Ridgid 18V Cordless 16GA Straight Finish Nailer – Model R09893B

Ridgid 18V Cordless 16GA Straight Finish Nailer

4/5

Manufacturer: RIDGID
Model number: R09893B
Price: $269.00
Power source: 18V
Weight: 5.6Lbs

The finish nailer is a vital tool for any carpenter’s toolbox. A finish nailer is especially beneficial for installing baseboards, hardwood flooring, cabinet trim, door and window casings, chair railing, crown molding, and any trim that requires larger finish nails. For smaller more delicate applications users would lean towards a brad nailer or pin nailer to not damage trim pieces with blowouts and splitting.

In quarter 1 of 2024, Ridgid released their second generation cordless straight finish nailer, the R09893. This finish nailer is sold as a bare tool or in a kit with a 2.0 Ah battery. It should be noted that for this review, Ridgid sent us the R09893B finish nailer with a larger 4.0 Ah battery to test which is currently not available in any kit combination.

Ridgid R09893B Specifications

• 16ga straight finish nails between 1-1/4″ – 2-1/2″
• LED Light
• 1,700 nails per 4.0 Ah Battery
• Tool-free depth of drive adjustment dial
• Single Fire or Sequential Mode
• Tool-free jam release
• Dry-fire lockout

Setting the Power

The Ridgid R09893B has a unique feature that allows the user to control the power delivered when the nail is fired. This feature would function similarly to regulating the pressure on a compressor. The amount of power required will depend on the size of the nail and the workpiece material. This is especially useful for driving fasteners into soft materials like MDF or pine to prevent blowouts or splits in softer wood trim. This feature can be utilized in conjunction with the nailer’s nose-mounted depth of drive adjustment.

Power Test on Pine

We tested the power function using 2″ 16 ga straight finish nails on both pine and poplar. We wanted to see if we could find the “sweet spot” between the power setting and depth of drive. During the pine test, we started on max power and max depth of drive and noticed that the nails sank too deep. We turned the power down to the lowest setting and kept the depth of drive to the deepest and noticed the first couple of nails did not set at all.  We were able to achieve our “sweet spot” with both the Power and the Depth of Drive set in the middle.

Power Test on Poplar

Poplar is a hardwood that remodeling contractors find themselves using quite a bit. We conducted the same type of test as we did on the pine wood. Starting at half the power and max depth of drive the nails sat flush with the wood. We got the same results when we upped the power to full and the depth of drive to half. With max power and max depth of drive, we were able to fire several nails that sank just below the surface. We also did a rapid bump fire test with 2″ nails, shooting 20 in a row with perfect depth.

Depth of Drive Adjustment

The depth of drive has 26 depth settings between the shallowest setting and max depth. The knob is knurled and easily located at the top right side of the nailer but is smaller than other finish nailers we have used.

The results of the depth of nails fired were consistent. Once we located the sweet spot for both the air power and depth of drive our nails set to the correct depth. We feel that the depth of drive adjustments was cumbersome while wearing gloves due to it being recessed lower than the housing next to it, making it harder to turn.

Ridgid R09893B | Compact Size

Ridgid has made impressive cuts in size and weight without sacrificing power or functionality. In comparison to the previous model R09892B, the newer R09893B is 10% more compact.

Ridgid R09893B vs. R09892B

12.20″  High    |    12.40″ High
13.10″ Wide    |    14.12″ Wide
3.90″ Deep      |    5.11″ Deep

The new Ridgid R09893 is 15% lighter than the previous model R09892.  The new model weighs 5.60 lbs versus the older model’s 6.60 lbs weight. When paired with the 4 Ah battery the nailer is still heavier than a pneumatic nailer. We feel that this is the price to pay when going cordless.

The nailer has a small nose with a no-mar tip which is great for user visibility. The R0989B comes with onboard storage for an extra no-mar tip that is located on the magazine of the tool. We thought the extra no-mar pad might become loose or lost during use or transportation but found it secure and still in place after a month of using the nailer.

Tool Free Jamb Release

Jambs can happen for a majority of reasons. Clearing the jamb from the nailer is simple to accomplish.  After removing the battery and releasing the strip of nails in the magazine, the Ridgid R09893B has a quick-release latch at the top of the nailer. „ Pull up on the latch and open the jam release. Remove the bent finish nail, close and secure the latch, install the nails, and resume fastening. If a nail or fastener becomes jammed in the tool, remove the battery pack and keep the tool pointed away from you while clearing the jam.

Loading the Nails

The Ridgid R09893B has its nails fed into the magazine from the bottom. After sliding the nail strip in and far enough up, slide the pusher to the rear of the magazine. Release the pusher and allow it to push the nails up to the top of the magazine.  The pusher will stop when it rests against the end of the nail strip.

The crew likes that the Ridgid R09893B has an open design magazine. It allows the operator to easily see the amount of nails remaining. The R09893B has a dry fire lockout feature. When the magazine has 6 nails remaining, the dry-fire lockout feature will not allow the user to continue to fire until the nails are reloaded. The LED light will flash when the dry fire lockout feature is engaged.

Ridgid R09893B | LED Light

The Ridigid R09893 has a bright LED light at the tip of the nailer and provides good work area coverage. There is a switch on the grip of the nailer that allows the user to turn on the LED without the need to press the firing trigger.

The small nose and LED light to provide a great line of site and nails hit exactly where they need to”

Nailer Firing Modes

This finish nailer has a single sequential actuation mode and contact actuation mode. Single sequential actuation mode provides the most accurate finish nail placement.  Contact actuation allows very fast repetitive fastener placement which typically is not necessary in finish carpentry.

Kitted or Bare Tool Options

The Ridgid R09893B is a bare tool option that comes only with two no-mar tips and a user guide and sells for $269.00. The kitted version is model R09893K which includes the 18V Brushless 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer, (2) No-Mar Tips, (1) R87002 2.0Ah Battery, (1) R86093 Charger, and Operator’s Manual. The kitted version sells for $319.00 exclusively at the Home Depot.

Conclusion

Do not forget their Lifetime Service Agreement which offers free parts and service for life. For Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement details click here: Ridgid Life-Time Service Agreement

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Ridgid 18V Cordless 16 GA Straight Finish Nailer Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Top Cordless 1″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer | Head-To-Head

In our head-to-head comparison, we focused on 1″ SDS-Plus rotary hammers with drop motors, catering to the largest group of SDS-Plus users. These drills are widely utilized by mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building trades for tasks such as installing 3″ drop anchors, wedge anchors, screw anchors and chipping concrete.

Why Drop Motors?

The 1-inch SDS-Plus drop motor hammers are among the most popular drills on the market due to their compact size and versatility. They offer versatility and efficiency for various applications, making them a preferred choice for many users across different industries. Despite the rise in popularity of drop motor designs, some users still prefer the traditional D-handle style for specific applications such working in concrete forms or for ceiling and floor work.

