Lots Of New Ridgid 18V Tools Announced

Most Recent Edit: 9/20/22 Updated info for the 18V high torque hammer drill.
Previous Edit: 6/15/22 Updated info for the 18V Spotlight.

Original article written on 3/14/22:

Ridgid just made an announcement today of lots of new Ridgid cordless 18V tools, with new drilling and fastening power tools, saws, LED lights, angle grinder, stapler, radios, fan, heat gun, and vacuum. Actually their announcement was a total of 23 individual 18V products including chargers and a battery however not all tools mentioned in the announcement were new as some of them have been announced before and covered here on the website.

So in this article I will only be covering the few tools that are actually new and they are 13 of them. Technically, one of the, the mid torque impact wrench is not new however they announced a pin detent version. Some of the others are updates of previous models. With that said, some of the new tools are very exciting as we will see below. I will go over the new tools in the order of the Ridgid announcement. No specific launch dates or prices were given in their announcement and is why they are not included in this article.

Full disclosure: This is not a review, this is tool news. Tool Craze cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information/specifications/features of any tool listed in this article. Manufacturer marketing claims may not always meet expectations. Tool Craze is not responsible if products do not live up to claimed expectations. Please do your full research before buying any products. Tool Craze is an Amazon Associate, and also an affiliate with the Home Depot, Acme Tools, Ohio Power Tool, Tool Nut, Lowe’s, Ebay, and Walmart and places paid links to these retailers. If you purchase something through a link on the Tool Craze site, Tool Craze may get a small share of the sale.

RIDGID 18V Brushless 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw R8658

The first one on this list is a big one, Ridgid’s first rear handle 7-1/4″ brushless circular saw! What is a rear handle circular saw you ask? It’s what they call a cordless circular saw that imitates the look of a worm drive circular saw but without actually having a worm drive. These are also very powerful cordless circular saws and are also the only way to get a left blade cordless circular saw with a 7-1/4″ blade. It’s great to see that Ridgid has one now and can join the rest of the “big boys” that also have cordless rear handle circular saws like Makita, Dewalt, and sister brand Milwaukee to name a few.

As far as performance is concerned, they claim it has faster cutting than 15 amp corded saws and can cut one linear foot of triple stacked 3/4″ OSB per second. They also say it’s the lightest rear handle circular saw in its class. Other than that, we don’t know much about it other than the pic above and the three bits of info below. Traditionally, Ridgid cordless circular saws have smoky clear plastic lower blade guards instead of solid metal ones and the image above looks like they ditched the clear plastic lower blade guards but no word on if it’s metal or solid paint plastic? We also see built in storage for the included blade wrench below the rear handle.

Features & Specs

• Faster cutting than 15A corded
• Cuts one linear foot of triple stack ¾” OSB per second
• Lightest 7-1/4 in. rear handle circular saw in its class

RIDGID 18V Brushless High-Torque Hammer Drill/Driver R861152

Ridgid now offers a new 18V brushless high torque hammer drill and it’s a beast at a rated 1,250 in-lbs torque. That’s not as high as their previous Octane model that had a claimed 1,300 in-lbs torque but still a bit more than Milwaukee’s Gen 3M18 Fuel that’s rated at 1,200 in-lbs. However Milwaukee released the new Gen 4 M18 Fuel hammer drill that offers more torque, now at 1,400 in-lbs. Keep in mind that these are all paper stats, actual testing will confirm exact performance against other brands.

Ridgid’s new high torque hammer drill looks similar to Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel Gen 2 hammer drill and even uses a similar style side handle. I wouldn’t be surprised if TTI put Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel hammer drill gen 2 guts inside this Ridgid with some tweaks. If true, this isn’t a bad thing as the Gen2 Milwaukee M18 Fuel hammer drill was a solid performer although not as compact as their Gen 3 model with the same performance but much more compact body.

Features & Specs

• Delivers 1,250 in-lbs. of torque
• Powerful, high-speed drilling
• More compact, lighter weight

New Info 9/20/22:

We now have the official announcement with a bit more info and the actual launch date which is scheduled for October 2022. And they added a “B” to the end of the model number now known as the R861152B model and a new image as shown above.

