Need New Cordless Drill

[wingrider02]

I worked for Bosch for 22 years and could get their tools for about 25 cents on the dollar. I have had good luck with them over the years but they can be kind of pricey.

I use the Bosch tools for my “house” work....they have treated me very well, and the battery’s are outstanding!

I am also thinking of getting some battery powered shop tools...Milwaukee fuels are certainly on the list, although the Ridged tools I see in my emails are interesting as well.

I kind of wish Bosch had as many different tool types as Milwaukee does....would be an easy choice at that point for me.

[carolinarider09]

As I said before, I also like Ridgid products, and while I was pretty much settled on the Milwaukee product I mentioned before, I thought I'd look at the Ridgid website to see what they offered.  

The equivalent of the Milwaukee  tool (1/2 drill/driver, two batteries and charger) only has 1.5 Amp Hour batteries.  And while the Milwaukee tool is about $70 more, it does have 5.0 Amp hour batteries.  

But I can actually go get a Ridgid tool at Home Depot.  In fact the Ridgid website directs you there so chances are that the tool being shown on the Ridgid website is the same being sold at Home Depot, not a specially made tool for a "big box store".   But, that is only anecdotal evidence.  

Oh and the Milwaukee tool comes with a card case while the Ridgid tool has a soft case.  Not really a deal breaker but.

But, now that I think about the case, the drill will be used frequently so, the case is a non-issue. 

And if you buy the Ridgid Tool from Home Depot (which is interesting)  you get the lifetime service agreement.  And I quote from the Ridgid Website.

"The original purchaser of an eligible product may elect to register for a free Lifetime Service Agreement. To accept this Lifetime Service Agreement, you must register your product and submit proof of purchase for processing approval as described below. The Lifetime Service Agreement provides the original owner of qualifying RIDGID® Brand tools a lifetime of free replacement batteries, free service and free replacement parts subject to the limitations set forth below."

"The Lifetime Service Agreement (if accepted), commences after the expiration of the standard RIDGID® 3 year Limited Warranty. To obtain service for this RIDGID tool on either the 3-year limited warranty, the Lifetime Service Agreement, or the recon limited warranty, you must bring the equipment, to an authorized RIDGID service center. You may obtain the location of the authorized service center nearest you by logging on to the RIDGID website at www.ridgid.com. When requesting service under the Lifetime Service Agreement, you must present your Lifetime Service Agreement Identification Number and proper personal identification (a valid driver’s license, passport, or military I.D. or a valid Social Security card with photo ID). If a cordless tool kit requires a battery/charger replacement, the tool console, battery and charger purchased together must be present for proper diagnosis and warranty verification."

[Gavin_Sons]

Make sure you register the ridgid tools. The warranty has served me well over the last 10 or so years. They have replaced several batteries and 1 drill.

[carolinarider09]

Make sure you register the ridgid tools. The warranty has served me well over the last 10 or so years. They have replaced several batteries and 1 drill.

Yes that is the issue with my old Ridgid drlll.  I cannot find the fact that I registered it.  One other tool was there but not my drill.  My mistake I assume.

So, I checked to see where I might find an "authorized" repair center near me and I found one.  Interesting its very near where I use to live and I don't remember seeing the place, but the road its on I would not have traveled down often.  Just an observation. 

[carolinarider09]

After considerations and reading the responses to my question I finally made a decision to purchase a Model 2803-22 Milwaukee M18 FUEL Li-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver Kit — from Northern Tool.  I elected to have it delivered.  Looking forward to giving it a work out with my deck board replacement project.

[carolinarider09]

My drill came in today.  Looks good.  picture comparing it to my old Rigdig that I have had for many years until the battery charger went flaky and was on the fourth battery.

Unpacked the case, opened it up and plugged in the charger.  Took the battery that was in the case (not the one on the drill) and placed it on the charger and got flashing red and green lights.  According to the manual not good.

Tried it several times, same result.  

The battery on the drill was dead.

So, I put the battery that was in the case on the drill and it worked fine and said fully charged.  

So, put the battery that was on the drill on the charger and it is charging.  

Only time will tell what is going on with the battery/charger for the first battery.  

Seems well made and just about the same weight as my old Ridgid.  

This is my first battery powered drill with a 1/2" chuck so that will take some getting use maybe.

[hubcapsc]

I like the form factor of your new drill, it can get in to tight places...

-Mike

[carolinarider09]

I agree.

When I was building the house and doing the wiring, I had to purchase a "rebuilt" Milwaukee right angle 120VAC drill (that was 10 or so years ago), to drill holes in the studs for the wires. 

The Ridgid was to big to turn sideways to drill the holes and no other drill I haw would work either.  Plus bits to drill the holes needed for wiring are a bit long as well.

It seems well made.