New Drill/Driver: Ridgid Vs. Dewalt

[dmehak]

After trying to make up my mind between Ridgid and Dewalt for my new drill/driver, I finally picked up an X3 Hammer Drill this morning. Got it from Home Depot for $149 (regular $299) - it seemed like the perfect opportunity at that price.

Anyone have some experience using these two brands? Did I make the right decision?

The Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement that includes replacement batteries ended up being a big determining factor for me. But I remember reading some negative posts about it I believe - is it as good as advertised?

Thanks guys.

[BadgerDave]

I own battery powered drill/drivers from both Ridgid and DeWalt. Both have performed exactly as they should and have been trouble free. I would buy both brands again in a heartbeat if the tool I happened to be looking at suited my needs.

[dmehak]

Speaking of suiting needs… I’ve seen a few people on here suggest buying a dedicated drill/driver (non-hammer), and an additional dedicated hammer drill. I’m assuming this is to avoid people boring 1” holes though 16” of concrete using a drill/driver/hammer drill?

The needs I have for my drill are realistically more suited to a drill/driver, but the convenience of having the hammer drill setting for small masonry holes seemed to make sense to me.

Is there other reasons that I should have bought a non-hammer drill/driver?

[NailBanger]

The only considerable difference between the drill/driver and hammer drill would be mainly weight. Drill/driver being a fair bit lighter for just general day to day usage. But if you arent using it for hours on end daily then the weight shouldnt play a factor for you. IMO I think you made the right choices.


Bill

[Velosapien]

There's no significant advantage to buying a non-hammer cordless drill. On the professional drills the weight savings is almost non-existant. Non-hammer models come in highly compact varieties for lighter work but these are still no substitute for the full size driver drills. Even then that's starting to change since Makita now has compact hammers as well. Dedicated hammer drills of the corded variety are still quite a bit more effective at the higher end models but if you need to drill 1" holes though neither of them is really suited for that. Thats when you get a rotary hammer.

[tinmack]

After trying to make up my mind between Ridgid and Dewalt for my new drill/driver, I finally picked up an X3 Hammer Drill this morning. Got it from Home Depot for $149 (regular $299) - it seemed like the perfect opportunity at that price.

Anyone have some experience using these two brands? Did I make the right decision?

The Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement that includes replacement batteries ended up being a big determining factor for me. But I remember reading some negative posts about it I believe - is it as good as advertised?

Thanks guys.

Whether it's good or not is irrelevant.....at that price you essentially paid for the batteries, charger, and bag, and got the drill for free!

But seriously, I think it's a pretty good drill, and a smoking deal at that price.

[dmehak]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Is it possible to buy the other X3 tools individually? Or do you have to buy the 5 piece kit to get them?

[lurch]

After trying to make up my mind between Ridgid and Dewalt for my new drill/driver, I finally picked up an X3 Hammer Drill this morning. Got it from Home Depot for $149 (regular $299) - it seemed like the perfect opportunity at that price.

Anyone have some experience using these two brands? Did I make the right decision?

The Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement that includes replacement batteries ended up being a big determining factor for me. But I remember reading some negative posts about it I believe - is it as good as advertised?

Thanks guys.If you're not going to be using the drill all day every day and are just looking for a decent non commercial drill than you made a decent choice. However depending on your needs the DeWalt does tend to perform faster and the batteries do last longer. I noticed you mentioned something about the LSA and free batteries but if you spent some time doing some research through the forum I think you would find countless threads with complaints about it.

[DRC-Wartex]

The problem with LSA is people see it as an unconditional warranty, as in "it breaks, we replace/fix it forever". LSA is not a priority or contractual service (like Hilti for ex) in any way, so the time it takes to get something thru LSA might cost more than a new tool. People also tend to think this is an over-the-counter exchange. The only time Ridgid will replace anything is when it costs them more to fix it, and that is pretty much never with the exception of batteries. So if your drill burned out, expect it to be repaired and not replaced.

