Ryobi 18V Rotary Tool Takes Your Projects Anywhere
Rotary tools are super helpful for a variety of tasks, but many of them require a power cord and an outlet. This is not the case with the Ryobi PRT100B Rotary Tool. It uses the One+ battery platform to provide cordless power for etching, sanding, honing, or polishing tasks.
Ryobi PRT100B Features
The Ryobi 18V Rotary Tool uses a quiet and powerful motor that makes it an ideal selection for indoor use. It also features 5 variable speed settings that let you dial in your power between 4,400 and 23,000 RPM. This type of control lets you work with metal, leather, wood, and glass, all with a high degree of precision and accuracy.
Editor’s Note on Rotary Tool Speeds: Since you have a wide array of speed options, we recommend using a test piece to understand how the tool and accessory interact with your workpiece. Typically, more delicate work like carving, polishing, and buffing uses speeds under 13,000 RPM. The same goes for using a wire brush.
When drilling, carving, routing, or otherwise cutting into materials like wood, hard metal, or even glass—you may want to max out your rotary speed. You may need to back down speeds for softer metals like copper, tin, and aluminum. Also, to keep softer metals from “gumming up” the tool during cutting and etching, dip the tip in wax.
Weighing less than one pound (without the battery attached), and with cordless battery power, the Ryobi 18V Precision Rotary Tool can be taken anywhere. It even includes onboard accessory storage for easy organization and transportation.
The Ryobi PRT100B features a 1/8 in. collet that accepts most standard rotary tool accessories. It comes with 12 accessories of its own, including:
- 1/32″ Engraving Bit
- High-Speed Engraving Cutter
- Diamond Wheel Engraving Cutter
- 1/4″ Diameter Drum Sander Mandrel
- Conical Grinding Stone
- 1/4″ X 1/2″ 60 Grit Sanding Drums
- 1/4″ X 1/2″ 120 Grit Sanding Drums
- Carbon Fiber Brush
- Felt Polishing Wheels
- 1/4’’ Screw Mandrel
- Polishing Compound
- Wrench
Ryobi PRT100B vs P460 Rotary Tool
In comparing the Ryobi PRT100B rotary tool vs the P460, you notice a few key differences. We’ve outlined them in the table below, but pay particular note to the speed, pricing, and mounting options. The PRT100B also contains the motor in the actual rotary tool itself while the P460 uses a flexible shaft.
The result is that the PRT100B gives you a much larger tool in the hand. Ergonomically, the higher-priced P460 gives you a lot more freedom of movement.
| PRT100B | P460 | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed (RPM) | 4,400–23,000 | 5,000–34,000 |
| Variable speed | 5 steps | Continuous |
| Motor location | Tool | Base |
| Collet | 1/8 in. | 1/8 in. |
| Wall-mountable | No | Yes |
| Accessories | 12-pieces | 33-pieces |
| Onboard storage | Container | 23 + wrench |
| Weight | 0.78 lbs. | 2.65 lbs. |
| Price | $39.97 | $79.00 |
Recommendation and Pricing
Our recommendation comes on the heels of the way these tools work. If you plan to sit and carve, etch, or grind with these tools, the P460 gives you a much nicer experience with the lighter-weight tool. If, however, you only plan to do occasional work, then the PRT100B might be difficult to pass up.
The Ryobi 18V Precision Rotary Tool will hit the shelves of your local Home Depot beginning in December. Home Depot will sell it as a bare tool for $39.97. In the end, the higher-quality P460 only carries a $34 premium…making it the real bargain.
Ryobi Precision Rotary Tool Specs
- Model: Ryobi PRT100B
- Collet Size: 1/8 in.
- RPM: 4,400-23,000
- Weight: 0.78 lbs.
- Warranty: 3 years
- Available: December 2020
- Price: $39.97
