Ryobi has announced several new additions to their LINK modular tool storage system.
The Ryobi Link system, exclusively available at Home Depot, includes wall-mounted storage for tools, accessories, and workshop supplies, as well as stackable tool boxes.
All of the new attachments and accessories should be available starting in August, 2022.
Advertisement
Ryobi Link 18V Cordless Power Tool Holders
First-up, there’s a new 18V One+ cordless power tool holder.
It has a 5lb weight capacity and is designed to fit most single-handed Ryobi 18V tools, such as drills, impact drivers and wrenches, oscillating tools, inflators, staplers, and so forth.
The holders are sold individually, and feature a rotatable stem for adjusting the direction docked tools will face.
Ryobi already has a large tool shelf, but the new individual holders allow for more flexible positioning.
Model: STM817
Price: $8
Ryobi Link 18V Battery Holder
The new expansion includes a 4-slot battery shelf.
Advertisement
The battery holder can support any Ryobi 18V One+ Li-ion batteries, and has a 15lb weight capacity.
There are also 2 oval holes, which are not described in press or marketing information. These could be mounting holes for using the battery holder as a standalone storage accessory without first needing to purchase and install Link system rails.
Model: STM818
Price: $15
Ryobi Link 40V Max Battery Holder
There is also a new 3x 40V Max battery holder, also with a 20 lb weight capacity.
Model: STM819
Price: $15
Ryobi Link Cleaning Shelf
The new cleaning shelf features a paper towel roll holder, which sits below a flat shelf.
Ryobi says the new Link cleaning shelf has a 20 lb weight capacity and is ideal for paper towels, spray bottles, shop towels, and other such supplies.
The towel rod is reversible, for easier access in tight spaces, and there’s a convenient tear edge located on the underside of the shelf.
This shelf also has two [standalone mounting?] holes within its Link system cleats.
Model: STM403
Price: $20
Ryobi Link Reversible Hooks
There are 2 new reversible hooks, a double-hook for use with tools, and a J-hook for use with tools, supplies, and accessories with hanging loops.
The tool hook has a 20lb weight capacity, and the J-hook can support up to 15lbs.
Both hooks feature steel construction and a non-slip coating, and can also be mounted upside down for higher storage density.
Model: STM816 (Tool-Hook), STM815 (J-Hook)
Price: $8 (Tool-Hook), $6 (J-Hook)
Ryobi Link Customizable Foam Tool Box Insert
The new Ryobi Link customizable foam insert can be used with their standard or medium-sized tool boxes.
The foam is layered, allowing for more easily adjustable cutting depth.
Model: STM307
Price: $20
Ryobi Link Quick-Release Tool Box Handle Pins
Lastly, Ryobi has added a quick change handle kit for their STM201 Link rolling tool box.
This kit consists of 2 detent pins with ribbed pull tabs, and allows their rolling tool box handle to be quickly removed for lower profile storage, such as under a truck bed cover.
Model: STM200K
Price: $10
Discussion
It seems that Ryobi is firmly invested in their new Link tool and workshop storage system.
We recently reported that Ryobi Link system components were already on clearance at Home Depot. I checked my local Home Depot stores recently, and couldn’t find any Link system products at all, but word is that they’re going to find permanent placements at select Home Depot stores, rather than in endcaps.
I would imagine that users will have to look online to purchase most of these new accessories.
The new hooks have lower weight capacities compared to the initial offerings, but they’re also less expensive.
It seems that at least some of the new Link accessories might be mountable to vertical wall, cabinet, or workbench surfaces, which in my opinion increases their appeal.
Being able to install 18V tool holders or the battery holder anywhere I please, rather than requiring Link wall panels to be installed, greatly expands the potential of the these accessories.
Ryobi products are not always the most innovative, featureful, or highest quality. The new Link accessories seem to be simple, but well-thought-out.
I have not yet been interested in trying out the Link system, but some of these new accessories are chipping away at that reluctance.
Robert
Typo on “ Ryobi Link 40V Max Cleaning Shelf”. I think the “40V” is a cut and paste from the prior sub-heading. I was curious what benefit 40V would bring to the shelf, so I checked with the link to HD and it’s wording left out the 40V.
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
I have no idea where that came from! Maybe a Freudian slip?
Steve
So that cleaning shelf is 40V Max? Neat!😉
Anyway, I agree, I would expect this system to be more of an online thing with maybe some occasional spring/early summer promo displays in store.
Jared
Not that long ago we were wondering if the Link system was being discontinued right? I suppose this means the opposite! Reaction to the new system must be good.
MM
These kinds of organizers feel more and more like lifestyle products to me every time I see them. I just don’t see the practical value for most people.
I prefer to DIY anything that doesn’t require drawer slides. It’s more economical, and I can customize it to the space I have to work with and the kind of tools or materials which need to be stored. I also think that building your own organizational gear is a great way to hone your skills. Making that router bit organizer or cordless battery rack is a great way to get practice using your tools without worrying about the project having to come out perfect. Of course there are situations where DIYing a solution might not be possible so having something one can easily buy off the shelf has its place….but I don’t think these kind of products have much of a chance competing against good ‘ol pegboard, wire rack shelving, slatwalls, etc. Those options are generally less costly and offer many more tool or item holding options.
fred
From the advertising picture of the couple, in their immaculate garage, I think that Ryobi wants to convey an image of these items as a hip designer choice. I almost get the impression that the target market might care more about the look (sort of like decorative paintings and other wall hangings) than about any sort of practicality. Then once you buy and hang the system on your garage wall – you can see what Ryobi tools look best aesthetically to hang up.