SDS stands for Slotted Drive System or Slotted Drive Shaft, it was invented by Bosch in 1975. SDS and SDS-Plus are interchangeable, SDS-Plus is a newer standard featuring 4 splines for a more secure chuck fitment.

Our Objective

For us at Tool Box Buzz, our goal is to empower you to make informed decisions when selecting the best SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill.

By providing comprehensive reviews and insights into the performance, features, and usability of each rotary hammer, we hope to assist you in finding the perfect tool for your projects. Whether you prioritize compactness, power, versatility, or ergonomics, we’re here to help you make the right choice.

Cordless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Lineup

Eleven manufacturers have submitted 15 contenders for the 1-inch SDS-Plus category, all designed for use on their 18-volt to 60-volt cordless platforms. Not every manufacturer labels their SDS-Plus drills as precisely 1 inch, so the range of testing spans from ⅞ inch to 1-⅛ inch.

BOSCH 18v Bulldog

Model – GBH18v-24C
Voltage – 18v
Size – 1”
RPMs – 980
BPMs – 0-4,350
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.80
Weight – 8.7 Lbs
Price – $270.00

DEWALT XR

Model – DCH273
Voltage – 20V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,100
BPMs – 0-4,600
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.55
Weight – 7.1 Lbs
Price – $329.00

DEWALT Flexvolt

Model – DCH416
Voltage – 60V
Size – 1-¼”
RPMs – 540
BPMs – 0-4,200
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 4.5
Weight – 12.25 Lbs
Price – $499.00

FLEX

Model – FX15511A-Z
Voltage – 24V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 980
BPMs – 0-4,350
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.9
Weight – 9.45 Lbs
Price – $299.00

HILTI Nuron

Model – TE 6-22 DRS
Voltage – 22V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1050
BPMs – 0-5100
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.9
Weight – 8.1 Lbs
Price – $434.00

KOBALT

Model – KRH 124B-03
Voltage – 24V
Size – ⅞”
RPMs – 1,400
BPMs – 0-4,500
Weight – 6.15 Lbs
Price – $99.00

MAKITA 18v LXT

Model – XRH01Z

Voltage – 18VSize – 1”
RPMs – 950
BPMs – 0-4,700
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.7
Weight – 7.55 Lbs
Price – $379.00

MAKITA 36v LXT

Model – XRH05Z
Voltage – 36V (18v X 2)
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,250
BPMs – 0-5,000
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 2.2
Weight – 10.3 Lbs
Price – $519.00

MAKITA 40v XGT

Model – GRH01Z
Voltage – 40V
Size – 1-1/8”
RPMs – 980
BPMs – 0-5000
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 2.8
Weight – 9.44 Lbs
Price – $589.00

Metabo

Model – KH18LTXBL28Q

Voltage – 18v
Size – 1-⅛”
RPMs – 1,000
BPMs – 0-4,470
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 3.0
Weight – 9.8 Lbs
Price – $361

METABO HPT 18v

Model – DH1826DALQ4
Voltage – 18V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,050
BPMs – 0-3,950
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.9
Weight – 8.05 Lbs
Price – $209.00

METABO HPT 36v

Model – DH3628DAQ4
Voltage – 36V
Size – 1-⅛”
RPMs – 950
BPMs – 0-4,300
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 2.3
Weight – 9.4 Lbs
Price – $279.00

MILWAUKEE M18 FUEL

Model – 2912-20
Voltage – 18V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,330
BPMs – 0-4,800
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 2.0
Weight – 9.25 Lbs
Price – $349.00

RIDGID

Model – R86712B
Voltage – 18V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,400
BPMs – 0-5,000
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.5
Weight – 8.05 Lbs
Price – $269.00

RYOBI

Model – P223
Voltage – 18V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,380
BPMs – 0-5,000
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.5
Weight – 7.45 Lbs
Price – $189.00

Head-To-Head Testing Criteria

Our team meticulously evaluated these cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammers, across five categories and ranked them.

1. Performance Test – Speed at drilling various size holes in concrete.
2. Efficiency Test – Run-time test of recommended battery normalized for Watt-Hour capacity.
3. Size and Weight – Size matters and weight can get cumbersome. We measured the dimensions and weight of each concrete drill as tested with batteries. [not factored in overall ranking]
4. On-Board Dust Collection – we tested and ranked features.
5. User Experience- Combination of features, ergonomics and subjective user evaluations.
   Additionally we included price, and best value charts for your consideration.

Silica Dust

The Tool Box Buzz Team recognizes the significant dangers that exposure to silica dust can pose to workers. While we always strive to use any and all personal protective equipment, there are times when we may omit certain PPE during testing. We want to remind anyone that uses concrete cutting and drilling tools to use proper protective equipment to prevent silica dust exposure.

Performance Evaluation | Drilling Test

This test evaluated the speed in which the tools could drill 3-inch deep holes into concrete with 4 different bit sizes. The drilling substrate used was 3,500 psi concrete blocks, 12” x 24” x 4.5″ deep. These concrete blocks had cured for 6-months.

Performance Test Procedure

Drill Sizes Evaluated: ¼”, ⅜”, ½”, and 1″ SDS-Plus rotary drill bits.

1. Five holes drilled to a depth of 3” using a depth rod and blue tape for accuracy.
2. Each hole was timed, and an average recorded.
3. All drills equipped with new Milwaukee SDS-Plus rotary drill bits.
4. Operators instructed to maintain consistent pressure and let the drill do the work.
5. Dust extractors were not utilized.
6. Technique emphasized to ensure fair comparison.

Performance Test Winner – Milwaukee

Milwaukee dominated three out of the four speed tests, earning an impressive overall score of 5. DEWALT’S 60V FlexVolt secured second place with an overall score of 15, excelling particularly with the 1-inch bit test. Hilti and Ridgid claimed third place with an overall score of 18. Metabo followed with a score of 21. The Metabo was not a remarkable tool, but was a consistent “power-house performer.”

Individual Test Results | Top 3

¼” Rotary Bit Results

• Milwaukee: 4.19 seconds
• DEWALT 60V: 4.63 seconds
• Hilti: 5.49 seconds

⅜” Rotary Bit Results

• Milwaukee: 4.93 seconds
• Ridgid: 5.24 seconds
• DEWALT 20: 5.88 seconds

½” Rotary Bit Results

• Milwaukee: 4.36 seconds
• Ridgid: 5.43 seconds
• Hilti: 5.57 seconds

1” Rotary Bit Results

• DEWALT 60V: 14.52 seconds
• Milwaukee: 21.63 seconds
• Metabo: 24.04 seconds

Note on DEWALT FlexVolt 60V Rotary Hammer

The DEWALT Flexvolt was an extremely powerful and heavy tool allowing it to shine in the 1-inch drill bit test and subsequent chipping evaluation.

