Ridigd Power Tools

[choffmann]

Okay everyone, I would like to pick yalls brains. I have 4 ridgid power tools, i have a sawzall, an impact gun, a hammer drill, and a wormdrive circular saw. I was just curious what everyone thinks about them. Attached is an image of the first 3 tools.

 

[Notorious BRT]

I have a friend who just bought a Ridgid sidewinder circular saw. We used it a little last night. Time will tell how good it is, but I like it better than my Skilsaw that I bought in a pinch.

 

[rslaback]

I have almost the entire 18v collection. I grew up in construction using mostly Milwaukee, Dewalt and Bosch. I really like them now that I am just a DIY homeowner. They are solid in your hand and I like not having to drop a small fortune for each tool. In the 8 years that I have been using them, I burned up 1 drill.

 

[choffmann]

I have noticed they can take a beating. I work construction currently, I went to school for it, its what I know. I have noticed however that the sawzall drains batteries a lot faster, but aside from that i have no complaints. My sawzall has actually been dropped off of a roof, i picked it up and still runs like a beast.

 

[Smokeshow69]

They are top notch in my book. Plus if you are the original owner they have lifetime service agreement (ie free repair). I compared them to the dewalt in the store and they felt so much more quality in my hand. The dewalt drill and impact driver is all plastic contstrution and the rigid has a ton of metal on them. Plus the batteries felt much more quality in person when comparing them... I would buy them again in a heart beat!

 

[tarbellb]

They are a good buy. If you complete the Lifetime warranty procedure (correctly) then the warranty is great.

But, they are heavier, not as refined, and less features then the top dollar other brands.

Smoke69, how does a battery feel "more quality" im wondering?

 

[jetdawg]

It's a good consumer grade tool line capitalizing on a great plumbing tool name.

 

[Thumper68]

It's a good consumer grade tool line capitalizing on a great plumbing tool name.

I have to disagree the "Consumer grade" I among many other professionals use these everyday for work, they have held up as well if not better than the "Professional" brands that I used to pay out the nose for, toss in the lifetime coverage for both the tool and the battery (Have had 1 charger and one impact repaired, in the last 3 years) and they are the best deal out there.

The only real short coming I have found is that they don't have as many tool options as the others.

But IMO the best part is that the new Lion batteries will work on the older tools unlike the big guys who each time that make a "improvement" to their line up change the battery as well so you need to start over again. I am constantly on the lookout for old NiCad tools that the owner is selling cause the batteries are shot. Just last week I answered a CL ad for a hammer drill, when I went to look at it I took one of my Lion batteries with me to test the drill, when the owner saw that the new battery worked on the old tool he was pissed that he had offered it so cheap. Good for me another drill in my case for a the grand sum of $25.

 

[jetdawg]

I'm glad you've had good experience with their tools.

 

[mrvm]

Got an old 18V set (hammer drill/drill-driver/impact/jigsaw/fuego/vac all from 2007-2010 and they all still work fine. Battery interchangeability is a big plus besides reliability and power/torque. Still have the original hard case in mint condition on the shelf. The power tools survived several remodeling jobs but today the Ridgid stuff is now backup power tools since I picked up select M18 FUEL brushless choices from Milwaukee, i.e. 2673/2654 impact wrenches and lantern. Life-time service agreement (LSA) is a great feature from Ridgid for batteries since all batteries have a finite life, especially if a service center is nearby. Tough tools with plenty of power/torque and most cordless saws will be power hogs. The new X5 power tools look very interesting and while not brushless still offer class leading or competitive power/torque.