Ridgid Tools

[RichZ]

I was at Home Depot today, and there was a sales rep from Ridgid Tools today. He was giving out 10% rebate forms, and he claims that Ridgid powertools have a lifetime warranty if you register them on-line. He claimed that if you have problems with the tools, all you have to do is bring it to a service center to be replaced.

Does anyone have any experience with Ridgid Tools? I'm paritcularly interested in their 18 volt cordless drill. The batteries for my cordless drills usually last no more than 2 years, and it's never worth getting new batteries, so I generally buy a new drill every 2 years. If Ridgid replaces the batteries when they die, the drill would be well worth the $189 minus the 10%.

Thanks for any opinions!!

 

[Shimon]

I would be surprised if they cover batteries under warranty. They would consider battery failure as normal "wear and tear".

Check out their warranty:
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/RIDGID-Warranty/index.htm

 

[Shimon]

Also, check out the forums on that same site. You will see that the Ridgid batteries pretty much suck. And you will read all sorts of problems people have with warranty work.

Personally, I would stay away from Ridgid. I work on boats and have a variety of cordless tools. I have Makita, Milwakee and Dewalt tools. I find that the Makita cordless tools are best built and their batteries last the longest. That Makita can drive 2" hole saws through fiberglass all day long.

Not trying to start a brand war but you (generally) get what you pay for.

 

[ronjhall]

According to this page from the site you listed, batteries are included. Click Here

 

[Shimon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( According to this page from the site you listed, batteries are included. Click Here )</font>

I stand corrected!

 

[ronjhall]

My son came over the other day with his new Rigid drill. His first comment was, Dad it's got a lifetime warranty. My comment was sure until you need it. He then showed me the page I posted. Darn kids. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Code54]

Yep the batteries are covered, and yes they do not last as long as some other brands BUT the charger takes 20 minutes and I have both the drill and the impact drivers so I can flip the batteries and keep on working while it charges. For heavy home use I see no problems with them at all. I got the 14V drill and the impact gun for $139 total so I don't think you could touch any other major makes for that price. I have done a grat deal of work with the driver and some work with the drill, NO problems what so ever. I also have a small Ridgid compressor and a shop vac and none have had a single problem and everything works very well.
Good luck on whatever you pick...

 

[Birdman]

I bought a whole set of Ridgid cordless tools about a year ago. Hammer drill, sawsall, circle saw, flashlight, two 18V batteries, and a dual battery charger. All came with a lifetime warranty that includes batteries. I am very happy with the quality and performance of these tools, just hope I am as happy when the time comes to use the warranty. The hammer drill is great for putting screws into metal barn roofing and battery life is better than my old Makita, with 12V battery.

 

[Dargo]

I have relatives who work both as carpenters and HVAC. They generally use DeWalt 18 volt tools, but they begin buying Rigid about 6 months ago because of their warranty and because when they go to rough neighborhoods, their Rigid tools don't get stolen. They told me that they have had DeWalt tools and other name brand high quality tools stolen right out of their van while they were in a house working. I guess from what they say, it's fairly easy to pry open the rear doors on their work vans with a crow bar.

Anyway, they tell me that the Rigid batteries have some venting (I don't know, I've never seen one) that helps them run cooler and are indeed warrantied for life. The report from them is that the Rigid battery powered tools are not quite as strong as, nor holds a charge for as long as, their DeWalt and Milwaukee tools, but don't do bad at all. And, since they have the lifetime warranty and generally don't get stolen, that's all the better. The bottom line is they both tell me that they'd buy them again. Based on what I know now, I'll consider them when I next need something.

 

[gsganzer]

I need to check into that warranty. I have a 10" Ridgid power miter that I bought about 5 - 6 years ago. A couple of weekends ago, when I was cutting trim, the motor arced, threw pretty blue sparks and caught fire.

Personally, I haven't been real impressed with the saw from the start, but then again it was one of the first homeowner grade tools they brought to market.

The Rigid commercial tools like the pipe threaders and stuff are top notch, but I've been a little disappointed with some of the homeowner/contractor stuff.

I'll stick with Milwaukee, Bosch and Makita. I've been real happy with the Milwaukee 18V drill. I finally wore out the batteries after 5 years of hard use (actually one of the batteries is still pretty decent).

 

[heehaw]

the service center in Little Rock replaced a 18v battery for me, just last friday: it was a little over a year old and the charger wouldn't kick off on this one battery: the ridgid tools are made by the same co that makes ryobi tools: and sold only thru home depot: but i liked the lifetime warranty, so last year i bought their 5 tool kit: i didn't know they had a 18v hammer drill though, i i will have to check that out soon.
heehaw

 

[Jagmandave]

I've had a Rigid cordless drill now for just over a year with no problems, the batteries charge really quickly and seem to last plenty long enough for me......

I feel it's definitely a step up from B&D, if not quite in the Dewalt range, but the price is more like the B&D........

 

[RichZ]

I also e-mailed Ridgid, asking them about their warranty. This is the answer I got from them...

The warranty is for repair, not automatic replacement because of a failure. If a tool is determined by an authorized Ridgid warranty service dealer to be non-repairable, then the service dealer can submit a replacement request form under warranty. Miss-use or abuse is a judgement call the authorized service dealer has to make, and your closest Ridgid authorized service dealer can be determined from the dealer locator at the link below.

RIDGID Service and Repair Centers

The Ridgid rep was correct in regards to replacing the batteries under the warranty.

There is nothing else to say other than, yes, the batteries are covered under the warranty. I have attached a PDF file of the lifetime service agreement statement to this message. It is also listed on the Ridgid web site at www.ridgid.com


....So, it seems the Ridgid sales rep who implied that I'd never have to buy new batteries again, was stretching it just a tad. Sounds like their warranty isn't any better than anyone else's.

 

[Shimon]

Lifetime warranties are one of those things that always used to convince me to buy a product. However, I have gotten to the point in my life where lifetime warranties are a nice thing to have but I would rather pay for a quality product (I'm not saying Ridgid isn't quality since I've never used it but it doesn't sound like top shelf equipment).

I've bought a lot parts for my 85 F250 diesel truck with lifetime warranties but I spend so much time replacing parts that it drives me nuts. My starter is lifetime and I'm on my fourth one in six years. My alternator is lifetime and I'm on my third in five years. My front shocks are lifetime (Edelbrock) and I'm on my third set. You get the point. Same with hand tools. Craftsman ratchets are lifetime but they don't last like the Snap-On ratchets.

Sure, lifetime warranties are nice but sometimes they can turn out to be a big hassle. I've learned my lesson...I always like to spend my money once and look for a product that won't make me waste my time with warranty replacements and repairs. I've got better things to do with my time. Some people have more time than money so it's no big deal for them. I'd rather spend my money than waste my time. All depends on your point of view!

 

[2nstonge]

I bought a Rigid table saw and HD tried to sell me an extended warranty even though it came with a lifetime warranty. Why? "because the extended warranty will cover things that might not be covered under the lifetime warranty". Huh?

I like the table saw & don't regret buying it but it sounded to me like all the warranty stuff is a bit of marketing hype.

-Norm

 

[heehaw]

staples is another store that will do the same thing: my daughter bought something at staples, bought the 3 year warranty they suggested, when she got it home and was reading the paperwork, the thing came with a 5 year warranty, she took the staples warranty paperwork back to them and they refunded her money.
heehaw