11 Must-Have Ryobi Tools For Any Mechanic

The lime green power tools emblazoned with Ryobi logos have long been a favorite among home improvers and those looking for support in general maintenance tasks. Owned by TTI, Ryobi joins a number of other high profile major tool brands under this parent company (including Milwaukee and Stiletto), and in recent years it has enjoyed something of a surge in popularity. Since arriving at Home Depot exclusively, Ryobi has taken on the position of a low cost option best suited to entry level users, DIYers, and the like.

Recently, Ryobi has been delivering higher quality offerings, while still dedicating itself to maintaining much of its value-focused pricing structure. Whether you're in the midst of a total home renovation or a mechanic looking to round out a tool kit, Ryobi's modern lineup can go a long way in bringing solid performance and great value to the equation. Those working under the hood of project vehicles, for example, are constantly looking for great gear that won't fail under the intense pressures of automotive repair work. Ryobi gear delivers quite nicely in these arenas today, and some of the brand's most sought after power tools and accessory gear will fit right in alongside a mechanic's specialty tools and other equipment. These 11 pieces from the Ryobi catalog can enhance your workflow and support a more enjoyable and efficient automotive workspace, making them absolutely worth considering as you expand your tool collection.

A great place to begin is with the 18V ONE+ HP Compact Brushless 4-Mode ⅜-Inch Impact Wrench. The tool features a slimmed down overall design, and is the lightest impact wrench from Ryobi ever to be delivered to the market. The tool comes in at 2.35 pounds and a miniscule 5.3 inches in length. The impact wrench is a standard piece of equipment for mechanics. This tool features powered fastening and breakaway torque to replace the arm strength that would otherwise be required to perform even basic repairs or parts replacements.

Ryobi's most recent model delivers a 60% increase in torque, ranging up to 275 lb-ft of breakaway torque. It also includes an optimized impact mechanism that adds up to 3,800 impacts per minute into the equation. These significant forces help tackle removal and fastening tasks ranging from the simple to the extreme. Rounding things out, this power tool, designed with prosumer demands in mind, includes a trio of LED lights to effectively illuminate even the darkest recesses within a vehicle you may be working on and four speed modes with an automatic setting included to help maintain total control to prevent losing fasteners or overtightening.

The Ryobi 18V ONE+ Dual Function Lighted Creeper/Seat is sure to turn heads the first time it gets noticed. Mechanics around the country will know that laying down on a creeper provides an easy way to shuffle underneath a vehicle and perform essential tasks that may be inaccessible by normal means. Performing an oil change, inspecting axles and other parts, or engaging in a simple clear out or weatherproofing of the undercarriage all require access to this hard to reach spot. The tool has been around for quite some time, and now Ryobi is offering a new take on it. 

Instead of a singular mobility accessory, this workshop essential can transform from a creeper into an elevated seat. This means that you can work underneath the car and then reposition the dual-function tool to assess tires, lighting systems, or other components.

The tool runs on the same 18V battery system as Ryobi's mainline offerings, which might seem strange, but this is unlike the creepers you may be familiar with in more than one way. It also introduces two flexible LED lights that provide up to 800 lumens of brightness. These can be positioned wherever you need them to support wide variety of repair tasks. Rounding things out, the creeper includes a Link storage bin to help contain small components or tools as you work through your repair tasks.

The Link Speed Bench Mobile Workstation is one of the most valuable additions to Ryobi's Link productivity system. The bench folds down to function as a cart for moving materials and tools around a jobsite. The 10-inch all-terrain wheels and steel frame can support a total load of up to 300 pounds, more than enough to help you haul critical material from place to place. When folded out into its bench format, the workstation can support a 400-pound weight capacity and the worktop is connected via a minimalist frame to support clamping across the entire perimeter of its surface. The bench comes with a Link accessory rail and double organizer bin to expand your workholding capabilities and versatility even further.

Mechanics frequently need to maneuver equipment and parts around the workshop. Likewise, the need to work on components outside the confines of the vehicle itself frequently arises when tackling jobs under the hood. This mobile workstation provides a solution for both of these requirements. The ability to haul gear around with ease and the quick setup functionality combine to deliver a dual-purpose accessory tool that can improve just about any task you take on in the garage.

