Have you heard about Ridgid’s new 18V Gen5x cordless power tools? There will be a combo kit available at launch, and new tools and bare tools will be available once the current tools “sell through”.
In other words, you probably won’t find any of the new Ridgid Gen5X 18V tools on the shelf next to their last-generation “X4” tools.
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So what is Home Depot doing? Heavily discounting some of their X4 tools to help move things along. Or at least that’s what I’m thinking.
Right now, and thru 3/31/2015 (if they last that long), you can buy a Ridgid 18V drill and impact driver combo kit (R9600SB) for just $139. That’s a $40 discount from its regular price of $179.
The combo includes a great deal that can deliver up to 535 in-lbs of torque, and an impact driver that is said to feature best-in-class 1750 in-lbs torque rating. It comes with (2) 1.5Ah batteries, a charger, auxiliary handle for the drill, and carrying bag.
This same combo was a “Cyber Week” 2014 deal a couple of months ago, for $149. That means it’s currently $10 less than it was during the biggest shopping season of the year.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Should you buy it? Well, that depends on how you answer the following question. Do you want to buy into a full 18V cordless tool platform, or do you just want a drill and impact driver with the potential to add another core tool or two in the future?
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Ridgid’s 18V lineup has all the core cordless tools, such as a circular saw, reciprocating saw, grinder, and jigsaw, and there are also a couple of other nice tool options. But they don’t have anywhere near the product selection of other major brands, such as Bosch and Milwaukee.
I don’t think that you’ll find a better drill and impact driver combo for $139, under $150, or maybe even under $175. At the moment, nothing comes to mind. I tested the drill a while back – loved it, and I’m sure the impact is a strong performer as well. This is a good combo at a great price. Home Depot’s customer reviews seem to be in agreement that it’s a very recommendable combo.
Jason. W
My co-worker has this combo and I’ve used it several times. I like it more then my other co-workers Bosch set. This is a fantastic deal for some great tools.
conan
I owned this set awhile back. Purchased their reciprocating saw (fantastic power) and 2 large batteries and multi- tool. I only now have the drill, 1 large not full battery, saw and multi- tool. I like the saw and multi tool, but ridgids batteries leave alot to be desired. Spend more for makita or dewalt or milwakee would be my recommendation.
Todd
If you register the batteries, they are guaranteed for life. That’s one of the huge advantages of the rigid platform.
Jon
I have this set, paid $150 around Christmas for it. Good set for the money, an upgrade from my Ryobi niCad drill.
IF YOU BUY IT BE SURE TO REGISTER THE ENTIRE SET IMMEDIATELY. From many accounts on the interwebs, Ridgid is a stickler on that. Batteries seem to be a common complaint and people who have not properly registered each battery from the set have been left out in the cold.
Bruce
I run ridgid tools at one of my work sites. They are strong, the local tool repair shop fixed my impact driver for free under warranty when I abused it. The batteries have been great. I actually like the recip saw more than any other brand that I’ve used.
Things I don’t like? Being tied to Home Despot. Single sales outlet tools are a pain. I find that available stock is always lower, it’s never as convenient, and you are at the mercy of what your local Home Despot is going to carry. No comparison shopping for you!
Todd H.
Ridgid is a little shady when it comes to specs guys. That impact driver is said to be 1750 in lbs. There is no way in hell, I know guys at that have them, we compare ours all the time, and I’ll tell you NO WAY. Bosch’s latest is 1650 in. lbs, and Milwaukee 1600in lbs. and are rated the highest in the class anywhere, so this thing doesn’t even come close and supposedly is rated even higher, lol! Not a cold day in hell. Trust me. Very deceptive marketing by Ridgid which is a damn shame.
Bruce
I’ve never worried about the specs, only that it turns the bolts I point it at. 🙂 I will say it’s stronger than my Ryobi but not as strong as the new brushless Dewalt. I’ve used those three back to back. It’s closer the the Dewalt than it is to the Ryobi. One thing I can’t figure out, why is a cordless hammer drill so much more expensive than a regular drill? There isn’t any way I would buy a regular cordless drill because I like having then hammer action for the occasional brick or masonary wall that needs a quick anchor. I guess there must be a market for it somewhere.
Stuart
Lower demand? The extra complexity and parts factor into higher pricing as well.
Remember, when you buy something at retail, the manufacturer and retailer both have to make a profit. Sometimes there’s another middle man as well. Parts and materials suppliers also need to profit. The margin on power tools has been said to be small, but a couple of dollars in extra parts and materials can lead to a noticeable end-user price difference.
Jerry
I think several small things added together make for the price difference. The hammer drill almost always has a better chuck, a side handle is usually standard, sometimes a depth guage or rod, in addition to the hammer mechanism, and anything else that needs to be beefed up to withstand the extra vibration.
SG
I have both of these tools and I like them a lot for the price. They are well built and, from my experience, they both perform well. A little on the heavy side, but since I don’t use them all day long that doesn’t bother me. There are certainly better drills out there but not at this price.
The warranty registration is a confusing hassle, but the lifetime warranty on the batteries is pretty nice (although I haven’t tested how much trouble it is to make a claim on the warranty).
SG
I forgot to mention…Yes, they definitely lie about their specs but unfortunately I think that is an increasing trend.
Juan José
Quiero hacer un pedido de un combo de taladros Ridgid , cuales son los gastos de envio en € para Valencia(España), y cuanto tiempo tardaran en enviarmelo.
Muchas gracias.
Kerler magaña
Yo quiero comprar el kit combo de 18 v gen 5 tienen envíos a Colima Colima México
Stuart
I don’t know if Home Depot ships to Mexico, you’ll have to look on their site or contact them. Sometimes, even if a retailer ships to another country, certain products are excluded.
Kerler magaña
Cuales son los gastos de envío
Stuart
I don’t know, you’ll have to contact Home Depot.