As a brand name, how do you view Ridgid?

[Rich Engelhardt]

I never thought of the Ridgid brand of power tools as being all that great.
After getting both a jointer and a table saw though, my take on Ridgid as a brand name has been very positive.

I'm very tempted to switch over from DeWalt cordless to Ridgid if/when the time comes due to the lifetime service agreement on the batteries.

What say you?
Am I setting myself up for a disappointment or is it a wise move?

[Joe Bradshaw]

I have been very pleased with the Ridgid tools that I have. Plus the lifetime battery replacement is great.

[Rich Enders]

My three experiences have been very good. Oscillating Spindle Sander. 14 inch Band Saw, and Narrow Crown Stapler. The warranty covered the replacement of a drive component on the sander. I had to install the part sent at no charge, but it was straight forward. Other parts might not be so easy to install, but at least the parts are free. I believe some or all of the Ridgid tools are built by Emerson.

[Matt Meiser]

The tools I've used (couple drills) seem to be good tools, but what worries me is what happens when the wind shifts and Home Depot decides to get a lower bidder to make their tools? I guess the same could be said about the red/white/yellow/blue companies changing battery design or whatever, but there's so many good options out there that aren't tied to a single retailer.

[Brett Luna]

The tools I've used (couple drills) seem to be good tools, but what worries me is what happens when the wind shifts and Home Depot decides to get a lower bidder to make their tools? I guess the same could be said about the red/white/yellow/blue companies changing battery design or whatever, but there's so many good options out there that aren't tied to a single retailer.

I don't know how likely that is. I've seen Ridgid in HD stores for a long time. Besides, if not Ridgid and Jorgensen, where would they source BORG orange tools? ;)

[Mark Bolton]

The industrial mechanical line is phenomenal as it always has been. The namesake line at HD is a feather in the wind as Matt eluded to. It's only as good as HD's profit margin allows. It's clear that ridgid has no contractual say in the quality being attributed to their namesake. They are likely just cashing an hefty annual check.

I dont, and wouldn't, own any but have many of their industrial/commercial tools.

[Bernie May]

I buy their small electrical tools (sanders, drills, circular saws, etc.) and view them as above average for quality at a very competitive price.

[johnny means]

I just recently switched away from Rigids cordless line. IMO, they were a great value and took a real beating for years. Can't imagine HD will ever decide to diminish the quality. They definitely fit a niche. There are an awful lot of value minded pros out there using Rigid tools. Price wise they don't compete with the consumer stuff. It would be sorta stupid to turn Rigid into Ryobi's competition.

[Matt Meiser]

I don't know how likely that is. I've seen Ridgid in HD stores for a long time. Besides, if not Ridgid and Jorgensen, where would they source BORG orange tools? ;)

Anyone can buy orange plastic--I've seen it being made. If anything the fact they've been doing it a long time increase the odds that they'll put it out for bid again at some point. And they just ditched the Jorgies...

[Brad Adams]

This may not be the same class of tools, but my Ridgid pro press, copper pressing tool, and my Ridgid sewer rats have held up great for many years.

[guy knight]

my tool repair guy loves them keeps him busy

[Bruce Wrenn]

Anytime you send in paper work for LSA, GET A CERTIFICATE OF MAILING from post office!!! It proves you sent in paper work. Ask me, I know! One World Tech., maker of ridgid hand tools is VERY GOOD at losing paper work. Without out COM, it's your word against theirs, and YOU LOSE! I had COM, when they told me I never sent in paper work. I own five of the 12V LI drills and love then. Have had batteries replaced several times. Now HD (ten miles away) replaces them on the spot.

[eugene thomas]

I had my drill and driver set for 5 years and had to get new battries twice already. Anyone want 18-24 volt ridgit skill saw worst $125 ever spent.

[Loren Woirhaye]

Yeah, what Bruce said. They are said to be quite slippery about honoring the battery replacement offer.

I'm using Bosch Li-on now. The 12v format is a good value and the batteries are not too costly to replace. Still have a Milwaukee ni-cad for heavier work.

In terms of the woodworking machinery, the Ridgid tools seem solid and competitively priced. Pretty similar to the better Craftsman models I think... same manufacturer.

[Art Mann]

The industrial mechanical line is phenomenal as it always has been. The namesake line at HD is a feather in the wind as Matt eluded to. It's only as good as HD's profit margin allows. It's clear that ridgid has no contractual say in the quality being attributed to their namesake. They are likely just cashing an hefty annual check.

