Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.
Hi, I am not a pro just a homeowner.
I have a set of Ridgid tools, impact driver, drill, charger and two dead compact battery packs.
I think the compact packs simply do not last long regardless who makes them. I think they can be overloaded much easier than the bigger packs. Correct me if I am wrong here.
In my case the packs lasted 2 years of occasional use.
Going forward I would like to go with bigger packs.
Now my dilemma is…
Do I spend $100 on a new bigger pack (I am not a pro and I can share the pack between the tools or use corded drill if needed)?
Do I buy a new set of Ridgid tools and rely on their lifetime battery replacement program? Many report issues with this program and I am not sure I want to get upset over slow or no repair/replacement and bother with shipping it all to them.
Do I ditch the tools and buy something else (may be just an impact driver with (Impact Driver Conversion Chuck for drilling)?
I wonder if there is anything you guys can say/recommend….
Thanks!
Hi Oz. My recommendation… If you have Ridgid tools and like them HD is selling their newest X4 Drill with charger and one battery pack for $99 online. It has the lifetime warranty IF YOU REGISTER IT AND IF YOU BUY IT FROM HOME DEPOT!!!! That’s the way and only way (according to Ridgid) to get the warranty! If you check the reviews and Tools in Action as Tool select.com it gets great reviews. By staying with Ridgid you can keep the impact and expand your cordless line in the future. Ridgid does make good tools. Now…if you want to say screw it and switch tool lines, I have Milwaukee M18 and M12 tools as well as some Bosch 12v tools. Like you, im a weekend warrior but I do love tools and cordless is the way to go! Stay with Lithium batteries – no memory effect. If the end result is based on price though, I would stick with you line and buy that drill with the Lt warranty! I’m not sure where (USA or other country) you live but I hear quite a bit of good about Metabo, problem in my area…no one sells them!
Ridgid just filed for some patents on the X5 line I do believe.
Conductor562 wrote:
Ridgid just filed for some patents on the X5 line I do believe.
Oz Make sure ANYTHING you buy that is a battery tool is lithium ion powered battery cell wise.
This will extend the life of your batteries for an age compared to what you have now and because you use them now and again charge up then store and lithium stay charged for months. 🙂
Rigid has a 3 year warranty on the tools and battery packs, so if you have the proper documentation you should still be able to get the packs replaced. Sounds like you didn’t register for the LSA agrement. The tools are cheap compared to the price of battery packs.
I ended up buying new (but without a warranty) X4 high capacity packs for $60 each which at HD go for $99.
They are 2x more capacity than what I had and will give out 2x more current making it harder to “kill” the packs. With the Fuel Gauge I can now monitor the status of the packs and prevent full discharge to extend the life of the pack.
Most packs anymore won’t let you fully discharge them. Even when they quit the have enough juice to prevent damage.
Good for you Oz. Really when you buy a tool you are paying for batteries. Ridgid has really come along and don’t forget they make Milwaukee too (actually Ridgids owners TTI makes them).
The Ridgid name is owned by the Ridge Tool Company which is a subsidiary of Emerson Electric. TTI holds exclusive rights to the Ridgid name in power tools under license from Emerson. Home Depot in turn has an exclusivity agreement with TTI for distribution of new power tools, though you can buy recon’s from CPO.
Im an electrician and I have been using ridgid stuff and love it! I havent had any problems with it and would recommend ridgid to anyone!
I just wish Ridgid had a broader line-up
I am kind of curious what the new X6 line is going to be. I read that that X5 trademark was taken so they ear marked X6 maybe brush less? The tools are really great, plenty of power so improvement is going to be hard.
If I were a betting man I’d guess brushless, 4.0ah and 2.0ah packs, and 3 speed impact. Possibly a metal drill chuck?
Sweeeeeet! I have to admit, I tried the X4 stuff out and I would have NO problem using those tools professionally if I were a pro. But being avid and using my tools as they are I think I am qualified enough to form an opinion. My first Ridgid drill…nice drill, batteries – ehhh. The new X4 very solid. Would I sell my Hitachi and Milwaukee to switch now…no. I love what I have. But if I had re-bought into the line I know I would be happy. Put a 4.0 on it? All smiles!
I bought a new 18V ridgid battery and I use it everyday and love it!
I come a knats ass from buying into the Ridgid line before I chose Milwaukee. If Ridgid had’ve had a line-up comparable in size I probably would have pulled the trigger. My wife’s family are well known home builders and they’ve been buying Ridgid almost exclusivly for the past year and half with good results. The biggest complaint they’ve had is taking 6 weeks to have a drill repaired under the Lifetime Service Agreement. The Ridgid stuff looks sweet too.
