Ridgid quality

[gear junkie]

Just completed a Ridgid survey on slogans and it got me thinking. Do you guys think that Ridgid's quality of their tools went down after they started being sold at Home Depot?

[PLUMBER RICK]

well since i know ridgid as professional plumbing tools, i would say that i can separate the real ridgid name from the import home line of tools.

a real trades person who purchases the homeowner line of tools/ drain cleaning equipment will be let down by the homeowner line, but should know that the pro line is the pro line.

homedepot just exposed the ridgid name to the general public. they might know any better, but a pro will.

rick.

[All Clear Sewer]

I would have to say "YES"

[stxrus]

I would have to say "YES"

but quality issues are universal. make it cheaper and increase the profit magin. maybe the poor schmuck that bought the 1st one will replace it with the next one, from the same company.

steve

[Gene Bickford]

I have often heard Items sold at HD are made with cheaper parts so their prices can be lowered.IE: brand name nail gun at HD uses some internal plastic parts. $50 cheaper then other place but you will know the difference the first time you drop it.

[woodenstickers]

I have often heard Items sold at HD are made with cheaper parts so their prices can be lowered.IE: brand name nail gun at HD uses some internal plastic parts. $50 cheaper then other place but you will know the difference the first time you drop it.

Just wondering where and how often you have heard this? I'm not saying it isn't so, just that maybe it isn't.

[ToUtahNow]

I have often heard Items sold at HD are made with cheaper parts so their prices can be lowered.IE: brand name nail gun at HD uses some internal plastic parts. $50 cheaper then other place but you will know the difference the first time you drop it.

I know some of the plumbing fixtures will have the same name but different parts number than the ones I buy at wholesale houses. They are very similar in looks but may have a slightly different material for the handles and such.

Mark

[gear junkie]

Just to make sure I understand; a Ridgid pipe wrench or other tool bought at HD is different than one I would buy at a supply house? That seems to be the general thought. I saw a brasscraft pipe wrench and it looked better made than the ridgid. How sad the mighty have fallen.

[ProBrand]

Very interesting thread. I'd like to add a few thoughts.

I think quality would be a dangerous element to use as a tool to differentiate between retail and supply house distribution. We make a lot of pipe wrenches every year and I can assure you they all come from the same place. While we are quite proud of the way the product line has evolved, to include technology-based products like pressing and locating, the company still takes a lot of stock in the products that started it all, such as threading machines and the pipe wrench. To hear that gear junkie thought a competitor's product better made is tough to swallow. I'd be curious to know the details there.

Plumber Rick, I very much enjoy reading your posts as I haven't seen a question you couldn't answer about any RIDGID product. It is interesting to see you still say one is the "real" RIDGID. Same name on everything, which is why we are very vigilant about the product testing and selection. Of course, we can always do better. Maybe we'll get the chance to talk about it on a golf course some day. Take care of Josh, he's a good kid.

As always, thanks to everyone for their comments and support.

[ToUtahNow]

Very interesting thread. I'd like to add a few thoughts.

I think quality would be a dangerous element to use as a tool to differentiate between retail and supply house distribution. We make a lot of pipe wrenches every year and I can assure you they all come from the same place. While we are quite proud of the way the product line has evolved, to include technology-based products like pressing and locating, the company still takes a lot of stock in the products that started it all, such as threading machines and the pipe wrench. To hear that gear junkie thought a competitor's product better made is tough to swallow. I'd be curious to know the details there.

Plumber Rick, I very much enjoy reading your posts as I haven't seen a question you couldn't answer about any RIDGID product. It is interesting to see you still say one is the "real" RIDGID. Same name on everything, which is why we are very vigilant about the product testing and selection. Of course, we can always do better. Maybe we'll get the chance to talk about it on a golf course some day. Take care of Josh, he's a good kid.

As always, thanks to everyone for their comments and support.

You and gear junkie might be mixing two issues here. The parts which are different at the wholesale house and Home Depot are faucets and such which are made by manufacturers other than Ridgid. The tools which Rick is differentiating between are the traditional industrial quality plumbing tools we have used forever and the new line of power tools which Ridgid sells through Home Depot.

While I have not used a lot of the new Ridgid power tools they do not appear to be the same quality of tools which I have been purchasing and using over the last 35 + years. Respectfully, I also feel tools like your closet augers, hand snakes and AutoSpin (Rick would add the K-40) are below the standards I would expect from Ridgid.

