Home Depot has quietly launched a new line of Ridgid NEXT woodworking power tools.
The new Ridgid NEXT lineup includes:
- Benchtop oscillating edge and spindle sander
- Benchtop planer
- Miter saws
- Portable table saws
- Contractor table saw with cast iron top
The new Ridgid NEXT tools are made by DELTA, and it’s on my to-do list to learn all about the new tools’ features and benefits after the new year.
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For example, it looks like one of the new Ridgid miter saws is similar (or maybe even identical) in design to the Delta Cruzer sliding miter saw. When it launched, the Delta Cruzer was said to have “unsurpassed accuracy, smoothness, and durability.” Do they make similar claims for the Ridgid?
There are lots of questions to answer.
Readers emailed and messaged me abut the new lineup, and one question stood out as being the most common and concerning. Would Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement (LSA) apply to the new tools?
According to Home Depot’s product listings, all of the new tools that I checked so far have a 5 year limited warranty.
When I initially asked my Ridgid power tool contact for more information about the lineup, this is what they said:
The new RIDGID benchtop and stationary tools are actually not manufactured by TTI, so they do not feature our LSA (Lifetime Service Agreement).
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So, to answer everyone’s question, the warranty claims are accurate – these Ridgid NEXT tools are NOT covered by the Lifetime Service Agreement that applies to Ridgid’s cordless power tools, benchtop tools, and other such equipment.
I actually didn’t ask anything about the LSA in my initial inquiry, and so the answer suggests that Ridgid PR has been fielding a lot of others’ questions about this.
Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement requires that tools be registered within 90 days of their purchase. The LSA then covers “normal wear items” and “all worn parts in properly maintained tools,” such as cordless batteries, motors, chucks, switches, brushes, gears.
The LSA gives users “a lifetime of free replacement batteries, free service, and free replacement parts subject to limitations.”
So, with Ridgid NEXT tools, you don’t get that, you get a 5-year limited warranty.
Is this a big deal? I posted about the LSA a couple of years ago – What Do You Think About Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement? – and received a lot of feedback since then, both good and bad.
Ridgid’s LSA is a selling point for some tools, and it’s a big enough deal for readers to express concern about its absence here.
Personally, I wouldn’t have qualms about a 5-year warranty, as long as replacement parts are readily available and affordable.
What’s your opinion on this? Would this detract you from purchasing any of the new Ridgid NEXT tools?
ken
I think Ridigid is going downhill fast! I have a Ridgid cordless 3 gall wet/dry vac that I love. It runs for about 1-1.5 minutes per amp hour of battery so a 4 amp hour battery will run it for only 10 minutes. I use the 9 amp hour octane battery as this gives me about 20 minutes or more of run time. Not too bad. I wanted to buy another 9 amp hour battery and they no longer make them! For a while all that was availabe was 4 amp hour batteries and now I see they do offer 6 amp hour batteries. Their elimination of Octane tools and batteries is very dissappointing and the new offerings would be great if they were in addition to their Octane line but instead of is very dissappointing. Now no LSA with the larger power tools! To me the LSA was why I chose Ridgid as my primary platform and they have supported me over the last 8 years with battery replacements and rebuilding a hammer drill to like new condition. I don’t seem to understand why they are going backwards instead of forwards? Could it be too many tools requiring LSA support? Are they considering eliminating the brand to get out of this liability? I don’t know but I do not feel good about being heavily invested in their platform anymore and would no longer recommend them over other brands!
David Joy
Hello Ken. I work for THD. Just to let you know, the Ridgid wet/dry vacs are also not produced by TTI. The Ridgid name is owned by THD and different tool paths are produced by at least 3 different companies that I am aware of.
Stuart
Ridgid is an Emerson brand/company, and Emerson makes the Ridgid vacs.
But Ken mentioned a Ridgid cordless vac – that would likely be made by TTI.
Jeff
If this is the x4 cordless vac then emerson themselves provide the lifetime warranty for it, as opposed to the LSA provided by TTI.
I still have the e-mail chain regarding this from an emerson cs.
David Archie
If it made by Emerson the tool will be red not orange. All tools made by Emerson are red.
Kenny fay
I have the 20 volt Ridgid hammer drill
ext. lithium batteries are bad can I still get new or rebuilt help
Stephen Farnsworth
i buy Ridgid because of the LSA
There no better other brands ill try milwaukee
Mark Scotts
Sad but true. Everything is getting more expensive, lesser quality…ie The American Way. I have several older model Rigid shop vacs. Recently bought some “new” ones. Cords are shorter, hoses are more flimsy and I swear they don’t have as powerful suction.
