Rigid or Milwaukee Tool Kit

[MrBlue54]

Looking to buy a new cordless tool kit. I see that the Rigid have a lifetime warranty and am leaning in that direction. However the Milwaukee have been great tools for my corded versions.
Feedback?

Thanks,
MrBlue

 

[CJM8515]

Milwaukee, huge 18v and 12v platform and tons of tools. Rigid is decent, but that warranty really doesnt work out as well as you think in the end.

 

[jd_1138]

Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Ridgid, etc. are all good tools. Even Ryobi's are fine for the non-pro. If you go the Ridgid route, just to be sure to follow their directions to keep the warranty active.

 

[KMdef9]

If Milwaukee has been good to you, stick with them.

 

[thickhead]

What tools do you need?

 

[TK-421]

What tools do you need? What are you intending on using them for? How much are you willing to spend?

 

[tarbellb]

What tools do you need? What are you intending on using them for? How much are you willing to spend?

This ^^^^

Each tool brand offers some advantage in its own right.

 

[fourjeepin]

I went with Ridgid for the warranty and the fact that they have made their tools backward compatible when changing battery styles. I do love me some Milwaukee toolls, but the Ridgid line is much more affordable.

 

[Thumper68]

Any one of the top brands will serve you well.

I have the Ridgid and have had no issues with the warranty had 1 battery replaced, had a charger fixed and had a impact driver replaced, have to admit the impact driver was my fault, driving 4 inch construction screws several hundred of them with only a few battery swaps as a rest, the tool was so hot you could not hold it in a bare hand, the thermal overload shut it down I should have let it cool more before abusing it again but ran it to shut down 4 or 5 times, when it did finally cool down over night it was toast. got a new one less than a week later.

Just remember to go online and register the tools and batteries.

BTW if you do not register them then they only have the same warranty as all the other manufactures, so you really are not out anything.

In the Ridgid line I have:
2 drills
2 impact drivers
2 hammer drills
2 circ saws
1 sawzall
1 Jig saw
1 1/2" impact driver
4 flashlights
3 chargers

The reason I have so many is that the new Lion batteries fit the old NiCad tools, no adaptor needed so I pick them up cheap.

 

[NoMoreGreen]

I have the Milwaukee one key system. Home Depot had/has a promotion where if you buy the one key system you get a free tool. I picked the 7 1/4 circ saw.

I have been happy with my Milwaukee system. I built a flower bed using 3 inch deck screws and wet lumber (2x6 and 4x4) and the impact driver had no issues. I realize this isn't a end all example. It left me impressed though.

I viewed a lot of youtube videos before making my decision.

 

[gdocktor3]

This question has been asked hundreds of times and each time you get hundreds of different answers, depending who's on gj at the time. Here, read the threads, watch the videos, and decide for yourself.

https://www.google.com/search?clien...Bo-vOAhVGMSYKHUoRD6wQvwUIFygA&biw=375&bih=559

I personally have a lot of Ridgid 18v tools that I did carpentry with. Never had a problem with any of them. I also have some Ryobi, Dewalt 18v and 20v, and use Milwaukee at work. They all do the same job!

IMO, the m18 stuff is big and heavy compared to my Dewalt and Ridgid. It's been 2 years since I "retired" from carpentry, but all of my Ridgid batteries still charge and hold. We're talking like 10 batteries.

 

[MushCreek]

I built my entire house with Milwaukee M18 tools. I have 5 batteries, and never used them all up in one day. I tried my corded circular saw a few times, and went back to the handier cordless one. I've read that the new 'Fuel' tools are that much better- I can't imagine!

 

[kctyphoon]

Between the two I'd pick Milwaukee. Either will work fine, but there is no comparison between the two lines in some areas. Nobody comes close to Milwuakee's line when it comes to lighting, or heated gear. They also offer 3 different cordless circular saws in the 18v platform. The tools themselves exceed all expectations, and you don't HAVE TO pony up for the fuel verison of every tool if cost is an issue. I have the brushed and fuel versions of their drills, impact drivers and sawzall. They are all great. The brushed m18 impact driver is stronger then my brushless Dewalt 20v model too. (I have ALOT of tools between work and home)

What ever you pick, invest in a system, not just the first tools you buy. Ridgid does have some nice stuff too. Milwaukee has a huge following in here so there is no shortage of feedback on thier tools. Their 12v lineup is also amazing, might be worth considering since the m18 chargers work with 12v batteries too.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I spoke to the merchandise rep at Home Depot that handles all brands except for dealt. He sold me on the ridgid. Said the warranty was great as long as you register them. I was initially going with the Milwaukee line but he swayed me and they were both his lines. I bought the gen5 hammer drill and impact combo with 4 amp/hr batteries. So far it's been bang up

Brett

 

[kctyphoon]

Umm.. Just to point out the obvious - Ridgid is HD's house brand.. Some people have not been happy with the warranty process with Ridgid. Hopefully if that day comes your experience will be different. I'm sure you'll be pleased with their tools though. The gen5 set is suppose to be a big step up from previous sets.

 

[Thumper68]

Milwaukee Tool is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

TTI also develops and produces Ridgid power tools, under a licensing agreement with Emerson. This arrangement began back in 2003 (press release, PDF).

 

[gdocktor3]

Milwaukee Tool is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

TTI also develops and produces Ridgid power tools, under a licensing agreement with Emerson. This arrangement began back in 2003 (press release, PDF).

Techtronic Industries (TTI) also makes Milwaukee's cordless tools. As well as Ryobi. I know for a fact the Ridgid 1/4" impact driver outperforms all other brands.