Efficiency Evaluation | Normalized Run-time

Although run-time becomes less critical with sufficient battery capacity, we acknowledge it’s importance in specific scenarios such as with commercial users, installing numerous drop anchors in a day. With so many tools, battery voltages and sizes, we normalized run-time and investigated the efficiency of the tools energy available. Obviously some battery packs contain much more potential energy so it’s important to try and compare them based on the “size of the fuel tank”.

Efficiency Testing Procedure

1. Vacuums removed for this test.
2. All tools equipped with fresh batteries.
3. 1/2″ Milwaukee drill bits drilled to 3″ depth.
4. Operators instructed to maintain consistent pressure and let the drill do the work.
5. The total number of drilled holes were counted and scored.

Holes Drilled Per Watt-Hour – Winner Makita 18V

The Makita 18V drill claimed the top spot, surprising us all with it’s performance. This drill managed to complete 66.5 holes with a single 4 Ah battery with a 0.92 holes drilled per watt-hour.

Interestingly, the Makita 36-volt model, despite having twice the available watt-hours, only completed 82 holes, representing just a 23% increase in hole count which equated to only drilling 0.57 holes per watt-hour. This unique comparison between the two Makita drills highlights a design prioritization of efficiency vs power.

The Metabo 18 volt came in second place with 0.85 holes per watt-hour. Third place went to the DEWALT 20 volt with 0.82 holes per watt-hour.

Size and Weight – Not Used In Final Rankings

In the realm of SDS-Plus rotary hammers, size matters to some users. We measured the dimensions and weight of each drill, as tested (with Batteries / handle), and ranked them accordingly.

We felt the two most important factors for these drills were the weight and head length. Having a lightweight tool coupled with a compact size can be an important factor for some users. While we didn’t include this ranking in the final scoring we did account for the size and weight in our user experience rankings below. It’s interesting to see that most of the smaller / lighter tools didn’t perform as well as the heavier tools in the speed testing. Likely this is due to the size of the gear boxes, motors and housings.

In this category, the Kobalt drill boasted the shortest and lightest stature among all drills tested, clinching the top spot. Following closely in second place was the DEWALT 20V, which also showcased a compact form factor and lightweight design. The Ryobi drill secured third place in this ranking.

On-Board Dust Extractor Evaluation

On-board dust extractors are designed to be used as a system. Eight of these tools were sent with compatible on-board dust extractors to evaluate.

Dust Extractor Procedure

We tested the on-board dust extractors, ranking eight criteria:

1. Capacity – We drilled ½” x 3” holes until we saw dust “ant-hills” form around the hole. At that point we consider the capacity of the dust extractor full.
2. Visual inspection of capacity.
3. Filter cleaning – Self cleaning or manual function
4. Filter replacement – ease of removal.
5. Depth of hole with attachment.
6. Depth guide – ease of adjustment.
7. Replaceable head.
8. Weight.

On-Board Dust Extractor – Winner Hilti

The Hilti came in first place in the on-board dust extractor category. It was feature rich with its replaceable head, depth guide, and filter cleaning options. Despite clinching the top position, the team collectively noted that the dust canister could be improved by being translucent for better visibility, and the filter could be easier to detach from the canister.

In terms of “capacity” performance, the Hilti canister maintained dust extraction efficiency for 14 holes. Milwaukee drilled 10.5 holes, and Makita 40V managed 15 holes.  Surprisingly, the Metabo HPT drilled 21.5 holes, and the DEWALT 20V drilled 22 holes, but didn’t excel  in other feature comparisons.

User Experience – [Tie] Winner Hilti and Makita 40V

User experience (UX) encompasses the overall satisfaction and ease of use that a tool provides to its users. In this category, our team of Pro users provided subjective rankings for the user experience while handling these rotary hammers. This ranking was based on various factors experienced, including grip, balance, vibration, line of sight, ease of use, fatigue factor, and overall comfort.

The team identified four drills as top performers during testing. The Hilti and Makita were tied for first place, closely followed by a tie between the DEWALT 20V and Milwaukee 18V. All four of these tools exhibited commendable performance in our testing and were noted for their user experience.

Rotational Force | Bind Test – Not Ranked

When a drill binds, it has the potential to violently spin the tool around potentially injuring the user.
To assess the performance in binding situations, we conducted a subjective test by drilling a 1-inch diameter, 8-inch, deep hole in concrete and side load force.

3 Types of Safety Shut-Offs in Rotary Hammers

1. Accelerometer – An electronic component integrated into the tool that detects sudden rotation and initiates an automatic shutdown.
2. Mechanical – Utilizes a straightforward mechanical clutch mechanism whereby the tool continues to run, but the bit stops spinning when the clutch is engaged.
3. Electronic Overload – An electronic overload function is activated either before the mechanical clutch or during specific binding scenarios. This electronic overload serves to safeguard the electronics, motor, and battery, while also acting as a safety feature in certain situations.

Rotational Force Findings

During our testing, all of these tools effectively shut off when the tool was bound up and the user had a firm grip on both the tool and the auxiliary handle.

Standout tools featured all three safety mechanisms, predominantly found in higher-end models such as those from Bosch, Hilti, Makita (40-volt) and Milwaukee. These tools successfully incorporated all three mechanisms that we were able to activate during field testing.

Chipping Test – Winner DEWALT 60V

Our chipping testing methodology was primarily subjective in nature. We employed our drill testing blocks to conduct the chipping tests.

TBB Crew users utilized the rotary hammers to break up the test blocks, after which they provided feedback via a form detailing their chipping experience.

The consensus from our testing suggests that there’s a “secret sauce” combination of impact energy and beats per minute (BPM) that yields optimal chipping power. This mix of factors seems to be instrumental in achieving productive chipping results.

The DEWALT 60V was the largest and heaviest tool in the group and with 4.5 FT-LBS of energy, it’s no surprise that it excelled at chipping, taking first place

The DEWALT Flexvolt was a “jack hammer disguised as a drill  ~ TBB Crew Wes Bartosik

The Makita 40V came in second. It has tons of power and minimal vibrations felt, due to its well throughout decoupling. The Milwaukee 18V came in third place. It delivers an incredible amount of energy on impact and was very controllable while cutting scribe lines.

SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer | Price – Not Included In Final Scoring

Most manufacturers offer these rotary hammers in kit form, bundling the tool with a battery optimized for performance while maintaining a manageable weight. Achieving the best user experience hinges on finding the right balance between weight, balance, and power to accomplish tasks efficiently.

For your reference, we have listed bare tool pricing below, although this wasn’t factored into our final scoring. As an illustration of the cost range, the Kobalt is available as a bare tool for $99.00, while the Makita 40-volt model is priced at $589.00. Please refer to the attached chart for further details.