Mark

[Woussko]

Could it be that there's an evil based tool company making counterfeit RIDGID pipe wrenches and taking advantage of the liberal return policy of Home Depot?

Example: Evil buyer goes to HD and buys a few RIDGID brand pipe wrenches. He/she come back in a few days and returns most of them in new condition, but they are actually counterfeit junkers. They look brand new so the people at Home Depot return them to stock. A few days later in comes a serious plumber and buys one or two of them thinking he/she is getting a real thing RIDGID but ends up with the junker. Soon the word gets out that there is a quality problem. The Ridge Tool Co. catches hell for products that they didn't actually make. This has happened to other fine US and German tool companies over the years. Maybe this is the problem.

Is this quality issue with the common hand tools for plumbing, or is this for newer items sold only at The Home Depot? Are we talking the exact came catalog numbers as the tools at a good plumbing supply house. industrial supplier or tool dealership?

[ToUtahNow]

I just read through a Thread about problems with warranty repairs through Ridgid. The Thread seems to highlight some of what has been mentioned in this Thread. I can't remember ever having warranty issues with my Ridgid tools like people are complaining about with the new line of tools. I recently had a problem with a SeeSnake monitor and even with shipping both ways it may have taken a week and a half to get it back.

Mark

[apf]

I"ve got to agree on the closet auger , they don't hold up. I have many specialty tools and hand tools from Ridgid but I don"t have any power tools yet. I had not had the exposure to them but I notice H.D. has started to push the Ridgid line a lot more. I'll try one the next power tool I get if the Forum thinks it's a equitable deal .[value for cost] .H.D. faucets are definetely built differently , and don't get me started on Glacier Bay :(

[All Clear Sewer]

One of the things I find to be kinda funny is: as we know the cables for the K-7500 have gone down in quality. But they warranty em with out a problem so far.
Well to make a long story short I called Duracable to get my new 100` innercore cable and I asked em if they made any cables for Ridgid and they said "NO". I had a Ridgid rep call me 2 weeks a go and he told me they get their cables from Duracable....hummmmmmmm WTF

Then he told me that anything I buy off tool-up he would not warranty. I said "WHAT, Ridgid wont warranty their tools?" Then I pined him down and he then told me that Ridgid would but he wouldn't.
kinda funny the BS you get from different people :confused:

[ToUtahNow]

One of the things I find to be kinda funny is: as we know the cables for the K-7500 have gone down in quality. But they warranty em with out a problem so far.
Well to make a long story short I called Duracable to get my new 100` innercore cable and I asked em if they made any cables for Ridgid and they said "NO". I had a Ridgid rep call me 2 weeks a go and he told me they get their cables from Duracable....hummmmmmmm WTF

Then he told me that anything I buy off tool-up he would not warranty. I said "WHAT, Ridgid wont warranty their tools?" Then I pined him down and he then told me that Ridgid would but he wouldn't.
kinda funny the BS you get from different people :confused:

J.M.McKinney has no problem servicing the tools I buy from ToolUp.com

Mark

[michael stephen]

Just completed a Ridgid survey on slogans and it got me thinking. Do you guys think that Ridgid's quality of their tools went down after they started being sold at Home Depot?

no i dont think so..

[All Clear Sewer]

ToUtahNow That rep wont get any of my money after the BS he was giving me. I was gonna buy a K-60 from em but I think I`ll get it from tool-up ;) He told me he didnt even have a k-60 to show me then gave me all the BS about if I buy from some one else...lol
Not a good way to get in my pocket :D

[ToUtahNow]

ToUtahNow That rep wont get any of my money after the BS he was giving me. I was gonna buy a K-60 from em but I think I`ll get it from tool-up ;) He told me he didnt even have a k-60 to show me then gave me all the BS about if I buy from some one else...lol
Not a good way to get in my pocket :D

The guys are ToolUp are good guys whether you are at the counter or order by phone. Often I just order online even if I am going to be in the area because they ship so fast and it saves me a little time. Besides right now they have a 10% off Ridgid promotion so you save a few bucks.

Mark

[Kevin G]

In addition to plumbing supply warehouses, Ridgid hand tools (pipe wrenches, cutters, pliers,) have been available to professional tradesman and DIY'ers for years through places like Ace Hardware, Hugh M Woods, and other select hardware stores. I bought my two pipe wrenches and pipe/tube cutters at an Ace Hardware store years ago. This was long before Home Depot even grew out of infancy to become the big box store they are now. Contrary to what some believe, Ridgid is not a home depot house brand. I hope it never becomes one either. In fact I wish Lowes would start to carry Ridgid hand tools.