Cleanup is a vital part of any project. There are plenty of options on the market for professional users looking to keep their workspace tidy and manage the debris that a day on the job naturally produces, but Ryobi's 18V ONE+ Bucket Top Wet/Dry Vacuum Kit could be a particularly valuable asset for mechanics, as a result of its small form factor.

It's worth taking a moment to note the difference between a standard shop vac and one that delivers wet/dry functionality. A wet/dry vacuum can handle moist messes and even standing liquids. Mechanics' cleanup duties often include all kinds of liquid waste, so this kind of vacuum is absolutely critical to supporting the tasks in an automotive environment. 

This Ryobi offering is a bucket top solution, which will allow you to tackle messes right where you find them. It's incredibly portable, requiring your hose, the small form factor vacuum tool, and a simple 5-gallon bucket. The tool runs on Ryobi's standard 18V battery system, allowing you to position the cleanup solution anywhere you need it without restriction. This vacuum is notably less expensive than full scale models, making for a great entry level cleaning solution. It's not as powerful as some of Ryobi's other offerings though, so larger shops may see it more as an additional cleaning feature, rather than a primary shop vac.

Heat guns are power tools many DIYers frequently overlook, seeing them as niche solution only required in the most robust tool boxes. Renovators and mechanics with a little more experience know better. The heat gun is an essential support system for tackling a huge range of tasks. In the house, heat guns offer a massive productivity boost when scraping old, stubborn paint from bannisters and door jams. They can even serve as a wallpaper removal solution in a pinch (although a large format steamer is better). They also play a pivotal role in shrinking wire wraps and loosening the death grip of stubborn fixtures attached to things like hot water tanks and air conditioning units.

The catalog of uses for a heat gun make it a critical inclusion for mechanics, too. Under the hood (and elsewhere), delivering targeted heat helps loosen difficult fittings, and it can even serve a role in detail work and electrical repair. Ryobi's 18V ONE+ Heat Gun is a great solution in this regard. The tool heats up to its operational temperature setting in under 10 seconds and offers a maximum heat delivery of 875 degrees Fahrenheit. It features a deflector nozzle that improves directionality and targeted delivery for safe usage across any application requirements you might have.

Illumination is critical in any workshop setting, and mechanics rely on it when working under the hood or under the car. The best lighting solutions for mechanics feature a rich variety of use cases and offer adaptability and portability as a standard. Ryobi isn't a marginal player within the worklight arena, offering quite a few solutions. However, mechanics will get significant value out of the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Hybrid Magnetic LED Task Light in particular, due to its genuinely expansive list of features. 

This tool weighs 2 pounds without a battery, making it seriously lightweight, and easy to throw into your on-the-go mobile kit. The magnetic base provides a mountable solution for attaching to steel surfaces, and the tool also includes two hooks to support an even greater range of placement options when that's not enough. The light features full 360-degree rotation and a 180-degree pivot for significant coverage in any angle you might need.

One of the light's most impressive features is its hybrid power framework. It's compatible with Ryobi's 18V battery system and it can also be plugged in for consistent, corded power over a lengthy day of use or when your batteries are in short supply. Topping the tool off, it features a USB-C charging port to keep your phone powered up throughout the day.

Mechanics tend to spend an outsized amount of time tinkering under the hood. This means working with things like an impact wrench or a ratchet set in many instances. But automotive improvement doesn't stop with the main propulsion components and mechanical parts like brake pads or spark plugs (something you can actually change on your own with a few tools and a bit of know-how).

Adding in some finishing touches when working on a project car or fixing a vehicle for a friend or client can set you apart from others in the industry (either as a pro or a prosumer-type home mechanic). The 18V ONE+ 3-Inch Variable Speed Detail Polisher/Sander from Ryobi is one power tool that can help you in this task. This compact, lightweight essential covers two critical areas of functionality. A two-speed switch allows users to easily shift between polishing at a max output of 2,800 rpm and sanding at a higher, 7,800 rpm setting. This tool can be particularly valuable to those performing rust repair on a project car. Sanding is essential during the initial spot clean up and repair tasks, and polishing will help finish off the paint job to make the vehicle look like new.