J. A. R.
C’mon. There is no American way anymore. It’s all made overseas.
Most Claims of “made in America “ are really just assembled here.
Or more correctly come here partially assembled and just have a very few cosmetic pieces installed here. China, viet nam and Philippines are where most our products ship from. Even medication is mostly made in China . At least mine supplied by medi-care.
John Wimbs
I was just bragging about my 18v brushless cordless impact and drill. How they have been great for about four years. The lifetime battery warranty. I use mine on the job and at home. Charge lasts about twice as long as Dewalt. Was going to check into upgrading first of the year.
MM
I had bought a few Ridgid branded shop vacs for work purposes around 2005-2010 or so and I was very happy with their performance. This included general purpose clean-up and also for dust collection on a bandsaw and a router table for use with plastic. I had bought both bare-bones models as well as some of the higher end ones as well, all of them performed very well. The fancier models had better accessory organization and were quieter but the basic ones didn’t give up anything in terms of power. I purchased a new one in 2018-2019, a basic model, for personal use and I have not been very happy with it by comparison. The caster wheels are of lower quality. It doesn’t seem to have as much suction, the accessories don’t seem to stay attached to the unit as well–it seems I’m constantly chasing some attachment which fell off, and it’s a hassle to organize the hose, cord, etc, by comparison to the models 10 years earlier. The fit between the lid and the main “tank” is sloppy, and I’m sure it leaks a lot of air around the circumference of the lid.
Ecotek
I’ve been a Ridgid cordless tool user for about 6 years now. I have most of what they’ve released in that time. I have had some of their corded tools, but wasn’t aware of their LSA at the time. That said, the warranty overall, has been a major reason to buy the tools, combined with a very strong price to value ratio. In a nutshell, the warranty on the tools has had some annoyances and grief but overall has been positive. However, the battery/charger warranty has been flawless and fantastic. If your battery dies, you call them, and they send you a new one. Just that simple. Register the new one and your covered again. Same as the chargers.. What other brand does that?
Plain grainy
I don’t know anything about the” Next” tool lineup. But I’m not crazy about the color.
Plain grainy
Its not the color, its the white badging on the miter saws. Their drills/ drivers have the darker badging, darker trim. Really sharp! These are very plain.
Jay Dee
These are all re-badged Delta tools (Cruzer miters and such)
C.L.
I agree, I too have been a loyal Rigid buyer for many years now. I have acquired most every power tool offered to date.
Going forward I’m considering Milwaukee who’s choice or platform is the largest I’ve seen.
And now Home Depot’s prime competitor too is offering lifetime agreement now. Come on Ridgid get with the game!!!
Paul
What competitor has a lifetime warranty? I thought Rigid was the only one with that.
Randy
Dangit man I bought a cordless sawzaw a year ago the front head bracket broke off amediatly but I’ve been using it with out it because I couldn’t afford to buy another one but its strong and work’s great just don’t know why that piece fell off so easily I wonder even how it could be replaced don’t seem like you could replace that top slide bracket that the blade goes through but all in all I’ve cut trees steel fiberglass boards even steel old tubs everywonce in a while it kicks back if I done falled it up and got to close but really love th e tool anyone have that same issue I’d like to know what you did to repair it that would be great thanks from RanZ tradesman well by the looks of it it is hard to switch completely because the batteries and tools were expensive so I just will see if I keep buying Ridgid I didn’t even know they had a warranty I just threw the bad ones out and bought new ones go figure,I thought that they would say send it in and it’s just cheaper to buy a new one dangit my fault
Frank D
I know a lot of their corded stuff only has a standard warranty, and while I would like to own more orange (they’ve been my primary tool and powertool brand for 15 years or so) just rebrands with weak cheapo or no stands is not the direction I want to hear about / see. What does this mean for existing models?
A likely pass, unless the value is very compelling.
Maybe around holiday season get a bunch of kit to outfit a new basic shop?
Frank
I agree have had a planer for quite a while now. Its Great sorry to hear about the new tools.
Derek
I agree with Ken. I have a lot of ridgid tools, been buying them for over a decade, but I’m on the fence now to switch to another brand when the tool eventually dies. Getting rid of Octane was the dumbest move possible, they are quickly turning into an orange Ryobi.
