Ryobi HP Brushless 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench Gives Users a Legit Mid-Torque Option
Ryobi has had impact wrenches available on the 18V One+ line for a while, but they’ve been lacking a legitimate mid-torque option. With a reduced size and a big upgrade on the internals, we took the Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Impact Wrench out to the ranch for some work around the equipment barn.
Pros
- Significantly smaller and a little lighter than the P261
- Greatly improved power
- Three standard modes plus assist mode
- Tri-beam LEDs around the square drive
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench Performance
Ryobi boasts 450 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 600 ft-lbs of breakaway torque along with a 2800 RPM top speed on the P262. Three standard speeds and an auto mode help you control it.
Auto mode stops the fastening motion after a few impacts, letting you set a nut or bolt and finish it off with a torque wrench. In reverse, it starts slow, quickly ramps up until it breaks the fastener loose, and stops automatically.
I met up with Eli Mosely out at the ranch to see what kind of trouble we could stir up with Ryobi at the equipment barn. Like many ranches, they fix equipment and keep it running longer. From front end loaders and bulldozers to flatbeds and water sprayers, we had plenty to choose from and there weren’t a bunch of shiny, new bolts on any of them.
We started with some rusty lug nuts that probably hadn’t been touched since the last time the tires were replaced years ago. Sensing a challenge, we put the P262 in mode three and zipped those suckers off like it was no big deal. That was the case for all the trailers.
On the engines, hatches, and other parts of the heavy equipment, we needed more finesse to avoid over-tightening. Here, we pretty much stuck with mode 1, letting the wrench set each bolt under careful control. Auto mode ended up being more useful on the wheels.
By the time we were done, our fasteners were secure and we didn’t snap any heads or damage any threads. That’s what you want from your impact wrench and the Ryobi P262 delivered.
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench Design Notes
Size and Weight
With the HP Brushless upgrade, the Ryobi P262 enjoys a smaller profile in addition to its greater performance. It’s 7.2 inches long from tip to tail, down about three-quarters of an inch from the previous model.
There’s also some weight reduction. Bare, the impact wrench weighs 3.7 pounds and a 4Ah High Performance battery brings it up to 5.3 pounds.
The overall size and weight of the tool are suited for the mid-torque class and Ryobi now has the performance to match it better than before.
Additional Features
- Brushless motor
- 3 standard speeds plus Auto mode
- Tri-Beam LED lights surrounding the drive
- 1/2 in. anvil with friction ring
- Die-cast gear case
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench Price
You can pick up or order the P262 at The Home Depot for $159 as a bare tool. That’s about $40 more than the previous brushed model, but the improvements in design and performance are well worth it. There’s no kit option available at the moment.
The Bottom Line
The Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench settles nicely into the mid-torque class and can handle just about anything you come across on passenger vehicles, including breaking loose some pretty corroded bolts. Paired with the HP Compact 3/8-inch impact wrench for light-duty applications, you can cover a wide range of construction and automotive jobs without breaking the bank.
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Impact Wrench Specifications
- Model: Ryobi P262
- Anvil: 1/2 in. with friction ring
- Top Speed: 2800 RPM
- Torque: 600 ft-lbs. breakaway /450 ft.-lbs. fastening
- Impacts per Minute: 0-3,200 IPM
- Length: 7.2 in.
- Weight: 3.7 lbs bare, 4.3 lbs with 4.0Ah High Performance battery
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $159
