Back in April 2020, Ridgid launched their super tiny sub compact range of 18V power tools and now they’ve added two more with a new sub compact 1/2″ hammer drill and 1/2″ impact wrench.
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Ridgid 18V Sub Compact Brushless Hammer Drill/Driver R8711B
The Ridgid sub compact 18V hammer drill is very similar to the original sub compact drill driver as both are very small and offer a strong performance for it’s size. The hammer drill too features a powerful brushless motor with a rated 425 in-lbs of torque in a small body the size of a 12 volt drill meaning it has slightly more torque than the original sub compact drill driver Ridgid didn’t mention how compact the hammer drill model is in terms of length but the Home Depot listing mentions about 6.5″ in length making it very compact making this Ridgid 18V even shorter in length than Milwaukee’s M12 12 volt brushless hammer drill which comes in at 6-3/4″ length and yet the Ridgid offers a tad bit more torque – at least on paper.
Unlike the original Ridgid sub compact drill, this is a hammer drill which means that if you attach a hammer drill bit and set it to hammer drill mode, it can hammer drill into concrete. Ridgid says it has all metal gears and the 1/2″ chuck appears to be plastic with no mention of a metal chuck. The good news is that it’s a single sleeve ratcheting chuck. Single sleeve means only one hand is needed to tighten and untighten and ratcheting means it can grip bits tightly.
Ridgid says this will launch in November 2020 for $119 as a baretool.
- This SubCompact model is 30% lighter weight and 30% more compact
- Brushless motor technology delivers more runtime, more power, and longer motor life
- Hammer mode on integrated clutch setting for concrete drilling
- 24 position clutch ring for ultimate precision when driving
- All metal gears for extended durability
- Reversible belt hook and bit holder apply to either side for additional customization
- LED light illuminates the workspace
- This hammer drill has a 1/2 in. single-sleeve ratcheting chuck
- 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID 18V Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
- Lifetime Service Agreement with registration within 90 days of purchase
- Includes: (1) R8711 18V SubCompact Brushless 1/2 In. Hammer Drill/Driver with driving bit, belt clip, bit holder, (2) screws, and operator’s manual
- Battery and charger sold separately
- RIDGID: Powerful. Durable. Professional.
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Ridgid 18V Sub Compact Brushless 1/2″ Impact Wrench R87028B
Like the hammer drill is similar to the original sub compact drill, the 1/2″ sub compact impact wrench is also very similar to the 3/8″ sub compact impact wrench from Ridgid. In fact they’re so similar it appears to be based off the 3/8″ impact wrench with the only discernable difference being the 1/2″ friction ring anvil as everything else appears the same. With the same 225 ft-lbs of max breakaway torque with 3 speeds + fourth auto-tightening mode to prevent over-tightening. It even features the same 2,800 RPM as the 3/8″ model. Both share the same extremely small 4.31 inch length which is an amazing feat. Kudos Ridgid team!
The Ridgid 18V sub compact 1/2″ impact wrench is said to also launch in November for $119 as a baretool.
- Brushless Motor Technology delivers more runtime, more power, and longer motor life
- 3-Speeds for added control, as well as a 4th auto-tightening mode to prevent over-tightening
- Up to 2,800 RPM and up to 225 ft./lbs. of breakaway torque
- Best access in tight spaces at 4.31 in. in length
- SubCompact model is 45% lighter weight and 40% more compact compared to the R86011 Octane Brushless 1/2 in. Impact Wrench.
- 1/2 in. Friction ring for quick and easy socket changes
- LED Light for improved visibility in confined spaces and low light situations
- 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID 18-Volt Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
- Lifetime Service Agreement with registration within 90 days of purchase
Ridgid 18V Compact 2.0 ah Battery AC8400802
Last but not least is the new compact battery that Ridgid also announced. The new 2.0 ah 18V battery which was already a compact model, is even more compact. According to Ridgid, the new 2.0 ah battery is 10% more compact and 10% lighter compared to the previous model R840086. This reminds me of the same thing TTI did with Ryobi’s latest 1.5ah compact battery which was made even more compact when the Ryobi announced their new 18V compact One+ HP compact brushless cordless power tools. This is a nice move for both Ryobi and Ridgid to fit the them of small cordless 18V tools with small compact batteries. This is the same battery attached to the above new cordless power tools and as you can see, it does appear very compact, particularly when it comes to length. And as you can see it has a easy to see fuel gauge right on the front to check remaining charge.
The new Ridgid 18V 2.0 ah compact battery will also be available in November 2020 for $119 as a two pack AC8400802P or $79 for one battery AC8400802.
- Compact size reduces user fatigue
- Fuel Gauge notifies power level on the job
- Extended Runtime compared to Standard Lithium Batteries
- 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID 18-Volt Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
- 3-year limited warranty
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I have the new Ridgid subcompact 3/8 impact wrench. It’s great. Amazing small size, decent power for its size and just overall has a nice smooth feel. Seeing the 1/2″ version is a little disappointing. As you mentioned, it appears identical to the 3/8″ model but for the anvil. It seems like a cheap way to sell me two tools. How hard would it be to engineer a removable anvil? Maybe on board storage for both sizes? Sure you can buy the adapter to go up or down in size, but then you add length. I guess if you only want one size or the other then it doesn’t matter.