Avoid these tools like the plague
Avoid RIDGED battery operated tools. They are utter JUNK. The "deal" for a 1/4" impact driver plus a 1/2" impact, drill driver with LIFETIME WARRANTY even on the batteries sucked me in. I rue the day I purchased them.
The 1/4 inch impact driver went out first; it took six weeks to get it back. I estimate it drove 125-150 wood screws before it puked.
Now the JUNK chuck on the 1/2 drill impact driver is frozen solid with a hex shanked wood bit in the laws that WILL NOT COME OUT.
You are warned! Steer very clear of the Home Depot Battery operated RIDGED tools unless you want total headaches and failures.
The 1/4 inch impact driver went out first; it took six weeks to get it back. I estimate it drove 125-150 wood screws before it puked.
Now the JUNK chuck on the 1/2 drill impact driver is frozen solid with a hex shanked wood bit in the laws that WILL NOT COME OUT.
You are warned! Steer very clear of the Home Depot Battery operated RIDGED tools unless you want total headaches and failures.
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my opinion is trumps trade talking has the foreign (almost everything) made stuff sweating the gravy train may change actually FAVORING THE USA instead of the one way deals now giving other countries the edge and like china getting ship loads of cash to rebuild their country into world #1 while the USA is incapable of making a widget now....MAGA ...one indicator (to me) is harbor freight holds almost continuous sales now ???? a year ago i bought a large rolling tool cabinet for $269 and now the same is $229, a 15% reduction in price, a signifigant reduction as it was made and shipped half way around the world >>><<< 0 -
My son use his Ridgid tools all the time. He's had no problems.
I also have a few sets of them that I use on a regular bases professionally, never had a problem with them
But trust me, I'll stay away from the set that you bought... Because it sounds like you got a defective set. Thanks for the heads up0 -
I bought a 1/4? driver from Harbor Freight to drive screws in metal roofing. $74 with coupon. I?ve drove quite a few screws with it. Bauer is the brand name. If I was a contractor, I wouldn?t waste my time with this brand, but for general use, it works great. 0 -
The guy who screened in our back porch swears by Hitachi battery tools. 0 -
I am someone that does not use them for their trade, but for past ten years or so, I believe I have only been a customer of Dewalt or Porter Cable for battery operated products. Might have bought something else, but I can't remember what it could have been. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by remingtonoaks
My son use his Ridgid tools all the time. He's had no problems.
I also have a few sets of them that I use on a regular bases professionally, never had a problem with them
But trust me, I'll stay away from the set that you bought... Because it sounds like you got a defective set. Thanks for the heads up
I have a RIDGID wood planer, it is AWESOME it has ate thousands of feet of hardwoods with no problem. I have the RIGID sanding table center with belt and disc sanding, tilting table and different sized round arbors. It too is fantastic.
The issue is the BATTERY powered tools, they are very nice looking feel substantial in your hand, have a lifetime warranty. Home Depot's policy costs you 20 bucks to send a tool back in. They give your 20 back to you if it was actually busted. They will not ship repaired tools to your home. The closest Home Depot is 54 miles from my house.
The Battery powered tools from them are truly junk. I am going back to Dewalt.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bpost Originally posted by remingtonoaks
I am going back to Dewalt.
Smart move. We use the Dewalt 1/4" impact drivers at work and drive two sometimes three dozen screws into each product crate we build/close. They're used hard and take it in stride. The 5AH 20 volt LI batteries last most of the day before needing recharged.0 -
Ridgid is crap in my opinion. Life is too short to work with cheap tools. I feel the same way about shotguns. 0 -
weren't they famous for their large hand tools being held by tool babes on calendars, back a few decades ago? 0 -
Oh yea. Beautiful gals. 0 -
Really?
I've switched over to 100% Rigid 18V tools and they're performing quite well. 1/4" impact driver (x2), 1/2" variable speed drill(x2), 1/2" hammer drill, 1/2" full sized impact wrench, 7 1/2" circular saw, reciprocating saw, 4 1/2" angle grinder, flash light, area light, radio, and I've probably missed something.
FWIW
I've never heard of a "1/2 drill impact driver" nor have I seen an "impact driver" with a "chuck". We commonly run 3 1/2-4" #10 wood screws in pine by the box full with the smaller impact drivers although running that size in oak runs batteries down fairly quick.0 -
I have several Ryobi battery tools and have had good luck with them. I built probably a half mile wood fence and I used my drill to bury every long screw without a bit of problem. All of them including Dewalt are made in Yangdungho. 0 -
I've had very good luck with DeWalt's 18V "XRP" 0 -
quote:Originally posted by asop
I've had very good luck with DeWalt's 18V "XRP"
ME TOO!!! for 20 years, but he batteries were going out for the third time and the complete set from RIGDED with two batteries and charger was the same as two new 18V XRP batteries so I got suckered in. DRAT.0 -
I have one word on the subject.
DeWalt0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
I have one word on the subject.
