I was thinking about Ridgid’s 12V cordless power tool lineup the other day, and realized that I haven’t seen anything new or particularly remarkable come out in a while. Similar to Porter Cable’s small and stagnant lineup, Ridgid’s tools are just there. Nothing new, nothing special. This sounds harsher than I intended, but it’s as plain and matter of fact as I can be.
But then I came across the new Ridgid 12V Hyper Lithium ion combo kit, model R9000K.
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This kit comes with a drill/driver and an impact driver. And it comes with 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah batteries – one of each. And a new charger that looks to be more compact than previous Ridgid 12V chargers.
The drill/driver looks to be a new model that delivers a whopping 350 in-lbs of torque, while the impact driver, although not as new, delivers a respectable 1100 in-lbs of fastener-driving torque.
AND, the combo is priced at $99.
The powerful compact drill alone would have caught my interest. 350 in-lbs in a 12V cordless tool is a plenty powerful. This also means that the 12V Ridgid drill can out-perform many 18V consumer drills in the same price range.
But throw in the compact and high capacity battery combination, a compact and decent-on-paper impact driver, what looks to be a more compact charger, and a ~$100 price tag? I’m practically bouncing in my seat with excitement, and that doesn’t happen too often anymore.
Milwaukee’s special holiday combo, which dropped in price to $129, is another incredible 12V drill and impact driver bundle deal to consider. The Milwaukee offers easy entry into their fantastic M12 lineup, and comes with (3) batteries instead of (2). But if $100 is your strict spending limit, this Ridgid combo looks to be impossible to beat.
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The only hesitation I could think of, is how Ridgid’s 12V power tool selection isn’t very broad. So if you anticipate buying additional 12V tools, such as saws, down the road, this bundle might not be the best choice.
There might be less expensive consumer combos out there (to be honest I haven’t checked), but this is the best pro-grade compact drill and impact driver combo I’ve come across in a while.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
What do you think? Is this combo as good a deal as it looks to be? If you get your hands on one of these combos before I can, please report back with your findings and feelings about the new drill!
Pete
I won’t buy Ridgid again.
I got a drill with a “lifetime warranty” on the 2 LiIon batteries that came with it, only to find out from Ridgid after both batteries died that I would have to drive 100 miles to the nearest service center to get anything done about it. UNSAT. It’s a shame, because other than the shoddy support and unreliable batteries, the drill itself is great.
Chris
Do any of your local Home Depot stores have a rental area? If so they might be a “service center” now. Much easier to go there to get replacements.
Dave
Wanna sell me you drill? Or have you fonud new batts?. If you wanna get rid of your drill, make me an offer…
Dave
ktash
I’d be very tempted because of the battery warranty, but I got the Bosch set with the L-Boxx recently when they were having a great closeout sale at Menard’s. I have a small Porter Cable set, but the batteries alone cost too much to be replaced at around $80 for two, might as well get a new set from another mfg for a few bucks more. The batteries are the weak link in many cordless tools, since replacing batteries is ridiculous if they cost nearly as much as a whole new set. If you aren’t a pro, you want to buy a set that will last for many years, even if newer better models are offered.
Thanks for the warning about the customer service, Pete. I’ve had good service from them on my trim router which I got “open box” and a piece was missing (wrench). I still got the lifetime warranty and they sent me a wrench at no cost. Still, if I were going to buy this (and perhaps I will once the Bosch batteries die) I’d want to check service options.
Brian
They look like a rebranded M12. Im curious if the batteries are interchangeable.
Stuart
A lot of brands’ battery packs look alike, but have special notches and different contact points to discourage cross-platform connections.
fred
I read somewhere that Milwaukee (TTI) has filed a patent infringement suit against several other vendors claiming that Milwaukee’s patents should preclude other vendors from using multi-cell lithium ion batteries in power tools. I don’t know all of the details but it should be interesting if others have to seek a license.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/10/20/72601.htm
Herbert Massey
So jump on this or the Milwaukee?
Stuart
Hard choice. If I had $100 to spend, I’d go with this kit. If I had $130, I’d go with Milwaukee. Unless of course I had in mind to buy certain Ridgid or Milwaukee brand-specific tools, in which case that would be the determining factor.
Pete
I say the milwaukee set has more value and a better 12v line. The rigid has some good power though.
jason. W
I’ve got a question for anyone who can answer. I have ryobi one+ 18v tools. I use my impact the most out of everything. I do water damage restoration. So my work consists of removing items in order to dry out a structure. I usually remove drywall screws, take down cabinets, take down wall hangings, take off vent covers, ect. Pretty light duty (I think?)
My question is would these 12v tools do the work? Being able to have smaller more compact tools would be great. I have to take all my tools to every job I go go to every day.
Stuart
Given the types of jobs you described, they should work well. If not, Home Depot has a decent return policy. Buy ’em, try ’em, and if they don’t perform as you expected, take it back in like-new sellable condition. You shouldn’t make a habit of this of course.
Alfredo Huerta
I’ve seen electricians using the 12v ridgid combo. It should work fine.
Nate
The new milwaukee fuel 12v impact driver would do everything you need your ryobi tool to do. I can’t speak for the ridgid and I’m not a great fan of them having tried them in the past.
Luke
The 12v should be able to get the job done for you. I’ve used Milwaukee 12v for similar work on mould removal and abatement work. The only issue you may have is battery life. (Like previously mentioned downfall of most power tools) but I’d say 2 or 3 batteries would be able to get you till days end. I actually saw an add on kijiji for a 12v rigid set, looked good condition and decent price, I was actually thinking about getting and trying.
Luke
I have used the Milwaukee kit for a reno job I did for a friend. we gutted an apartment and put it all back together again. the Milwaukee tools handled the job without a hiccup. that being said, I just picked up the Ridgid combo from Home Depot and I seriously cant feel a difference between the two. both Milwaukee and Ridgid have made some amazing quality tools here! I would say buy the Ridgid kit and with the money you saved buy some bits or other accessories to make your kit even better. you wont be disappointed by this kit, I promise you that.
Rex ward
You don’t have to drive a hundred miles to the ridgid service center. Just ups them, it’s also much cheaper.