Today we’re looking at the Ridgid 18V Brushless 3/8 Inch Ratchet for our third installment of Ridgid power tool reviews before Father’s Day. and our friends at Ridgid (@ridgidpowertoolscanada on Instagram) sent it over for our evaluation. It included a 2.0 Amp-hour (Ah) battery and charger kit (part number AC9302), usually sold separately, as the R866011B ratchet is sold as a tool only.
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 Ridgid generally splits the difference between the more entry-level Ryobi and extra heavy-duty Milwaukee.
I have to admit that before trying the Ridgid ratchet, I was personally considering a higher-end Milwaukee M12 or M18 power ratchet for automotive repair. In addition to writing and reviewing cars as a professional automotive journalist, I also tend to DIY almost everything on my own vehicles. I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty when working on brakes, suspension, and even engine rebuilds. I own the massive M18 1400 foot-pound 1/2-inch impact wrench (the 2767), but its size means it’s not the most versatile in tight spaces – I needed something smaller to go with it.
The Ridgid 18V Brushless 3/8 Inch Ratchet is a more affordable unit than the Milwaukee units I was considering, but after giving it a go, I found that it’s more than enough for my needs in the garage and around the house. Like the 18V Subcompact Brushless 4-Mode Impact Driver I tested, I was impressed by the build quality and relatively light weight with the smaller 2.0 Ah battery. It’s perfect for putting into tight spaces under the hood, where a conventional wrench or ratchet may eat up half an hour when trying to slowly take out a nut or bolt with poor access. A small LED light helps when working in the dark, too. With the Ridgid’s 250 RPM maximum speed and an easy-to-use variable speed trigger, a quick zip-zip has your fasteners in or out, and you can happily continue onto the next part of your project.
To test the 55 foot-pound torque rating, I got out my trusty torque wrench and used a lug nut on a wheel as a test bed. While my Subaru’s lugs are typically torqued to nearly 90 foot-pounds, I wasn’t about to stress test the Ridgid ratchet beyond its intended design. I loosened the lug nut and torqued it back down to 55 foot-pounds, using a deep socket without torque-robbing extensions on both the torque wrench and the Ridgid power tool.
With a fully charged 2.0 Ah battery, the tool could open the nut only when torqued up to about 45 foot-pounds, which is a bit shy of the 55 rating. Realistically, this is still plenty of power for most jobs involving 3/8-inch drive sockets. On the other hand, when testing the tightening torque, my torque wrench confidently clicked when set to 55 foot-pounds, so we know it’s good there. You may be able to extract a little more juice using Ridgid’s more premium MAX Output Lithium battery line, which we didn’t have on hand to test.
At a Canadian retail price of $229 at Home Depot, I think it’s a pretty good value. If you need more than 55 foot-pounds of torque, there are more expensive high-performance options available from sister brand Milwaukee. Still, I don’t see myself considering that any time soon after giving the Ridgid a try. Ridgid offers a Lifetime parts and service agreement to sweeten the deal, 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 (https://register.ridgidpower.com/). Products eligible for this warranty coverage can be identified with the Lifetime Service Agreement logo on the box.
If your dad or favourite father figure would benefit from a power tool like this for Father’s Day, considering the Ridgid brand and battery line would be a good idea. For someone who doesn’t need the top-shelf stuff, the Ridgid 18V Brushless 3/8 Inch Ratchet is a good performer that fits into tight spaces and doesn’t break the bank, so we at Daddy’s Digest think it’s a winner all around.
Canadians can find it online at Home Depot Canada by following this link:
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ridgid-18v-brushless-cordless-3-8-in-ratchet-tool-only-/1001707970
Americans, click here:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18V-Brushless-Cordless-3-8-in-Ratchet-Tool-Only-R866011B/318370077
