Just the other day, we posted about the new Ridgid Gen5X brushless circular saw that we knew was coming out, but all we knew was its blade size (7-1/4″) and that it came with a brushless motor.
We know just a little bit more now, but not much more.
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Readers have commented and emailed in with news of a Ridgid 18V Gen5X cordless combo kit that’s on sale for $199. Thank you to everyone who sent in photos and tips!
But that can’t be right. Right?
Well, it turns out that there is a new Ridgid brushless combo kit. The new combo, model R9206, comes with Ridgid’s new brushless hammer drill, the new brushless circular saw, a charger, and single 2.0Ah battery pack.
This is basically the Ridgid 18V Gen5X brushless hammer drill kit, which is $119, plus the bare circular saw.
Since this is a “special buy,” quantities are probably limited. Last year, certain special buys sold out even before Black Friday. What it also means is that it will probably be some time before Home Depot can replenish stock. If you were eager to buy a Ridgid Gen5X brushless circular saw, you might want to consider buying this combo kit.
I have confirmed that this will be a regular Ridgid product, but could not get any estimate as to when a bare tool, separate circular saw kit, or other combo kit might be available.
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Price: $199
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See Also(Brushless hammer drill kit)
The tradeoff with this special buy is that the charger isn’t the same as Ridgid’s premium multi-chemistry charger, and I’m willing to bet that it’s slower too. And you get a single compact 2.0Ah Li-ion battery pack. Other than that, I believe these are both “regular” tools with full bells and whistles.
Update: It comes with 2.0Ah AND a 4.0Ah batteries!
Do you want more or higher capacity Ridgid 18V Li-ion battery packs? Check out these holiday season battery pack deals! Now’s the time to stock up on batteries. A 2-pack of 4Ah batteries would probably work nicely with this kit.
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Jason
That’s a nice deal for $199, but like you mentioned your going to want to stock up on some more batteries one 2.0ah isn’t going to last every long even being brushless.
James C
Dang, this almost got me. I’m ready to go with Ridgid if that Stealth Force driver does what it claims. This kit and the driver would be a nice combo, except I don’t think I could live with a blade-right saw.
Krytster
Just got this kit and used it. I am happy with the purchase. RPM’s on the saw aren’t impressive but it cuts well for a cordless. I’ll try to update after a few weeks of use.
Andy
The online listing indicates it comes with 2.0ah and 4.0ah batteries. Also, is Rigid’s warranty as good as it sounds? How does it compare to the other major brands? Thanks!
Jason
You get a 3 year warranty standard. If you register the tool then you qualify for the LSA which gives you a life time warranty on the tools and batteries. It’s a little bit of a lie as they consider it for the life time of the tool and batteries. Some people are having problems getting replacements on discontinued tools. The big one is the Ridgid 24/18v max select tools that were only offered for a short time.
Jon
Also note that the conditions of the lifetime service agreement are such that it covers only a factory defect or factory workmanship issues (like most warranties).
The vast majority of factory defects would be discovered almost right away, so having a longer warranty period only helps if you bought the tool and didn’t use it for several years and then discover it’s defective.
Some people think if a tool has a 5 year warranty they can use the tool normally for working every day and if it doesn’t last 5 years they will get it fixed or replaced – that could not be further from the truth. It just means you have that many years to start using the tool and discover a legitimate factory flaw (which is rare and getting rarer in this day and age).
cody
The R9206 kit comes with 2x 2.0 ah batteries! It says two batteries on Home Depot website.
Andy
According to the website, this deal includes:
Free Batteries, free Parts and free Service, for life. Includes: R86116 Hammer Drill, R8653 Circular Saw, (1) R840087 4.0Ah HYPER Lithium-Ion Battery, (1) R840086 2.0Ah HYPER Lithium-Ion Battery, R86092 Charger, belt hook with screw, Auxiliary Handle, Double-Sided Bits and Operator’s Manuals.
It’s the same SKU as I saw in the store this morning. Thoughts on this combo verses other options from Dewalt and Milwaukee?
Stuart
Thanks!
I don’t know how I missed that!
It does indeed come with 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah batteries.
adam
The $199 kit in-store has (1) 2Ah & (1) 4Ah battery. The charger didn’t look like the standard one though. Heck of a deal. I was going the M18 brushless circular saw route, but for this price, I think I’ll have rainbow of tool brands.
Chris
Keep in mind the lifetime free battery warranty only works on batteries purchased as part of a kit. If you buy extras standalone they are covered for 3 years only.