Alex
Pretty sure Delta is the manufacturer for at least the miter saws. If you look through specs it says “manufactured by DPEC” (Delta Power Equipment Co). Not sure about the others but they look very similar to deltas versions just orange.
Chris S
I have the Delta Cruzer Miter saw and it is fantastic. My buddy has the large Delta table saw with cast iron top and belt drive. It has been good so far.
Stuart
In the post, I did say that the entire line is made by DELTA.
IronWood
3-5 years is pretty standard for larger tools; I bought a Jet cabinet saw this year and it has a 5 year warranty, which I think is fine. Does anybody offer lifetime parts and service on a table saw or planer?
Julian Tracy
The original Ridgid benchtop and freestanding woodworking tools lineup all had a lifetime warranty, NOT the “LSA” which had to be registered.
Ray
I love my Ridgid tools, but a large part of the reason I went orange was the LSA. As a homeowner/DIYer I only wanted to invest in one or two battery platforms, and wanted the best value I could get, with value in my mind being time of service for money spent. Having middle to high performance numbers and middle to low pricing, combined with the LSA made them the clear choice…if they phase it out, I’d likely reconsider and go red on the next big sale
Ian
I bought the wheeled 10” table saw, warranty was a concern, but not a major concern. It was $100 cheaper than the closest option that had an equivalent rack and pinion fence, and has equal or better rip capacity to the other saws I looked at. It was a bit of a risk except that it seems to be based on the same platform as the kobalt which I have used and been reasonably happy with.
Todd
Ridgid is just a zombie brand I remember as a kid they were advertised as prosumer tools and even tradesmen used them now I see DeWalt used by plumbers and contractors even home despot employees know it’s a dead brand just look at home Depot s holiday special no Ridgid I have all Ridgid line up and I’ll ride the boat till it goes down corporate needs to understand that fan base will back them we just need something to put on the table how in the f are we being out done by Ryobi. Kobalt. Porter cable. DeWalt. Honestly just shut the brand down instead of stringing us along or step up your game Ridgid tools used to be real contractors tools
Gp
Don’t forget Mikita, Bosch and Milwaukee. Rigid is considered a homeowner or cheap backup like craftsman. There cheap for a reason they have short charge life and are not as durable. You get what you pay for but rigid is basically harbor freight this is why the warranty is trickery which shows just how much rigid believes in its own product.
fred
While I can see how “lifetime” guarantees or service agreements can be appealing to individual users. In my business dealings those sorts of things were just another feature to use as a basis for comparison. We never considered them terribly important. We relied on our tools everyday – and looked to brands and tool models that we could rely on based on past experience. If a tool failed in the midst of a job – a warranty was slim compensation and could not make up for lost time, an injury or damage. When portable tools were of the corded variety – we might have quite a few in a service shop for maintenance and repair. But increasingly we found that many cordless tools were either unserviceable or obsoleted by the time they failed to perform. For us most small tools (below a $500 threshold) were considered expense – not depreciable assets. Chasing after in-warranty service made no business sense to us – compared to having a tool that performed well over an expected lifetime.
In the case of Ridgid tools – I am reminded that the brand name is owned by Emerson Electric but is licensed to Home Depot allowing HD to contract with other OEMs for certain tool manufacture. I believe that almost all the Ridgid small cordless tools come from TTI. But Ridgid vacuums and some stationary power tools are still mad by Emerson. Ridgid plumbing tools are also made by an Emerson subsidiary – the Ridge Tool Company – from which the brand name got its start. So now it looks like HD has contracted with another OEM to make the “Ridgid Next” line.
Paul’s custom wood works
Yip the only reason I buy rigid is because of it’s warranty if it wasn’t the warranty I would still be buying Dewalt as with the majority of my tools.
Jim Felt
I think many of these old line tool brands tend to still have executives that really don’t fully realize the power of the internet to both promote and denigrate their best and worst marketing habits.
20 years ago “we” as a fairly broad buyer class barely knew much about the actual machinations of these company “policies”. Let alone who owned what and why.
Now I sometimes think we all know too much? No?
Tom
My shop (home garage) is filled with orange, but I would be forced to consider other options. Many will say that even their LSA is cumbersome or a hassle. Honestly, I’ll find out real soon because considering how much I use my tools, and how long I’ve had them, I’ve only recently had two go bad, which are the first ones ever.