[plumbdog10]

In my opinion, Ridgid still makes the best plumbing hand tools (Rick will disagree with me on basin wrenches, but that's one of the eternal debates), but their cordless and woodworking tools suck. I can't speak for their locating drain cleaning equipment.

[fastplumber]

i'm with the dog on this one.

[DuckButter]

In my opinion, Ridgid still makes the best plumbing hand tools (Rick will disagree with me on basin wrenches, but that's one of the eternal debates), but their cordless and woodworking tools suck. I can't speak for their locating drain cleaning equipment.

Thats similar to my thoughts.
I see Ridgid shop vac's, Ridgid sumps & sewage ejectors, Ridgid chopsaws, cordless tools...etc.
Ridgid has attempted to crack a broader market, which is fine except that I personally think they aren't using the same determination with these new endeavors that they used with their original plumbing tools.
Bar none there is NO tubing cutter batter than Ridgid (unless you're looking to randomly thread your copper), NO pipe wrenches that are better, NO soil pipe cutters, NO threaders either.
I confess to using their pumps recently...ONLY because they offer a lifetime warranty.
I hope they read these threads, plumbers in particular have come to trust Ridgids tools over the years, their name is practically synonymous with plumbing, I hope they can keep it that way in a pool of companies that have repeatedly been found to cut corners in the name of profit.

[Tieger plumbing]

[quote=ProBrand;80973]Very interesting thread. I'd like to add a few thoughts.

I think quality would be a dangerous element to use as a tool to differentiate between retail and supply house distribution. We make a lot of pipe wrenches every year and I can assure you they all come from the same place. While we are quite proud of the way the product line has evolved, to include technology-based products like pressing and locating, the company still takes a lot of stock in the products that started it all, such as threading machines and the pipe wrench. To hear that gear junkie thought a competitor's product better made is tough to swallow. I'd be curious to know the details there.

IMHO

I happen to agree that Rigid has taken a hit as far as great quality has gone.
2 of my 4 Jetter are Rigid and only because they paid for themselves the very first day I used them, that was the selling point.

The new H 30 cart is NOT as heavy duty as my older one

The Rigid auto spin should NEVER have been put on the market with the Rigid name

The only reason I bought two Auto spin is I work in many buildings over 130 years old and the lead piping is under marble floors so the flexibility and the lack of torque of these toy machines is good for 11/4 and 11/2 " lines for hair and nothing else.

Because I charge over $100+ more then these machines cost I figured it is a throw away tool after 4 uses BUT so far I managed to use it TWICE and it failed and has been back for repairs because the first time nothing was done and one so called Rigid authorized repair place in Hunts point section of the Bronx told me they no longer wish to deal with Rigid repairs under warrantee

This toy does NOT feed properly forward or reverse and it just stops working when under any type of tension.

The K 38 cant even come close to the General Super V hand held as far as long lasting quality or longevity

The K -375 I only use under duress as the cable can shoot out of the drum and twist up unless you really know how to use a drain cleaner without the automatic feed feature and no one can give me a straight answer if I can put an automatic feeder on the model I have.

The General mini rooter XP using 3/8" or 1/2" cables puts the K-375 to shame and can really get through some really tough stoppages which it is not designed to do.

The Mustang Jetter pulsating action does a better job then the KJ 1350 BUT the rigid is a lot easier to maintain.

The KJ 2200 is a great machine for the price and also pays for itself with in one day a of use.

The Rigid 750 is a good machine BUT does not have the versatility of the General super 90 (we wont even compare the Rigid /Kollman to Spartan)

My 700 and the 300's so far have given me over 30 years of amazing service and threading 6" pipe with the 700 in an easy one man job a lot safer then the universal we used to use.

As far as receipting saws (Sawzall) Milwaukee rules with Lenox blades

Wet Dry Vacuums SEARS puts out an amazing 5.0 HP for $99 with more then enough attachments and the 21/2" hose removes rocks from main sewers with out any problems and is also great for other stoppages like basin and sinks and floor drains where mud is encountered.

The mandatory (OSHA) foot pedal for the 300 is GREAT if your shoe size is 5 A work boot or size 11 boot will not fit in this mouse trap .

