Replies

1. 
   rjones69 | Dec 04, 2006 04:10am | #1

   So far I have or have had the following:

   Ridgid table saw - It does a pretty good job over the last 4 years, I would buy it again

   ROS - junk

   Router - so far so good would buy it again

   Jointer - pretty good I would buy it again

   Planer - Ok but would probably go with the Grizzly next time

   Bandsaw - Ok probably would go with something else though

   Yeah I would probably go with the cordless drills as well based on thier warranty

   All in all it's not bad stuff for the most part.

   Ron

2. 
   wrudiger | Dec 04, 2006 04:14am | #2

   The jig saw is a no brainer - Bosch (unless you want to spring for the Festool).  I used to go for D-handle style, but when I upgraded to the Bosch I got the barrel-handle (based on reco's here) and love it.

   I have an AEK-made Ridgid-branded corded hammer-drill that is very good, but doesn't appear to be available any more.  I will say that the keyless chuck was junk, but that's AEK's fault, not Ridgid's. 

3. 
   nikkiwood | Dec 04, 2006 08:23am | #3

   I have a flock of Panasonics, but I just recommended a cordless Ridgid drill to someone who was looking for one they would use on a sometime basis. This was mainly because of the lifetime warranty, which also includes batteries.

   Here's what gives me pause about Ridgid; I think HD is one of the savviest marketing organizations on the planet.

   As an example, when they introduced a ROS, they went to Metabo for its manufacture, one of the best tool makers in the world. However, after this sander established itself as one of the best in the market, they quietly ditched Metabo and sent the manufacturing to China. Already, there have been a run of complaints around here about the Chinese version.

   I am guessing their strategy is to make a really high quality tool at the onset, and once its reputation has been established, switch the manufacturing to some cheaper facility, using a lower standard, and less expensive materials (with no reduction in price).

   They are smart enough to know that if any one of us buys the tool now, we will be sitting on forums like this singing its praises to someone who is considering its purchase several years down the line. But if my theory is right, it will be a different tool that is made to an inferior standard and with cheaper materials.

   Time will tell........................

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 06, 2006 06:30am | #12

   >> I think HD is one of the savviest marketing organizations on the planet.That may be but Home Depot is only the exclusive marketer of the Ridgid line of tools. Home Depot has nothing to do with the specs or the manufacturer of the tools. The total responsibility for all the Ridgid line of tools is Emerson Electric. Emerson contracted with a far eastern company called TTI to manufacture and market the Ridgid tools. TTI is also the parent company of Ryobi so TTI contracted with Ryobi to manufacture some of the tools and contracted with some others also. Metalbo was the contractor for the sander. TTI has since decided to contract with a Chinese company for some of the tools not made by Ryobi.Howie.........

1. 
   nikkiwood | Dec 06, 2006 07:44am | #13

   <<"Home Depot has nothing to do with the specs or the manufacturer of the tools.">>You may have inside info that I don't know about, but I seriously doubt that the HD people don't have a very great influence on the specs and price of Ridgid tools, given their exclusive sales arrangement with Emerson. It would be very interesting to know exactly what the relationship is between Emerson and HD -- if for instance, whether HD has a stock position (in Emerson), etc. Do you have any idea?Also, what is your theory on why the first run of some Ridgid tools were manufactured by first line outfits like Metabo and AEG, then after a year or so, sent to China? If the consideration was strictly cost, why didn't the tools originate in China in the first place?********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

4. 
   cadiddlehopper | Dec 04, 2006 11:23pm | #4

   Bought an early Ridgid sander like yours. It is one of my favorite tools. Can't comment on your other subjects.

   Cadiddlehopper

5. 
   xmike | Dec 05, 2006 12:50am | #5

   In my experience (and IMHO), while the line is well designed, a very low standard of quality control results in individual tools that may, or very well may not be of high quality.

   Two examples:  The contractor's saw and the bandsaw.

   Their contractors saw worked great, right out of the box.  A little noisy, and dust control is a problem, but all told, a good saw.  Wish I'd bought the semi-cabinet version, though, due to it's bigger top.

   Their 14" bandsaw arrived with major problems - "shook like a dog" (big periodic vibration problem).  The saw got terrific review here in FW.  So I bought one and spent half the difference between the price of the Ridgid and that of a very nice Jet, Delta, or Rikon unit in order to make it work properly.  Yes, I know that it has a great warranty, but by the time I've hauled a major power tool down the steep stairs into my basement shop, I am loath to haul it back up again.  Plus I just kept saying "well, I'll just fix this next thing and it will be fine.  And, finally, it was.

   The issues were:
        1) wheels out of balance (I balanced them)
        2) pulleys out of round (both) ( I replaced them with machined pulleys and a segmented belt.
        3) blade that ships with the unit is "no Scottish" (I know, that's a "nit".)

   Just my experience,

   Mike D

6. 
   billballeza | Dec 05, 2006 06:48am | #6

   I just bought the Ridgid spindle/belt sander, too.

   Here's the problem I'm having with it:

   When I move the work into the spindle sander.. it stops.. even with light to moderate pressure. I discovered that the rubber spindles are not fitting snugly on the shaft.. and that the sanding sleeves are not fitting snugly on the rubber spindles.

   My fix was to put one thickness of masking tape on the shaft.. and on the rubber spindles. That makes the fit tight enough that the assembly will keep turning when I move the work into it.

   On a rubber drum sander for your portable drill or your drill press.. the drums have screws you tighten to expand the drum and make the sleeves taut. This unit has no such provision.. only a turn knob which doesn't do the trick.

   Have you experienced this problem with the Ridgid spindle sander?

   Thanks,

   Bill

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Dec 05, 2006 03:38pm | #7

   Did you place the appropriate metal washer on top of the rubber drum then tighten snugly? I have never had such a problem.Cadiddlehopper

2. 
   zombeerose | Dec 05, 2006 06:28pm | #8

   I would agree w/ the previous post about the washers. Sounds like you are not putting them on correctly b/c when you have the correct washers on, the rubber drum is compressed and holds without a problem. Check your manual.

   "100 Years" -- scribbled on the wall by a woodworker to remind him to do his best and as a warranty on his work -- "If anything I make fails in the first hundred years, bring it back, and I'll take care of it. After that, there will be a small charge. (Original purchaser only)"

1. 
   billballeza | Dec 05, 2006 11:47pm | #10

   You guys are right. Thank you. I was not using the correct washer.

   Thanks again,

   Bill

7. 
   zombeerose | Dec 05, 2006 06:32pm | #9

   I also bought the spindle sander a couple weeks ago and love it (so does the wife - one of the few tools she will use). As far as other Ridgid tools, I have been very happy with the contractor table saw other than the poor dust collection. I also just bought a Ridgid cordless drill that is working great.

   For the jigsaw though, if you plan on using it to any extent other than the occassional one/two cuts, I would probably invest a little more, such as Festool.

   Z

   "100 Years" -- scribbled on the wall by a woodworker to remind him to do his best and as a warranty on his work -- "If anything I make fails in the first hundred years, bring it back, and I'll take care of it. After that, there will be a small charge. (Original purchaser only)"

8. 
   lokiloki1 | Dec 06, 2006 02:42am | #11

   I have both the Rigid and the Bosch jigsaws and I reach for the Bosch everytime.