Which cordless set? Rigid vs Milwaukee

[monster1]

Wanting to give up my tired ryobi 18v set for something better. What do you guys think of either of these two sets? They will be used for serious home shop type stuff. Thoughts please.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMer4fCHytgCFYoYAQod8t8IQg


https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...-Saw-Reciprocating-Saw-Light-R9623N/300146409

 

[wait4me]

Between those two sets, I'd take the ridgid set over the milwaukee. The full size recip and the full size circular saw would sell me, plus I'm a ridgid junkie in general. The warranty is great if you actually register correctly and follow the rules.

That said, I'd probably go for this kit instead :
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...bo-Kit-with-2-4-0Ah-Batteries-R9205/206127587

This 2 tool kit comes with a free promotional 3rd tool of your choice. You end up with 3 top tier brushless tools and 2 4ah batteries instead of 4 lower tier brushed tools and 1 4ah and 1 2ah battery for $10 more.

 

[TNBurban]

Win win either way. When it comes to cordless each brand has their own fanboys. Makita/Milwaulkee/Bosch/Dewalt/Makita - it's like the Ford/Ram/Chevy/Toyota pickup truck debates. Each has their fans, and each has their haters.

Personally, I have a lot of Bosch 18V tools. I got a good deal on a drill/saw combo and just built up from there. If that same deal had been Dewalt or Milwaukee, or Ridgid, I would probably have all my cordless in their brand rather than Bosch.

Can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Check out Bosch.

 

[Stuey]

Milwaukee. M18 is a much bigger system. Let's say you want a cordless metal cutting saw, or band saw, in the future. Ridgid doesn't have those options.

But for long term expansion, Ridgid might be more economical. They do also offer some tools Milwaukee doesn't have yet, such as a cordless air compressor, albeit a small one.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I think Ridgid may have the edge if you want to pick up some stuff used, the resale seems to be quite a bit lower for a tool that's about the same.

 

[kctyphoon]

Milwaukee is a better system to invest in for future purchases. Much bigger platform, with the m12 line also using the same charger.. just FYI, I know it's more expensive, but the fuel drill and impact driver are worth considering. Much more.powerful. the sawzall won't make such a noticeable difference IMO.

Both are good, buy whatever u want - but SYSTEM wise, the Milwaukee wins no contest. You ever want good lighting options, or impact wrenches - (good ones), there's really only one choice between the two.

And I don't wanna hear about Ridgid's warranty anymore. You're not buying a warranty - you're buying tools.. Regardless, it's a 5yr warranty on the m18 tools, 3 yr on batteries, and neither have a reputation of failing. I have not walked into 1 jobsite and ever seen anyone using Ridgid cordless tools.. Milwaukee has even pushed slot of people away from brands like Hilti, and Snap On. If you are wanting "serious tools", red is the better choice, but as stated, Ridgid stuff will work just fine for you. Either brand would be an upgrade from old Ryobi.

 

[JR7]

Don't think you can go wrong with either one. The bigger saws in the Rigid set look appealing if you plan on using them. Milwaukee has a much bigger selection of tools you can expand into though so that's something to consider as well. I'd lean toward Milwaukee.

 

[gtr1999]

I have been using the Milwaukee cordless drivers for years with very good results. The only issue I found was the keyless chuck would loosen up after a lot of driver work loading them ccw. I have sent them back to the Milwaukee service center a couple of times because I basically wore them out and they come back like new.

I never used the Rigid to compare them. We have used the cheaper box store cordless and they don't last or have the torque. We had a crew come in to take down a large I-beam mezzanine and all they used were a couple of Milwaukee cordless impacts, pretty impressive and one tool I need to get.

 

[monster1]

Thanks guys! I was thinking rigid purely for the warranty, but as stated, Milwaukee has a larger platform to expand on. I think that is probably the brand better suited for me. Thanks again for the valuable info!

 

[6PTsocket]

Between those two sets, I'd take the ridgid set over the milwaukee. The full size recip and the full size circular saw would sell me, plus I'm a ridgid junkie in general. The warranty is great if you actually register correctly and follow the rules.