The bottom line is, the lifetime agreement for the price range is one of the key factors that I considered , and ultimately decided on going with Ridgid for my core lineup. If you take that away, you let the competition for that price range have the upper hand. Value is the key word here. If you modify your existing models with a couple inovative, but not overly impressive gimmicks, and keep the same list price on them. Then take away the insurance and assurance, then more than likely your bright idea is going to fail. Sad to hear. I have the old version of the new lineup, and wasn’t really considering upgrading. If and when it comes time to do so, I’ll be looking at alternatives.
GEORGE MICHENER
I also have orange everywhere with lesser amounts of12V in red.In the RIDGID cordless,I’ve had a 1/2 drill quit and flat out worked to death a 4 1/2″ angle grinder and sawsall after 3-3 1/2 years of doing work on heavy steel (over 1/4″ angle,flat and H beam plus plenty of1 1/8″ and up round stock). I took them to my local HD and the tool repair guy there ordered parts and repaired them. There was an up front $30 fee which was refunded. Took 2 weeks. I’ve had 2 milwaukee 12V come DOA ,an angle drill and a die grinder. Those had to be shipped to milwaukee-my expense. One came back in 2 months,the other a week short of 4 months. The repair guy at home depot tells me Milwaukee wont let him(meaning pay him to) repair them in store. So which is better for you?…I’ll take the repair free in store meself. Important sidenote!!!- I initially called Rigid customer support and they did give me a list of far away places that i would have to ship them to,but, with one stop My local HD manager informed me otherwise and was obviosly correct because I left the Rigids there with the “fixer” and got them back quick. So check out your local HDs if you have a claim
Robin
I think the m12v Milwaukee are quite reliable. I own at leat 15 tools in there lineup. many are 6 years old. 100% fail proof ion all of them so far.
however I do have 18v Ridgid tools and 20v dewalt for heavier duty jobs. I’ve never had ny of the m18 Milwaukee lineup .
Chris Miras
I bought a ridgid compact drill driver combo $199 . 30 day from purchase the impact driver front cover cracked called ridgid for the warranty and was told to look up the closest repair center and it was some lawn motor repair shop . The shop wanted $30 dollars for diagnostic cost.
So I didn’t want to pay that I took it back to Home depot and they shipped to Ridgid cost was $18 for shipping it took 5 months of calling every 3 week for updates finally Ridgid sent new kit . Moral of this experience is that no warranty is as it seems I was disappointed with Home depot also since my purchase was 3 weeks and Home Depot didn’t honor their 90 day return.
Stuart
Home Depot has a 90 day return policy. If a tool I purchased from there broke 30 days from purchase, I’d return it for an exchange or replacement.
You say that they didn’t honor the return policy – what happened?
Frank D
Maybe they considered it accidental / abuse damage.
Steve
I’m not a big fan of buying primarily based on warranty, because, if you really need the warranty that much it might just be breaking too much. The Ridgid LSA bit only required you not to screw up registering it but would also require you to get the broken tool to them to service it which could kinda negate the warranty. That being said, 5 years is pretty good, I’d buy a tool with that. I’m ok with 3 years too. I just don’t trust a company that will only stand behind a power tool for 90 days, it says they don’t trust it to last past break-in, so you shouldn’t either.
Wild Bill
If TTI doesn’t manufacture those items, then RIDGID has no long-time control over parts and/or manufacturing of those items/parts. What if the DELTA deal falls through? What if DELTA were to be sold, go bankrupt, cease to exist? Does DELTA offer you a LSA?
s. evron
I have a ridgid tablesaw and after two years the motor bearings are grinding and ready to be replaced. I will never buy another ridgid power tool or machine!
Frank D
… and then there are people who have had theirs for 10 years and counting with light to moderate use without a single issue.
Steve
And neither is now relevant because these tools are coming from a different company.
Now, that being said, every company has a few lemons make it through.
RI Guy
Never been a big fan of ridged cordless tools. Ergonomics seem a bit off for a “pro tool”. My 6’ jointer is still running after 10 years though. One exception was that small saw the fuego. That was a great saw. Generally lifetime warranties are a non issue for me because the tech changes so quickly the improved production and decreasing weight of new tech means the old stuff gets replaced. Also considering what is happening in China with regards to slavery means I’m out on Tii.