LSA also covers only kits.

[dmehak]

How does the Ridgid LSA compare with Dewalt's warranty?

http://www.dewalt.com/us/warranty_information/popup_warranty_information.asp

http://www.ridgid.com/Manuals/RidgidLSA.pdf

Looks like they have the same 90 day satisfaction guarantee and 3 year limited warranty, but I also see Dewalt has 1 year free service? Not sure what that is, or if Ridgid has something similar?

[BadgerDave]

LSA also covers only kits.

That is incorrect.

[dmehak]

That is incorrect.

Had me worried there for a second... I couldn't figure out why Ridgid would have covered the box for my drill with information about their LSA if it wasn't included in the program.

Glad to hear it is still covered - thanks!

[DRC-Wartex]

That is incorrect.

In other words, if I buy an extra battery pack or charger from HD for my existing kit it is also covered under LSA?

[lurch]

In other words, if I buy an extra battery pack or charger from HD for my existing kit it is also covered under LSA?Indvidually purchased batteries are not covered. Just another issue with their program.

[Spinalzo]

Indvidually purchased batteries are not covered. Just another issue with their program.


But, kits and individually purchased tools - corded and cordless - are eligible for the program. Batteries and chargers purchased individually are not eligible. Ridgid routinely sells their drill/driver kit at times (like right now in Canada for $149) where you get 2 lithium batteries and a charger and they throw in the drill to boot and they're covered under the LSA. If you want one battery for $99 why not 2 and the extras for $49? A little creativity can get you what you want.

[dmehak]

Ridgid routinely sells their drill/driver kit at times (like right now in Canada for $149) where you get 2 lithium batteries and a charger and they throw in the drill to boot and they're covered under the LSA. If you want one battery for $99 why not 2 and the extras for $49? A little creativity can get you what you want.

"Why not two and the extras" for an additional $49 you mean? ($149 for a whole new kit, vs. $99 for one new battery).

This is also assuming that the drill is on sale for that price at the exact same time you need new batteries - right? Otherwise you would have to wait for the sale...

[tinmack]

"Why not two and the extras" for an additional $49 you mean? ($149 for a whole new kit, vs. $99 for one new battery).

This is also assuming that the drill is on sale for that price at the exact same time you need new batteries - right? Otherwise you would have to wait for the sale...

Stock up now and grab a couple more of those drill kits..........;)

[DRC-Wartex]

That is incorrect.


Ridgid does not sell tools individually. Also badgerdave, a tool with 2 batteries and charger is called a "kit". A tool with some other tools is called a "combo kit". Just FYI. Of course corded tools are not considered "kits", but that is common sense and we are not talking corded.

So yes, only pieces from [cordless] kits/combokits are covered under LSA.

Congrats, you fail.

[Spinalzo]

"Why not two and the extras" for an additional $49 you mean? ($149 for a whole new kit, vs. $99 for one new battery).

This is also assuming that the drill is on sale for that price at the exact same time you need new batteries - right? Otherwise you would have to wait for the sale...


No, it is not assuming that the drill is on sale at the exact same time you need a new battery. It assumes that you recognize an opportunity to obtain batteries/tools at a bargain price and are willing to pull the string to make the purchase. There have been many contributors to the forum that have taken advantage of the bargains over the years to either build or fill the gaps for items they need. There have been plenty of bargains over the years and this is another one. $149 for an LSA eligible kit containing batteries and charger vs. $99 for a battery is a good way to fill an anticipated need is all that I suggest and when something else comes down the road, jump on that too.

[Spinalzo]

Ridgid does not sell tools individually. Also badgerdave, a tool with 2 batteries and charger is called a "kit". A tool with some other tools is called a "combo kit". Just FYI. Of course corded tools are not considered "kits", but that is common sense and we are not talking corded.

So yes, only pieces from [cordless] kits/combokits are covered under LSA.

Congrats, you fail.