That said, I'd probably go for this kit instead :
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...bo-Kit-with-2-4-0Ah-Batteries-R9205/206127587

This 2 tool kit comes with a free promotional 3rd tool of your choice. You end up with 3 top tier brushless tools and 2 4ah batteries instead of 4 lower tier brushed tools and 1 4ah and 1 2ah battery for $10 more.

Many posts I have read here , suggest that Rigid is not anybody I want to deal with for a warranty claim. I am glad it worked out better for you. I recently had a "lifetime warranty" Husky item fail and HD busted my chops before they made good. I would rather deal with a manufacturer than a store brand. It always seems to work out better for me. As others have pointed out, the Milwaukee line is much larger. I would not call myself a fan boy of any brand and have an assortment of stuff but I would not put Ridgid in the same tier as Milwaukee. For heavy home use, Ridgid probably is fine but I don't buy tools every day and for the long haul, the difference in price does not mean much. I stay with DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch or Makita

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[fordtoy#1]

I have the ridged and love it!!

 

[xin]

I thought were both owned by the same Chinese company TTi ?

 

[StreetRage320]

I love the Milwaukee M18 line, and I choose Milwaukee as my primary tool of choice..However, if I had to choose between those kits, I would choose Rigid based on the tool selection. I don't like that little Milwaukee recip saw. Shaped and looks weird, I have never used one, but holding it in the store did not appeal to me.

I have always pieced my Milwaukee tools together. I bought the drill/driver combo kit and then added the bare tools to the kit later. Then you can pick and choose the tools you want.

I have gotten some very nice Milwaukee tools from pawn shops..not sure if they are stolen or what, but I know I paid for them.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I can't prove it, but I bet Milwaukee sales of their M18 line are more than the equivalent Rigid. One of the things this means is that you are likely to find lightly used, or items broken out of a kit, on eBay for a very good price.

I am a M12 Fuel fanboy !

 

[catron44]

I have a lot of ridgid, but if I were starting over, I would go Milwaukee.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Goleee33]

Sorry to bring this thread back to life, but figured it would be better than starting a new one.

I am about to make a choice between the Ridgid Gen 5X combo kit or the Milwauke M12 Fuel.

Background: I have DeWalt XR stuff at home and it is fantastic, but it is a bit out of my price range for work. I work part time at a friends machine shop, so we don't use power tools a whole lot other than some miscellaneous drilling or driving of some nuts & bolts. I do like the compact size of the Milwaukee, but the owner of the shop has some old Ridgid stuff (Bottom of the barrel stuff and the chuck slips constantly) so I will be able to use some batteries if needed. . . but again, we don't use them enough to need a ton of batteries.

What are your guys' professional opinions?

M12 FUEL 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit (2-Tool) W/ Charger & Tool Bag


18-Volt Gen5X Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit with (2) 4.0Ah Batteries

Thanks!

 

[jd_1138]

Sorry to bring this thread back to life, but figured it would be better than starting a new one.

I am about to make a choice between the Ridgid Gen 5X combo kit or the Milwauke M12 Fuel.

Background: I have DeWalt XR stuff at home and it is fantastic, but it is a bit out of my price range for work. I work part time at a friends machine shop, so we don't use power tools a whole lot other than some miscellaneous drilling or driving of some nuts & bolts. I do like the compact size of the Milwaukee, but the owner of the shop has some old Ridgid stuff (Bottom of the barrel stuff and the chuck slips constantly) so I will be able to use some batteries if needed. . . but again, we don't use them enough to need a ton of batteries.

What are your guys' professional opinions?

M12 FUEL 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit (2-Tool) W/ Charger & Tool Bag


18-Volt Gen5X Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit with (2) 4.0Ah Batteries

Thanks!

Can't really go wrong with either. The 12 volt Fuel impact driver has a lot of torque (1,300 inch/lbs) and is compact so you can get it into more tight spots. That torque is almost as much as the 18 volt impact drivers.