Its odd but sometimes you are better off buying kits and selling off the bare tools you dont need, that way the batteries would be covered forever (although some HD stores seem to require you to bring in the whole kit just to verify the batteries are lifetime)
Andy
Thanks! That’s good to know!
Jon
Keep in mind the lifetime free battery program only replaces a truly defective pack (which is rare) – it doesn’t replace your used up battery when it starts to hold less charge or not work as well.
Andrew
This is not my experience. I have had a few of my nicad battery packs replaced that wouldn’t hold much of a charge any longer. I’ve had them since 2005 or 2006 so they definitely weren’t defective packs. Did you experience the opposite?
Jon
I haven’t personally experienced Ridgid service, however the program details aren’t clear.
One thing they mention is that the “lifetime” applies to what they consider to be the “useful” lifespan of the product.
In which year did you get your 2005 or 2006 batteries replaced?
josh
Incorrect information. I have had older worn out batteries replaced free of charge through ridgid.
Harley
I have been on the fence about committing to a brand of cordless tools. I was leaning towards Rigid and this deal is what sent me over the edge. I was in need of a new circular saw for an upcoming project and who doesn’t need another drill.
I have what I think are realistic expectations for $199.
Will let you know….
Andy
So, I went to my local HD last night and picked up this set. I haven’t opened it yet. Good decision? Should I explore some other options? I would prefer Dewalt or Milwaukee, but brushless tools at this price are hard to pass up, especially considering my primary needs are a new circular saw and drill for projects around the house and light carpentry. Thoughts?
Andrew
I think this set is a better deal and you get the LSA to boot. I have the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 7-1/4″ Circular saw and it was $199.00 for the bare saw, so this seems like an awesome deal to me. I still have my rigid 6-1/2″ circular saw from 2005 or 2006 and it still works also, plus Ridgid has never changed their 18 Volt battery pack design so I can use it with the new batteries I got with the Brushless impact/drill combo kit. I think Ridgid is some of the best ‘bang for your buck’ stuff out there honestly and their tools, at least the ones I have had, all performed without a problem. Hell one of my original nicad battery packs still works.
Jon
I bought into Ridgid 18v last year around this time. No regrets. The Lifetime warranty program is great BUT you must must must register the product online within a certain timeframe (maybe within 30 days of purchase or thereabout). The moment you open the box, you should register it. Ridgid has been notoriously strict about adherence to the registration deadline.
Clayton
Does anyone have the weight of this saw with battery? I think I’d rather stick with the 6.5″ size for weight savings…but I want brushless.
Thanks!
Sean
I can’t imagine wanting a 6.5″ over a 7.5″. The 6.5″ models were designed ONLY because of inefficiencies in batteries. I guess the one spillover benefit is slightly less weight, but it is completely outweighed by having a standard size saw.
This Ridgid deal is absolutely killer! A cordless circular saw would be the next cordless tool on my list, and I’d considered buying Ridgid anyway. I already have three working batteries and a drill though, and since I don’t really NEED a cordless circular saw, I’ll have to pass. Plus, I don’t have $200 to spend on tools, at the moment…. ;
I would much rather purchase a drill/circular saw kit than a drill/impact kit. While I thought the impact was amazing the first time I picked one up (in a kit), I now understand that it is far from essential (but certainly handy, of course.)
Clayton
I guess where I’m coming from is that I already have a 7.25 corded saw when I need the capacity/power. That said, if the new 7.25 brushless is the same weight (or similar) as my old 6.5″ cordless then game on.
I’m looking to replace my old Ridgid kit with the new brushless variety.
I probably use my impact more or equally to my drill nowadays. Both for my 18v and 12v systems.
George Edge
This saw with 4AH battery and blade is about 9.8 lbs. It is heavier than a number of corded 15A saws on the market. The balance is not so great either, and for a cordless saw used mainly for quick cuts, it helps to have the blade on the LEFT and not the right. For longer cuts and longer term use, the saw blade on the right is good for keeping the sawdust and other stuff out of one’s way when one would be using a guide anyway and not really need to eyeball the blade very much. I think for many the 6.5 saw would serve them better for making quick and easy cuts of 2X4s and such and when they don’t need that much run time. Weight in a saw can be a GOOD thing when using it a lot and going through a large assortment of woods and metals, but this point really only applies to corded worm drives. This saw is not suitable for cutting steel and aluminum, and Ridgid warns against using it this way. It should also not be used for cutting cement. These are all uses that my worm drive gets, but this saw is no worm drive and should not be used in a similar way. I am tempted to use mine for at least cutting thin sheet steel and aluminum when working on a roof, but so far have managed to resist the temptation and stick with my worm drive and a long assed 10 gauge heavy mother extension cord. For true corded power we would probably need at least an 8AH battery and 36 volts and we might need to suffer with about a 16lb cordless saw. Ridgid has moved to the dark side a little with this cordless saw as its weight makes it just a little too heavy for what most would prefer, and the right side blade is more appropriate for a corded sidewinder, not a cordless. There are always compromises, however, and this saw fills a need at a very reasonable price.
