Dads – or those looking to get something for dads – listen up! Father’s Day is right around the corner, and tools are a popular gift for what is likely one of the most influential men in your life. We’re kicking off some Daddy’s Digest tool reviews, and courtesy of Ridgid Power Tools Canada (@ridgidpowertoolscanada on Instagram), we have a few product reviews coming your way. The dads we have on staff here at DD are some pretty handy folks, and many aren’t afraid to tackle engine rebuilds or complete multi-storey treehouse builds. Based on this, we’d like to say we know a thing or two about power tools!
Having been founded 100 years ago in 1923, Ridgid has been around the block and is a reputable name in the power tool business. Many of their products are a part of the Techtronic Industries Company Limited (TTI), who are also responsible for well-known tool brands such as Ryobi and Milwaukee. We’re fans of all three and think that Ridgid generally splits the difference between the more entry-level Ryobi and extra heavy-duty Milwaukee.
Today’s review is for the 18-volt Subcompact Brushless 4-Mode Impact Driver Kit – product number R872311K. Rated for 1,825 inch-pounds (151.6 foot-pounds) of torque, it’s a teeny tiny unit that’s very lightweight. It’s easy to grip and easy to work with, which is also helpful if kids want to get in on the fun of do-it-yourself projects with dad. Build quality is solid and holds its own against other, much more expensive brands – yours truly is an avid Milwaukee M18 user, and I came away impressed at the look and feel of the Ridgid impact driver.
The R872311K kit comes with a 2.0 amp-hour (Ah) battery and charger, which is also lightweight, compact, and quick to charge. Despite the size, battery life doesn’t appear to be an issue, and the impact driver successfully assembled an entire large kitchen pantry cabinet while maintaining four out of four LEDs on the battery charge indicator. Ridgid’s 18V, 2.0 Ah MAX Output battery (sold separately) may offer greater life and a little more juice for the impact driver, but we think it might be best reserved for applications requiring bigger tools or more power.
With a quarter-inch hex chuck, you can use your favourite impact-rated screwdriver and drill bits, which are sold separately. We used our formidable Milwaukee bits to test the tool, which didn’t skip a beat. Also included in the kit is a useful tool bag for keeping the impact driver, battery, and charger when not in use. Gripes are few and far between – we didn’t notice any excessive heating or performance dropoff issues, even when driving screws in rapid succession.
With a Canadian retail price of $129 at Home Depot, it’s an excellent value and is priced just right as a Father’s Day gift for Dad. Moreover, Ridgid offers a Lifetime parts and service agreement, including free batteries, parts, and service. All that’s required is to purchase the item from the Home Depot, followed by a quick five-minute registration process at Ridgid’s website. Products eligible for this warranty coverage can be identified with the Lifetime Service Agreement logo on the box.
For handy dads, it’s hard to beat the Ridgid 18-volt Subcompact Brushless 4-Mode Impact Driver Kit for general use around the house. It packs a strong punch and kicks butt in terms of driving screws and drilling holes, and it does so with a compact and lightweight profile that also happens to be fairly easy on the pocketbook. The lifetime service agreement is a plus, and if you’re looking for other tools, including drills, saws, chainsaws, string trimmers, leaf blowers, or nail guns – just to name a few – the 18V Ridgid lineup deserves a look, too.
Canadians can find the impact driver at Home Depot at this link:
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ridgid-18v-sub-compact-brushless-3-speed-impact-driver-kit-with-2-0-ah-battery-and-charger/1001769231
Americans, click here:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18V-SubCompact-Brushless-Cordless-Impact-Driver-Kit-with-2-0-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Tool-Bag-R872311K/321348805
