Rigid 18V vs M18 fuel

[wyo george]

I tried searching, but was unable to find a comparison. I'm a big fan of my M12 tools and had all intentions of going in this afternoon and replacing my old Craftsman 19.2 drill that has died with a new M18 fuel to compliment my M12. Then I saw that the Rigid 18V is a bit cheaper and has a lifetime warranty? I'm sure this has been hashed out before, but is the Rigid anywhere near as good as the Milwaukee? If it's comparable and cheaper with a better warranty then I may just get it, but if it's not in the same league then warranty means nothing.

Thanks for any input from folks experienced with the current model Rigid 18V 1/2 drill.

 

[Voi]

I'm a big fan of my M12 tools and had all intentions of going in this afternoon and replacing my old Craftsman 19.2 drill that has died with a new M18 fuel to compliment my M12.

Do you already have a M12 drill? If so are you looking for an 18V specifically to serve some specific function? Longer run time? More power? Hammer function?

If I was already invested in the M12 line and really needed an 18V drill I'd be inclined to pick up the M18 or M18 Fuel just to get the dual voltage charger, assuming you could get just the drill with that charger.

 

[wyo george]

Do you already have a M12 drill? If so are you looking for an 18V specifically to serve some specific function? Longer run time? More power? Hammer function?

I was already invested in the M12 line and really needed an 18V drill I'd be inclined to pick up the M18 or M18 Fuel just to get the dual voltage charger, assuming you could get just the drill with that charger.

I'm needing to replace my worn out 1/2" drill. My M12 stuff is 3/8 drill and 1/4" impact. I occasionally spin some large hole saws and want the heavier drill than a 12V. I'm inclined to stick with Milwaukee, but since I'm changing voltage it really doesn't matter except if I got the dual voltage charger, but even that wouldn't be any real advantage for my uses.

 

[Voi]

I'm needing to replace my worn out 1/2" drill.

Yeah I skimmed right over that in your original post. Sorry about that. Makes sense.

 

[dnschmidt]

These are both made by the same company. The advantage of the Ridgid is the lifetime warrantee on the batteries and the tool if you fill out the form and either do this online or send it in. For non-professional use this is an overwhelming advantage. However the FUEL stuff is the absolute nuts and if I were a pro there is little doubt that's the way I would go. A pro will kill the tool or have it stolen before the batteries will **** out in three years. For an non-pro the tool will outlive the batteries. I think it's usage dependent. Beat it everyday buy the Milwaukee. Use in once a month buy the Ridgid.

 

[lightning02]

Iv heard that with that Rigid battery warranty that if a battery goes bad you need to send in the battery and tool you where using it on so they can test everything out before can give you a new battery. Is this true?

 

[wyo george]

These are both made by the same company. The advantage of the Ridgid is the lifetime warrantee on the batteries and the tool if you fill out the form and either do this online or send it in. For non-professional use this is an overwhelming advantage. However the FUEL stuff is the absolute nuts and if I were a pro there is little doubt that's the way I would go. A pro will kill the tool or have it stolen before the batteries will **** out in three years. For an non-pro the tool will outlive the batteries. I think it's usage dependent. Beat it everyday buy the Milwaukee. Use in once a month buy the Ridgid.

That's kinda where I was thinking, but what if I use it pretty hard once or twice a week

After looking a bit more I think I'll go with the M18 since the batteries are 4.0 instead of 2.0

 

[slowzuki]

I own both now in 18v. The hoops to get the lifetime warrantee are a pain in the ****. They share alot of parts being made by the same company. The quality overlaps depending on the exact model.

Starting from scratch I'd go M18 now instead of Rigid.

 

[Clik]

Did I hear it right, that the Fuel Line (Dumb name for an electrical device) is computerized/has a chip in it?

I'd be worried that it could be hacked and started remotely

I've also heard that the brushless design requires a very high RPM and gearing down to make up the power. Being an old fashioned torque guy and one who finds plenty of reasons to ***** about computer stuff in mechanical devices...I'll stick with brush motors if given the choice.

 

[mrvm]

Thanks for any input from folks experienced with the current model Rigid 18V 1/2 drill.

Current Ridgid X5 models are brushed motors and have increased torque and power over the previous model (X4). Check out a few videos from a GJ member, woodstockva, who demonstrates the power of both brands in separate videos. M18 Fuel has all the marketing hype right now and the Fuel can back up the hype. I own a few 18V Ridgid hammer drills/drivers/impacts from 2007 and they are still performing well. Have not needed LSA for the tools but probably could on the ni-cad/lithium batteries that are getting OLD. I wanted to sample some of the brushless tech recently so I got a few M18 Fuels. Batteries no matter the brand will eventually have charging or endurance problems and thats where the Ridgid LSA (lifetime service agreement) could make a difference assuming the registration is done. Battery replacement or repair is expensive....check out the prices. Big advantage with M18 is the larger power tool selection to choose from. Now I got both issues covered......