David
Good comments man, thx
Rick
Just got it in the mail. Cheaper made charger, 55W . The saw is pretty heavy, on the magnitude of perhaps a lb heavier than the dewalt 20v with a 4ah battery. Trigger safety is very stiff. I don’t know if the shoe is magnesium or aluminum, but it is pretty thick. I do not believe it is stamped steel. Still no dust port. Not really digging the guard. It feels just about as heavy as my milwaukee tilt lok.
George Edge
Although the 55W charger is slower to charge, it may extend the life of the batteries to be given a slower charge, especially in hot summer weather where such a tool could be used. It takes about 2 hours to charge a 4AH and 1 hour to charge a 2AH and this is not bad unless one only has one 4AH battery. I doubt it is desirable to use 2AH batteries with the saw as it can draw up to 25Amps and this goes beyond the specs of the Samsung 18650 batteries in single configuration. The trigger safety is easy to modify with a weaker spring. It is about 15mm long and 5 mm around and the inner part is 4mm. The wire thickness is .5mm. Just pick up a weaker spring at a hardware store and cut it to size and then the safety will be easier to push down but it will still work well enough. The base plate is hardened aluminum and it weights 335 grams, but they goofed for some reason on the front support in using so much steel that it weights 444 grams and all that steel serves no good purpose I can see. The saw is pretty heavy for a 18V saw but it is within the range of most corded sidewinders. The guard can fit pretty loosely and if you pull it up to make a cut and pull it over too much then the blade can cut into it some. I positioned piece of gasket material under the guard pivot to tighten it up and now it fits better and doesn’t have so much side movement in it. Don’t know why they went to save weight with the plastic guard and then went for a beefy as hell front support for the shoe made of steel. the guard can get a lot of action and be pushed up against a lot of lumber and using plastic doesn’t seem so good, but I suppose replacing it would be easy enough and cheap enough.
Steve
Price Drop
Just saw this deal at the local HD today for $179.
Steve
Ok, so now this combo is $159.
Had to pull the trigger today.
Jason
That’s a lot of tool for $158
Joh
Just picked up this kit at my local Home Depot for $149..it was marked “new lower price”
Mike Harvey
Just found it in the store now at $149 so picked another one up.. Can’t believe these have not sold out..
Bill
Just got this combo at $149 crazy deal ! Have used the circ saw all week remodeling, cutting everything from pressure treated 2x stock to osb and plywood . never took my corded saw out of the truck, this brushless circ saw worked all day long on one 4.0 AH batt ! A tad heavy, yes but built well and cuts like a dream ! Have not used the hammer drill yet but expect it to be equally as good. This cordless sidewinder is a beast of a saw ! Every bit as good as anything out there, I’m not brand snobby but kudos to Ridgid on this saw, its amazing, its brushless , and it kicked butt all day long on one battery , couldn’t be happier, I’m buying into there stuff now for sure , awesome deal ! I expect my tools to work and I don’t baby them ,can’t say it was enough, this Ridgid circ is an absolute beast !
alan
how much did they pay you to post this? This sounds so much like a paid ad.
Ted
Congrats on being the first unnecessarily petty comment
Chris
Now on sale for $139
Kim
got it for $129 today.
Jim mc
Picked it up for $129 today
Wei
Paid 93+tax a few days ago. After the Dewalt trick.
Frank D
whats the dewalt trick?