MM
Exactly. They’re a designer choice.
The picture is especially ironic to me; they’ve got quite a few tools there, and they have appeared to have built their own workbench, so why not DIY the rest of it? They clearly have the tools for it. What are those tools for if not for this kind of thing? This is a lifestyle choice to show off the branding, not a practical one.
Aaron SD
Plus everything is really neat yet the sawsall looks thrown into the bin he’s wheeling away…
Jim Felt
I’d credit that poor Sawzall placement to dopey art direction on set. Or none at all?
Or some account executive there said “I can’t see the Ryobi name” when it was originally and logically placed more safely. Happens all the time.
Munklepunk
Some people don’t care about knowing how to use a router, they want a stable place to hang their rakes and shovels. There are obviously cheaper ways but this style, not just Ryobi, are simple and anyone can do it.
John
That custom foam insert photo was a trip. Protection to that extent for those tools brings fantasy to a new level.
Ryobi does have decent and some unique tools. My only suggestion is that they tone down just how much lime green they use on things. Less would class it up better. Learn from Festool green which is only an accent at most and always defines a part that does an action or feature. Ryobi should just accent or pinstripe or something to avoid giant swaths of that garish color.
notinuse
Yeah, my impact driver and drill are carried in a cloth bag. No foam required. 🙂
Chris H
Funny, b/c my local HD is clearancing a lot of this LINK stuff.
Ball_bearing
Sometimes when companies are going to bring in new products they do a clearance sale. Sometimes I don’t get it, as they replace those products with exactly the same or a revision of it (better hinge, or just a tiny detail that changes)
MM
Stuart posted an article about this exact topic a few weeks back. If I recall correctly, Home Depot said that they were discontinuing some of the Link line from specific promotional displays at some stores, while generally speaking the Link line was to be expanded and would be relocated from a promotional spot in the store to a more permanent space on the shelves.
Stuart
TTI said that the Link system would be repositioned to permanent placements at *select* stores.
Personally, I think this will be a mainly online-only product line. There are too many products and not enough interest for these to be at stores. I thought we’d see a large-footprint promotional setup, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Big Adam
Man, I’d still love for Dewalt to pick up on a few of Ryobi’s ideas, including the cordless drum fan shown in the PR pic.
Aaron SD
It would be great if the battery holder could also charge.
MM
Now THAT would be a functional improvement. Multi-battery chargers are a thing, like Ryobi’s model P135, but that is not convenient for mounting on a wall. A multi-port charger that doubled as a wall storage rack for the batteries makes a ton of sense.
Phil
Don’t you have extra chargers around. I have too many . So i made 3 multi charger units with 3 chargers in line attached to a 2×6. With room for a 20 dollar power bar. I cut holes and notches so the power cords are wrapped out of way. Can be on a shelf… on a wall. Easy one handed operation.
MM
I have piles of them….well Dewalt and M12 chargers, anyway. If I needed a multi station charger I’d have done what you did.
I was speaking generally; I’m not even on the Ryobi platform. A battery rack doesn’t seem like that appealing of a product, but one that charges batteries I could see being useful for many people.
Munklepunk
I don’t burn through batteries anymore so I like battery holders, I also don’t like to store batteries in the charger. Adding a charger to this system would be good, but many people really like battery holders.
Stuart
Great idea!!
Maybe we’ll see some powered accessories with the next wave of launches.
Mountable lights might also work well.
MT
I finally saw some of this Link stuff in a store. Doesn’t look any less like a toy in person. Overdesigned products with lots of places to collect dust, dirt, and grime. Pass.
Leo B.
The pull tabs on the rolling box are a real kick in the shins- I had to DIY mine on the bottom Packout box. Maybe that’ll be on the next Packout iteration.
MC703
I bought some 3d- printed battery holders off Etsy that hold the battery stems at a 45 degree angle. I’ve wondered if that will weaken the plastic over time. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
Nathan
maybe a bit but without knowing how thick and which polymer I couldn’t say for certain. if it hasn’t started to show strain now – then it most likely won’t.
MC703
Thanks for your input. We may never know… they’ve been sitting in a box waiting for the next garage organization re-do XD
Nathan
interesting parts – not sure I’d invest that much into any of that. on those shelves do they ever show them being used as just screwed into a wall? If so that’s a huge selling point.
Stuart
Not that I’ve seen. I asked Ryobi to confirm that’s what the holes are for, but have not heard back yet.
Phil
I think these modular systems will sell… I will stick to fabing my own though. I seriously can’t stand the Milwaukee 200 dollar pack out shelf until with a door .
MC703
Yeah hard to beat a homemade French cleat system
Jim Felt
I’m wondering if we’ll start seeing garage “accessorizing” displays like these appearing in Street of Dreams-like new home builder’s offerings? Haven’t we grown accustomed to auto friendly checkerboard tiles and the occasional dog washing area?
King duck
Ok I can’t tell but it almost looks like these could be screwed to the wall instead of using the link plate then mounting them if that was the case that is a neat feature. But honestly all these proprietary tool mounting things are just meant for Instagram people.
Rob L.
The pins for the rolling box seem like they are at least paying attention to the Packout aftermarket crowd….but dude. just include that from the start. I’m not a huge fan, but if I hadn’t started a packout addiction, this would be a consideration. The wall rails and bits are time saving and yes, a bit of fashion something, but not everyone needs to make their own french cleats:)
Steven
I can’t seem to find where the packout pins are for sale. Home depot doesn’t have them and they don’t appear to be online anywhere either. Do you know where to purchase them?