Best Cordless 1-Inch SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer – Winner Milwaukee 18V

While impact energy undoubtedly influences a tool’s performance, it’s crucial to recognize that it’s not the sole determinant of effectiveness. Other factors, such as RPM and BPM, also play significant roles in achieving the desired outcome for the user. Harmonizing impact energy, RPM, and BPM is essential to optimize the tool’s overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Decisions should be based on considerations related to ergonomics, safety, and mechanical performance. Balancing these aspects ensures that the tool not only performs well but also prioritizes the safety and user experience of the user.

It’s noteworthy that when ranking our categories, we assigned double weight to performance scores, considering it the most valuable category.

Milwaukee claimed the top spot in performance, secured second place in dust extraction, and ranked third in both user experience (UX) and chipping. Its overall performance stood out as the clear winner.

Second Place honors go to the Makita 40V.  This Makita excelled in UX, chipping and dust extraction. The Makita 40V was a favorite among the crew, tying with Hilti for the top spot in UX.

Hilti rounded out the podium in 3rd place.  The Hili was also heavily sought after by the crew and ranking first in the UX category, boasting the best dust extraction, and coming in eighth in performance testing and fourth in chipping.

Tied for fourth place was Metabo and DEWALT 60V. Metabo stood out with it’s second place in efficiency and scored well in both user experience and chipping. The DEWALT 60V was impressive in the chipping tests and performance.

Best Value 1″  SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer – Winner Ridgid

This category winner often strikes a chord with users as it showcases an SDS-Plus drill that performs admirably while being more budget-friendly. In many respects, it’s a category of significant importance, sometimes overshadowing the top-ranked contender, crowned king of our 1″ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Head-to-Head Test.

The Ridgid 18V, priced at $269 as a bare tool, claimed victory in this category. Despite landing in seventh place overall, it delivered commendable performance, securing a solid fifth place rank in our performance testing. We often refer to Ridgid as the “hidden gem” of the tool industry.

Best 1″ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer | Closing Comments

1″ SDS-Plus rotary hammers are essential tools for contractors seeking efficient, versatile, and reliable solutions for drilling and hammering tasks in concrete and masonry materials.

We often receive inquiries about our final rankings and understand that there are numerous ways to compare tools.

Our primary goal during testing is to attain repeatable and consistent results. We make sure to share all the data from our tests so that users can re-rank the tools according to their preferences. If there’s a specific aspect you don’t find relevant, feel free to remove it from the matrix above and re-evaluate the rankings accordingly.

We hope you find this Head-To-Head comparison useful when considering the purchase of a 1″ cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammer. Please take a moment to explore our other Head-to-Head tests at ToolBoxBuzz.com.

Thanks, “the TBBCrew.”

Best 1-inch SDS-PLUS Rotary Hammer Video Review

Best Cordless 1 Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer – 2024 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

RIDGID 18V Hybrid Drum Fan Model R860722B Review

RIDGID 18V Brushless Hybrid 18” Drum Fan

4.5/5

Manufacturer: RIDGID
Model number: R860722B
Price: 199.00
Power source: Hybrid
Weight: 26LBS

SPECIFICATIONS

• Airflow: Up to 4,000 CFM and 600 FPM
• Head Rotation: 225°
• 6′ Extension Cord Included
• Weight: 26 LBS
• Height: 26.5”
• Width: 24”
• Depth: 14”
• Warranty: Lifetime Service Agreement

RIDGID 18V Brushless Hybrid 18” Drum Fan Overview

Once I picked up the RIDGID fan by the large, easy-grab handle, I immediately noticed the appealing construction. The front of the metal drum is lined with heavy-duty plastic to protect it from damage on the job site. The fan blades are also protected by a front metal grate.

The feet have the same heavy-duty plastic which will keep the fan securely resting in place, whether placed on the ground or mounted to the wall.

Additionally, the legs have pre-drilled holes for easy wall mounting. This attachment method allows the fan to get up off the floor and provide airflow at any desirable height.

Extension cord storage tabs are molded into the legs for easy storage and organization.

The speed selector dial makes it easy to choose between the 6 available speed settings.

Fan angle adjustments can be made easily by loosening the large turn knobs which allows the fan to angle freely.

RIDGID R860722B Battery testing

The RIDGID 18V Brushless Hybrid 18” Drum Fan has 6 speeds. Although this fan can be plugged into any extension cord, I was curious to see the run-time when powered by a battery. I used a RIDGID 12.0Ah battery for testing, although any RIDGID 18V battery can be used.

• On speed 1 the fan ran for about 14 hours.
• On speed 3 the fan ran for about 11 hours.
• On speed 6 the fan ran for about 4 hours and 15 minutes.

The more blades a fan has, the more power it requires to spin. Also, having a brushless motor helps extend the battery time and fight the drag from having 5 blades. We all have different needs when using a fan. I consider speed 3 to be medium. Having a fan powered by battery power on a medium-speed setting for 11 hours is respectable.

RIDGID 18V Brushless Hybrid Drum Fan Decibel Testing

I also performed decibel testing to see how quiet the fan is. Testing was performed with a cell phone decibel testing app. The phone was placed 8 feet away from the fan, and directly in the fan’s path.

• On speed 1 the fan registered 50 decibels.
• On speed 2 the fan registered 53 decibels.
• On speed 3 the fan registered 55 decibels
• On speed 4 the fan registered 57 decibels
• On speed 5 the fan registered 61 decibels
• On speed 6 the fan registered 64 decibels.

The more blades a fan has, the quieter it usually is. At higher speeds, the decibel lever will increase slightly as expected. Therefore, the decibel range that this fan puts out is fairly quiet.

Impressions of the Ridgid Hybrid Drum Fan

In conclusion, the RIDGID 18V Brushless Hybrid 18” Drum Fan is a good fan and will be a solid purchase. This fan can powered by a battery or extension cord. RIDGIDS’ new fan is extremely quiet and the brushless motor allows for longer run times when battery-powered. As you can see by the testing performed, this fan has a good run time when powered by a 12-ah battery.

How to purchase

The RIDGID 18V Brushless Hybrid 18” Drum Fan can be purchased soon, directly from Home Depot for $199. While this price may be slightly more than other drum fans, I think it is worth it. RIDGID is known for its quality products as you can see in our other product reviews. In addition, RIDGID offers free parts, and free service for the life of this fan if you register this product.

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RIDGID 18V Hybrid 18” Drum Fan Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Ridgid 18v 23GA Cordless Headless Pin Nailer – Model R09898B

18V Cordless 23-Gauge 1-3/8 in. Headless Pin Nailer

4/5

Manufacturer: Ridgid
Model number: R09898B
Price: $219.00 (Bare Tool)
Power source: 18v
Weight: 3.3Lbs

With the release of the 18V Cordless Headless Pin Nailer, Ridgid has become another major tool brand with a full lineup of cordless nailing solutions. Ridgid claims that this pin nailer will shoot up to 1,875 nails on a full charge of a 2.0Ah battery. Let’s take a closer look at this nailer and how we used it on our projects.

