How good are the Rigid power tools?

[haffieldj]

I grew up around DeWalt power tools and our Fire Department also uses them. They seem to be a great product. To make a long story short here it goes:
I was in Home Depot with my mind set on a DeWalt power tool (what I knew was best) until an employee I ran into told me about Rigid tools. I knew nothing about them. He told me not only were they a great product but they carried a lifetime warranty. After he told me that I was sold. So I just want to know is the hype true about the product and how good is there customer service?
Thanks!

[Ru&Lins_05]

Oh boy here we go again. Let me be first to say Hi and don't be scared off by some of the fighting that you innocenlty started with this post. You'll find that Ridgid is very open to people posting almost anything even if it is a dewalt die hard who doesn't like Ridgid because it isn't dewalt etc etc. Anyway to answer your question, it has been my experience that the customer service is great. I have never had any issues with the way i was treated or with the service that has been done on my tools (free of charge, yeah!!) Let me clearify one thing though. Ridgid doesn't offer a lifetime warranty, they offer a lifetime service agreement on there power tools and the batteries that come with those tools. The tools must be properly registered and taken to an authorized service center to qualify for free service and parts. I used dewalt before and switched to Ridgid and have since replaced most of my tools (not just cordless) with Ridgid. Not only have I converted to the Orange color but have also convinced several others to do the same just by using them and getting the job done quicker (not to mention looking cooler at the same time :D). I don't know but it doesn't seem like you poll is working properly, I could only check the box not enter a number.

[Frankiarmz]

I agree that the atmosphere and conversation is very open and welcoming on this Forum. There are some folks who have a favorite brand of power tool/cordless tool, or who have had a bad experience with a particular brand including Ridgid, but I have not seen them censored. The folks who run this Forum are great and the folks who contribute here are very knowledgeable. I have owned several different brands of cordless tools including DeWalt. A few years ago I bought the 5 piece Ridgid 18 volt nicad set and it has held up extremely well to my home use. No complaints with the exception of wanting more diverse tools such as a 1/2 inch 18volt heavy duty impact wrench. Maybe I'll suggest Ridgid make one.:rolleyes:

[BadgerDave]

My experience with RIDGID tools has been, 10, 10, 10 and 10. YRMV

[stuart_canada]

never had an issue of any kind any tool i have purchased from Ridgid power tool line.
I like the cost, I like the feel , I enjoy the power and got to really enjoy the bright orange bags they come in
great buy when they are sale.

but i am done buying for a while....unles they go on sale again
have almost everything i need

[HVAC HAWK]

i never had my own cordless tools but did try someone else's older ones and they were a little heavy .i have dewalt for a long time and i like it .i would change to something different but it cost to much .

now ridgid power tools you cant beat them .i have a metal chop saw for over 12yrs and the only thing i had to fix was the handle because some thing fell on it and the shop has Milwaukee and they only last about 7yrs

welcome and let us know what you chose

[lurch]

I grew up around DeWalt power tools and our Fire Department also uses them. They seem to be a great product. To make a long story short here it goes:
I was in Home Depot with my mind set on a DeWalt power tool (what I knew was best) until an employee I ran into told me about Rigid tools. I knew nothing about them. He told me not only were they a great product but they carried a lifetime warranty. After he told me that I was sold. So I just want to know is the hype true about the product and how good is there customer service?
Thanks!
Please understand that Ridgid is exclusive to Home Depot so it makes sense that their employees want to push it more so than something else. They do have their own agenda when selling tools. If you take the time to look at the specs you will notice that DeWalt tools produce more speed and RPM's especially since they offer a 3rd speed which is their patton.
Also like stated above they don't offer a Lifetime Warranty like the employee told you, big surprise he didn't know what he was talking about. We bought a couple of Ridgid drills about three years ago and found the Lifetime Service Agreement to be more of a pain in the a$$ than anything. I think you will find a lot of of similar complaints by searching through previous posts on this forum. I would put Ridgid on the same level as Craftsman, good for lite to medium duty work but not cut out for heavy duty all day every day use.

[reConx]

My 4 year old 18V Ridigid power tools/batteries have never failed me and I have upgraded them recently with another kit to get the 3.0 Ah lithium batteries. The LSA will be beneficial especially for the batteries since all batteries no matter the manufacturer will eventually need replacement. HD specials have made Ridgid power tools very cost-effective and I can't justify making a switch. The new X3s show that Ridgid has made some improvements to their power tools and provide competitive performance meeting or exceeding the other professional brands.

