Ridgid tools

[nthach]

I was fairly certain rigid and ryobi had a common company owner somewhere up the chain, am I reading that right?

rigid does stand behind their warranties IF you register all of the tools and batteries properly. They’ve probably given me 4 batteries, a new flashlight and a rebuilt drill by now. but, batteries bought separately are not covered for a lifetime, only the kit batteries, which tend to be limited to 1.5-2Ah.

ive got rigid tools for all the standard stuff but ryobi for the yard. I lend a slightly sturdier build to the rigid products but ryobi has the versatility nailed.

really struggling with the transition to 40+V. Need a new hedge trimmer and it’s coming down to ryobi vs ego. I know that once you bite, you follow the standard.…

Yep - though Ryobi seems more of a “original” design like Milwaukee. Ridgid’s tools are a relabel of TTI’s line for Europe.

I’m looking at a chain saw to replace a 20 year old Echo that needs a new piston. I’m going Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel for that - one less charger to worry about - I’ll buy a extra M18 XC 5.0 battery as well. No need for the High Demand 9.0/12.0 options.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Considering both are made by TTI, how much "better" are Rigid's cordless power tools compared to Ryobi?

The "lifetime" warranty certainly sounds better, at least on paper, but I'm wondering whether, and how much better the tools are.

I'm not invested in any cordless system, but am looking at getting drill/drivers and a recip saw for pruning and root removal.

TBH, they'll probably sit in reserve most of the time, so something like Ryobi would probably be fine, but I'm curious about Rigid as well.

The selection of Ryobi's tools can't be beat, but I don't see myself getting deep into them, or any system, either.

Can't get used to the idea of tools being sold using the razor and computer printer model.

 

[RyanY]

Considering both are made by TTI, how much "better" are Rigid's cordless power tools compared to Ryobi?

The "lifetime" warranty certainly sounds better, at least on paper, but I'm wondering whether, and how much better the tools are.

I'm not invested in any cordless system, but am looking at getting drill/drivers and a recip saw for pruning and root removal.

TBH, they'll probably sit in reserve most of the time, so something like Ryobi would probably be fine, but I'm curious about Rigid as well.

The selection of Ryobi's tools can't be beat, but I don't see myself getting deep into them, or any system, either.

Can't get used to the idea of tools being sold using the razor and computer printer model.

I avoid Ridgid these days because their warranty is a PIA. I had a palm sander that I used maybe 10 times before it bit the dust. I then took advantage of their lifetime warranty. I tool it to HD who shipped it to Ridgid for evaluation. Five weeks later I received the repaired unit. About 3 more uses and it died again. This time I was in the middle of a project and chucked it. I now have a Ryobi cordless sander that has been going strong for over a year.

I mentioned in a previous post (in this thread) that I moved to the Ryobi line for other tools, too. I have no regrets and all of the tools are still working well. If one dies an early death or goes home with someone else, I won't cry quite as hard as I would with a more spendy brand.
YMMV.

 

[D60]

Considering both are made by TTI, how much "better" are Rigid's cordless power tools compared to Ryobi?

The "lifetime" warranty certainly sounds better, at least on paper, but I'm wondering whether, and how much better the tools are.

I'm not invested in any cordless system, but am looking at getting drill/drivers and a recip saw for pruning and root removal.

TBH, they'll probably sit in reserve most of the time, so something like Ryobi would probably be fine, but I'm curious about Rigid as well.

The selection of Ryobi's tools can't be beat, but I don't see myself getting deep into them, or any system, either.

Can't get used to the idea of tools being sold using the razor and computer printer model.

Yep Ridgid's warranty looks good on paper but stories run the gamut from hassle-free to complete PITA. You have to register online, then confirm weeks later they actually accepted your submission. Users say the latter is critical because sometimes Ridgid says "we don't know what you're talking about, we never saw it." Also the "lifetime" warranty on batteries is only batteries purchased in a kit, not a-la-carte

In the past when I've called Ryobi with problems with their 40V OPE I've gotten a real person in South Carolina and they shipped parts free.

I'm a Milwaukee guy myself and their warranty is one of the easiest and no-nonsense. Print a shipping label at their website, ship it off FedEx. If it was built within the last 5 years (coded into serial #) or you have a receipt for purchase within 5 years, you'll get a new or repaired tool back at your door step via FedEx. NOW, turn around time has been growing the past several years. Sometimes it's 10-14 days, but sometimes it's a month. Also, 5 years is just most tools....OPE is 3, XC batts are 3, compact batts are 2.