Ridgid Pin Nailer Features | Specifications

• Battery Voltage – 18V
• Nailing Capacity – 1/2″ – 1-3/8″
• 1875 Shots per Charge of 2.0Ah Battery
• Bright LED Light
• Lifetime Service Agreement
• Belt Hook
• Clean Drive Technology
• 3.3Lbs
  

Compact Design

As soon as you pick up the Ridgid R09898B, its compact size is what draws your attention. Because of its ergonomic design, which provides a comfortable grip, long-term use is possible without tiring out the hands. The R09898B is a great choice for on-site and workshop applications due to its cordless portability.

The Ridgid Cordless Pin Nailer is lightweight, comfortable, and has a great line of sight. It’s a great addition to the Ridgid 18v nailer line up!

Measurements

• Height – 8.9″
• Depth – 7.7″
• Width – 2.8″

Depth of Drive Setting

The Ridgid R09898B has a large depth of drive adjustment knob located on the right side of the nailer, just under the top plate. It is large and has an aggressively gnarled wheel for easy adjustments.

The knob has a positive click as you adjust it. We were not ale to test the depth of drive adjustment responsiveness, I’ll explain that more in a moment.

Pin Nailer | Nail Capacity

The Ridgid R09898B has a nailing capacity of 1/2″ to  1-3/8″. These sizes are pretty standard across the board when it comes to pin nailers.

The magazine has a pinch release mechanism at the bottom of the magazine to open. Once the nails are seated with the arrow facing forward, you can push the magazine cover up and lock it in place. There is a window on the magazine for visual on how many nails remain.

LED Light

The Ridgid R09898B has a nice, bright LED light with a unique position. The LED is angled up at a 45° angle allowing for illumination of the general fastening area.

No Mar Tip

The R09898B comes with two orange hard plastic no marr tips. Non-mar contact tips are a nice feature on nailers as long as they don’t obscure your line of sight.

The tip is securely held in place, (it is hard to remove) which we like because it’s more likely to stay in place over time.

The reserve tip is clipped on the rear of the magazine.

Fastener Jamb Clearing

Fastener jambs can occur for various reasons. It should be noted that during our shop and field testing and evaluation, we did not have any jambs on the nailer. Ridgid provides an onboard hex key for top plate removal. The hex key sits at the bottom of the nail magazine. It secures into a slot and then presses into a channel allowing for a snug fit and less of a chance of falling out.

A feature we like is the keyholes on the top plate. This allows you to loosen the screws and slide the plate off rather than taking the screws completely out, risking the chance of losing them.

Trigger

The Ridgid has a  traditional-style double trigger system. If you’ve used pin nailers on small trim parts you know that the contact tip when depressed, can move your trim piece – the double style trigger eliminates that frustration.

With the dual trigger system. The first trigger serves as the safety switch, and you need to pull it to disengage the switch. Then you need to pull the second trigger to fire the pin into the work piece.

Ridgid Pin Nailer | On the Job

We used the Ridgid pin nailer to build a custom fireplace mantle with all mitered edges. Pin nails were used to secure the mitered edges while the glue dried. after mitering the parts with a table saw, we used blue painter’s tape to align the parts while we glued the joints.

Once glued, we folded each section at a time and fastened them with 1-3/8″ pin nails to hold them in place for clamping.

On the same project, we used the R09898B Pin nailer to secure thin outside corner trim over our shiplap wall covering.

The trim was pre-painted and the pin nailer was the perfect tool for leaving tiny, unobtrusive holes, requiring a small amount of touch-up paint.

Clean Drive Technology

The Ridgid R09898B features Clean Drive Technology. Ridgid claims that the Clean Drive Technology enables the operator to shoot nails flush at any angle, reducing trim blowouts.

When we tested this feature we discovered the following:

• Straight On – all nails were fired straight on, set into the wood perfectly.
• Left and Right Angles – All nails fired were set slightly proud of the wood surface.
• Forward Angle – this position was not scored as it is not a normal nailing position since the tools contact nose comes off the work piece.
• Rear Angles – nails were set int the wood at an acceptable depth.

Testing Nail Penetration | Depth of Drive

We conducted a nail penetration test on what we feel are the most popular species of trim remodeling contractors use in the field.

• Poplar
• Red Oak
• Soft Maple
• Pre-painted Maple cabinet trim
• Poplar molding and small trim parts

Poplar

On our Poplar test we had to set the nailer to almost MAX depth setting. At that setting the pin nails that were fired were set perfectly just below the wood.

Red Oak

Our 3/4″ Red Oak test was done with the nailer set to MAX depth setting and almost all of the pin nails were proud of the wood. When we applied “light” pressure to the nailer, the nails were driven flush, and when added more pressure, they sank just below the wood grain with many leaving firing pin marks.

For comparison we used a pneumatic pin nailer in the Red Oak and easily set all the pins below the surface. In this hardwood scenario the cordless pin nailer couldn’t produce as much power as the pneumatic pin nailer.

Pre-Painted Maple Cabinet Trim

We took some Maple cabinet trim we had from a previous remodel and cut 45° miters to test fastening in pre-painted material.  This is a practical, in the field, installation carpenters encounter on almost every remodel. This test showed inconstant depth settings, when pressure to the tool was applied fastener setting improved, but often left a firing pin mark. More on this when we discuss room for improvement.

Applying Pressure To a Pin Nailer

When joining trim in the field there is a fine line with holding the miter together, and applying tool pressure, and then trying to fasten it with a pin nailer. The goal is to hold the mitered trim in place without moving it with pin nailer pressure. That’s why pin nailers have the  double style trigger to eliminates applying too much pressure to the work piece.

Dry-Fire Lockout

When the magazine has 0-10 nails left, the dry-fire lock-out mechanism prevents you from firing any nails. When the last nail is utilized, and the LED light will flash rapidly to alert you to reload fasteners.

Room For Improvement

In our testing the cordless pin nailer struggled with hardwood trim applications. After several discussions with the team at Ridgid we discovered that part of the issue is the 2.0 Ah battery pack that was sent to us for testing. This tool is sold as a bare tool and we also received a 2.0 Ah battery to use with it. Engineers for Ridgid pointed out that this tool performs much better in hardwood applications with a larger 4.0 Ah battery pack. This does make sense as we’ve seen much better performance on higher demand applications using larger density packs, not only with Ridgid tools but with all brands.

So users that want to use this cordless pin nailer for hardwood applications should use a larger 4.0 Ah battery pack for the best performance and power.

Price

The Ridgid pin nailer sells as $219.00 and can be purchased at Home Depot here:

Closing Thoughts

By adding the 18v cordless pin nailer to their arsenal, Ridgid now has a complete lineup of  cordless nailers. The Ridgid R09898 18v cordless pin nailer shined on the Poplar and Pine we tested on. It struggled more as the wood species got harder like the Red Oak and Maple. For these harder types of wood species, users should be sure to use a larger 4.0 Ah battery pack for maximum performance.