If you shop sales, you can get DeWalt, Makita, etc. also for pretty cheap. They're all good. I think I paid $150 for my new DeWalt 20V impact driver with 2 batteries and a charger, and I later added a bare drill for $55 new.

 

[thooks]

Neither. Go with the newer Ridgid Gen5X combo kit.

You missed the 5-piece kit for $500 with 2 extra tools. It ran from November til mid January. If you can wait til November, it will be like that again....

 

[Goleee33]

Neither. Go with the newer Ridgid Gen5X combo kit.

You missed the 5-piece kit for $500 with 2 extra tools. It ran from November til mid January. If you can wait til November, it will be like that again....

That is exactly what I linked to. As far as the 5 piece kit, I don't really need any other tools we have most of the others, but his drills **** and they frustrate me. I also don't want to spend $500, or else i would just go with the DeWalt XR or Milwaukee M18 Fuel. I've been bringing my DeWalt back and forth and just want to get something that I can leave there.

 

[Fbmoose48]

I have not walked into 1 jobsite and ever seen anyone using Ridgid cordless tools.

This should end the debate every time. Unfortunately it never seems to.

 

[dacan23]

I know a plumber who uses a Rigid Gen5x set..... But is in the process of converting to Milwaukee.

This should end the debate every time. Unfortunately it never seems to.

 

[reptilezs]

Sorry to bring this thread back to life, but figured it would be better than starting a new one.

I am about to make a choice between the Ridgid Gen 5X combo kit or the Milwauke M12 Fuel.

Background: I have DeWalt XR stuff at home and it is fantastic, but it is a bit out of my price range for work. I work part time at a friends machine shop, so we don't use power tools a whole lot other than some miscellaneous drilling or driving of some nuts & bolts. I do like the compact size of the Milwaukee, but the owner of the shop has some old Ridgid stuff (Bottom of the barrel stuff and the chuck slips constantly) so I will be able to use some batteries if needed. . . but again, we don't use them enough to need a ton of batteries.

What are your guys' professional opinions?

M12 FUEL 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit (2-Tool) W/ Charger & Tool Bag


18-Volt Gen5X Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit with (2) 4.0Ah Batteries

Thanks!

i have the ridgid kit and very happy with it. good solid feel and plenty of power. i upgraded from a makita 18v lxt lithium kit. also own m12 drill and impact. the m12 stuff is good for lighter duty work or quick jobs. have used the mulwaukee fuel m18 drill and impact as well.

 

[jd_1138]

i have the ridgid kit and very happy with it. good solid feel and plenty of power. i upgraded from a makita 18v lxt lithium kit. also own m12 drill and impact. the m12 stuff is good for lighter duty work or quick jobs. have used the mulwaukee fuel m18 drill and impact as well.

"Upgraded" from Makita to Ridgid?! lol. You downgraded. Went from pro to consumer grade, but if you are happy with them that's all that matters. Ridgid might be "pro-sumer" grade.

I have Makita 18V lithium drills and a corded Makita reciprocating saw and circular saws. Around here, you see DeWalt, Milwaukee and Makita in the trades. Most of the electrical and HVAC guys like Makita. Carpenters and contractors like Dewalt and Milwaukee. But there's some overlap.

 

[nutsnbolts]

If you haven't pulled the trigger yet, I just bought a special purchase Ridgid set at Home Depot. Hammer drill, impact, sawzall, circular saw, flashlight, charger and 2 of the 4.0 amp batteries...and they threw in two extra batteries and this cool fan (pun intended) for $500. The circular saw is left-handed like the original skilsaws, which was a bit of a disappointment, but other than that I couldn't be happier, and it was a lot for the money.

 

[jd_1138]

Neither. Go with the newer Ridgid Gen5X combo kit.

You missed the 5-piece kit for $500 with 2 extra tools. It ran from November til mid January. If you can wait til November, it will be like that again....

