I have been searching for a lower cost way to replace the 18Volt Ni-Cad batteries originally used on my Ryobi tools. I purchased the Ryobi 18-Volt One Plus Lithium-Ion Upgrade Kit for $59.97, but that only gave me one 24Wh battery with charger. I recently received an email advertisement from Northern Tools and it had a sale on their Klutch Cordless Impact Driver – 18Volt , Lithium-Ion, Hex 1/4in, Item 29845 $69 with free shipping, total + tax = $74.36. Taking a chance, I ordered it to see if it’s batteries would fit my Ryobi tools.
I compared the batteries and found that they were almost exactly the same except for the “tab” on the “D” shaft that inserts into the tool. I filed off the “tab” on the Klutch and Ryobi batteries and now all are interchangeable.
The Klutch Impact Driver came with a 24Wh and a 48Kw battery, along with charger and carrying kit.
I don’t know if there are any other/better “interchangeable” brands out there, but compared with the prices for other Ryobi batteries at the Big Orange Box, this seemed like a good deal to me.
Thanks for viewing, hope this is helpful.
(Photo 1 – Battery Comparison)
(Photo 2 – “Tab” Comparison)
(Photo 3 – “Tabs” removed)
(Photo 4 – Tools are ready for use)
-- I may be slow, but I'm easy to stop!!!
4 comments so far
PeteyRay86
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2 posts in 2940 days
#1 posted 04-30-2014 01:29 AM
Awesome info. My Ryobi one plus batteries are in need of replacing and been looking for a cordless impact. WIN-WIN!
sonnyr
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149 posts in 3579 days
#2 posted 04-30-2014 03:23 AM
It appears that Northern Tool no longer sells the Klutch Cordless Impact Driver – 18Volt , Lithium-Ion, Hex 1/4in, Item 29845. If anyone finds another source, will you please post it.
-- I may be slow, but I'm easy to stop!!!
NormG
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6576 posts in 4454 days
#3 posted 04-30-2014 07:14 PM
Darn, it was a great solution though. Check Ebay and ktonic.com
-- Norman - I never never make a mistake, I just change the design.
LumberSam
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1 post in 2676 days
#4 posted 01-17-2015 04:22 PM
This worked like a champ for me. My Ryobi Ni-Cd batteries were on their last legs and I was stunned at the high prices for Li-On upgrades. I bought the Klutch driver kit on Ebay and I used a hacksaw blade to cut off the plastic guide ‘keys’ and now I have a nice impact driver (more on that later) plus two Li-On batteries that work in my old Ryobi One+ tools as well, and a new Li-On charger – all for less than the cost of the single larger-capacity Ryobi battery alone.
The Klutch driver came with two batteries – a 20% more power battery and a 100% more power battery, a charger, a nice little canvas carrying case, a screw bit, and a socket adapter. The tool has a LED light that comes on when you press the trigger and seems as well-made as other consumer-grade drivers.
When these batteries finally wear out (hopefully not too soon) I’ll do this again if I can find the Northern (Klutch) batteries else I can always resort to One+ batteries knowing that a quick mod will make them fit this driver as well.
Thanks a lot SonnyR for this tip.
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