Ridgid at Amazon

[Rock Chuck]

I got an email from Amazon.com saying that they're now carrying Ridgid power tools which in the past have been the forte of Home Depot. Ahah. Maybe a price break, right? Not so. I checked a half dozen tools at random and found that Amazon is about 10 - 20% higher on everything. A 12" sliding miter saw is a full $150 higher at Amazon - a 27% increase. I'm assuming that HD buys in such large quantities that they get a big wholesale price break. Normally Amazon has some of the best prices on the web.

I know some guys criticize Ridgid, calling it junk, but their products that I've had have proved to be pretty good.

[DaveHawk]

Rock , they don't last in a shop very long under hi use.

[Rock Chuck]

I don't think they're intended for commercial use. The only Ridgid tool I have right now is a 14" chop saw. It does a very good job on steel up to 4" channel and tubing which is as large as I've cut with it.

[Bill Gunn]

I've got 2 Battery drills (12 & 18 volt), a 10" table saw, and a 12" miter saw, all Ridgid. I've had the drills for almost 2 years, and the saws for 3 & 4 years. I like them all. I had a Sears table saw for about 15 years and was a POS from about day one. I had a 14 volt Dewalt drill for 5 years and when the batteries died I got a 12 volt Ridgid. I like the Ridgid 3 times better than the Dewalt and I did like the Dewalt.
Better batteries, lighter, smaller, easier to use.

I just looked into getting a new 3" belt sander. The Ridgid AND the Dewalt were very low rated.
Either Porter-Cable, or Bosch are the belt sanders to look at. I ordered the Bosch because I don't like the bag set-up on the Porter-Cable.

I don't use mine as much as a shop, but I use them a lot for a retired home owner with a lot of time to build stuff :p



I built this shooting bench with the 12 volt Ridgid drill driving the 2 & 3" screws on ONE battery...

[Hi Ball]

Rock Chuck......I once purchased a Ridge Impact Gun in the 1/2 inch drive. I went through 3 of them in about 2 months time. :eek: :rolleyes: :(

The one I have now is over 10 years old and still going strong! Ridge tools are not worth the time nor the money spent. ;) :D :D

[Bill Gunn]

I used Ridgid tripod power drives, hand held power drives, and Ridgid pipe threading machines for 32 years as a Steamfitter. Their threading machines will handle 2" stainless without even a sneeze, when the competition's machines go up in smoke in a month (and these things run over $6,000.00 !!)
Ridgid was ALWAYS top of the line, and contractors that bought anything else to save money were soon very sorry.

From pipe wrenches, to threading machines, nothing else compared...

[Rock Chuck]

For 50 years, Ridgid was known for their top quality pipe fitting equipment. They also put out a very nice calendar with some hot babes. I think it was when they expanded into the consumer market with power tools that their quality came into question.

[Greywolf]

For 50 years, Ridgid was known for their top quality pipe fitting equipment. They also put out a very nice calendar with some hot babes. I think it was when they expanded into the consumer market with power tools that their quality came into question.

A damn shame too, it went that way with many good companies. Just trying to take a big share of the market, and ruining a good name by putting a consumer grade tool out there that they themselves did not make, but more than likely Imported from the Pacific Rim or some such place.

[Rock Chuck]

Forgot to mention - one of their favorite calendar girls was Rachael Welch.
That's more or less where she was discovered.

[Bill Gunn]

Well I'll be darned, my old apprentice :) :)


http://planetzman.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/aug53.jpg


Here, you can order a new calander...

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Calendar/index.htm

[Rock Chuck]

I prefer the later calendars with the real girls.
http://www.toolshackusa.com/Product_Images/eBay_Misc/ridgid_Jana-Speaker9-10-06_small.jpg

[Just a Hunter]

Are Ridgid tools as good as they once were? My guess is probably not.

Are any of todays tools regardless of whom manufactures them as good as they once were? I would again have to say "probably not"


I've owned several Ridgid tools, and in my own opinion felt they were worth whatI paid for them.

Would they have held up to my satisfaction if I needed to use them heavily on a daily basis? I cant say for sure, but I've completed years worth of home projects with there products without buyers regret.

To be honest they have held up better than my craftsmen tools and just as well as the Dewalts I own.

[Greywolf]

Are Ridgid tools as good as they once were? My guess is probably not.

Are any of todays tools regardless of whom manufactures them as good as they once were? I would again have to say "probably not"


To be honest they have held up better than my craftsmen tools and just as well as the Dewalts I own.

I believe the Craftsmen tools were the first to start shopping around for any provider that would underbid the preasant one, by a few cents per item.