 

[wyo george]

Current Ridgid X5 models are brushed motors and have increased torque and power over the previous model (X4). Check out a few videos from a GJ member, woodstockva, who demonstrates the power of both brands in separate videos. M18 Fuel has all the marketing hype right now and the Fuel can back up the hype. I own a few 18V Ridgid hammer drills/drivers/impacts from 2007 and they are still performing well. Have not needed LSA for the tools but probably could on the ni-cad/lithium batteries that are getting OLD. I wanted to sample some of the brushless tech recently so I got a few M18 Fuels. Batteries no matter the brand will eventually have charging or endurance problems and thats where the Ridgid LSA (lifetime service agreement) could make a difference assuming the registration is done. Battery replacement or repair is expensive....check out the prices. Big advantage with M18 is the larger power tool selection to choose from. Now I got both issues covered......

Thanks for the input I made my decision about a half hour ago and for the reason highlighted above I went with the M18 1/2" hammer drill/driver. I'll add on a 1/2 impact very soon and who knows what else.

Thanks to everyone for the input

 

[CatSplat]

The hoops to get the lifetime warrantee are a pain in the ****.

It's a lot better than it used to be - you used to have to mail in the original receipt along with the UPC from the box and the registration form. Now you just log into the Ridgid website and input your model # and a number from your receipt and you're done. Super easy, comparatively.

 

[nohcho]

These are both made by the same company. The advantage of the Ridgid is the lifetime warrantee on the batteries and the tool if you fill out the form and either do this online or send it in. For non-professional use this is an overwhelming advantage. However the FUEL stuff is the absolute nuts and if I were a pro there is little doubt that's the way I would go. A pro will kill the tool or have it stolen before the batteries will **** out in three years. For an non-pro the tool will outlive the batteries. I think it's usage dependent. Beat it everyday buy the Milwaukee. Use in once a month buy the Ridgid.

Just to clarify, they are not made by the same company. Milwaukee and Ridgid are different corporations that owned by the same comany TTI. This doesn't constitute "made by the same company."

 

[nohcho]

Did I hear it right, that the Fuel Line (Dumb name for an electrical device) is computerized/has a chip in it?

I'd be worried that it could be hacked and started remotely

I've also heard that the brushless design requires a very high RPM and gearing down to make up the power. Being an old fashioned torque guy and one who finds plenty of reasons to ***** about computer stuff in mechanical devices...I'll stick with brush motors if given the choice.

Idk if it could babstarted remotely as he chip has no any sort of wireless connections.

 

[kythri]

Just to clarify, they are not made by the same company. Milwaukee and Ridgid are different corporations that owned by the same comany TTI. This doesn't constitute "made by the same company."

TTI owns the Milwaukee and Ryobi brand names. TTI does not own Ridgid, Emerson Electric does.

It doesn't mean they're the same tool, or they use the same parts, but it does, quite assuredly, mean that the same company, TTI, is making the tool for all three brands.

 

[kctyphoon]

TTI owns the Milwaukee and Ryobi brand names. TTI does not own Ridgid, Emerson Electric does.

It doesn't mean they're the same tool, or they use the same parts, but it does, quite assuredly, mean that the same company, TTI, is making the tool for all three brands.

unless something has changed - Ridgid is owned by Emerson, but the power tools are MADE by TTI under a liscense agreement. this however, has no reflection on anything - since its not like your going to open a Ridgid hammer drill up and find identical Milwaukee parts underneath..

also - the Fuel line being brushless, its actually powered by an A/C motor instead of the DC motors in the ridgid. also, the fuel is all powered by digital programming instead of the ridgid's traditional electronics.

 

[kythri]

unless something has changed - Ridgid is owned by Emerson, but the power tools are MADE by TTI under a liscense agreement. this however, has no reflection on anything - since its not like your going to open a Ridgid hammer drill up and find identical Milwaukee parts underneath..

That's what I said...

 

[kctyphoon]

That's what I said...

and i agreed with you..

 

[kythri]

Gotcha.

