Ridgid Pipe Wrench Warranty Problems

[LD1]

Ray, If I lived in your area, It would be no problem to spring by their place in Elyria, where they want me to send the tool.

But the cost of the drive or cost to ship isnt worth it IMO when I can get a replacement at HF for 12 bucks. And I am in there often enough if I ever have a problem, I know I can swap it out for a new one on my next visit.

Which is probabally what I will do. Instead of spending $9.55 on the parts and having to deal with all this crap nextime, I will just get one from HF.

It is pretty sad that a company that sells a bunch of chinese crap has a better warranty policy than an american company.

 

[Car Doc]

It is pretty sad that a company that sells a bunch of chinese crap has a better warranty policy than an american company.

I bet they (Rigid/HF) come off the same assembly line these days jmho.

 

[LD1]

I bet they (Rigid/HF) come off the same assembly line these days jmho.

they certainly look enough alike

 

[lilranch2001]

wow, I do not know how many Ridgid pipe wrenches I have had in my hands over the years, but literally hundreds of them, and I have never seen one break.

I could see the serrations wear out on the jaws, but never break.

I guess from your story Ridgid has gone the way of so many good companies, or at least had to to avoid fraud

 

[BHD]

the only thing the HF wrenches are good for is scrap IRON, they are not made on the same line,

the RIDGID are still made in the USA. and my guess is your broken Ridgid is still better than new HF,
a few years ago I thought I save me some money and bought the set of pipe wrenches from HF, what a disappointment, I ended going to Ebay and buying used Ridgid wenches and ever one was better used than a new HF,

If you go to a supply house that is a Ridgid distributer they may trade out the part for you, (at one time they did that), but the warrant process has changed over the years,

I would most likely just buy the jaw and put it in and be done with it, still the best pipe wrench made,

 

[lilranch2001]

I would most likely just buy the jaw and put it in and be done with it, still the best pipe wrench made,

^5

:thumbsup:

 

[204saskman]

FWIW, these are the pics I was going to send them.

I'll let you guys be the judge as to how much this tool was used or abused

I have used ridgid for a long time working in the oil patch. Everytime i tried to get warranty on those parts it was considered a wear item and was not warrantied. I had to buy them every time. But when i broke one in half on a job one time they had no problem giving me a whole new wrench(36" steel).

 

[nybirdman]

I have used ridgid for a long time working in the oil patch. Everytime i tried to get warranty on those parts it was considered a wear item and was not warrantied. I had to buy them every time. But when i broke one in half on a job one time they had no problem giving me a whole new wrench(36" steel).

How did you every break a 36" steel pipe wrench!!Must have had a huge cheater on it.
Been a pipefitter for 40 years,used Rigid all that time and never saw one fail...we did abuse them too.

 

[nickel plate]

Is Ridgid still producing those spectacular calendars?

 

[creekbend]

I have three pipe wrenches made by Rigid. My Father gave them to me around 1972. He had used them for years prior to giving them to me. I have even loaned them out on occasions, and they have never given me or anyone else that used them any problems. The Company obviously is using cheaper materials. I wasn't even aware that there were pipe wrenches made out of aluminum until this thread was posted.