Ryobi's new angle grinder model doesn't change much about what has already been delivered to users. However, a few crucial improvements in the barrel angle and paddle switch make this the quality addition to any mechanic's toolbox. The paddle switch provides easy utility for those who may be new to angle grinder use while creating an ergonomic holding position that won't introduce discomfort over the course of a lengthy grinding requirements for others. Speaking of lengthy usage, the newest model also includes revamped heat management technology to support improved safety and functionality in both the tool and battery pack when used in particularly demanding operations.

Ryobi's 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4⅓-Inch Angle Grinder/Cut-Off Tool Kit is underpinned by a brushless motor that offers up to 9,000 rpm spin rates while under no-load conditions. This cutting tool's prior iteration featured a tool-free adjustability in both the guard and accessory wheel. However, the update does away with simplified interchangeability and instead brings back the typical grinder wrench requirement (an accessory that comes with the grinder). Professional users will be intimately familiar with this wheel change format, and lacking the ability to remove a wheel without any accessory tools provides an additional layer of safety critical to comprehensive functionality in the shop. It weighs 3.83 pounds and when opting for the kit you'll get a charger and 4.0Ah HP battery alongside the grinder.

A jigsaw fits far more centrally in the collection of woodworkers, carpenters, and DIY renovators. However, that doesn't mean they don't have a home among auto mechanics. Introducing important stopgap solutions elsewhere in a vehicle beyond its engine compartment or when tackling custom housing for things like speaker systems, a jigsaw can be an instrumental asset. The ability to create wavy or arcing cuts rather than traversing a straight line is undeniably valuable for any kind of tool user.

With that being said, the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Barrel Grip Jigsaw Kit is a quality solution for those frequently working under the hood. The barrel grip layout delivers a slightly different take on the typical look and feel of a jigsaw. With this change, users will get a lightweight option that's Ryobi's most compact build across its catalog of jigsaws. The saw features a 1-inch stroke and delivers up to 3,200 strokes per minute in its fastest setting. The barrel grip offers enhanced control and reduction in overall fatigue levels that comes into play across lengthy use. This design also provides a 40% reduction in vibration. The kit features a 2Ah battery and a charger to go along with the jigsaw.

Lengthy days in a hot and sometimes stuffy work environment are often characteristic of the mechanic's lifestyle. Managing heat and other elements of the workplace environment within your workshop is just as important as stocking the right tools to get the job done in many cases. The Ryobi 18V ONE+ Whisper Series 7.5-Inch Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit is a serious contender when it comes to tackling this job. 

Listed for under $100, the Whisper Series fan delivers a 44% reduction in noise over competing models and it can provide over five hours of continuous runtime with a 14-foot misting coverage. The kit arrives with a 1.5Ah battery and charger included, allowing users to start taking back control over their working environment right away. The fan connects to a typical garden hose directly or can be used to pump water out of a standard 5-gallon bucket. Two missing settings and a pivoting head with two speed options allow you to select the precise cooling and missing functions that you require to tackle stifling heat on even the most intense days at the office.

One last tool that can be game changer for mechanics who tend to branch out into other elements of automotive repair is the Ryobi USB Lithium 4-In-1 Craft Stapler/Nailer Kit. This tool can deliver over 600 staples or nails per charge and the USB lithium battery (a 3Ah offering) features a USB-C recharge capability that can be plugged in anywhere you might find yourself. It also provides a line out to support charging mobile devices when necessary.

This nailer and stapler can deliver brad nails as well as round crown staples and light and heavy duty staples ranging from ¼-inch to 9/16-inch sizes. Versatility makes it a great solution that can go with you out of the garage for use in other areas that you might perform renovations and repairs in. But in the arsenal of a mechanic, specifically, it will most often come out to support reupholstering tasks and work holding requirements that demand short term solutions. The value of a stapler far outpaces its basic functionality, and so any mechanic would be wise to bring one into their set up.