You don't have offer to congrats, but they yet sell the Max Select tools here in the States and they are individual tools sold without battery and without charger (tool only) and they do qualify for the LSA program. FYI, they did also sell them in Canada, but have chosen to discontinue doing so and many took advantage of the bargains and LSA. They were tools sold without other tools and are tools sold without other tools here in the US.

So yes, pieces from other than kits/combokits are covered under LSA.

Congrats, you fail, too.

[pesciwasp]

The problem with LSA is people see it as an unconditional warranty, as in "it breaks, we replace/fix it forever". LSA is not a priority or contractual service (like Hilti for ex) in any way, so the time it takes to get something thru LSA might cost more than a new tool. People also tend to think this is an over-the-counter exchange. The only time Ridgid will replace anything is when it costs them more to fix it, and that is pretty much never with the exception of batteries. So if your drill burned out, expect it to be repaired and not replaced.

LSA also covers only kits.
Lsa does not only cover kits. Lsa covers most all of RIDGIDS air and power tools, battery, corded, bench, etc. You are correct however about peoples misconception over warranty vs service agreement. One out of two ain't bad.

[Ru&Lins_05]

Lsa does not only cover kits. Lsa covers most all of RIDGIDS air and power tools, battery, corded, bench, etc. You are correct however about peoples misconception over warranty vs service agreement. One out of two ain't bad.

Last time I checked thats 50% and that (as previously mentioned) is failing! :D

[pesciwasp]

Last time I checked thats 50% and that (as previously mentioned) is failing! :D
I must be missing something. What products are not covered? Tile saw, power washer, job site radio? All the corded power tools, mitre saws, table saws, drill presses, jointers, sanders, and air tools are covered, thats hardly 50%

[Ru&Lins_05]

No, no I mean one out of two equals 50%, therefore you gave Wartex's slash on BadgerDave right back ;)

[pesciwasp]

No, no I mean one out of two equals 50%, therefore you gave Wartex's slash on BadgerDave right back ;)
Gotcha!

[DRC-Wartex]

Gotcha!


Let me write this in bigger font, maybe you will pay attention.

I. WAS. TALKING. ABOUT. CORDLESS. TOOLS. AND. ACCESSORIES.

[pesciwasp]

Let me write this in bigger font, maybe you will pay attention.

I. WAS. TALKING. ABOUT. CORDLESS. TOOLS. AND. ACCESSORIES.

I'm aware LSA covers pressure washers etc etc.
No moron it doesn't cover pressure washers, you pay attention! Also it does not only cover kits for cordless tools, it also covers max select stand alone tools. You surprise me for someone who is a such a self proclaimed wealth of knowledge!

[Spinalzo]

No moron it doesn't cover pressure washers, you pay attention! Also it does not only cover kits for cordless tools, it also covers max select stand alone tools. You surprise me for someone who is a such a self proclaimed wealth of knowledge!


Now, based on how he finishes on some of his other threads, Wartex will probably try to defend an indefensible position, insult someone and then proclaim that he is done with this thread while trying to show as much indignation as possible. Whoops ...... there I go telling the plot before the end of the movie, my bad.

[pesciwasp]

Now, based on how he finishes on some of his other threads, Wartex will probably try to defend an indefensible position, insult someone and then proclaim that he is done with this thread while trying to show as much indignation as possible. Whoops ...... there I go telling the plot before the end of the movie, my bad.
How awesome, look above, he edited his post to take the incorrect statement out, but it shows up on my post!

[Kanxrus]

... I finally picked up an X3 Hammer Drill this morning. Got it from Home Depot for $149 (regular $299) - it seemed like the perfect opportunity at that price.

Anyone have some experience using these two brands? Did I make the right decision?


Thanks guys.


Back to the point here..... I've never used the new X3, I have used the X2. It does look like they made some improvments over the previous model. You bought it, so maybe do some tests on it and see how well it perfoms, and let us know.