Ridgid Tools: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Good, the bad and the ugly of Ridgid tools!

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[probuilder]

As a remodeling professional, I've been using Ridgid cordless tools since 2006. Same tools, free battery replacements- I've saved hundreds of dollars. One drill died & was unfixable, & they sent me a brand new kit, with 2 batteries + charger. I use the authorized service center 2 towns away (Home Depot is not one here in CT). Has worked very well for me. I have bought new kits since & have built a nice collection of interchangeable batteries. You are without the battery for a couple weeks when turned in for replacement, but, having multiples is key. Yes, you need to be diligent about the po paperwork & regulations, but I've been very happy with them.

[avinut]

I work as a tool tech at a Home Depot Too Rental Center. Bring the tool in, pay the $18.95 evaluation fee and we will look at it. If it is warrantied you get the $18.95 back. Right now I am working on a couple of tile saws that show up about every 8 months or so. The repairs are warrantied. The owner uses them "enthusiastically" Another customer brings in orbital sanders 6 at a time. They also get fixed under the warranty. I guess you need to find the right HD.

[Erockfaque]

Got both the 12v drill and impact drivers. Its hard to complain when you can buy a new one for $50. They can drive 4" deck screws and I'm not worried about dropping or getting them wet. Perfect for the tool belt in my opinion.

[Neuron]

I agree that registering every tool and battery while keeping track of all the serial numbers is a PITA.You should also mention that Ridgid and Ryobi lithium batteries are compatible with the older tools that used NiCad. That is why I stay with these brands.

[didz]

I brought the Rigid R4512 Table saw after reading posts in a FB woodworking group. Excellent saw for the money and found the LSA easy to sign up for. Had a damaged rail, called LSA and had a new part within a few weeks. Lots of folks in the FB group had similar stories of success.

[MD-enzm]

I’m a woodworker. I started with the Ridgid lunchbox planer. That’s a decent planer. I upgraded to a Felder Hammer A12 combo jointer/planer.
I got a bandsaw which never really worked despite 2 returns and attempts at service. Casting kept breaking, nothing could hold square, etc. Threw it in my truck and took it to he dump and gave up. Worst purchase ever. It was bad enough that i enjoyed dumping it.
I don’t trust their warranty, but I might finally buy some Ridgid tools again.
I got the drill press - I’ve been pretty happy with that. It’s nothing amazing but it’s solid. The Nova has been catching my eye, but so far have been faithful to the Ridgid.
I got the oscillating spindle sander / belt sander and that has been amazing. I love that sander. I modded it heavily for dust connecting a 6 inch hose into the back and adding

[nitrorclife]

2:08 I have medium hands wear medium/large depending on brand, due to this most tools are larger then ideal and guessing used to it as my m12 fuel tools fit my hand fine, had Bosch previously and but was fine to.

[philricotta]

I have about 100 various Ridgid tools most of which are registered, except for the few I purchased used. I have never once had any issues with the LSA. I drop them off at my local repair outlet and he calls about a week later to let me know it is ready for pickup. I would highly recommend the tools.

[grsurvival]

DIYer here! I bought the Ridgid Drill & Impact Driver Combo 3-4 years ago. Registered the tools and batteries right after purchasing them. One of the new batteries died and wouldn’t charge. Had a similar experience when I brought the battery to the local HD service center. They gave me a 800 number to call. I called them and gave them my info. I had a replacement battery sent to my house within a couple of weeks. The tools are great and the service has been good too. Sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with them.

[MrTheHillfolk]

That 170$ set has served my dad well for years in a commercial/personal setting.
I added the 1/2" impact gun and it's all been great so far.
Sure there is better overall, and you'll have 20 different manufacturers, not to mention chargers and batteries if you buy every tool and want the best of each one.

[patricktheplumber]

I’m a plumbing contractor ridged makes the best sewer video inspection cameras on the market a lot of their plumbing tools and equipment are very nice .

[isaacbenavides]

This was actually a VERY very good informative video, I loved all the details and points made. It would be amazing if you would do this exact same video format for the HART (Walmart) brand instead! Thanks for the informative video sir.

[KLFaber]

I switched to Ridgid line of cordless tools a year ago specifically for their Lifetime Service Agreement. I am a consumer not a professional and I occasionally use these tools. I switched from Makita because i was tired of buying replacement batteries for the ones that worn out. Let's face it, I am never going to break a Makita or Dewalt Tool because they are both reasonably well made and I don't use them enough to wear them out or mistreat them.

What I am after is the battery LSA (when purchased as part of a combo pack). When I spend $50 or $100 on batteries as part of a combo pack, I know that is money I am never going to have to spend again. For the batteries alone, switching made sense. If they end up fixing a worn out tool ... that is just icing on the cake. In addition to registering online ... a minor hassle. I also print out my receipts and keep them on my 'cloud' drive so I'll have them when the time comes to get new batteries. I am going to buy an adapter that will allow me to use my Ridgid batteries on my Makita tools.

[avrohompam]

I actually like the in handle battery it makes it a little shorter which makes it fit the smaller places, I got the Milwaukee m12’s they're great!

[riverrat]

If they send me replacement batteries for the rest of my days I'll be happy with the LSA. I've been impressed with my ridgid tools so far. Good video, thanks!

[MrROTD]

I have been using Ridgid half inch impact, small driver, small drill and Angle ratchet for almost two years as a mechanic, Im happy with them so far.

[admiralking]

Great review!! Totally fair. I was brand loyal to Ridgid for 15 years and completely missed out on some really innovative products by Ryobi, Milwaukee, etc. Ryobi caught my attention with their cordless bug/weed sprayer. Then after that changed my life, I began to research their product lineup and was shocked by how bland Ridgid’s lineup was in comparison.

[teslafreak]

I have their pneumatic framing nailer. No complaints at all. Very well built!

The only Ridgid tool I can't recommend really is the cordless trim router. It works fine, no problem there; the issue is battery. It will toast a 4 AH battery in like 10-15 minutes flat. Just get a corded router.

[quentinkave]

Hey what do you all think about the new dewalt 12v brushless compact impacts 🤔🤔

[terrybrown]

I got my gen 5 kit with drill impact recip circular and flashlight all for $170 and that came with the cool base charger and 2 4 mah batteries. That was a steal in my book and im super pleased with them.