Brad
Chinese labor is a good point. With Delta now manufacturing these RIDGID tools, presumably they might be made in Taiwan instead of mainland China.
Harry Bender
I have been using Ridgid tools for over a decade. Doing trim carpentry I wore out 3 miter saws that they have replaced. Was always happy with performance of the tools. Am at retirement age so if they stop the Lifetime Service Agreement I am okay with tools for what I will continue doing.
Nina
I love my cordless set. I bought it 11 years ago and it it still going strong I also use them everyday in my Handyman business. I just bought a new set so I have a back up when or if they die. I might give the new line a shot in the future but it looks kind of cheap IMO.
Mac
Bought a drywall cutout saw last black Friday…and a caulk gun. Couldn’t find either at a decent price from Makita.
Drywall saw was set to suck dust in from the front to cool the motor…so after the first couple of uses we had to get the air compressor out and blow out the tool to get it to turn on.
It was also completely gutless.
Never unboxed the caulk gun.
Both went back to Home Depot.
-Mac
JOE K DRAIN
Only reason I bought Rigid was the LSA warranty. All my power tools are Rigid. I felt if a company stuck that with their product, then you couldn’t do more to stand behind your product. Guess I’ll have to consider others now.
Brad
I’m really interested to see how these tools perform. The oscillating belt sander enjoyed a solid reputation until RIDGID started cheapened the build, so I bought the Grizzly version literally two weeks ago. A couple of RIDGID’s earlier generations of thickness planers performed quite well for the money. Otherwise I was never really interested in RIDGID’s benchtop/stationary/portable tools until their latest Delta-clone contractor saws popped up. Delta went through a rough patch from a quality standpoint, but people seem to think their contractor saws and miter saws are good performers these days, so maybe they’re reversing the trend.
Nathan
I always thought Ridgid’s lifetime service arrangement was always a gimmick to sell a inferior tool. At least when it came to things with a high consumable rate.
When I looked at their table saw and mitre saws I never considered that warranty as much as I did the features and price with reviews. I hear alot of good things about their previous edition mitre saws and more than once I almost bought their nonsliding 12 with the shadow light.
SO I’m curious about their new stuff – but knowing it’s delta equipment I’m a little offput really. Since I read horrible stuff about modern Delta equipment – which kept me away from a Delta table saw when I was buying my Dewalt. Had I not bought a refurbished Dewalt I would have bought a ridgid. (2015 time frame)
so curious I am.
Nathan
SO reply to myself.
Side question might this imply any sort of relationship between Delta and TTI?
Stuart
No – this is likely a relationship between Home Depot and Emerson and Delta.
Luckey Dodge
Hi,
Any Cordless Carton Staplers yet? I heard that there was a 20 volt carton stapler coming soon. From B&D or Bostitch?
There are a few of the Bostitch Carton Staplers on ebay……….They are left over stock and are probably OK.
I just want the latest technology and 20 volts.
I hope that 2022 brings goood news!
Happy New Years every body!
Luckey Dodge
Corey Moore
It’s mildly concerning how many folks have taken this is news that Ridgid is discontinuing the lsa. I’m not sure how much clearer Stu could’ve been in the explanation that Home Depot doesn’t manufacturer or personally provide the warranty, I’m sure that as the exclusive purchaser and official reseller of the aeg rebadges they sell as their house brand, the lsa is just a perk afforded from the sheer volume they buy from tti and the standard warranty/repair costs on total sales being insignificant compared to the bulk purchase. I’ve always thought the lsa was clever as hell from both sides-good deal for the consumer, and the boost in sales I’m sure it generates, likely makes whatever the replacements cost to the manufacturer completely insignificant. That lsa ain’t going anywhere as long as Home Depot is flagshipping Ridgid from TTI.
Brad
I was thinking the same thing. Jesus, people. The LSA will continue for the stuff made by TTI. The Delta stuff will have a 5yr warranty.
Dave
Well, sorry to dig up an older topic but as someone who owns only a rigid table saw, of which I have no idea of it has an LSA:
I walk into HD, I see a Drill combo, that has an LSA. I get some more rigid stuff, all with an LSA. Now, they have Rigid NEXT.. sounds fancy. And I’m in the market for one of them. I’d assume almost automatically that it comes with an LSA. The comments here already show the confusion, and the lack of confidence in the direction of the the brand.
Same stuff happened with craftsman.
MT
Is Delta any good? The only place around here that carries Delta is Menards so I just figured it’s the same third-tier stuff as the rest of everything they sell.