 

[threeputtpar]

Big fan of Ridgid, Have an 8 piece set from 2007 still going strong. the 9.6V battery on the screw gun went bad last month. Called them to get a replacement and since they don't do 9.6V anymore they sent the latest 18V Li-Ion compact impact gun. Brushless and far more ergonomic. Had it 3 days after I called, no charge for shipping. I have the 18V Li Ion 1/2" impact that I use for tires and suspension and that battery last for weeks on a charge. Unfortunately they only offer a 3 year warranty on impacts now.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Well, after falling into the rabbit hole, I ordered a Ryobi combo, and will see how well it works out. They claim to have a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, and Big Orange has their 90 day return period. Not a pro, these tools don't need to serve daily duty and not stall a job, they just need to not be complete junk and break after a couple uses. That should be fine, and it not, it won't be a huge loss.

I don't doubt their product, but Rigid would have made a stronger case if it had a better selection of tools in their system, and a more straightforward product line. I understand they made an effort to simplify things last year, but the selection still lags, and the product manager who determines their combo packages seems to favor avoiding direct competition with the other brands, either intentionally or unintentionally, as much as possible. That results in some odd, less appealing, and certainly limited kit choices compared to others. But that's understandable, they're known for their plumbing tools, the ones they make themselves, and they seem content with a limited slice of the general power tool market, and not contract with TTI to rebadge more of the line that's sold under their own AEG brand elsewhere. But the danger that they could orphan their cordless power tool line is a specter that lingers.

The Red, Blue, and Yellow brands would have been overkill for my needs, and trying to find the sweet spot isn't a project I really had much desire to undertake. In the old days, it would have been much simpler -- go down to Sears and see what Craftsman offered, and be confident that it was solid quality at a fair price. Local store, easy access, easy fix. Sears would have faced headwinds in changing times no matter, but for someone like Eddie Lampert to take the stick and fly the plane into the ground, and destroy such a venerable institution makes its demise even more of a shame.

Every brand has their good and bad stories, and I'm still not sold on the razor/blade sales model. but that's where it is. If modern tools were built to last decades, didn't have consumables, and didn't need to have fancy marketing claims backing them, the companies would be doing less business.

 

[Job]

I think Ridgid power tools from HD are a premium brand like Dewalt etc. I saw recently the stand alone batteries appear to be lifetime warranty. They were three years. I may order this set, having a high capacity usb battery powered port is useful.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...-AC86072B-AC87004P/318071153#product-overview

 

[RyanY]

@Carmudgeon I don't think you will be disappointed with the Ryobi set. As you said, the broad selection of One+ tools is second to none. I have a fair number of them (saws, drill, impact, blower, edger, etc) and all perform at least as well as expected.

 

[Job]

New tool. Just ordered this 7 1/4 cordless miter saw plus the two battery kit with USB adapter posted just before. Had a 10% off coupon which was applied in addition. I was looking at this for some time. I have an older Craftsman 12 in sliding corded saw but that spinning 12 inch blade while cutting small things like molding always made me nervous. Not that 7 1/4 isn’t dangerous but 12 in is a big plate with teeth spinning very fast. What I like about this saw is the angled up motor, brushless, the size, and cordless. If I decide I don’t want it, take back to HD, walk out with no cost to me. Rarely do that though. America, what a country.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...Miter-Saw-Tool-Only-R48607B/315186518#overlay

 

[D60]

@Carmudgeon I don't think you will be disappointed with the Ryobi set. As you said, the broad selection of One+ tools is second to none. I have a fair number of them (saws, drill, impact, blower, edger, etc) and all perform at least as well as expected.

I agree. My buddy is a local carpenter and says everyone on the jobsites makes fun of Ryobi, but these guys literally build homes for a living everyday.

For the home gamer I think Ryobi is a great value and they hold up fine. They work well enough and are readily available at HD. Watch BF sales and you can get some great deals on tools and especially batteries

 

[Vern_in_IL]

Ridgid expensive? Since when NOT?

Even before they "sold" their name, the American made Pipe wrenches were not cheap.

 

[RyanY]

I agree. My buddy is a local carpenter and says everyone on the jobsites makes fun of Ryobi, but these guys literally build homes for a living everyday.

For the home gamer I think Ryobi is a great value and they hold up fine. They work well enough and are readily available at HD. Watch BF sales and you can get some great deals on tools and especially batteries

The only other potential issue, especially for pros, is that Ryobi (and Ridgid) are only available at HD, Direct Tools, and online. If quick replacement/parts is necessary, then other brands may be a better choice. However for the average DIY homeowner the Ryobi will do everything we need and will likely last forever. Kinda like a basic lawn mower - it is just fine for the homeowner but probably not the best choice for a pro.

 

[Job]

Happy with Ryobi, have the 10” chainsaw, and some others. Since I have a couple batteries I bought this. Works good.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...-with-Digital-Gauge-Tool-Only-P737D/307627867

 

[K-Man]

In the 1980s the electric-supplies wholesaler I worked for sold Ridgid. Those tools were never cheap, but you got what you paid for. Don't know about now, though. Lots of companies seem content to coast on their past good reputations, despite not building things as well today.