 

[fourjeepin]

I have lots of the dewalt 18v, but have started switching over to the Ridgid line as I got tired of replacing batteries. And the weight of the Ridgid is better. I have no experience with the M18, but have used a buddies M12. I never considered the Milwaukee,

I am hoping to find one of the clearance Ridigid circular saws, ricip saws, and or grinders. I have all three in Dewalt and use them fairly often.

 

[Clik]

Idk if it could babstarted remotely as he chip has no any sort of wireless connections.

It was a joke, hence the wink

 

[Loscaldazar]

Just to clarify, they are not made by the same company. Milwaukee and Ridgid are different corporations that owned by the same comany TTI. This doesn't constitute "made by the same company."

TTI owns the Milwaukee and Ryobi brand names. TTI does not own Ridgid, Emerson Electric does.

It doesn't mean they're the same tool, or they use the same parts, but it does, quite assuredly, mean that the same company, TTI, is making the tool for all three brands.

SHHHH you're going to offend someone with your factual statements that Ridgid is not the same as Milwaukee!

 

[rslaback]

I wouldn't say there is really any comparing the two. Milwaukee is a higher quality product, even the non_FUEL tools. The Ridgid line is a quality product just not on the Milwaukee level.

That said, the real question consumers need to ask is if their needs fall in line more with the Milwaukee or Ridgid line. If you buy the lower end but need the higher you are risking a tool failure. If you buy the higher end but really only need the lower end you are throwing money away.

Personally, if you really only use them a couple times a week, I'd have gone with the Ridgid line.

 

[wyo george]

As a follow up, I'm still without a drill and now I'm done dealing with Home Depot. I guess I'll see if I can find a place that sells Milwaukee besides HD.

 

[beakie]

if I was using them daily, for a living, I'd probably go with the Milwaukee brand.

but I use my tools a few days at a time, every few weeks. then they sit for a few weeks/months, until I need them again.

for that reason I buy Ridgid, so not if, but when the batteries die I can send them in to be replaced. in 7 years I have had 5 batteries replaced, no cost to me.

 

[56FordGuy]

As a follow up, I'm still without a drill and now I'm done dealing with Home Depot. I guess I'll see if I can find a place that sells Milwaukee besides HD.

Not sure where you are in the state, but I heard an ad on the radio this week. Casper Contractor Supply is having a deal this week or weekend, bring in any 14v or larger cordless drill with two batteries and get $100 off a Milwaukee Fuel kit.

Crum Electric in Cheyenne sells some Milwaukee stuff as well.

 

[Sureshot]

My Ridgid stuff has proven bulletproof.

 

[kunkernator]

Thanks for the input I made my decision about a half hour ago and for the reason highlighted above I went with the M18 1/2" hammer drill/driver. I'll add on a 1/2 impact very soon and who knows what else.

Thanks to everyone for the input

You will be VERY happy with that. I have M18 tools and batteries that are 5 or 6 years old. Mind you, these batteries are older, and I use them DAILY professionally and they have lasted YEARS, and are still going strong.

Enjoy your new tools!

EDIT Just saw your note about not dealing with HD anymore, what happened??

Try CPO outlets online, I have bought countless tools from them and they are excellent.

 

[wyo george]

You will be VERY happy with that. I have M18 tools and batteries that are 5 or 6 years old. Mind you, these batteries are older, and I use them DAILY professionally and they have lasted YEARS, and are still going strong.

Enjoy your new tools!

EDIT Just saw your note about not dealing with HD anymore, what happened??

Try CPO outlets online, I have bought countless tools from them and they are excellent.

It's a long story, but eventually after much hassle I got it worked out and have my drill. I love it!!! I'll probably post the whole story when I'm not on my phone, but it's all good now.


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[wyo george]

Not sure where you are in the state, but I heard an ad on the radio this week. Casper Contractor Supply is having a deal this week or weekend, bring in any 14v or larger cordless drill with two batteries and get $100 off a Milwaukee Fuel kit.

Crum Electric in Cheyenne sells some Milwaukee stuff as well.

Thanks for the tip, I may take my junk 19.2v set in for some extras. I'm over in Rolling Hills


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[Negen]

At work I use professionally/daily either dewalt or Milwaukee m18 fuel. Our dewalts are 5-6 years old Milwaukee is 1-2 years old. If I have a choice as to which drill or impact driver I grab I always reach for the dewalt first. The m18 fuel just seem to lack torque in comparison. The guys down stairs just got newer bosch tools and those are by far better than the the two brands I get to use. Never had a chance to test out rigid but I do have some 14.4v hitachi and mikita both older models with nicad cells. I don't see much hope for hitachi other than being a value drill probably good for home owners. mikita seems to make some solid stuff and I would love to test out their newer line up.