What about this 6 tool set? Is it the same? You get an impact driver, hammer drill, multi tool, recip, circular, sander.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Gen5X-Cordless-6-Piece-Combo-Kit-with-1-4-0Ah-Battery-and-1-2-0Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Bag-R9625N/300342949?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-AllProducts%7c&gclid=Cj0KCQiAh_DTBRCTARIsABlT9MZwyUsnK5VaabV3lT--SR3MuUPokbYtvZkhzdL4Ae3PKHd-uIxcTdUaAqrnEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLKXsODZl9kCFUxIDAod30AB_w

 

[nutsnbolts]

What about this 6 tool set? Is it the same? You get an impact driver, hammer drill, multi tool, recip, circular, sander.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Gen5X-Cordless-6-Piece-Combo-Kit-with-1-4-0Ah-Battery-and-1-2-0Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Bag-R9625N/300342949?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-AllProducts%7c&gclid=Cj0KCQiAh_DTBRCTARIsABlT9MZwyUsnK5VaabV3lT--SR3MuUPokbYtvZkhzdL4Ae3PKHd-uIxcTdUaAqrnEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLKXsODZl9kCFUxIDAod30AB_w

The deal came with 2 extra batteries and the fan, and the batteries were 4.0 amp, not 2.0. But oh, I guess that one has a couple other tools.

 

[reptilezs]

"Upgraded" from Makita to Ridgid?! lol. You downgraded. Went from pro to consumer grade, but if you are happy with them that's all that matters. Ridgid might be "pro-sumer" grade.

I have Makita 18V lithium drills and a corded Makita reciprocating saw and circular saws. Around here, you see DeWalt, Milwaukee and Makita in the trades. Most of the electrical and HVAC guys like Makita. Carpenters and contractors like Dewalt and Milwaukee. But there's some overlap.

the makita set i had was home owner/entry level grade with 1.3 ah packs. the white makita drill/impact. kit retailed for about 200 new but go on sale for about 150. only paid 100 on craigslist for it and sold it for the same

 

[kctyphoon]

I will make this ABUNDANTLY clear.. as much love as the M12 line gets (and it deserves a lot of attention), some of what you read on here is a little misleading.. M12 is NOT an 18v equivalent.. PERIOD..

 

[Ratchet Guy]

you're investing on the battery system, project if you're gonna be using it a lot, like the vacuum, shop blower, led light, these are the tools I find that I used a lot than the driver and drill, and if you find them using a lot, then ridgid is better because of the battery system warranty, just make sure to register them, if you find you use a lot of the drill and driver, saw then Milwaukee is for you. I have both Makita and Ryobi, and I find that the tools that has the least attention is the one I use a lot like the vacuum, led light and Shop blower, which takes the advantage of the lithium platform. Drills and driver I use it too like probably once a month, but not as often as the vacuum and LED light.

 

[kctyphoon]

Again - you're buying into a battery platform, and system of tools.. you're not buying into a warranty..

 

[Fbmoose48]

Never had an issue with an M18 battery in almost a decade. So if you never need " batteries for life" or whatever they call it with Milwaukee then all you've gotten yourself with Ridgid is TTI's inferior homeowner grade lineup.

Also, pretty sure that supply of free battery packs will dry up as soon as Ridgid upgrades to a new battery platform or form factor. How many people outlived NiCd as a standard? How many plan on outliving 18650s? I do.

 

[PhysicsDude]

Nothing really wrong with Ridgid, but I would buy Milwaukee over them any day.

The Milwaukee M18/M12 line up has pretty much any cordless tool you could think of, and they're here to stay.


They're both made by TTI, and both sold at Home Depot, so really no downside to Milwaukee except they're probably a little more expensive depending on what combo kit you get and if its on sale.

 

[zorrox]

For what it's worth, I love the hackzall. If you're cutting something smaller like a pvc pipe and are on a job or don't feel like have to vice it up, it is much nicer to hold it in one hand while bracing the object with the other than trying to wield a full size sawzall with one hand.

 

[cgrutt]

I've been a Milwaulkee (sp?) fan boy a long time. Recently bought some more M18 tools cause I like them. That said, I was working over summer time on project with a guy who was using a Rigid Impact driver and Circular Saw on a deck build. Pretty damn impressive performance. For whatever thats worth. LOL. I'd still buy the Milwaulkee for personal use, LOL...