DeWalt
Correct. They are all we use. And when you remove 1000's and 1000's of screws every day, you learn what drivers are good, and what ones are junk. Want one that will last, get DeWalt drivers.0 -
I had a Ryobi battery operated set. Siht the bed after about a year. Wouldn't hold a charge for more than a few. Minutes of work. A guy I hired to install the porch had a Dewalt. Ran like a champ all day without recharge.
I bought a set the following week. It's been rocking my woodwork for 5 years now. Use it almost every day.0 -
My DeWalt is so old, the Smithsonian called last week to ask me to donate it to their antique tool collection.
It is an old 14 volt must be 12 years old. Can't even buy batteries for it any more at Home Depot.
Two years ago time to do an addition on to the log cabin. I hardly use nails any more it is screws galore for me. Even in an antique-looking log cabin, in the sub floor, bou coup screws. In the board and batten of the dog trot, screws and more screws. The 2x6 spruce ceiling boards, lots of screws.
I got tired of buying 5 pound boxes of screws and started buying 30 pound boxes. Must have shot 250 pounds of screws with the old DeWalt and it held up like a champ.
I did buy two batteries off of EBay, they were new. So I had 3 batteries but only needed two, so I was using a 10 year old battery along with a new battery and the old battery held up just fine.0 -
quote:Originally posted by jltrent
I have several Ryobi battery tools and have had good luck with them. I built probably a half mile wood fence and I used my drill to bury every long screw without a bit of problem. All of them including Dewalt are made in Yangdungho.
I disagree DeWalt has had a huge push in the last 4-5 years for American made tools. Batteries are still made in Japan just because America can?t figure it out.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Idahobound
quote:Originally posted by jltrent
I have several Ryobi battery tools and have had good luck with them. I built probably a half mile wood fence and I used my drill to bury every long screw without a bit of problem. All of them including Dewalt are made in Yangdungho.
I disagree DeWalt has had a huge push in the last 4-5 years for American made tools. Batteries are still made in Japan just because America can?t figure it out.
My two Dewalt tools have Made in China on them you better check yours close. The key to the battery power tools are the batteries as allen griggs post sums that up. My Ryobi drill came with one crappy battery. I have since added several tools and some nice long lasting good batteries with them and no problems. The only problem is good batteries are not cheap, but will last and can be rebuilt.0 -
Go figure I guess it is luck of the draw, I have quite a few Ryobi tools and have had zero problems with any of them over the last seven years. 0 -
the only problem I have with dewalt is the batteries. for me shelf life is less than a year. I have 2 12 volt drills that look like new and 6 batteries that are dead
I can go to harbor freight and buy a drill and 4 batteries cheaper than 1 dewalt battery0 -
Your phobia of women is flaring up again.
quote:Originally posted by bobski
weren't they famous for their large hand tools being held by tool babes on calendars, back a few decades ago?0 -
Haven't had trouble with Ridgid Battery powered drills but switched to Bosch 6/7 years ago. "Refurbished" Bosch has guarantee for xxxx months and EVERY tool looked NEW and "kits" had the cases. Even a 12" sliding miter saw looked new, but never shipped in the factory box.
One item worth Trying is a Bosch "tic-tak" box of "P2" - Phillips #2 drywall screw bits. Have a ribbed tip and can take a beating before breaking a tip. Nothing is shorter and grips solidly in my drill driver tip. Getting harder to find online. Good price is $10 for 15 and free shipping.
Bosch had a drill/driver combination with a quick release AND Magnet built into the drill. The magnet solidly gripped even 3 + inch phillips bits and allowed driving the bit overhead or at angles w/o holding the screw in you hand.
But, no more, now it would take an "Magnetic" driver attachment, however saw this coming an purchased a second driver kept hidden away until needed.
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quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
I have one word on the subject.
DeWalt
Yep and ALL my old -25+ yrs Makita's still running strong0 -
I am a Makita man myself. 0 -
Good batteries are the key to these tools. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by wpage
Good batteries are the key to these tools.
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I bought my wife a super cheap rechargeable Black & Decker drill about 10 years ago. It is the type that you plug a cord directly into the drill for charging. The battery that powers it is sealed into the drill and cannot be removed. It is very light weight and has served her well for indoor projects and repairs.
After 10 years that thing is still going strong and has outlasted several of my heavy duty Makita battery pack drills in my shop!0 -
quote:Originally posted by Brookwood
I bought my wife a super cheap rechargeable Black & Decker drill about 10 years ago. It is the type that you plug a cord directly into the drill for charging. The battery that powers it is sealed into the drill and cannot be removed. It is very light weight and has served her well for indoor projects and repairs.
After 10 years that thing is still going strong and has outlasted several of my heavy duty Makita battery pack drills in my shop
That's what I do with my old tools that still work, she's got the ridgid drill, a nice craftsman 7-1/4 30 year old circular saw. Also some old combination chisel/screwdrivers, a hammer and 3# sledge.
Told her to take care of them because I'm not giving her more, tools. OH, a trowel, wire brush, package of ty-wraps and half a roll of duct-tape.[:D]
She can do a lot and I'll still be irreplaceable. Someone still needs to buy new batteries.0
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