George Edge
Current price on this kit is $129 and they are not “going fast” for some reason. Sometimes the opinion of one’s fellow working stiffs can count too much in making purchase decisions, and Ridgid is known more for use by home owners versus by professionals. Many have had problems with their batteries and their warranty and his may play into the limited popularity as well. The batteries are now top quality Samsung 20R type which is about the best there is. Ridgid has a lot of electronics in their batteries now which apparently keeps the cells balanced in charging, and they seem to be charging them not quite up to a full 4.2V to help with longer life. So, I think the old battery problem is history with Rigid. The power of the tools is impressive, although there were some quality control issues I noticed. I returned the first set purchased due to a bad wobble in the drill chuck. The 2nd set I got was $20 less so this was good, and the 2nd drill had much less wobble. I used a diamond file to dress down one jaw on its carbide inserts until my drill chuck is now drilling pretty straight. The chuck is lighter weight and lower in quality, and it can vary in how straight the drill will be depending upon how things line up after it is tightened down, but it is OK for now but I don’t put much hope on this chuck being good for the longer term. It would be easy to replace with a good ROHM chuck later on if it doesn’t prove to be very good. The main problem with the hammer drill is that it only goes own to 130 RPM, which can be a problem using it as a screw gun where its compact size makes it handy. Anyone dealing with lots of small screws would have an actual power screwdriver, but I was hoping to use this 4.16 lb drill for this little screwing job work versus my big 6.4lb Milwaukee 18V, but no go with 130RPM minimum and a good slow 15 RPM on my Milwaukee. Also noticed the gearcase was loose on my drill so I stuffed some aluminum sheeting material in the openings between the aluminum ring and the gearcase and this fixed this problem. A little flexible epoxy can help keep the aluminum spacers in place but yet allow the spacers to be removed later should the gearcase need servicing. The NOISE of the drill is most annoying when working with in an office environment putting up shelves and putting in new lighting in the ceiling, but it is OK under most work conditions. I fear using it when the OSHA man is around as he might require I use hearing protection, LOL. The saw is quite useful and handy, although at 9.8 lbs it is no lightweight. I noticed the grease in the gears was slight with most of the gear housing being free of the green grease. It has a 9 tooth gear going into a 46 tooth gear for a 5.11 reduction, meaning the motor spins at about 19,421 RPM. I put in more grease after first cleaning out the original to help insure no incompatibility between the greases, the Redline synthetic red grease seems pretty good for reducing wear and working well at lower temperatures and higher temps, as well as staying in place on gears. The shaft for the saw has a mere brass or bronze bushing on the back while near the blade it is a double rubber sealed ball bearing. I don’t like seeing a bushing versus a bearing for support of the drive shaft for the saw blade, but given this is a cordless saw it will not be seeing a great deal of action like my worm drive would get. The plastic housing for the main bearing for the saw seems odd, versus using aluminum, but perhaps this is not a problem. Overall, this seems like an excellent deal and a very useful combination. Plus, there is less risk of someone stealing such tools at work, compared to my buying into the Milwaukee Fuel line for a much larger cost, as what self-respecting thief is likely to go for a mere Ridgid brand tool? I am even tempted to buy TWO sets and when co-workers begin to respect these Ridgid tools then I could sell the extra set for $200 and make a few bucks, while in the meantime I could make use of the extra 4AH battery. One really needs an extra 4AH battery, or perhaps the 6AH AEG battery which could fit OK. I am not so sure the 6AH is a good idea as this saw draws a lot of power and higher capacity batteries usually have a much lower amp draw they will allow without being damaged. Hopefully AEG/Ridgid has figured this out OK in building in protection for the 6AH battery which doesn’t seem to be available yet in retail stores in the USA.
Shawn
I called Home Depot and they do not have this in stock. What state or what Home Depot has this for $129?
George Edge
Last I checked the Howe Ave Home Depot in Sacramento, CA still has about three of these in stock. These have been in stock at $149 since around Nov 2015 when there were about 8 of them, but they might have had more in storage. Then they got marked down to $139 and then $129. I think they are still listed at $179 on their web site. I do wonder about quality issues since my first set had a drill with a defective chuck and maybe many others have returned such a set so they keep lowing the price?? If you find one, check it out carefully to make sure everything seems good with it while another might still be in stock where you could exchange your defective item. I don’t know about checking inventory on-line with Home Depot, but with some businesses you can do a search for ALL stores within around 200 miles of your location to find an item in stock. Then you need to call ahead to make sure it is really in stock and to have it put away for you before you arrive at the store. Inventory may not be updated very well via their computer inventory system and they may not have a means to access such inventory on-line. Also, not all employees you would chat with would be so helpful as to literally check on the shelf for the item. This is not entirely the fault of the semi-lazy employee since these boxes of tools can be all over the store, sometimes in a special sales area, another time on an end isle display, another time in the tools area, still other times in a marked down sales area mainly for returns or tools missing something, etc. It isn’t always so easy finding this puppy even if it is there at Home Depot and you are looking for it. If you can talk to the main tool guy who maintains things in this area of Home Depot then he should know if they really have it or not.
Adam solveson
I picked one of these up about 2 weeks ago. Price slashed to 129$ @ home depot 🙂 although the new drill is brushless the bigger non brushless from the 5xgen kit i believe is more powerful. I know thats not what the specs say but im telling from experiance. The original will not cut out while drilling holes in 1st gear. The brushless one did.