Respectfully, Sylvan Tieger,LMP.

[TomSV650]

No love for the k-3800? We just bought another one. I think it's a better machine than the spartan 100. It's seems a little lighter and the motor is more powerfull. It's more awkward to carry up a ladder though, and Ridgid, would you please just bend up the two cord holders so I don't have to?

[Kevin G]

I've compared my relatively newer 14 inch and 10 inch Ridgid pipe wrenches with those same sized Ridgid pipe wrenches that my uncle has used in his lawn sprinkler business since the 1960's. Comparing my wrenches to his, I see no difference in feel or function. The only difference I see is the raised brand name "RIDGID" is actually a differnt text style, more elongated horizontally than the "RIDGID" brand name on my wrenches. The other difference is that his 14 inch wrench has a very apparent crack underneath the bottom jaw in the housing. Also of course his wrenches have a good amount of surface oxydation and lots of surface wear and tear. I told him due to that crack forming that Ridgid will replace that wrench for him under warranty. His reply "why bother, that wrench still works as good now (even with the crack) as it did the day he bought it"!!! I think he bought those two wrenches back in the late 1950's, before he even got into the sprinkler business.

[plumbdog10]

[quote=ProBrand;80973]Very interesting thread. I'd like to add a few thoughts.

I think quality would be a dangerous element to use as a tool to differentiate between retail and supply house distribution. We make a lot of pipe wrenches every year and I can assure you they all come from the same place. While we are quite proud of the way the product line has evolved, to include technology-based products like pressing and locating, the company still takes a lot of stock in the products that started it all, such as threading machines and the pipe wrench. To hear that gear junkie thought a competitor's product better made is tough to swallow. I'd be curious to know the details there.

IMHO

I happen to agree that Rigid has taken a hit as far as great quality has gone.
2 of my 4 Jetter are Rigid and only because they paid for themselves the very first day I used them, that was the selling point.

The new H 30 cart is NOT as heavy duty as my older one

The Rigid auto spin should NEVER have been put on the market with the Rigid name

The only reason I bought two Auto spin is I work in many buildings over 130 years old and the lead piping is under marble floors so the flexibility and the lack of torque of these toy machines is good for 11/4 and 11/2 " lines for hair and nothing else.

Because I charge over $100+ more then these machines cost I figured it is a throw away tool after 4 uses BUT so far I managed to use it TWICE and it failed and has been back for repairs because the first time nothing was done and one so called Rigid authorized repair place in Hunts point section of the Bronx told me they no longer wish to deal with Rigid repairs under warrantee

This toy does NOT feed properly forward or reverse and it just stops working when under any type of tension.

The K 38 cant even come close to the General Super V hand held as far as long lasting quality or longevity

The K -375 I only use under duress as the cable can shoot out of the drum and twist up unless you really know how to use a drain cleaner without the automatic feed feature and no one can give me a straight answer if I can put an automatic feeder on the model I have.

The General mini rooter XP using 3/8" or 1/2" cables puts the K-375 to shame and can really get through some really tough stoppages which it is not designed to do.

The Mustang Jetter pulsating action does a better job then the KJ 1350 BUT the rigid is a lot easier to maintain.

The KJ 2200 is a great machine for the price and also pays for itself with in one day a of use.

The Rigid 750 is a good machine BUT does not have the versatility of the General super 90 (we wont even compare the Rigid /Kollman to Spartan)

My 700 and the 300's so far have given me over 30 years of amazing service and threading 6" pipe with the 700 in an easy one man job a lot safer then the universal we used to use.

As far as receipting saws (Sawzall) Milwaukee rules with Lenox blades

Wet Dry Vacuums SEARS puts out an amazing 5.0 HP for $99 with more then enough attachments and the 21/2" hose removes rocks from main sewers with out any problems and is also great for other stoppages like basin and sinks and floor drains where mud is encountered.

The mandatory (OSHA) foot pedal for the 300 is GREAT if your shoe size is 5 A work boot or size 11 boot will not fit in this mouse trap .

Respectfully, Sylvan Tieger,LMP.

I don't understand your post. I see you list your occupation as L........, what does that mean?

You seem to indicate that "we make a lot of pipe wrenches..." are you saying you work for a manufacturer? Or, is this a grammatical error in which you are referring to a quote by Ridgid? Please clarify.