I got the batteries and they had no sign of any use. No marks where they slide against a power tool.
I took little bit of gamble here as I am sure some people will try to sell used packs or old cells inside of new shells.
I charged them and tested them by screwing big bolts to a board. So much power….
Now what to do with the old unusable week packs? I did open them to look inside. There is quite a bit of electronics and 5 cells.
We used to use a radio battery and a piece of plexiglass with properly placed screw to power DVD players at work. It’s kinda obsolete anymore though.
I actually just bought the milwaukee m18 kit today and have fallen in love once again!
Milwaukee is the team to beat right now. This is the first time period I can remember where Milwaukee got more love on the web forums than Dewalt. I’ve never regretted investing in Milwaukee tools.
I have never been one for dewalt personally. I had milwaukees first 18V lithium kit and was kind of disappointed but I fell in love with the M18 kit and came back to the milwaukee side and couldnt be happier!
I agree andy. I grew up with Dewalt, but when it came time for me to upgrade to a new cordless line a couple years ago Dewalt was just starting to release the 20V Max line and I believe the drill and impact driver were the only tools they’d actually released. There really wasn’t any timetable on more releases and I wasn’t going to risk investing in a line that got scrapped. I needed at least a 4 tool kit and wasn’t going to wait God knows how long to get it so I went with Milwaukee. Don’t regret my decision a bit. I’m a Milwaukee guy now. They’re great tools.
Milwaukee = 😀
Dewalt = 😮
Just kidding, after Wayne Burgess’ comments on that planer they must make some decent stuff but…Milwaukee is for me
too!
If you wanted to try a different line of tools I have a DeWalt impact and love it! Very lightweight and i got the tool and battery for about $97 on ebay.
I got my dad a 20V Max Hammer drill / impact combo for christmas in 2011. He’s very happy with it. I’ll keep my red tools though 🙂
Yup Red is good. Plus that new Milwaukee graffic looks awesome! I have to admit, the 20v and 12v lineup from Dewalt is really nice. I do not like the XRP drill (Freakin’ thing is the size of bowling ball) but the compact 20v drill is a really nice comfortable, powerful tool. My Hitachi is still sweet though! I have to admit, I swore up and down that makita had the most comfortable grip (even over Milwaukee) but the Dewalt has definetly taken the lead position there. Pluse the RPM’s are pretty good on that drill. The impact is nice but I love my Fuel impact.
Aeg tools in Australia use the same rigid tool design, but offer more tools like an sds drill and angle grinder in an 18v format.
I looooove the weight and the distribution of the weight on the new milwaukee tools. The size is just right for me and I am so happy I went back to milwaukee. I am in love with the drill and the impact. I will say thought that the dewalt impacts led lights are pretty slick!
Yeah i agree the lights on my impact make it where i really see my work and not shadows
The LED setup on the Dewalt driver are fantastic. As for the hammer drill. The premium hammer (DCD985) is overly huge. It’s like carrying around a small child.
Yes i have that drill without the hammer drill function and it is pretty big.
Milwaukee for sure fixed that large problem with their drills and they feel fantastic in your hand!
crazyandy wrote:
Milwaukee for sure fixed that large problem with their drills and they feel fantastic in your hand!
Yes they do. They look sweet too!
Haha milwaukee is a sexy tool!
I am as always a huge fan of Milwaukee. I do have the Hitachi Brushless Hammer Drill. If you ever get a chance to try it out, do so. The tool is wicked light and the grip is molded and contoured to fit the hand well. The brand is not popular here but I have to admit, this is a really good tool with 8 speeds and the hammer function. It really gives the user a huge array of power settings!
That does sound pretty nice to have! If I ever see one I will try that out!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Hitachi is the most under-appreciated brand on the market.
ChrisK wrote:
I am as always a huge fan of Milwaukee. I do have the Hitachi Brushless Hammer Drill. If you ever get a chance to try it out, do so. The tool is wicked light and the grip is molded and contoured to fit the hand well. The brand is not popular here but I have to admit, this is a really good tool with 8 speeds and the hammer function. It really gives the user a huge array of power settings!
Did you use your points on this?
Hitachi grinders and nail gun are realy great tools and there compressor to 🙂 but your right conductor562
Hi;
If you like milwaukee tools, then you should look here to see some good discounted prices on Milwaukee tools and accessories. Definitely take a look at http://www.toolorbit.com/milwaukee/milwaukee.html . I myself use Dewalt, Makita and Milwaukee tools. They are very reliable and always have some money saving discounts.