We learn that it has a max no load RPM of 2,000 and 0-32,000 BPM (according to the Home Depot) on speed two and has anti-kickback technology to stop the motor when it detects that a bit binds to protect your wrist and arms from strain. This is a nice safety feature to have. The 1/2″ chuck is a metal ratcheting chuck. The clutch is a 24 position clutch. It will be priced at $149 as a baretool and can also be found in a combo kit with the newly announced 18V brushless 4 mode impact driver that we wrote about here.

Features & Specs

• Pair with MAX Output batteries for maximum power
• Powerful brushless motor delivers 1,250 in./lbs of torque and 0-2,000/min (RPM)
• Delivers 0-32,000 BPM in hammer mode
• Up to 25% faster drilling when compared to R860012 18V Hammer Drill/Driver
• Anti-Kickback Technology prevents overturning by stopping the motor once extended rotation is detected
• 1/2 in. all metal ratcheting chuck for added durability
• 24-position clutch to match torque to application
• 2-speed gearbox to match power and speed to application
• LED light for improved visibility in low-light situations
• 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID 18V Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration within 90 days of purchase
• Includes: R861152 18V Brushless 1/2 in. High Torque Hammer Drill/Driver, auxiliary handle, belt hook with screw, bit holder with screw, and driving bit

RIDGID 18V Brushless 3/8 in. Ratchet R866011

TTI’s other brands they make tools for such as Ryobi and Milwaukee already have cordless ratchets so it was about time they made one for Ridgid. It’s got good specs with a brushless motor, the one featured here is a 3/8″ drive but they also say they come in 1/4″ and 1/2″ models, and the 3/8″ model shown here has 55 ft-lbs torque with 250 RPM. They also have a new protective boot to protect the head of the tool from abuse. Very cool!

Features & Specs

• Superior fastening and removal speed
• Delivers 55 ft-lbs. of Torque and up to 250 RPM
• Also available in 1/4 in. and 1/2 in. sizes
• Compatible with new Protective Boot (AC13B03N)

New Info 4/14/22:

We have a little bit more news on these as well. The only new news we have for the 3/8″ model is the price which is at $179 and the 1/4″ model R866010 is also priced the same. The 1/2″ model R866012 is a bit more expensive at $199. The 1/4″ model offers higher RPM but less torque at 325 RPM and 45 ft-lbs while the 1/2″ model has less RPM but more torque at 175RPM and 60 ft-lbs. The launch date is not specific but they say Spring 2022.

RIDGID 18V Brushless 4-Mode 1/2 in. Mid Torque Impact Wrench with Pin Detent R86012PD

This isn’t a new tool at all as we’ve already discussed the Ridgid 18V brushless 4 mode 1/2″ mid torque impact wrench back in March 2021 however the previous model was a friction ring model, now it comes in an additional pin detent flavor. Just like the friction ring model, it has 4 modes with 3 speeds and auto-tightening mode and a powerful 650 ft-lbs breakaway torque. They have protective boots for these as well.

Features & Specs

• Delivers up to 650 ft-lbs of breakaway torque
• 3-speeds and auto-tightening mode
• Features Pin-Detent anvil for secure socket retention
• Compatible with new Protective Boot (AC13B01N)

New Info 4/14/22:

We have a little bit more info now for example we now have a pricepoint of $199 as a baretool however the launch date is still not specific as they mention Spring 2022. The only new info I could find is that they list the fastening torque at 500 ft-lbs and the same info for the pin detent model applies to the friction ring anvil model.

Features & Specs

• 650 ft-lbs. of Breakaway Torque
• 500 ft-lbs. of Fastening Torque
• 3 speeds and Auto-Tightening Mode provides adjustable speed and power
• Auto-Tightening Mode auto-stops when fastening to prevent over tightening bolts, and in reverse, delivers full breakaway torque, then stops when the bolt is loose
• Anvil with Pin Detent
• LED light for improved visibility in low-light situations
• Die-cast gear box for increased durability
• Compatible with RIDGID’s AC13B01N Protective Boot
• Maximum Performance. Longer Runtime.
• Pair with MAX Output batteries for maximum power
• 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID™ 18V Batteries
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration within 90 days of purchase
• Includes: R86012PD 18V Brushless 4-Mode ½ in. Mid-Torque Impact Wrench with Pin Detent, Belt Hook with Screw, and operator’s manual
• This Impact Wrench will be available in both tool only and kit configurations exclusively at HomeDepot.com.