In the world of pin nailers, the Ridgid R09898B sits well for carpenters, serious enthusiasts and DIYers. If you currently operate on the Ridgid 18v battery platform this nailer is definitely something you want to have to round out your nailer arsenal.

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Ridgid 18V 23GA Cordless Headless Pin Nailer Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Ridgid 18V Cordless Sub-Compact Barrel-Grip Jigsaw (Model R86346)

Ridgid 18V Sub-Compact Barrel-Grip Jigsaw (R86346)

4/5

Manufacturer: Ridgid
Model number: R86346
Power source: Cordless
Motor size: 18V
Weight: 3.9 lbs

So they always have a place on our job sites. We were curious to see how the R86346’s lighter weight and smaller size would affect the saw’s overall performance. Another key aspect we focused on was the overall ergonomics and value. So keep reading to see all the details.

Specifications & Features

Specification

• Grip style: Barrel grip
• Dimensions (HxWxL): 7 3/8 x 3 1/4 x 11 1/8 inch
• Bevel Range: +/- 45 degrees
• Strokes (SPM): up to 3200
• Stroke length: 1 inch
• Motor: Brushless
• Chuck: Keyless for T-shank blades
• Speed Settings: Automatic + 1-6
• Orbital Settings: 0ff + 1-3
• Power switch: Locking slide switch (left side only)

Features

• Dust blowing integrated with motor operation
• Single LED light
• Vacuum attachment compatible with 1-1/4 in. and 1-7/8 in. attachments
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration within 90 days of purchase
• Keyless blade change and onboard Allen wrench for bevel adjustment

Overall Power & Performance

This Ridgid 18V Barrel-Grip Jigsaw features ample power for most standard carpentry applications. We primarily tested it on 5/8 in. plywood and  3/4 in. poplar boards. it cut through boards without hang ups or overextending the battery. Ridgid’s website lists the R86346 as running for approx. 150 linear BF on a single 4.0 Ah, 18V Li-Ion battery. This proved true in our field test with a mixture of substrate materials to cut through.

Orbital Settings & Performance

We also saw a distinct difference, as expected, on the edge cleanness vs. cut speed based on the orbital setting. Cranking the orbital setting to the max setting of 3 made a significant difference on material removal speed while leaving an acceptable rough but workable edge. We were impressed with the average crispness of the edge with the orbital setting on 0 which demonstrates an acceptable tight blade to guide clearance. However, there was no tear out insert for this saw. Also of note, the ‘integrated blower feature’ (a standard on many cordless jigsaws) worked decent but not great. We still had to blow some dust off the cutline to maintain an unobstructed line of sight. But it wasn’t a deal breaker.

Adjustable Speed Modes

This jigsaw also has a variety of speeds measured in strokes per minute (SPM) plus an automatic sensing mode. We adjusted the speed modes based on the material to be cut. Be aware that the R86346 has a set on/off switch vs a variable speed trigger. Once you set the speed its either on or off at that speed. But this also means that all of your grip and attention is on the saw body and not a mix of handle and trigger. It’s just a conscious design feature so if you need maximum mid-cut adjustability the on/off switch design may not be for you. This is similar to a paddle switch vs. a sliding switch on an angle grinder… it’s really just a user preference!

Overall Cut Accuracy

The last area we looked at was the average squareness of cut. And overall, this Ridgid 18V Barrel-Grip Jigsaw maintained a uniformly accurate cut. It was within 0.5 degrees when set to square and within 1 degree (on average) when set to a max bevel of 45 degrees left or right. Most of the time the tolerances were even closer than that. Bottom line is that for the rough carpentry applications we used it on it was more than accurate and consistent enough for reliable and repeatable cuts.

Ergonomics & Design Features

Grip design & Feel

This is where the Ridgid 18V Barrel-Grip Jigsaw really shined; ergonomics. The overall handle and head shape are great. It made for a very natural and comfortable grip angle which had us nicely centered over the tool. This meant less fatigue and chatter over extended use. This was further aided by having full grip on the saw body (see switch notes above). The only real improvement we noted would be for Ridgid to add a thicker and softer rubber over-mold grip. The barrel handle provides a solid grip but it is a bit on the harder side.

The Ridgid 18V Barrel-Grip Jigsaw Shines When It Comes To Ergonomics – Great Handle and Head Shape Make It Comfortable to Use

LED light

Another feature the R86346 includes is an integrated LED light. But there is a minor drawback to the LED design; it’s recessed too far behind the blade change lever to provide maximum line-of-sight lighting in front of the blade. The lighting is good from the blade contact point to about 1 inch in front of the blade though, which makes this a minor note. Ridgid should consider lowering the placement of the light or mounting it on the front vs. inside of the saw body to allow for better overall luminescence.

Adjustability & On-Board Storage

We appreciate the common tool-free blade change lever and its easily accessible placement. While the lever worked fine, we noted a bit of play. The molded polymer lever also feels less-than-sturdy and may become an initial failure point over jobsite or daily use. But it did not break, crack, or fail at all during our test.

We were also glad to see that, even though the shoe bevel angle requires an Allen wrench to adjust, the Allen wrench storage is integrated into the back end of the tool for onboard storage. We hate when a required tool can’t be securely stored on the tool itself. So, this wasn’t a real knock on the R86346. The rest of the dials and switches were located in ergonomically-friendly spots where we could easily reach. Be aware that if you are a left-handed user though the switches are located with a right-hand centric design in mind (i.e. the power switch is only on the right-hand thumb side of the tool).

Final Thoughts | Ridgid R86346

This Ridgid 18V Barrel-Grip Jigsaw is a basic yet comfortable barrel grip jigsaw that performed solidly. It was not as light as other sub-compact jigsaws we’ve used but the well thought out grip design was worth the size trade off. The orbital and variable speed features worked without any issues. However, the automatic sensing setting seemed to only initially sense the material resistance/hardness and didn’t adjust throughout the rest of the cut. The vacuum attachment and integrated dust blower worked fine, while the LED light was placed a bit too far inside the housing to provide max light along the line of sight. At $179 it feels a bit overpriced for an entry level PRO jigsaw. But if you already own other Ridgid 18V tools then this is a great addition!

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Ridgid 18V Barrel-Grip Jigsaw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

RIDGID 18V 12.0Ah MAX OUTPUT EXP LITHIUM-ION BATTERY – MODEL AC840120

This all-new RIDGID 12Ah Max Output EXP Lithium-Ion Battery utilizes advanced electronics that have the intelligence to optimize performance by creating a communication system between both the tool and the battery. Featuring premium 21700 Lithium-Ion cells, this battery is engineered to maximize runtime and deliver up to 3X more power in demanding applications. MAX Output EXP batteries feature ThermaGuard Technology which combines upgraded heat sinks with advanced intelligent electronics to keep the battery running cooler, prevent overloading, and protect individual cell performance. Additionally, laser welded cell straps increase durability and enhance performance with increased efficiency in this all-new 12.0Ah battery. To shield against the toughest jobsite conditions, this battery is constructed with a durable reinforced housing.

