Ryobi R18RT-0 (5133004366)

Long Flex Shaft Cordless Engraver

Ryobi R18RT-0 is not just an engraver, but an entire engraving station. The device is a base, from which comes a flexible shaft about 90 cm long, at the end of which is the engraving tool itself. Thanks to this form factor, the device is free from the main disadvantage of networked and battery engravers with a classic layout - solid thickness, which is not always appropriate, and often even interferes with delicate operations. Working with this tool, you are not holding a heavy thick “sausage” in your hands, but a thin engraver, light and comfortable, like a pencil or a ballpoint pen. Due to this design feature of the Ryobi R18RT-0, it is much more convenient to perform work related to engraving, cutting, cleaning and sharpening. But it should be noted that the flexible shaft is pretty noisy (and at high speeds it even roars). This has nothing to do with the quality of its manufacture, it's just a feature of any flexible transmission. Therefore, this engraver is noisier than drills of traditional design, and absolutely does not pretend to be a quiet tool.

Work as you see fit

The base of the engraving station can stand on a table or be mounted on a wall (Ryobi designers provide several options for mounting it on vertical surfaces). On the main unit there are controls: a power button and a speed controller (this engraver has step speed control in the range of 4000 - 35000 rpm). Nearby are slots designed to store the most frequently used attachments - very convenient because they are always at hand. The tool is sold with a set of 33 accessories, including grinding, polishing and cutting discs with holders for them, sanding belts, drill, brush and engraving nozzle, as well as a 3.2 mm collet that allows you to use accessories from other popular brands of drills.

Nuances for batteries

Rechargeable batteries are also inserted into the base of the engraving station mentioned above. All Ryobi ONE+ series batteries are compatible with this engraver. According to the manufacturer, the smallest of them (1.5 Ah) will provide up to 29 minutes of work under load, the medium (3 Ah) - up to 60 minutes, and the largest of the compatible batteries (9 Ah) contains enough energy to run the engraver up to 165 minutes in total (but you need to pause every 10 - 15 minutes to cool the motor with a gearbox, because hobby-class power tools are not designed for long-term non-stop operation). By the way, a strange and unpleasant feature of this device is the fact that it slowly “sucks” the charge from the battery even when it is not working. Do not leave the battery "plugged" into the base, otherwise it will sit "to zero" in a couple of days.