I dont, and wouldn't, own any but have many of their industrial/commercial tools.

What you are saying isn't true. If you register a tool bought at Home Depot for Ridgid's Lifetime Service Agreement, you go to a Ridgid website and create a Ridgid customer service account. Home Depot isn't involved other than to provide a link to the Ridgid web page. If you expect Ridgid to be in business and support their commercial and industrial tools, then you can also expect them to honor the LSA of tools bought at Home Depot.

[Dave Zellers]

Not a power tool, but the only Ridgid thing I own is a very flexible, heavy duty 12g 25 foot extension cord that stays flexible in even the coldest weather. Love it.

Bought it at my local lumber yard, not a BORG.

Plus I do want an OSS and hear nothing but good things about Ridgid's and I may just pull the trigger some day based on all the positive talk here and elsewhere..

[Mark Bolton]

What you are saying isn't true. If you register a tool bought at Home Depot for Ridgid's Lifetime Service Agreement, you go to a Ridgid website and create a Ridgid customer service account. Home Depot isn't involved other than to provide a link to the Ridgid web page. If you expect Ridgid to be in business and support their commercial and industrial tools, then you can also expect them to honor the LSA of tools bought at Home Depot.

I may well be wrong but I don't think ridgid in OH is supporting the HD line of consumer tools. Ridgid has likely (for a price) sold their namesake to HD for the duration of a contract. It's no different than John deere allowing their name to be put on a mower that was once branded as Scott's but didn't sell.

Again, may well be wrong, but it's always been my conclusion that ridgid consumer tools at HD are simply HD tools made to their specs and at their say so, with a paid contract to ridgid allowing them to use ridgid branding.

[Dave Lehnert]

Ridgid woodworking tools, to my understanding, is not made by Ridgid the plumbing co. The name is licensed to the parent company that makes Ryobi and Milwaukee tools. (anyone know for sure? )
I own the Ridgid 12" sliding miter saw and like it a lot. http://www.ridgid.com/us/en/12-inch-sliding-compound-miter-saw The cut is perfect and the stock blade cuts as smooth as glass on 2" Maple. You do read a lot about Ridgid lifetime service agreement problems. I did register the tool and figure if they do not honer the agreement 10 years from now I am no worse off if I purchased another brand with no lifetime warranty.
I kinda have my eye on Ridgid worm drive saw https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/seven-and-quarter-inch-wormdrive-saw when a project comes up and I need a new saw.

[Andy Fox]

My take is: "sometimes makes great tools. figure out which ones are great before purchasing."

I have a Ridgid 13" planer and a palm nailer. Both work great.

[glenn bradley]

Between dad and I I believe we have 7 of the small 12v lithium Ridgid Drills. The first set we got around Christmas 2009 IIRC. After using them for about a year we got some of the new version with dual speeds. They have been worked hard for years and have had all batteries replaced for free at least 3 times under the LSA. they are my go-to drill motor when making furniture. I would not build a house or do a neighborhood full of kitchens with them but for my work, they are a favorite.

[Richard Shaefer]

I've owned more than few Rigid tools and have developed a shaded opinion of them:

the stationary/large portable tools USED to be very good. They were made by Emerson, who also used to make Craftsman tools back when they were good, too. Now they're largely made by Ryobi, and have not held up well, so I avoid them.

the small portable tools with a plug work well for infrequent use. they have not held up for me well in hard environments, but should be fine for most of what I would consider 'light industrial' use.

the cordless tools are crap, garbage, and should be killed with napalm on sight. Iv'e been through more chargers and batteries than I care to count, and the 'forever' warranty on the batteries actually refers to how long it takes to get a new battery after the old ones die. Rigid isn't like Craftsman, you don't take the drill back to Home Depot for replacement, you take it to some seedy back-alley repair shop where maybe, one day, they might get around to fixing it for you. Screw that.

[Curt Harms]

I have to wonder when Corporate is going to decide the LSA at least regarding batteries is going to decide it's too expensive to continue. Hard to believe there's enough margin in 12 v. cordless drill to replace the battery multiple times and still have it remain profitable - unless the markup on batteries is HUGE.

[Paul McGaha]

I started out with a Ridgid contractors saw, couple of shop vacs and a benchtop thickness planer from them. They were ok. I upgraded to a Unisaw and a stationary planer after a few years.