Brad
Delta was a high-end woodworking tools manufacturer for over a century, but went through a rough patch with changes in (foreign) ownership at some point. But even at their nadir, they were competing with Rikon or Grizzly/Shop Fox, not Ryobi or Craftsman. Today you’re more likely to see a serious professional using a Delta (under its own brand name or RIDGID’s) contractor saw than any other table saw model found in big box stores, because they have pro features and build quality that no Dewalt or Milwaukee has. Also, the Delta Unisaw is arguably the quintessential cabinet saw, and would be at home in almost any professional woodworker’s shop.
Full disclosure, I have used lots of newer Delta stuff, but don’t own anything they’ve made since at least the 1960s. But they’re a legit woodworking tools company, definitely not third-tier.
Brad
P.S.: Lowe’s also carries Delta at times.
Julian Tracy
LOL. Delta hasn’t made anything with pro features or professional build quality for near ten years; hat’d be around the time they made that next gen Unisaw.
Everything since then has been the same rebranded plastic sheet metal craptastic tools along the line of the Porter Cable and Kobalt tablesaws, bandsaw, Sanders, etc.
Brad
1. The Delta Unisaw line isn’t rebranded. Delta is the OEM.
2. If you think Unisaw is just “plastic sheet metal craptastic tools” on par with Kobalt, what isn’t, in your book? Powermatic/Jet and Oliver have cheapened their build quality almost as much as Delta has, and Grizzly/Shop Fox, Laguna, Rikon, etc. have always *been* plastic and sheet metal. I’m as big a fan of old arn as anyone, but brands like Whitney, Wadkin, Northfield, and Tannewitz no longer exist. Baleigh or Sawstop, maybe? Or does one need to shell out for a Felder, Hammer, or Minimax?
fred
I paid somewhere north of $1000 for my Unisaw almost 50 years ago. Then added their (not so great) sliding table and finally a Biesemeyer fence that probably doubled the cost. Translate that to 2021 dollars and you would be in the Hammer cost range. If I were 50 years younger and buying today – I’d be looking at either a Hammer or possible a Sawstop.
Joe
Can u plz tell Ridgid to make their new brushless hammer drill more powerful but in the same size? 800 in lbs sucks 1000 should b the minimum. Their old octane model had 1200 in lbs. This one big downgrade. Not cool since i cant even make 6 inch hole in wood with hole saw. Thx
dc
I don’t own many Ridgid tools, only pipe wrenches and a 14 gallon shop vac. I don’t go for the warranty, mostly for performance, reliability and function.
B. Teague
I bought the miter saw tool cart about 6 months ago. It came with the LSA and wait for it,,………it was automatically registered and showed up in my account. That really impressed me. Everytime I registered one or my tools I set multiple reminders to check it showed up in my account. Not this time and if they were to do this for all tools it would cause me to buy them for every tool.
JR Ramos
This immediately brought to mind the farce that was Craftsman “Evolution” tools…..diluting the brand name to meet a price point because someone thought it was a grand marketing idea or couldn’t see past short term sales goals. Hopefully Home Depot isn’t taking that path.
On a side note, Stuart if you see this, have you heard news that Porter Cable as a brand is getting the complete axe? I don’t have details but local supply shop who does repairs confirmed it and said limited parts will be available for the foreseeable future but will be relabeled with B&D part numbers. Made my heart sink but maybe it’s the best thing considering the last 15 years of dilution.
Brad
Really? I just read the other day that PC would be Tractor Supply’s exclusive power tool brand.
If they were to give it the axe, I would assume that SBD would convert PC’s more successful products (dovetail jigs, routers, benchtop tools, air tools) to another SBD namepla
Fyrfytr998
For the most part, anything Craftsman that isn’t a DeWalt clone is more than likely a Porter Cable one.
JRamos
I remember hearing that too, maybe back in August or so. I’m trying to get clarification. Really at this point, B&D nixed nearly all of the Porter Cable tools that were legitimately superior and some were eventually replaced with rebadged older DeWalt tools (palm sander coming to mind immediately). Most of the Porter Cable stuff in the last 15 years or more has been really dumbed down compared to what the company used to manufacture…sad. But I’ll try to report back if I can get any more info, and hopefully I didn’t state this in error.