[Josh]

Dog.. I think Tiegers quote is actually a requote of 2 other posts. So part of his thread was a post from ProBrand... then the remaining is his opinion. It just didnt dispaly the right way for a quote.

Josh

[plumbdog10]

Dog.. I think Tiegers quote is actually a requote of 2 other posts. So part of his thread was a post from ProBrand... then the remaining is his opinion. It just didnt dispaly the right way for a quote.

Josh

Well, that's why I asked Josh. It was a little confusing on his point. I'm sure he will clarify his point when he has time.

Good to here from you Josh.

[Bob D.]

Dog, I believe LMP/LMFSPC is Licensed Master Plumber/Licensed Master Fire Supression Piping Contractor.

[plumbdog10]

Dog, I believe LMP/LMFSPC is Licensed Master Plumber/Licensed Master Fire Supression Piping Contractor.

Bob,

That makes sense. I thought maybe it was some kind of military classification for plumbing. I'm not used to the term "master plumber", out here we only have licensed journeymen (through the Union, county, or City of Los Angeles), and licensed contractors.

[JERRYMAC]

In my opinion, Ridgid still makes the best plumbing hand tools (Rick will disagree with me on basin wrenches, but that's one of the eternal debates), but their cordless and woodworking tools suck. I can't speak for their locating drain cleaning equipment.
:):)
At last something plumbdog and i can agree on about ridgid tools,
my wife got tired of useing my old basin wrench, so i brought her very own new one, one year for her b-day,:)

jerrymac masterplumber

[Tieger plumbing]

[quote=Tieger plumbing;90248]

I don't understand your post. I see you list your occupation as L........, what does that mean?

You seem to indicate that "we make a lot of pipe wrenches..." are you saying you work for a manufacturer? Or, is this a grammatical error in which you are referring to a quote by Ridgid? Please clarify.

LMP is my degree Licensed master plumber as I feel after a 10,000 hours and 744 hours of class room studies for my apprenticeship and working under the auspices of a master plumber for another 5 years as a journeyman before being eligible to take the 4 part masters exams I should put Licensed Master plumber after my name.

Face it plumbing is highly techinical and drain cleaning has it moments of frustrations if your not using the right tool for the applications at hand and there is no training for sewer and drain cleaning

I am also a holder of a licensed master fire suppression piping contractors license.

In reality sewer and drain cleaning is the real money maker in the industry and no license is required in many states.

Actually own only Ridgid wrenches from 6" - 48" including basin wrenches as far as I am concerned they are the best and I still am using the same wrenches I stated out with in 1968 including chain tongs.

I just think some of the Ridgid line of light duty drain cleaners have a lot to be desired

[gear junkie]

To Mr. Sylvan Tieger,
Are you giving Ridgid's drain cleaning equipment a fair chance? If you buy the DIY model but use it in a professional setting, what do think will happen? I don't live in NY nor do I fully understand the cost of living there but with your prices; why not get the professional tool for the professional job? You seem to agree with me that Ridgid's quality has gone down but you must be impartial in your comparisions.

To Mr. Duck,
Ridgid's tubing cutters are crap.:eek: That's right, that's what I said. Try lenox tubing cutters sometime. I gave my Ridgid tubing cutters to one of my customers.

[PLUMBER RICK]

[quote=gear junkie;90392]To Mr. Sylvan Tieger,
Are you giving Ridgid's drain cleaning equipment a fair chance? If you buy the DIY model but use it in a professional setting, what do think will happen? I don't live in NY nor do I fully understand the cost of living there but with your prices; why not get the professional tool for the professional job? You seem to agree with me that Ridgid's quality has gone down but you must be impartial in your comparisions.
quote]

ben if tieger bought the top of line ridgid. such as the 3800 or 7500 machine he would have to double his prices and the customer would have to take out a second on their house:eek:

i can't imagine his complaint. he can throw away his tools after the job and still make money:confused:

maybe tieger is that monkey he spoke of:rolleyes:

rick.

[westcoastplumber]

I am very happy with the camera systems, locating equipment and the transmitter I have, I am also very happy with the tubing cutters, except for the new models they have with the ball instead of the clip they used to change the cutter wheel, I have changed mine over to the old style.

I am not familiar with the drain cleaning equipment yet, when I purchesed mine several years ago, ridgid was less then to be desired in that arena, I am sure they have worked on their drain cleaning equipment since then. From what I hear, they have;):D