[Wagon Man]

I don't work for HD nor Ridgid, but as homeowner + DIYer + woodworking noob, I find Ridgid power tools offer the BEST value considering quality and warranty.

My 15+ yrs Dewalt 9.6V drill/driver still running good except for the shorten battery life, I am still using the ~18 yrs old Dewalt circular saw which I have no intention to replace. But when I need new tools I do 1st look at Ridgid if they have a comparable (spec) offering.

I have bought more than enough Ridgid tools during the past 3 years than my skills level and scope of DIY projects actually need.... that's what my wife said to me. LOL

I took in my TS (2400) for a warranty repair, took up a total of 3 weeks mostly waiting for spare parts but the repair ctr do have good people working there, this is my 1st experience on Ridgid warranty repair and it went fairly well.

Professionals may prefer other brands, but I am not one :winknudge:

[Frankiarmz]

Quote from Wagon Man ,"I have bought more than enough Ridgid tools during the past 3 years than my skills level and scope of DIY projects actually need.... that's what my wife said to me. LOL" My wife has hit me with all sorts of one liners regarding my tool purchases, "Why did you buy that?", "Did you really need that?", "What are you going to do with that?", "You're never going to use that!", "Have you lost your mind?" I could go on but you get the drift, I'm no Pro but I got a lot of tools. Nothing like the smell of motor brushes in the morning.:D

[pesciwasp]

Quote from Wagon Man ,"I have bought more than enough Ridgid tools during the past 3 years than my skills level and scope of DIY projects actually need.... that's what my wife said to me. LOL" My wife has hit me with all sorts of one liners regarding my tool purchases, "Why did you buy that?", "Did you really need that?", "What are you going to do with that?", "You're never going to use that!", "Have you lost your mind?" I could go on but you get the drift, I'm no Pro but I got a lot of tools. Nothing like the smell of motor brushes in the morning.:D
Had to laugh at Frankiearmz wifes quotes. My woman says the exact same things to me!
They must all quote from the same book!

[Wagon Man]

Yeah, that's right, they are all from the same "different world" than we men do :rotflmao1:

Had to laugh at Frankiearmz wifes quotes. My woman says the exact same things to me!
They must all quote from the same book!

[Frankiarmz]

Yeah, that's right, they are all from the same "different world" than we men do :rotflmao1:

Yeah, I/we have a tough time explaining those tool purchases. Today I got a delivery of high tech LED flashlights and batteries. Just try explaining this kind of hobby or interest. I get a kick out of how much light, different modes, compact size can be built into these flashlights. Luckily we have been arguing for a few days so she is not friendly enough to yell at me. Yet another thing to look forward to once she is speaking to me again.:(

[DRC-Wartex]

Nice poll you made there. I don't see how a checkbox works as a range selector.

[lurch]

I took in my TS (2400) for a warranty repair, took up a total of 3 weeks mostly waiting for spare parts but the repair ctr do have good people working there, this is my 1st experience on Ridgid warranty repair and it went fairly well.

Thanks for proving the point that many others have expressed on here. Three weeks is way too long. Maybe a DIYer can wait that long, but professional contractors usually can't go more than a week at the most while waiting for a tool to get repaired.

[Wagon Man]

Absolutely, I do think that just the LLSA ain't enough to compete in the pro-market, unless Ridgid (and partner with their service ctrs) shorten repair cycle time ....

or better yet: provide "loaner tool" until the repair is done - and customer pays for repair in case the loaner is damaged.

TS, Drill press, etc.. may be difficult to offer loaner, but drills/ drivers/ impact / recip / batteries, etc... should be easy to do.

(What am I doing here? Teaching grandma to suck milk?) :rotflmao:


Thanks for proving the point that many others have expressed on here. Three weeks is way too long. Maybe a DIYer can wait that long, but professional contractors usually can't go more than a week at the most while waiting for a tool to get repaired.

[VLL]

I have the older model MSUV stand & that is all I ever intend to buy. Why Ridgid + Home Depot = Ridgid getting a bad shake on the deal. I would never tie my whole business to only one store & the success or their decisions of what to sell in the store or how to display it or whether to display it or not. That & the fact that at one time I was told there was to be battery powered tool package with 3-4 tools on sale on Saturday & even shown the set up sheet for the display so I got up early to make it to the sale & get my set of tools for sure only to be told the tools sale had been canceled. To this day they have never had a Ridgid tool sale for their battery powered hand tools in this store to my knowledge. So I bought Ryobi & don't regret it for a minute. Ryobi has their own display that they set up their way. I do like the MSUV stand tho I use it for my portable planer.