Stuart
The announcement was made in September – https://toolguyd.com/porter-cable-tractor-supply-exclusive-cordless-power-tools/
Plain grainy
The existing Ridgid 6amp, 6 1/8” jointer/ planer sure has many 5 star reviews. Being in the $700+ price range it seems to be a bargain price jointer. Has the lifetime parts/ service backup. If you need to remove the wedge to sharpen the blades, you will have to purchase a wrench from Gardner!
Brad
Really? I just read the other day that PC would be Tractor Supply’s exclusive power tool brand.
If they were to give it the axe, I would assume that SBD would convert PC’s more successful products (dovetail jigs, routers, benchtop tools, air tools) to another SBD nameplate.
Fyrfytr998
Milwaukee
Makita
DeWalt
Ryobi
Ridgid
One of these brands was bound to suffer a set back. Of the four, Ridgid hasn’t really innovated all that much, and Ryobi has blurred the lines between DIY and Prosumer with the sheer amount of offerings it has.
Honestly, if I were running HD, I’d drop Ridgid and expand Makita more. I always find Makita seems limited in HD.
Jaime
I was a Ridgid buyer but after taking thier office all they said they couldn’t find my batteries serial numbers ,then they came back and said we found your e-mail but still no batteries serial found.well I said think you.after that I got rid of them and when to but Dewalt,And very happy now.
Baddodge
The reason I’ve bought Ridgid tools is the LSA. The drill motor batteries have been replaced 2 or 3 times over the years. Those batteries are expensive and I don’t want to have to pay for that. My chop saw and table saws are too expensive to replace. I would NEVER BUY a brand that doesn’t have that LSA
Gordon
I saw a few reviews of the miter saw. I wouldn’t believe Delta’s claims of “unsurpassed accuracy”. I would maybe say “unparalleled”, lol.
At $500, I don’t think it’s remotely close to as good quality as a DWS779, which is often on sale for $100 less. If you really need a saw with forward facing sliders you can get a Metabo HPT for $20 more, or the Bosch for $150 more.
Paul
I chose to invest in the rigid platform ~10 yrs ago BECAUSE of the life time warranty. It is purely for personal use in my wood shop. However, I have been deeply disappointed by the lack of optional tools and creativity in the product line. Despite their marketing to counter that, Rigid is outgunned by competitors with innovative tools. The recent “tiering” of the line, sunset of Octane, and sub to Delta makes me think they are positioning to get rid of LSA. Come on Rigid…get it together.
Flotsam
I’ve got a bench top Ridgid miter saw which i’ve had for almost 10 years. Not a slider but it is fine.
For this kind of bench top stuff i expect (& want it to be corded) so the LSA is not a big deal for me.
I always thought LSA was more about the batteries anyway. I do have some cordless tools and battery life and tool life has not bee an issue that has impacted me. Ridgid always seemed to be more cost effective to me than my Dewalt stuff.
Mattek
Well reading all of this i can say you were all comcerned for nothing. Ridgids current 1/2 hammer drill with a 6ah max output battery is on par with, If not better than the octane hammer drill using a 9ah octane battery. The octane rated for 1300 in lbs of torque and the new one only 800.
The new recip saw is also a monster.
And now just a few weeks ago they announced a whole new 22 tools including another hammerdrill but a high torque version rated for 1250 in lbs of torque which will undoubtedly be much better than the octane. Especially when paired with a new 8ah maxoutput battery sporting 21700 cells.
Ridgid just planted their foot firmlynin the contractor/ pro arena
Stuart
I should point out that the tools you are referring to are not included in the “Next” family of tools discussed above.
Rick M
So the Delta Cruze Miter saw is $500+ and the Ridgid Next Miter is $300+ can I expect the quality of the Ridgid to be less than the Delta?
Stuart
Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell you; I haven’t had the opportunity to test either of them.
Can anyone else chime in?
Jerry
I have 129 Ridgid items registered. The only reason I purchased them was the LSA. I’ve had some of these battery tools from the beginning of the LSA and had so many batteries replaced over that time. My first batteries were Nicad, only a few of those still going.
The new batteries are much better than early lithium batteries. These have more run time, and hold charge while sitting, much longer.
It’s been a struggle at times with them changing the rules to get a new battery or repair, so many times.
It’s better but still flawed, but better than having a tool break after 3 years that’s not worth fixing or can’t be fixed.
There may be some brands up to 5 years, but to me tools are a lifetime investment.
I hope they never stop the LSA