 

[Musicinabottle]

I thought were both owned by the same Chinese company TTi ?

They both are exceptionally good tools. I've worked for two companies that used both, and the were great. My only complaint was that the batteries just up and die right at that pivotal moment..........without warning!

Another thing is that according to one member on here, buying a Chinese made Milwaukee or Rigid supports American jobs!

 

[kctyphoon]

For the record, TTI owns Milwaukee. Emerson owns Ridgid, but TTI makes their tools for them under a licensing agreement, (which is why they share some similar tools) along with some Craftsman cordless tools also. Ryobi is TTI's home owner grade line. Ridgid will typically fall between the two.

Any big brand will work fine for you, and most will be impressive for what they are. Cordless stuff has come a LONG way in the last 10 years. There is nothing wrong with Ridgid. It will do what you need, and do it very well. Milwaukee however offers a lot more tools, and both being made by TTI, most times Milwaukee's fuel line will have higher specs than Ridgid. If you don't go with Milwaukee Fuel, specs go out the window then. However, Milwaukee still offers many things Ridgid does not. A bonus, if you will - is the m12 line. Many of us wind up with both m18 and m12 tools. The m18 charger being a true dual charger, meaning you can fit an m18 and m12 battery in it at the same time makes crossing over into the smaller platform very appealing.

 

[gf0012-aust]

and there are interchangeable parts between ryobi and ridgid/aeg

so its more than just a build relationship for TTI

the quality and reputation line is ryobi, ridgid, milwaukee

not sure I've ever seen ridgid/aeg regarded as contractor quality tools.

be that as it may, they have some fine tools in their line up.

my tool collection is all over the place.
old and new dewalts, milwaukee M12 and M18, Bosch Blue, AEG (ridgid) and a Ryobi P514 which is my heavy duty pruning saw oh, and a 36V makita chainsaw to back up my husky petrol

 

[danski0224]

Both are good, buy whatever u want - but SYSTEM wise, the Milwaukee wins no contest. You ever want good lighting options, or impact wrenches - (good ones), there's really only one choice between the two.

And I don't wanna hear about Ridgid's warranty anymore. You're not buying a warranty - you're buying tools.. Regardless, it's a 5yr warranty on the m18 tools, 3 yr on batteries, and neither have a reputation of failing. I have not walked into 1 jobsite and ever seen anyone using Ridgid cordless tools.. Either brand would be an upgrade from old Ryobi.

Anyone else remember the big push by Home Depot/Husky to get people to buy their tools, back when the selection was almost as good as Sears (and the tools were made by the same companies)? HD had clear boxes on display where you could exchange anyone's broken hand tool for the Husky equivalent, and there were ad campaigns running to that effect. This was around the same time that Emerson no longer made the Ridgid shop power tools (tablesaws/planers) and Milwaukee was bought by TTI.

Now what do you have at Home Depot? Not a whole hell of a lot. Of course, who would have thought that Sears would be on the way out too.

The Ridgid warranty is only as good as Home Depot is, and whether or not it was registered correctly, and whether or not your information in the cloud gets "lost" when it is time to collect.

I'd NEVER buy a Ridgid branded power tool and expect to collect on the warranty. And HD is not obligated to exchange on the spot- it gets sent in, so you are without the tool for however long it takes to resolve it.

I thought were both owned by the same Chinese company TTi ?

Ryobi, Ridgid and Milwaukee may all be owned by TTI, but only Milwaukee is outside of the "design for HD profit" loop.

Again - you're buying into a battery platform, and system of tools.. you're not buying into a warranty..

Yup, and dollars to doughnuts, THD will "lose" warranty registrations and those thermal receipts fade.

 

[bcradio]

Another thing is that according to one member on here, buying a Chinese made Milwaukee or Rigid supports American jobs!

So you are under the impression that manufacturing jobs are the only jobs out there?