 

[Carmudgeon]

So, to (hopefully) complete my story, I did a U-turn and joined Team Orange.

I was largely motivated to get new tools and join the cordless world because I needed a recip saw to finish a job, and didn't want to keep borrowing one like I've been doing. The Ryobi kit I bought was cheap, but I never felt totally comfortable with the saw in the kit.

So when Direct Tool had a sale, with free shipping, it was too hard to resist. For only a few more Hamiltons total, I got an older model, but much better brushless and orbital saw, and a drill/driver combo that is slightly more compact, and feels better in hand than their Ryobi counterparts.

They did take a while to ship, and FedEx's ship time estimates are currently worthless, but they finally arrived, so back goes the Ryobi kit, unopened.

The LSA may or may not end up being a benefit, but at least the possibility exists, and tools sold by Direct Tool are eligible. It's also owned by TTI, operates out of the same facility, and serves as the back door sales channel for both brands. The reconditioned items may be a different story, but I see no indications that their "blems" are anything but new, and undamaged, or NOS being cleared out.

I also see that there are adapters to mate Ridgid, and other makes' batteries to Ryobi tools. Don't know how feasible or good in practice that is, but it's also a possibility. If not, having two systems isn't the end of the world, especially given how often Ryobi goes on sale.

 

[D60]

Kinda random but Ridgid was producing a jobsite light that had a dial for brightness. WHAT A CONCEPT!

I just cannot stand the recent craze of "toggling" through brightness settings. Milwaukee is a huge offender (and I'm a Milwaukee fan boi but I call feces when I see it). Give me one switch for on/off and a dial for brightness -- it just makes too much sense apparently. In reality I expect it's much less expensive to build a single switch and a circuit board that knows to just progress (toggle) to the next programmed setting each time you press that button....

 

[JeffInDFW]

I'm aware this is an older thread, but I saw where it was mentioned here that Ridgid impacts no longer had the lifetime service agreement. This seems to be an error. They still had it back in 2022 when I bought one and still do today. ----- I've ended up with almost the entire cordless Ridgid 18v system. I bought all online at HomeDepot.com to make the LSA registration easier (receipts are electronic) and its always been fast no problems. ----- My logic? I had always planned to go with Red, but I have older tools that batteries die or become obsolete so I can't buy a replacement. Having to throw out a tool because I can't get a battery sucks. Knowing that all my Ridgid batteries have a lifetime warranty, and if I have a failure and Ridgid has stopped making them they send me not only the latest battery free but also a replacement tool to match that new battery style. That's epic to me. I've got multiple impacts, multiple of every type so if one is down for 5 weeks being replaced for free, I'm fine. I liked the feel and I felt they were a step above Ryobi and a step below Red and Yellow, right about where I need to be honest. I like buying things once and having it for the rest of my life. Keep an eye on HomeDepot.com and wait for insane package deals is how I built my set. Good luck.

 

[willbur]

When in the hell did they become so expensive, Like milwaukee and dewalt prices..I remember them being more budget friendly or am i wrong? I was looking for a new drill/impact combo kit, going to pass...on to ryobi

There are the orange and red Rigid tools. Two differant companies IIRC

 

[captainbeandip]

There are the orange and red Rigid tools. Two differant companies IIRC

I was just going to say the exact same thing. I think the line of power tools that are sold at Home Depot come from a COMPLETELY separate company than the plumbing tools do.

I found this out a few years ago when I went looking for a new battery for my 18V Propress crimper. I thought great, Home Depot sells 18V Rigid batteries. Nope. It's different. Had to get it from a real plumbing supply store.

I think Home Depot may own the contract for the orange Rigid power tools. I think they are made by a different company that has nothing to do with the rest of the Rigid stuff.

I do find it a little interesting of how this business deal went down and Home Depot seemed to be going all-in on the Rigid brand of power tools, while at the same time slowly phasing out all of the Rigid plumbing tools that they carried.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I have the brushless ridgid 1/2 impact wrench w lifetime warranty on tool and battery. I got on on sale pre pandemic for around 120, but it was on sale recently for 140-150. I rarely use this tool only on lug nuts so there was alot of value in the lifetime warranty.
During the pandemic I got the brushless ryobi 1/4 impact driver with drill combo w 2 batteries for around 130. Great price, use it around the house and in situations the impact wrench is too heavy (like the oil change under body cover).
A couple times a year home depot will go on deep discounts, watch for sales.

What model did you get?
I am pretty well sold on Ridgid tools!
So far I have the High Torque Impact, R86212 and the Mid Torque Impact R86012. They both work quite well!