There are 2 new promo videos from Ridgid, showing off their new brushless Stealth Force impulse driver. One is a hey check out our new tool intro video, the other is a head-to-head speed comparison where they pit it against a “the competition.”
Ridgid’s 18V Stealth Force driver works by means of a quieter oil-based pulse mechanism, which probably means a sacrifice in max torque delivery, similar to the Makita oil pulse driver. That Makita driver has a max speed of 2700 RPM and max torque of ~355 in-lbs.
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The new Stealth Force driver is said to be faster than standard impact drivers.
Specifications
- High Speed: 0-2,400 RPM
- Medium Speed: 0-1,800 RPM
- Low Speed: 0-1,000 RPM
- IPM: 0-1,700
The oil pulse mechanism looks a little different compared to Makita’s.
Here’s the promo video:
And there’s also a comparison video where Ridgid pits the Stealth Force driver against “the competition.”
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If you ask me, that’s an unfair video. The Ridgid Stealth Force has a brushless motor and 3 speed ranges. It’s clearly a premium tool, despite any potential torque limits due to the oil pulse motor. The competition, while painted over, looks to be a Kobalt 18V or 20V Max impact driver.
The Kobalt kit sells for $149, and the Ridgid $199. How about comparing it to a top brand’s brushless impact driver? I suppose there are bloggers and YouTubers who have already done that, but I haven’t checked.
And how about comparing the Stealth Force driver and a traditional brushless impact driver with larger fasteners – say lag bolts. Is the Stealth Force still faster?
That said, the video does show quite a difference between the two tools, with the Ridgid Stealth Force driver indeed looking to perform much faster, not to mention more efficiently.
The Ridgid Stealth Force driver launched a couple of weeks ago, in late 2015. It has thus far earned itself very favorable user reviews.
The kit ships with (2) 2.0Ah Li-ion batteries.
Oh, and the product description says it can work with screwdriver bits as small as 1 inch. It can handle 1″ insert bits without an adapter? That’s what I like to see.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
P.S. Thank you to Matt for the heads-up, and I’m sorry I hadn’t gotten back to you yet! I was only reminded of your tip when scouring my inbox for a fact sheet that might show torque specs.
Nate818
Looks good for metal
Jimbo
Hello,
don’t really post on this site but check you out from time to time. I follow Tools in Action but reading your post on the stealth force, I have this tool. Not the biggest fan of it due to the horrible feedback as you can witness on the second video. I have a little hands on video here if you sant to check it out, It ry to run it with some lags but it struggles and isn’t very stealthy, I run some basic construction screws too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESXj5EhyMXc
Thanks in advance for watching, don’t be too harsh on me lol.
Nathan
is there a refill port? ON either device because I’d hate to see what they do when the oil runs out.
I think I like the ridgid model better – just on the cutaway diagram and without holding in in hand. Assuming the motors are remotely equal.
meh – I could see this being useful in some minor construction like home finishing work. It might work well with sheet metal and sheet metal screws.
I don’t see me buying one though. LIkewise would like to see a better head to head comparison.
Jimbo
no refill port, all self contained
schill
I just picked up one of these yesterday. I needed (wanted?) something a lot quieter than my current impact driver for some disassembly work (lots of bolts).
I’m pretty impressed with it so far. It’s much, much quieter than the impact driver.
The only complaint I have at this point is that the switch for direction (CW vs CCW) is to easy to change. I’ve found myself accidentally changing the direction when I don’t intend to. Also, I’m used to using the center position to turn the driver off. With this one, it seems like it may be too easy to move away from the center, making the trigger live when I don’t expect it to be.