RIDGID 18V Brushless 4-1/2 in. Paddle Switch Angle Grinder R86047

Ridgid’s no stranger to cordless brushless angle grinders and here’s another one for you to choose from, now with a paddle switch. I like the design as it’s overall more petite looking than Octane models. No load RPM is 9,000 and wheel swaps and the guard adjustment are both tool free which is a nice touch! They claim it has 25% more power although they don’t say compared to what model.

Features & Specs

• Up to 25% more power
• 9,000 RPM
• Tool-free wheel and guard adjustment
• Ergonomic paddle switch design

New info 4/25/22:

Ridgid gave us their official press release document and much of it covers what we already knew about this grinder. Fortunately we do have some new info, not much though but still good to note. They say that this grinder offers max performance when paired with the MAX output batteries which is something that’s been said of their latest brushless tools.

Before when I wrote about this grinder, I had noticed Ridgid said the grinder had up to 25% more power but at the time they didn’t say what it was compared to. Now they let us know that it is 25% more power when compared to their previous model. The last two bits of info are price and stated launch date of $159 as a baretool on May 2022.

Features & Specs

• High-performance brushless motor delivers up to 25% more power
• 9000 RPM for fast material removal
• Ergonomic paddle switch design increases comfort and ease-of-use
• Tool-free wheel and guard adjustment makes for fast and easy accessory changes
• Maximum Performance. Longer Runtime.
• Pair with MAX Output batteries for maximum power
• 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID™ 18V Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration in 90 days
• Includes R86047 18V Grinder, type 27 grinding wheel, guard, auxiliary handle and Operator’s Manual

RIDGID™ 18V LED Spotlight R8699

Although this is a new light with new model number and all, it looks like a refresh of an existing light, their light cannon. Now with more LED’s on the head and more brightness at a very bright 3,200 lumens. The head pivots to angle where you’d like at 190 degrees of pivot. Just like the light cannon before it, it can shoot a beam of light that has serious travel, its beam is said to go out up to 670 feet! Good for search and rescue operations or use on the jobsite.

• 3,200 lumens of clear white LED light to deliver high-definition lighting
• 670 ft. beam distance
• 190° pivoting head

Update 8/15/22:

We received the official press release info for the Ridgid 18V spotlight and along comes with additional info which will be discussed here. The only new specs detail is that it has a claimed runtime of up to 8.5 hours when used with a 6.0 ah Max Output battery. They don’t mention if there are any brightness settings but if there are it’s probably on the lowest brightness setting used to get that much runtime.

It will have a tripod mount for hands free use. We also learn that they added a “B” to the end of the model name to signify it as a baretool R8699B. Other than that we learn that it will release on August 2022 for $99 as a baretool. The updated features bullet list is shown below.

Features & Specs

• Clear White LEDs consistently deliver clear white light providing users visibility of fine details and accurate colors
• 8.5 hour runtime using an 18V 6.0Ah MAX Output Battery (R840060)
• 670 yard beam distance allows users to light objects at a far distance
• 190° pivoting head and tripod mount increases versatility
• 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID^® 18-Volt Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration in 90 days
• Includes R8699 18V LED Spotlight and Operator’s Manual
• Battery and charger sold separately
• This tool will be available in tool only and various kit configurations at The Home Depot and HomeDepot.com

RIDGID 18V Hybrid Panel Light R8698

The Ridgid 18V hybrid panel light is also another update on a previous Ridgid light with the same name. This updated version has modern styling that fits with Ridgid’s new theme and has a clean look to it. The light is composed of three light sections, with the main large section and two smaller outer section light panels that can fold open and close and also pivot as well to angle them up or down. It has more lumens than the previous version now at 3,500 total lumens. Being a hybrid light, this can run off of an 18V battery or on an extension cord.

Features & Specs

• 3,500 lumens of clear white LED light to deliver high-definition lighting
• Folding panel design that allows for 270° of pivoting and 225° of rotating
• Hybrid power source – runs on any RIDGID™ 18V battery or an extension cord

EDIT: New Info 8/1/22

We now have the official Ridgid press release today with a bit more info on this new panel light. In addition to what we previously knew about the light, the model number now shows up as R8698B with the B for bare tool.

