Ridgid Brushless or Milwaukee Fuel

[atownmack]

Anyone have first hand comparison between Ridgid's brushless gen5x tools and Milwaukee's Fuel? I just bought the Ridgid brushless drill/impact combo and it is significantly better than my gen4x drill/impact (especially the impact which is an average impact at the best.) The drill is much stronger than the gen4x drill, which is a pretty good drill in it's own right. This is an impressive set to say the least.

My question is how does this drill/impact stack up with Milwaukee Fuel's Combo kit or Dewalt, Bosch, or Makita's brushless kits for that matter. I had my tools stolen so I am starting from scratch and can go with any company (trying to keep one brand to keep battery and charger cost down!) Should I return this set and go with Milwaukee Fuel or Brushless?

 

[tonydanzah]

12 or 18v?

 

[atownmack]

12 or 18v?

only 18v. the m12 isn't this strong.

 

[rrich1]

Depends on the work you will be doing. Metal, wood working? Different lines have strong suites. Look at the tool line up and figure cost and what tools you know you will be or possibly purchasing based on your needs and go from there. Stats are not everything so don't base your decision just on the numbers. Handle the items and factor that into your decision.

Personally I am invested and Bosch. Their line up is not as large as other companies but the tools I need/want the line up is fine. They feel great and are quality tools.

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[kctyphoon]

I think some of Ridgid's stuff is rated as having more torque these days. But Milwaukee has a much bigger line of tools available and much longer history or being a big name in power tools. Plus they have a history of reliability on their side.. Stronger or not, ridgid seems to have seriously stepped up its game lately.. Time will tell, but I think Ridgid would win a round or two head to head.

 

[fourjeepin]

I have been buying Ridgid. It may not be the best, but it is really good. The warranty is what got me started buying their stuff

 

[atownmack]

Ok, I'll keep the ridgid kit. The one thing I wish ridgid would come out with is a 3/8 impact wrench, and preferably multi speed. Other than that ridgid makes most of what I want in cordless.

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[cleason]

i work as a electrician milwaukee is the hottest tool out there. got the cordless impact for home 450 ft lbs torque, they make a bigger one 1100 ft lbs.also bought the osolating tool for cutting back my base boards at home. (new engineered flooring)

 

[kctyphoon]

These days you have it think of investing in the total system, and not just the tools you are buying now..

 

[atownmack]

i work as a electrician milwaukee is the hottest tool out there. got the cordless impact for home 450 ft lbs torque, they make a bigger one 1100 ft lbs.also bought the osolating tool for cutting back my base boards at home. (new engineered flooring)

I recently starting my plumbing apprenticeship and at my job site, I see the vast majority use Milwaukee, followed by Dewalt and Makita. Ridgid is used by the guys who have to buy their own tools. Most of those guys like Ridgid for the price to performance ratio, especially with the 4ah battery.

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[atownmack]

These days you have it think of investing in the total system, and not just the tools you are buying now..

Exactly! That's why I am considering Milwaukee. They cost more, but like you say you're investing in the battery platform rather than the individual tool with cordless tools.

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[ruffryder]

Exactly! That's why I am considering Milwaukee. They cost more, but like you say you're investing in the battery platform rather than the individual tool with cordless tools.

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Unless you buy bare tools regularly, and since most tools come with batteries, isn't this really not the case? Is the "tool system" something the manufacturers want you to think to make it seem like you have less choice?

I see that there is some benefit to not having all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak.

The main benefit I see from a system is that you need less chargers, and if you want to, you can run through all of your batteries with your circular saw.

 

[atownmack]

Unless you buy bare tools regularly, and since most tools come with batteries, isn't this really not the case? Is the "tool system" something the manufacturers want you to think to make it seem like you have less choice?

I see that there is some benefit to not having all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak.

The main benefit I see from a system is that you need less chargers, and if you want to, you can run through all of your batteries with your circular saw.

I understand what you are saying, but I feel it's cheaper to invest in one brands battery, and from there buy bare tools. Once you have 2 or 3 batteries you're good to go. No need for me as an individual to keep buying kits, once you own the batteries.