The only thing I have left from them are the shop vacs, which have certainly done a great job about working and lasting. I've noticed Home Depot does a good job of supporting the shop vacs with accessories (filters) also.

Personally, for portable or stationary tools I'd look to something better.

I think you could do just as well with Jet or Grizzly with the stationary tools. Or maybe buy the stationary tools used, Our local craigslist is good about having good values on used woodworking tools. And the Sawmill Creek classified section.

Maybe Bosch or others for the portable tools.

Just my $.02.

PHM

[Yonak Hawkins]

Please refer to this post from another thread : http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?218791-What-Are-Your-Expectations&p=2278875#post2278875

[scott spencer]

As with any brand, you really need to evaluate the individual tool in question. Overall Ridgid has been a decent middle of the road value brand, but they've had their lemons and their gems. The Ridgid lathe was not well regarded. The 14" BS had a history of having excessive vibration issues. The OSS and the TS3650 get/got lots of praise. Their new R4512 is a mixed bag, that's been plagued with a long term, and ongoing alignment problem. I can't kill my Ridgid shop vac even though I've totally abused it for more than 10 years. I was not fond of my R4330 planer, but the R4331 seems better so far. Their former Titanium saw blades, presumably made by Freud, were great, but have been discontinued. As always, it pays to do the research.

I find it interesting how closely associated many of the Ridgid and Craftsman tools have been over the years, yet Ridgid seems to get a bit more respect, even when the tools are nearly identical. The Craftsman and Ridgid contractor saws are closely related cousins, that have both been made by Emerson, and then TTI/Ryobi, and have many interchangeable components. The Craftsman and Ridgid hybrid saws both came from Steel City/Orion and shared the same guts and top. The 21833 and R4512 hybrid style contractor saws are very similar, and allegedly come from the same manufacturer (Dayton AFAIK). Ridgid and Craftsman shop vacs came from the same stable at one time (Emerson). The Craftsman 21828 and Ridgid R4516 portable jobsite saws were nearly identical.

[Art Mann]

I may well be wrong but I don't think ridgid in OH is supporting the HD line of consumer tools. Ridgid has likely (for a price) sold their namesake to HD for the duration of a contract. It's no different than John deere allowing their name to be put on a mower that was once branded as Scott's but didn't sell.

Again, may well be wrong, but it's always been my conclusion that ridgid consumer tools at HD are simply HD tools made to their specs and at their say so, with a paid contract to ridgid allowing them to use ridgid branding.

Here is the Ridgid web page you go to to register your hand tools for the lifetime service agreement.

https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/product-registration

Notice that it is the same place you go to to register your commercial plumbing tools and equipment. If you don't trust their electrical hand tools, then you shouldn't trust their commercial equipment either. The relationship between HD and Ridgid may change tomorrow, but it has been the same for the last 20 or so years.

[Greg R Bradley]

The Ridgid Power Tools sold by Home Depot have very little to do with the tools made by Ridgid. The Home Depot Ridgid are made by TTI, a Chinese company, and are sold outside the US under the name AEG. AEG fits alongside Ryobi in TTI's lineup.

Ridgid vacs are made by Emerson, who own Ridgid and used to make lots of the tools that people liked sold under the brand name Craftsman.

There isn't much the same from a Ridgid F-Series bench vise and a TTi made Ridgid power tool other than the name.

TTI seems to be doing a decent job of holding the quality on many tools after buying Milwaukee Tool. I recently bought a 1/4" corded drill that is made in China. It compares well to the US made one I bought 5-10 years ago. We will see if it holds up as well.

[Art Mann]

The Ridgid Power Tools sold by Home Depot have very little to do with the tools made by Ridgid. The Home Depot Ridgid are made by TTI, a Chinese company, and are sold outside the US under the name AEG. AEG fits alongside Ryobi in TTI's lineup.

Ridgid vacs are made by Emerson, who own Ridgid and used to make lots of the tools that people liked sold under the brand name Craftsman.

There isn't much the same from a Ridgid F-Series bench vise and a TTi made Ridgid power tool other than the name.

TTI seems to be doing a decent job of holding the quality on many tools after buying Milwaukee Tool. I recently bought a 1/4" corded drill that is made in China. It compares well to the US made one I bought 5-10 years ago. We will see if it holds up as well.