It will launch August 2022 for $139 for the bare tool. We also learn that it has 3 brightness settings of high/medium/low and will get up to 14 hours of runtime on the lowest setting using an 18V 6ah battery. The base pivot up and down 115°, the top of the tool is an integrated carry handle, and it has keyholes to wall mount, and a ¼”-20 tripod mounting thread. Below is the new updated features bullet list.

Features & Specs

• Three brightness settings with up to 3,500 Lumens of Clear White LED
• Clear White LEDs consistently deliver clear white light providing users visibility of fine details and accurate colors
• 14 hour runtime using an 18V 6.0 Ah MAX Output Battery (R840060)
• Hybrid capability allows battery powered operation or use of an extension cord
• Folding panel design provides total area light coverage
• Three types of rotation: 270° panel pivot (panel up & down), 225° panel rotate (panel open & close) and 115° base pivot (base up & down)
• Multiple mounting options including a carrying handle, keyholes, and a ¼”-20 tripod mounting thread
• 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID^® 18-Volt Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration within 90 days of purchase
• Includes R8698 18V Hybrid LED Panel Light and Operator’s Manual
• Battery and charger sold separately
• RIDGID^® – Build for a Lifetime
• This tool will be available at HomeDepot.com

RIDGID 18V 3/8 in. Crown Stapler R09897

TTI also makes cordless T50 style staplers for Ryobi and Milwaukee and it’s nice to see them make one for Ridgid as well. The design is more closely based on the Ryobi design with the rear depth control knob. They did remove the top depth indicator window but they kept the screen wire attachment and also added an LED light on the magazine to help with low light, a nice touch.

Unlike the Ryobi and Milwaukee variants, the Ridgid is not shown with a belt clip attachment. Ridgid claims theirs is able to drive staples into hardwoods and can drive up to 6,800 staples with a 4.0 ah battery.

Features & Specs

• Drives up to 6,800 staples on a RIDGID™ 18V 4.0Ah battery
• On-board screen and wire attachment
• Power to drive 1/4 in. to 9/16 in. crown staples into hardwood

New Info 6/28/22

We now got the official press release info from Ridgid and it has some new info. We’ll start with the new bullet list below.

Features & Specs

• Drives up to 6,800 staples per charge using a R87004 Battery
• Uses heavy duty 3/8 in. width staples to tackle a wide variety of applications
• Drives 1/4 in. to 9/16 in. staples into an array of materials
• Fastens 105 staples per minute for increased productivity
• Dry-fire lockout extends the overall motor life and prevents marring of the work surface
• Depth-of-drive adjustment knob is conveniently located on the back of the stapler
• On-board screen/wire attachment prevents material from getting damaged
• Integrated LED light illuminates area when installing insulation in crawlspaces
• Quickly load staples with easy-to-use magazine
• 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID™ 18V Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration within 90 days of purchase
• Includes: Crown Stapler, Screen/Wire Attachment, Belt Hook with Screw, and Operator’s Manual
• This tool will be available in tool only and various kit configurations exclusively at The Home Depot and HomeDepot.com

What’s New:

There we learn some new bits of info such as the fact that the stapler is quick and can fire up to 105 staples per minute, meaning it can fire staplers faster than one per second. It also has dryfire lockout which is a nice feature to stop the stapler from firing if empty to prevent damage to the work surface. And while the belt clip is not shown, it does come with one so you can attach if you like.

It also weighs in at 3.0 lbs tool only. That’s about all there is new in terms of features but the news doesn’t end there. We also learned that that it will be priced at $99 as a baretool (R09897B) and $129 as a kit R09897KN with a 2.0ah battery.

RIDGID 18V Jobsite Radio with Bluetooth Technology R84089

We learned about this radio back in March 2021 and still has the same model number minus the B at the end of it. I wasn’t going to write about this one since I’ve already covered it a year ago however it’s worth going back to this model because it has a big change in design. The first time we saw it, it was smaller but now it appears a bit bigger, at least wider and with a “roll cage” inspired outer design which the original lacked which gives it a tough robust look.

The display and button layout look the same but the rest of it got overhauled in the new final design. You can check out the original design here. Just like the original, it’s both a radio and with bluetooth connectivity and is said to offer superior sound quality. They also added the ability to run on 18V batteries and via AC power with AC adaptor.

