I can parrot your success wiht the Ryobi planer. I have owned one of the
old 12-5/16" planers for years and it just keeps on going. The machine
continues to do good work and sounds just as robust now as it ever has. I
also have a 6-8 year old Ryobi 2 cycle lawn trimmer that is providing good
service.

Can't say the same about some of their newer equipment. Also, they have a
habit of leaving their customers high and dry with regard to parts. When I
bought my planer the replacement blades were about $19 a pair. The only
source now is aftermarket at $60-$60 a pair. Fortunately, a Delta blade
fits the machine and only costs about $25 a pair.

I am afraid I am coming up with the same situation with the string trimmer.
The bump knob is about worn throught and the local dealers say I might have
to replace the entire head. The knob isn't available.

RonB

"elbow" wrote in message
m...
I just now accidentally found this topic while "googling"and although
the forum happened months ago, I have to add my comments. I have a
Ryobi AP-10 planer that I bought when they first hit the market years
ago. I have run literally thousands of feet of rough cut lumber as
well as dimensioned, through it....no that's NOTan
exaggeration.....and have never replaced a single part. It's been
used and abused. I have rarely even sharpened the blades and most of
the time they needed it. But due to my laziness, I just wanted to get
the boards planed. This of course, adds to the strain on the planer,
but it just keeps on "hogging" it's way through. It has been
probably the most reliable tool in my shop. In recent times I find
myself "drooling" on the new wider planers. That is until I look at
the quality, price tags and disposable blades. I wish it was wider
than ten inches, but it's not. But I have never been sorry that I
bought it.

At the same time I bought a Ryobi orbital jig saw. Although it hasn't
seen nearly as much use, I can say the same for it.

No. In my opinion, no, they haven't always been junk.