Ridgid 18V Gen5x Drill Smoking

[dtbingle]

Was using a 1" auger bit in Ridgids 18V Gen5x brushless hammerdrill/impact/drill combo gun (in model R9205) to drill maybe 8-10 holes through 2x4 single and doubled up studs. The drill would occasionally stall out pushing the 1" auger bit and near the end of my work, the drill starting smoking from the housing and got really hot. Pulled the battery for a bit and on plugging it back in, the drill got pretty hot again (something shorted?). Blew out the drill via vent holes and ran it for a couple more holes and it works fine, but gets burnt smell under high load.

Could dust just have gotten inside the housing and everything is good after being burned up? Or should I have it serviced under their LSA? Has anyone else has a ridgid gun do something similar?

 

[kctyphoon]

The Gen5x is brushed right? My guess is the wires leading to the brushes, or where the brushes contact the armature of the motor started to burn.. you could always take it apart and look, or send it in for service. Was the drill in high speed while you were drilling?

I use the Milwaukee fuel drill to do 3/4" holes in telephone poles, and in high speed it can struggle a little sometimes. Low speed it has no problem. I'd think the overload should have tripped in the Ridgid if it has one, and shut the drill down before something started to burn.

 

[dtbingle]

The Gen5x is brushed right? My guess is the wires leading to the brushes, or where the brushes contact the armature of the motor started to burn.. you could always take it apart and look, or send it in for service. Was the drill in high speed while you were drilling?

I use the Milwaukee fuel drill to do 3/4" holes in telephone poles, and in high speed it can struggle a little sometimes. Low speed it has no problem. I'd think the overload should have tripped in the Ridgid if it has one, and shut the drill down before something started to burn.

Gen 5x is brushless. I would take it apart, but not sure if that voids the LSA coverage. Drill was going fairly slow - the 1” auger bit really lugged it down. It kept stalling out though. It almost seems like the overload protection for when it stalls out didn’t kick in?

We’ll see how it handles over next couple days.

 

[kctyphoon]

Eh.. just run it.. see what happens..

 

[crewchief888]

if it's a new drill, and you bought it from HD, take it back and tell them it's hot and smoking....

i returned 2 drills in 2 days to HD, finally got one that didnt smoke.
too bad the batteries died in a year....

 

[wait4me]

Gen 5x isn't all brushless. Obviously if it says it's brushless it is, but if it doesn't...

 

[vavet]

If you take it back to HD to have them handle the LSA, be prepared for a “refundable “ charge pending their determination that it is covered under the LSA.
Your failure sounds like the failure I had on an impact driver.
They determined it was an internal short and they covered it and repaired it under the LSA.

 

[gdocktor3]

1" auger bits are pretty tough on drills, let alone cordless....

I'd start using a hole hawg or like tool for stuff that large. Or, I use paddle bits when drilling through studs to run wiring. They put less stress on my cordless stuff.

 

[dtbingle]

Unfortunately it was purchased roughly a year ago. Gen 5x brushless combo kit that came with the drill and impact driver. Both units DO have "brushless" on them.

vavet, did your impact driver continue to work or did it die completely? Also, how does having HD handle the LSA transaction work? Do you bring in drill, fill out paperwork, they ship it to ridgid service, then you get it back after repairs? How long was the turnaround time? And is the box or carrying case needed or just the gun with no battery?

 

[dtbingle]

1" auger bits are pretty tough on drills, let alone cordless....

I'd start using a hole hawg or like tool for stuff that large. Or, I use paddle bits when drilling through studs to run wiring. They put less stress on my cordless stuff.

Agreed, although even if auger bits are tough on drills and overload the unit enough to stall, it shouldn't cause an overload/smoking situation you'd think.

 

[vavet]

Unfortunately it was purchased roughly a year ago. Gen 5x brushless combo kit that came with the drill and impact driver. Both units DO have "brushless" on them.

vavet, did your impact driver continue to work or did it die completely? Also, how does having HD handle the LSA transaction work? Do you bring in drill, fill out paperwork, they ship it to ridgid service, then you get it back after repairs? How long was the turnaround time? And is the box or carrying case needed or just the gun with no battery?

The closest LSA service center was about 80 miles away, but Ridgid tech support told me the HD tool rental counter could handle the transaction. They might tell you that you have to bring in a battery and charger. If you do that, are sure those things are documented on the claim check so you’re covered in case they get lost or separated. My tool was shipped to Atlanta. I got a call after about a week from the place in Atlanta telling me what they’d found and that it was covered. I got a call about a week after that from the HD store saying it was back.

I’ve also had a LSA claim on a recip saw and a cordless vac since then. When I took in the recip saw, the tool counter guy opened a new combo kit and gave me the recip saw out of that. He assured me I’d be able to register it and maintain the LSA. When I tried to do that, Ridgid told me absolutely not. I had to go back the next day and get that straightened out. Don’t make that mistake. Have them ship away your tool under your name.

My advice? Call Ridgid 866-539-1710 and find out the process from them before you go to the store. Don’t count on the HD people knowing.

 

[PT Doc]

Either run it till it dies then take it hd to send out for repair or take it to HD right away if you cab be without it for a week or two.