Features & Specs

• Delivers superior sound quality
• Bluetooth and AM/FM
• Hybrid power source – runs on any RIDGID 18V battery or with included AC adaptor

RIDGID 18V Hybrid Jobsite Fan R860721

This new hybrid fan is also an update/refresh of an existing model, their Covert Air hybrid fan but now with a cleaner modern look. They also placed the battery compartment on the front for easy access and just like the original has hybrid power to connect with an extension cord. A variable speed dial adjusts the fan speed and they claim it delivers up to 670 CFM’s on high.

Features & Specs

• Powerful air flow with quiet operation
• Delivers up to 670 CFM on high
• Hybrid power source – runs on any RIDGID™ 18V battery or an extension cord

RIDGID 18V Compact Heat Gun R860435

Here’s another tool where there was a Ryobi and Milwaukee version but no Ridgid version until now. Technically Ridgid did have an 18V heat gun in the past however that model used consumable butane tanks unlike the Milwaukee and Ridgid versions which were battery powered only. Ridgid’s new 18V heat gun follows the tradition set by their sister brands and runs solely on battery power and reaches a 900 degree F max temperature and is said to reach operation temp in 10 seconds. There’s also a lock on switch for handsfree use.

Features & Specs

• 900° F maximum temperature
• Reaches operational temperature in just 10 seconds
• Lock-on switch for hands free operation

New info 4/25/22:

Ridgid gave us their official press release document and much of it covers what we already knew about this grinder. Fortunately we do have some new info, not much though but still good to note. They give us runtime figures and they say it can run for over 20 minutes of continuous use when paired with a 6ah MAX Output battery. It also comes with two accessories which are a concentrator nozzle and a deflector nozzle which is good to direct heat around small areas.

The concentrator nozzle focuses heat on a smaller area and the deflector nozzle is good for things such as providing more even heating with heat shrink tubing. Interestingly are that these are the same type of accessories included with the Ryobi 18V heat gun that I reviewed. The last two bits of info are price and stated launch date of $119 as a baretool on May 2022.

Features & Specs

• 900° F maximum temperature for a wide variety of projects and applications
• Achieves operational temperature in only 10 seconds
• Over 20 minutes of continuous runtime when paired with a R840060 18V 6.0Ah MAX Output Battery
• Lock-on switch and flat-back tool design for hands-free operation
• Includes concentrator nozzle & deflector nozzle
• LED light for improved visibility in low-light situations
• 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID™ 18V Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration in 90 days
• Includes R860435 Heat Gun, concentrator nozzle, deflector nozzle and operator’s manual
• This Compact Heat Gun will be available in a tool only configuration exclusively at HomeDepot.com.

• Powerful performance with over 40% increased airflow and 65% increased suction power
• Push to release detachable tank for convenient debris removal
• Two stage filtration with washable and reusable pre-filter

New info 4/14/22:

We now have official specs, price and a launch date. It will be launched May 2022 and priced at $59.97 as a baretool. They published a performance rating of 40 CFM which makes it very strong for a small battery powered vacuum. To get that into perspective, my M18 2 gallon wet/dry vac is rated at 45 CFM and it’s plenty strong for it’s small size and this new Ridgid is just behind it in terms of rated performance which makes it very strong for a little hand held vac of its kind.

They do say that the 40 CFM is airflow, I’m used to CFM being rated as a measurement for suction but sounds like rhetorics are being used here as they do claim a measurement of 24.6 IOW which is the first time I’ve seen such a measurement for vacuum suction. I haven’t seen that rating before so I don’t know of anything to compare it to.

Features & Specs

• Over 40% increased airflow and over 65% increased suction power compared to its predecessor
• 40 CFM for improved airflow
• 24.6 IOW for increased suction power in dry applications
• Push to release detachable tank prevents accidental emptying and minimizes downtime
• Transparent tank ensures users know when to empty and clean the tank
• Large tank capacity reduces frequency of tank emptying
• 2 stage filtration with a washable and reusable filter maintains maximum cleaning efficiency
• Enhanced ergonomics allows for a more comfortable user experience
• Replacement filters AC32VF1 (1 pack); AC32VF21 (3 pack) available on HomeDepot.com
• 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID™ 18V Batteries, Tools, and Chargers
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration in 90 days
• Includes R8609021 Hand Vacuum, extension wand, utility nozzle, crevice nozzle, crevice clip and operator’s manual
• This Vacuum will be available in both tool only and kit configurations exclusively at The Home Depot and HomeDepot.com.

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