It doesn't matter who manufacturers Ridgid tools. Some Powermatic tools are made in the same Chinese factory as Grizzly. When you buy one and register your lifetime service agreement, you go to the same website that you go to to register Ridgid pipe threaders and other industrial tools. It is the same company that is responsible for replacements if something breaks. If you don't believe me, follow the link I already provided. It has nothing to do with either Ryobi or Home Depot.

[Mike Hollingsworth]

My Ridged finish nailer is my favorite over the hitachi and senco.
I tossed The 1/4 sheet palm sander the first week.
Some are great, some not so.

[Brett Luna]

The Ridgid Power Tools sold by Home Depot have very little to do with the tools made by Ridgid. The Home Depot Ridgid are made by TTI, a Chinese company, and are sold outside the US under the name AEG. AEG fits alongside Ryobi in TTI's lineup.

Could it be that this is a moot point? Looking at "Where to Buy" on the Ridgid website, it appears that there aren't many options at all for buying Ridgid power tools. The several online vendors seem to carry the plumbing line mostly, along with shop vacs, with only a couple of vendors carrying the odd power tool or two. Searching the entire US for brick-and-mortar places that carry power tools returns 3196 results. The first 1000 were Home Depot locations, which included a great many retail and tool rental listings for the same location, so with 2250 stores or so, I'm guessing that Home Depot comprises all of those search results.

[glenn bradley]

Rigid isn't like Craftsman, you don't take the drill back to Home Depot for replacement, you take it to some seedy back-alley repair shop where maybe, one day, they might get around to fixing it for you. Screw that.

They do need to standardize this. I can ship my batteries to the authorized service center for about $5 and they pay return shipping. The batteries last for years with my enthusiastic home shop use. My dad who lives about 70 miles away gets to take his in to his Home Depot and they handle it for him. At his rate of use I think the batteries die of old age rather than hitting their charging cycle limit ;-) Richard's experience is of a different sort yet again. Inconsistency can kill a reputation. Don't get me wrong, I'm not waving the Ridgid flag per se. There are many Ridgid tools I would not pony up the dough for but, (kind of like almost all brands today) there are good and bad to be had. Also, +1 on Ridgid power tools not being Ridgid 'other' tools.

[Don Huffer]

I don't know how likely that is. I've seen Ridgid in HD stores for a long time. Besides, if not Ridgid and Jorgensen, where would they source BORG orange tools? ;)

HD doesn't sell Jorgensen here anymore. They have an even cheaper version.

Don

[Brett Luna]

And they just ditched the Jorgies...


HD doesn't sell Jorgensen here anymore. They have an even cheaper version.

I hadn't heard that and I guess my local HDs haven't either...or haven't run out of stock yet.

[Myk Rian]

I hadn't heard that and I guess my local HDs haven't either...or haven't run out of stock yet.
Our HD dropped Jorgies in favor of Asian Irwins last year. I wrote HQ telling them I was very disappointed in them. Guess where that got me.

Ridgid at HD is just like Minwax at HD. If it wasn't for the Ho Po selling them, the companies would fold.

[Frederick Skelly]

I have several Rigid power tools (all corded) and I like them. They do everything I ask of them.
Fred

[Bruce Mack]

Bessey, formerly with Lowe's, is now at HD. Type "Bessey at Home Depot". Not too shabby.

[Frederick Skelly]

HD doesn't sell Jorgensen here anymore. They have an even cheaper version.

Don

They replaced Jorgies with Bessey. Even cleared out a ton of Irwin to make room.

[Rick Fisher]

The power tool business is really low margin .. A good example is a typical circular saw. A Lumberyard might mark one up $15.00 .. A palm sander that sells for $79.99 probably costs the store $65.00 Margins are thin on DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee etc.

Rigid is simply a way for HD to make margins on an otherwise low grossing department. The average 4-1/2" Grinder allegedly as a lifetime usage of 3-5 minutes. People buy one for $39.99 or $59.99.. Do a job, throw it in a drawer, and save it for future use.. forever.

A Makita grinder that sells for $110 might be suitable to be used in a sheet metal shop.. Why would a homeowner pay $110 for a grinder ? why would a sheet metal shop think they will get decent service from a $29.99 Grinder... ??

Rigid is about knowing who the real customer is .. and supplying them with what they need .. while making good money off it ..

I don't own any of it ..

