any Ryobi’s yet, but I think I’ll try out the box cutter one.

Try WORX – they’re doing some really incredible things for the price point.

I do have one WORX product, a fan that I reviewed (https://the-gadgeteer.com/2020/06/30/worx-power-share-cordless-fan-review/). I like it and still use it.

I have a worx cutter for boxes and love it … except it uses a tiny barrel plug charger and I constantly lose the charger.

I would change brands just to get USB charging.

the cutter has been around for quite awhile with multiple brandings

ours is a skil https://www.amazon.com/SKIL-2352-01-3-6-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Multi-Cutter/dp/B001B64ZEE

it’s cut up several kinds of carpet and linoleum, cardboard, canvas and sheet vinyl

i use it for upholstery and leather as well

what it lacks in power it makes up for in sharp

I’m glad to hear that you find it useful! I think the primary differences are that the battery is swappable in this line of tools rather than fixed, and it can be charged with USB-C rather than a charger. As most everyone has multiple USB-C chargers around the house these days, this reduces the need to own and maintain a custom charger for each gadget. A small step forward, perhaps, but one I like. I hope a lot of gadgets will move this direction.

my tool is quite old and the permanent battery is getting close to its use-by-date

i use a different cordless scheme but this xmas picked up four large boxes of ryobi tools for the boys and their families

the total was right at 300usd…free tools are wonderful!

ryobi 18v batteries are much less expensive than the brand i use…even the everyday price

if youtube is any indication every third poster uses ryobi, the other third uses ridgid and the rest must have to fight it out

Honestly, it’d be hard to beat a (sharp) Klever Kutter for cutting down boxes in my experience. Though I can see the benefit of a powered cutter.

https://kleverinnovations.net/our-products/safety-cutters/klever-xchange-plus/

That looks kinda cool; thanks for sharing that. I have been using a Slice (https://the-gadgeteer.com/2021/08/22/the-slice-box-cutter-slices-boxes-open-but-not-your-fingers/) and one of its competitors (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019O2UBE4). They work, but I’m hoping the Power Cutter will work better, especially for thick boxes.

Those look decent, especially just for opening boxes. I know the Klever Kutter can go through the box itself fairly easily as well. Main thing for it is that you can really *pull* on the cut, without worrying about what else you’ll be hitting.

Seems like a USB charging cable would be a bit delicate. Maybe this is just for small power tools. I like the heavy duty charging bases for the big batteries – just slam them in. No need to clean off any sawdust, etc.

Yeah, you have a good point, John. I would view these USB Lithium tools as more of “lightweight tools for around the house” rather than “powerful tools for out in my shop.”

On the other hand, they’re common. My Phone uses them to charge, as does my laptop, tablet, etc. So you can likely replace the cable cheaply.

And that, I think, is exactly the point of this type of tool.

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