SPECIFICATIONS

• MAX Output EXP batteries are the most powerful batteries RIDGID has ever built
• Premium 21700 Lithium-Ion cells are engineered to maximize runtime and deliver up to 3X more power in high demand applications
• Advanced Intelligent Electronics communicate directly with the tool to provide optimum performance when paired with brushless tools
• ThermaGuard Technology keeps the battery pack running cooler by utilizing advanced intelligent electronics and upgraded heat sinks to remove built up heat
• Laser welding for increased durability and enhanced performance
• Durable pack design with reinforced housing shields the battery against tough jobsite conditions
• Integrated LED fuel gauge monitors runtime
• 100% Compatible: Works with all RIDGID 18V Tools and Chargers
• Lifetime Service Agreement with registration within 90 days of purchase
• Includes: AC840120 12.0 Ah MAX Output EXP Lithium-Ion Battery and Operator’s Manual

How to Purchase:

RIDGID 18V 12Ah Max Output Battery is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Cordless Blower | Head-To-Head

What would the perfect cordless leaf blower be? Wait…can we even call them leaf blowers? I certainly don’t use mine for leaves, I use them to blow sawdust on my job sites, my tools, out of my van and tool shed, or to clean off my patio and porch. They’re just blowers!

Comparing 15 Blowers

Fifteen manufacturers sent us their best handheld cordless blower. The majority of these blowers can be found in kit configuration and are sold at most common and online retailers. In past testings, we’ve received comments that we should include Harbor freight tools, so in this head-to-head test, we’re happy to welcome Harbor Freight’s Atlas blower to this test.

ATLAS

Model – 56994
Voltage – 80V
Battery Watt Hour – 288 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 150
CFM’s – 605 CFM’s
Length – 35-⅜”
Weight – 4lbs, 6oz
Price – 274.99 (when added kit components)

CRAFTSMAN

Model – CMCBL730P1
Voltage – 20V
Battery Watt Hour – 100 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 110
CFM’s – 410 CFM’s
Length – 33-½”
Weight – 5lbs, 7oz
Price – $149.00

DEWALT

Model – DCBL772X1
Voltage – 60V
Battery Watt Hour – 180 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 125
CFM’s – 600 CFM
Length – 36-¾”
Weight – 6lbs, 2oz
Price – $299.00

ECHO

Model – DPB-2500
Voltage – 56V
Battery Watt Hour – 252 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 158
CFM’s – 549 CFM’s
Length – 36-¼”
Weight – 5lbs, 6oz
Price – $199.99

EGO

Model – LB7654
Voltage 56V
Battery Watt Hour – 280 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 200
CFM’s – 765 CFM’s
Length – 36-½
Weight – 4lbs, 11oz
Price – $329.00

GREENWORKS

Model – BLB489
Voltage: 80V
Battery Watt Hour – 180 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 170
CFM’s – 730 CFM’s
Length – 37-1/8
Weight – 5lbs, 8ozs
Price – $342.99

HART

Model – HLB07VNM
Voltage: 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 180 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 155
CFM’s – 600 CFMs
Length – 37-⅜”
Weight – 6lbs, 12ozs
Price – $138.00

KOBALT

Model – KLB 1040A-03
Voltage 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 160 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 120
CFM’s – 520 CFM’s
Length -33-¾”
Weight – 5lbs, 4ozs
Price – $169.00

MAKITA

Model – GBU01M1
Voltage 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 160 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 143
CFM’s – 565 CFM’s
Length – 33-1/2″, 35-1/2″, 37-1/2″ (ADJUSTABLE)
Weight – 5lbs, 5ozs
Price – $439.00

MILWAUKEE

Model – 2824-20
Voltage 18V
Battery Combined Watt Hour – 288 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 145
CFM’s – 600 CFM
Length – 37-⅜”
Weight – 6lbs, 1oz
Price – $707.00 (not kit)

RIDGID

Model – R01601K
Voltage – 18V
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 130
Battery Watt Hour – 288 Wh
CFM’s – 510 CFM’s
Noise dB – 83.1
Length – 34-¼”
Weight – 5lbs, 7ozs
Price – $241.53

RYOBI

Model – RY404100
Voltage – 40V
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 190
CFM’s – 730 CFM’s
*Battery Watt Hour – 144 Wh
Noise dB – 84.6
Length – 37-⅞”
Weight – 6lbs, 4ozs
Price – $269.00
*Wh based on one battery

SKIL

Model – BL4713-c-11
Voltage 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 100 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 193
CFM’s – 500 CFM’s
Length – 36”
Weight – 4lbs, 3ozs
Price – $159.00

STIHL

Model – BGA 86
Voltage: 36V
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 154
Battery Watt Hour – 337 Wh
CFM’s – 459 CFMs
Length – 38-½” (ADJUSTABLE)
Weight – 6lbs, 5ozs
Price – $839.97 (not kit)

TORO

Model – 51822
Voltage – 60v
Battery Watt Hour – 216 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 157
CFM’s – 605 CFMs
Length – 37-½”
Weight – 5lbs, 8oz
Price – $290.03

Cordless Blower Testing | 7 Criteria

Our goal was NOT to verify marketing claims, instead, we used ANSI testing standards as a guide, to create consistent, repeatable, and measurable data that you can make intelligent decisions on.

Our team scored the blowers on seven criteria, each ranked independently, and the “Overall Best Cordless Blower” was determined using the combined test results.

We include but did not rank price and best value categories, but list them here for your own informational purposes.

7 Scoring Criteria

1. Pitot Tube Run-time Testing – Directly measure air speed with a pitot tube and calculate MPH and CFM during a runtime performance test
2. Weighted Sled Test – tested the thrust performance with a sled rig on rails.
3. Ergonomics and Features – Ergonomics is really important to users and an important category to consider when purchasing any power tool.
4. Balance – Measured the balance and resulting rotation in the off and full throttle states.
5. Noise -Measured Decibels at full throttle
6. Best Value – Not ranked.
7. Price – The kit price at the time of publishing. Not ranked.

Anemometer | Pitot Tube Air Test

I’ll be honest, I had to ask Jeff what a Pitot tube was. Jeff, also a helicopter pilot, explained that a pitot tube probe measures the pressure difference of an air stream and can calculate fluid flow velocity. The Pitot Tube was invented by a French engineer, Henri Pitot, in the early 18th century.

Pitot tubes are widely used to determine the airspeed of aircraft, the water speed of boats, and the flow velocity of liquids, air, and gasses in various industries.