[Art Mann]

Well, I heard that Makita grinders allegedly last allegedly 2 minutes. ;):D

[scott spencer]

Well, I heard that Makita grinders allegedly last allegedly 2 minutes. ;):D

I've got 12-15 minutes on my Makita refurb... easy! :D

[Rich Engelhardt]

The average 4-1/2" Grinder allegedly as a lifetime usage of 3-5 minutes. People buy one for $39.99 or $59.99.. Do a job, throw it in a drawer, and save it for future use.. forever.

Wow!
I must have 10 hours or more on my Harbor Freight 4 1/2" !
Mine isn't even the "good one", it's the Drill Master model, not the Chicago Electric...

[Howard Acheson]

>>>> Ridgid woodworking tools, to my understanding, is not made by Ridgid the plumbing co. The name is licensed to the parent company that makes Ryobi and Milwaukee tools. (anyone know for sure? )

It used to be, and probably still is, that Ridgid plumbing tools is wholly owned by
TTI. TTI also wholly owns Milwaukee power tools. Both Ridgid Plumbing and Milwaukee continue to be complete companies with their own marketing and manufacturing operations.

Here is the result of some research a number of year ago. After publishing the following, TTI purchased Milwaukee.

OK, let's see if I can recall the story about Ridgid power tools and Home Depot.

It starts with Craftsman and Emerson Electric. Emerson was the manufacturer of all the major Craftsman stationary power tools from the middle 1950's up through the early part of the 1990's. Sears decided to change sources in the 1990's and selected Ryobi as the manufacturer using the same specs as those that had been manufactured by Emerson. Emerson wanted to stay in the power tool business so entered into a marketing agreement with Home Depot to sell a new line of tools made by Emerson. Because of the recognition value of the Ridgid line of plumbing tools owned by Emerson, Emerson and Home Depot chose "Ridgid" as the name of the new line of power tools. Emerson was the manufacturer and the sole owner of the brand name. Because Emerson was using the same tooling for the new Ridgid line, the tools ended up being virtually identical to the new Craftsman line being manufactured by Ryobi and sold by Sears.

Now, a couple of years later, Emerson wanted to get out of the power tool manufacturing business and entered into an agreement with the owner of Ryobi. One World Technology (TTI) would take over the brand name, development, marketing and manufacturing of the Emerson manufactured power tools. Emerson would still remain the brand owner and guaranteer. Of course, Ryobi was also making the almost identical Sears marketed Craftsman tools so it ended up with Ryobi making two lines of virtually identical tools.

Ryobi had been a long time manufacturer of the Craftsman brand portable power tools. TTI decided to expand the Ridgid line so contracted with Ryobi to manufacture the Ridgid line of portable power tools but at a higher quality level than the standard Ryobi or Craftsman brand of tools. In addition, they began to outsource some of the Ridgid tools to other manufacturers.

So the bottom line is that Emerson Electric owns the Ridgid brand and One World Techology/TTI is contracted for marketing, development and manufacturing. Home Depot is mearly the exclusive marketing agent in the US and has no ownership position.

Now, as to the warranty. Like all tools, the Ridgid tools carry a 90 day warranty administered by Home Depot. The purchaser can then opt to register the tool and get a "Limited Lifetime Service Agreement". This service agreement covers repairs and parts including consumables like power tool batteries. Go to http://www.ridgid.com/Manuals/RidgidLSA.pdf to see the conditions and requirements. Excercising rights under the "Limited Lifetime Service Agreement" requires getting the tool to one of the One World Technology service locations. Home Depot is not involved and may not honor the Service Agreement.

[Art Mann]

I posted a link a few days ago that leads to the place where you register for the Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement. This web page is the exact same place you register Ridgid industrial plumbing equipment. Ridgid takes sole responsibility for the repair or replacement of defective tools with that brand name, regardless of who manufactured them and where. HD has a 30 day return policy and that is the extent of their obligation.

[Gregory King]

I've had the palm router for quite some time. Enjoy the weight, two bases and the light. Plus the fine adjustment. I'm always guilty of using larger bits than i should chuck into it. Oh well for a hundred bucks, if I break it i'll buy another. Greg

[Gus Dundon]

They have really great power tools and I think they're a very competitive brand.

[Bruce Page]

As a brand name, how do you view Ridgid?



I do not own any Ridgid tools. My “View” or perception or the brand name is about the same as my view of Sears Craftsman tools. They will get the job done but there are better tools available. I have owned a lot of Craftsman tools.