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[danski0224]

Anyone have first hand comparison between Ridgid's brushless gen5x tools and Milwaukee's Fuel? I just bought the Ridgid brushless drill/impact combo and it is significantly better than my gen4x drill/impact (especially the impact which is an average impact at the best.) The drill is much stronger than the gen4x drill, which is a pretty good drill in it's own right. This is an impressive set to say the least.

My question is how does this drill/impact stack up with Milwaukee Fuel's Combo kit or Dewalt, Bosch, or Makita's brushless kits for that matter. I had my tools stolen so I am starting from scratch and can go with any company (trying to keep one brand to keep battery and charger cost down!) Should I return this set and go with Milwaukee Fuel or Brushless?

Does Ridgid offer the cordless tools that you want? Do you "like" the tools in general? If so, then no need to change.

If you are looking for low(er) cost cordless tools and a wide variety of them to choose from, I'd suggest looking at Ryobi.

Have you seen the 12v Milwaukee 2" PVC cutter?

 

[danski0224]

I understand what you are saying, but I feel it's cheaper to invest in one brands battery, and from there buy bare tools. Once you have 2 or 3 batteries you're good to go. No need for me as an individual to keep buying kits, once you own the batteries.

You need to look at the tools that are offered, not the batteries.

The batteries exist only to run the tools.

Ridgid falls far short in their selection of tools compared to Milwaukee and Makita... but if all you want is the basic stuff, then they have that covered.

 

[cleason]

i have makita 14.4 drill, driver,cfl flash light. gone through 4 batteries in 10 years. i have 18 lithum dewalt drill, impact driver the batteries are still good, 3years old. my dewalt 18volt sawsall,1 of the nicad batteries died. i have milwaulkee batteries (3) with 1/2 impact and oscllating tool. next step is to buy mil. drill w an extra charger and batteries. also i have 4 corded mil drills and a corded sawsall.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

Neither one. Bosch all the way. Still waiting for them to design big impact wrench turn to brushless


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[firebox40dash5]

I have a bunch of M18 and M12 (mostly Fuel) tools and batteries I've had about 3 years. In that time, I've stripped the drive in the M12 Fuel hex impact, which was fixed under warranty, along with replacing an M12 4.0ah battery (gave me a BNIP one) that I'd broken the housing of. They offer (admittedly slow) free shipping to them on warranty work, but hey, it's free. Other than that, I haven't had a tool or battery (got about 12 total, about 2:1 4.0ah vs. 2.0ah) fail.

My dad has bad Ridgid for a good while, which he bought for the warranty. His input was that he got his money's worth out of the warranty (which isn't, it's a service contract), but that they've been making it less worthwhile over the last 5 years or so. His experience was unless you can get to a "service center" (that's not HD, and around Baltimore it's 90 minutes away and open banker's hours) you're waiting 3-4 weeks for a battery to be replaced. Not a huge deal if you have plenty, kinda a big deal if not.

My decision was based on a) tool availability, and b) as long as I get 4-5 years out of a run of batteries, I'm not going to be heartbroken buying a new tool in kit form to get new batteries at minimal cost, as I'll probably have a tool that could use replacement anyway.

 

[cleason]

i exchange batteries at work, kidding, wife works for wealty people, brought home 18v dewalt impact driver w ni cad battery. some one left it at thier house they asked her if she wanted it. good woman

 

[TN_Mopar]

I have the Milwaukee M18 Fuel set
It is amazing
My brother has the 20volt Dewalt set
I would not trade

The thing to consider is the Milwaukee warranty
5 years on the tools & 3 years on the Battery

 

[oldldh]

My Wife bought this set for my Christmas present...

I'm a happy camper...

And so will you be, if you get it...

 

[crewchief888]

i have a couple ridgid drills and driver at home, and milwaukee (fuel & non fuel) in my service truck.

ridgid has always been a PITA to get warrantied, no issues so far with the milwaukee.
both are serviced/warrantied by the same "mom & pop" service center.

jumping through ridgids "hoops" for tool registration/warranty hasnt gone well for me.

milwaukee has been effortless

i beat the hell out of my milwaukee fuel impact. it will probably need replacement in 5 years anyway.
i had to replace 2 18v ridgid batteries within the 1st year, and my 12v rodgid drill sounds like it stripped a gear while i was driving a screw for a curtain rod..