A couple of months ago, in our Milwaukee tools sneak peek, I posted about a Milwaukee special “while stock lasts” interchangeable chuck M12 drill/driver, model BDDXKIT-202C. It doesn’t look like this special 4-in-1 drill is destined for the USA market.
In looking up something about AEG for today’s what do you think about Ridgid tools post, I came across a very similar-looking modular drill, the new AEG BBS 12C2, which also comes with three interchangeable tool heads.
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The AEG removable chuck drill system comes with a built-in 1/4″ hex chuck, a 3-jaw keyless drill chuck, a 1/4″ hex right angle chuck, and a 1/4″ hex offset chuck.
Not all AEG tools are brought to the USA by TTI for Ridgid power tools branding, but I sure hope this one does. This one’s going on my wishlist, as it can be extremely versatile and real-world practical to have one cordless 12V drill instead of a couple of separate models. Maybe Ridgid is planning for a big holiday release, but I have the feeling that if this was the case, I would have heard about it.
Do you think we’ll ever see something like this in the US, whether under Ridgid, Milwaukee, or another brand’s labeling? As much as I would like to say yes, I think that the driver’s ~$242 equivalent kit price makes it too much of a specialty niche tool for either Milwaukee or Ridgid.
Even so, here’s to hoping that Ridgid does come out with a similar interchangeable drill/driver combo. They already did something similar with their JobMax modular tool lineup, and so a 12V compact cordless drill with swappable heads doesn’t exactly seem out of the question.
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Jon
This would be awesome to compete with the Festool drills with the similar head attachments. Can’t pony up $600 for that, but Ridgid would probably be more realistic on price.
Adam f
What grabs my attention is the 2aH battery that’s in that. Ridgid is still stuck on 1.5, if you don’t want the 4aH bulky pack
Chris
Nope, they have a 12V 2.0Ah pack (http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-12-Volt-2-Amp-Hour-Hyper-Lithium-Ion-Battery-AC82049/204423326)
Granted its not rated highly, but it does exist
Jim Felt
One thing that strikes me repeatedly is the “likely won’t come the the U.S.” reason.
Should we note the simple fact that the Northern European average standard of living wage is significantly higher then the average American equivalent? Or is that not of any interest?
In my experience, for example, German based companies operating in the U.S. are continually playing down the massive disparity of pay and vacation plans for their American workers v. their home country’s workers.
Why and how did “we” become so far behind?
Chris
I honestly think a lot of it has to do with the American mentality of owning “more stuff” being equivalent to a status.
Why own one “drill” with multiple heads when I can own everything separately and look cooler doing it!
In the case of this tool, it seems to fit a niche that I dont have (maybe others do, though)….the most Ive “wanted” for was a right angle drill, never an offset. I own a separate right angle drill which cost me $69.00. $250.00 for this “system” to use one of the non-drilling heads? Doesnt seem like a bargain to me.
I also question the “built in hex chuck”….how sealed is that opening where the heads normally snap onto? I use my 1/4” driver a lot around drywall dust, would hate to see the dust destroy this tool because of how they implemented the built in chuck
matt
@Chris.
I cant speak for the everyone else. But I dont buy into these goofy tools, because they are almost always homeowner grade junk.. This is the crap B&D, crapstman, and the like are known for.. One tool that will do seven jobs but sucks doing it..
And honestly the Festool equivalent was not impressive at all to me.
I have never purchased a second tool and thought man I look cooler. I did it because I knew a quality right angle drill designed just for that purpose would do the job better..
John
Isn’t this just an orange version of a Milwaukee drill with interchangeable chucks that’s also not available in North America?
Stuart
Actually, I think the Milwaukee is a red version of this one. And yes, neither are currently available in the USA.
Glenn
AEG is sold here in Aus and the range is pretty good. They give a 6 year warranty when you register online after purchase. That’s an even better warranty than Milwuakee. They are being marketed as pro level by the company that sells them.
Not surprising really as they come from the same parent company and also when you take a closer look, the brushed grinder, 12v and 18v rotary hammer are thinly disguised Milwaukee products. Even the specs are the same.
I have not checked out all the tools but I would not be surprised if there aren’t more in the range that aren’t using Milwaukee tech.
http://aegpowertools.com.au/
Glenn
Just had a bit of a closer look and comparison and it indeed appears that some of the other products in the AEG line up such as the 12v compact drill are just mildly modified previous gen Milwaukee products. SO they should in fact be pretty good.
https://sydneytools.com.au/milwaukee-c12dd-22c-12v-1-5ah-li-ion-cordless-drill-driver-combo-kit
http://aegpowertools.com.au/12v-hammer-drill
NERemodeling
Let’s face it, Ridgid doesn’t have the same quality image as Milwaukee does.. I think this is a cool tool that could sell well in the states but unfortunately if it’s released as a ridgid model it will most likely be seen as more of a gimmic.. if they put the same exact drill in a Milwaukee housing I think it will be better accepted by pros and also possibly be able to command a higher price.
Stuart, Why do you say the BDDXKIT-202C doesn’t look like it will be released here??
Come on Milwaukee!! Bring the 4 in 1 to the states, you would be the first to compete with festool here in the US for this type of product!!
Casey
AEG, Ryobi, Milwaukee are the same. Bin 1 parts for Milwaulkee, Bin 2 for AEG and of course Bin 3 for Ryobi.Im afraid to say the are owned by one company in Hong Kong!. Milwaukee get the el-primo componets.
l look at it like this.Milwaukee for the the chippy.AEG for the project builder who will put the tool away and bring it out after 18 months again and thank f$&@ may work for that fence he has to build. The Ryobi for that once off verandah decking project and when finished the tools will be that buggered you may keep the batteries and throw the tool out!.
Jamie Reader
I’ve just received mine direct from Germany (there’s noone here in the UK stocking these yet) and it’s nothing short of brilliant.
Although these are owned by TTI, the majority of these are actually designed and built in Germany for the AEG Powertools brand. They’re given the Milwaukee skin and brand to be able to charge the higher prices in the UK and US (because of the Milwaukee reputation) but stay with the AEG brand name in the rest of Europe for the AEG reputation.
The only difference (other than colour) between the AEG and Milwaukee versions of their tools is the keying flange on the batteries. AEG have the release on the back side were as Milwaukee have theirs on either side. The batteries are internally identical but are not cross compatible.
As we already know though, once they bring the orange ones over to the US, they just slap the Ridgid name on them which is why the AEG and Ridgid stuff is completely compatible.
For anyone in the UK trying to get hold of the 4.0ah batteries though, buy them from the US ebay as Ridgid rather than trying to source them in the UK as AEG. I was able to grab a pack of 2, delivered from the US for the same price as I can buy one in the UK.
Jonathan agudo
How and where did you get them from the u.s.? And does the charger connect to 120v 60hz outlet?