When manufacturers test their blowers to come up with the MPH and CFM values they follow an American National Standard (ANSI) procedure to measure the force or thrust. This is effectively an electronic scale that measures the force in Newton’s 5 inches from the blower nozzle.

Using fluid dynamics theory and measured environmental parameters like temperature, pressure, and humidity, the average and peak MPH and CFM values can be calculated.

We replicated this ANSI procedure to validate the measured MPH values gathered from our pitot tube instrument. Both measurements aligned. Here’s a summary of that procedure:

1. We used a 13.8 in ± aluminum plate as a force plate for our electronic scale.
2. We vertically mounted and centered the blowers in our rig and off the force plate 5”.
3. The blower was operated for 10 seconds, and the result was recorded.
4. Three tests were performed for an average measurement.
5. Barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity were recorded
6. Used ANSI blower performance equations to calculate theoretical peak and average blower speed

Anemometer and Pitot Tube | Testing

The Pitot Tube was set up 5 inches from each blower in the center of the air stream. Batteries were fully charged and measurements were taken at full throttle. The data was collected at 1 Hz sample rate or once per second until the battery was drained.

An ExTech HD350 Pitot Tube Anemometer was used to perform this test. The chart below shows data for all 15 blowers.

Using this data we were able to determine and calculate 4 important metrics for each blower, ranked them separately, and also combined them for an “Airflow Performance” winner.

1. Run-time in minutes
2. Average Speed
3. Average CFM
4. Total air moved

Run-time | Sustained Performance Winner | Stihl

You can see from the chart that the Stihl ran the longest, at 25.4 minutes. Second place was ECHO with 19.4 minutes, followed in third place by Milwaukee at 16.7 minutes.

This is a good time to talk about open and closed-loop battery control and how it relates to sustained performance. One of the biggest complaints with cordless blowers is their poor run-time and tendency to suffer a drop in sustained performance over time, as the battery discharges.

Three blowers Makita, Milwaukee, and Stihl all have closed-loop control on the battery output enabling them to run at a consistent [not peak] speed, for the life of the battery. While these blower batteries may have more power that could be drawn from them, these closed loop controls limit the output so an expected level of sustained performance can be delivered over a longer period of time. This is a feature that appeals to Pro users.

In contrast, most of the blowers, we tested, showed open-loop control.  Their peak performance was delivered within the first few moments of battery discharge, and then a variable level of declining performance results, as the battery discharges.  For example, the Ryobi blower showed a 22% drop in performance when comparing a fully charged battery to one that is half “empty”.

The three closed-loop control blowers we tested, all handle the dwindling voltage of their batteries a bit differently:

• Makita ran at a consistent speed until it quit.
• Milwaukee ran at a consistent speed for over 90% of the battery life before rapidly fading.
• Stihl ran consistently for over 80% and then when the voltage began to drop, it forced a reduction to 75% peak power to continue on for an additional 5 minutes.

As pro tool users, we feel that having a blowers power stay consistent, and maintain its performance over the entire battery charge is really important.

Average Speed Winner | Stihl

Speed is measured in miles per hour and measures air velocity, or more specifically, the rate at which air passes through the blower’s nozzle.

A higher mph rating, results in the ability to push more dense or sticky debris like gravel or wet leaves. One interesting fact is that many tool companies market their blower’s performances by their PEAK measurement. We used average recordings to give you the MOST realistic and honest measurement.

The Stihl performed the best with an average speed of 124.5 mph. Second place was Milwaukee at 119.8 mph and closely followed in third place was Makita at 119.5 mph.

Note – The chart shows the EGO with the highest initial peak speed, but its average performance over time dropped, resulting in a fourth placement.

CFM Winner | EGO

Cubic feet per minute or CFM was calculated by taking the measured speed data and combining it with the area of the nozzle opening, to calculate the volume of air moved per minute.

The EGO came in first with 659 CFM. Second place was Makita with 643 CFM, and third was HART with 628 CFM.

The higher the CFM value, the more air your blower produces, resulting in a wider area cleaned in a shorter time.

Total Air Moved Winner | Stihl

The winner of this category is a combination of run-time and average CFM. This is an indication of the total amount of work performed on a battery charge.

The Stihl performed the best, coming in at 11,550 cubic feet, followed by ECHO with 11,126 cubic feet. Third place was Milwaukee with 10,032 cubic feet.

Overall Airflow Performance Winner | Milwaukee

It’s important to note that two of the above categories are power performance values, and the other two are indications of battery size and runtime. In order to level the playing field between tortoises and hares we combined all four categories to see how the blowers performed in totality.

The winner was Milwaukee, followed closely by EGO and Stihl.

Weighted Sled Test | Power Test Winner | EGO

Who doesn’t like a strong-man contest?  We’ve touched on the importance of MPH and CFM, but the importance of where these two values intersect is the overall “force or thrust” that a blower can produce.

Manufacturers measure this force in Newtons in their development and testing. We developed a test rig to indirectly measure thrust and provide a good visual understanding.

We built a weighted sled that rides on low-friction wheels attached to inclined rails.

Sled Procedure

Prior to each blower test the rails and wheels were cleaned and lubricated with silicone. To perform this test we placed each blower’s tube onto a v-shaped rest, mounted to the sled. We placed the blower body onto a tool rest setting the blower in the same plane as the sled rails. Once set, we ran each blower for a 10-second count and recorded the sled movement on a measuring tape mounted to the sled. Three tests were completed for an average measurement. All blowers were tested with a 5.5 weight placed on the sled rig.

Two blowers maxed this test out, they were the EGO and Ryobi. We then added a second 5.5. lb plate and retested both blowers. The Ryobi was able to move the sled approximately halfway, while the EGO maxed out the rig a second time!

The sled topped out at 70 inches. Our chart below does not account for the additional weighted tests for EGO or Ryobi. EGO was the clear winner, Ryobi was second followed by Harbor Freight’s Atlas blower which was able to move the sled 66 inches.

Blower Nozzle or No Nozzle | What’s Best?

We wanted to see the direct impact of the nozzles on our weighted sled rig. The nozzles are designed to narrow the opening of the chute and increase the speed of air coming out.

Many people don’t realize that manufacturers will often use a nozzle to measure higher peak MPH values and will use the wider chute opening without the nozzle to list their peak CFM number. The same blower, but tested with different configurations.

Most manufacturers supply a nozzle because many users feel it increases performance, and they ask for it. The reality is that adding a nozzle may increase the localized air stream speed, but the added friction and constriction reduce the overall performance.  [E.g Milwaukee reduces from 17.5 to 17 Newtons, but increases from 145 to 155 mph]

Our sled test results showed that adding a nozzle to the blower drastically reduced the blower’s performance on the sled test. For example, the Ryobi which was able to max out the test sled at 70-inches without a nozzle, was only able to achieve 58-inches with a nozzle. Similar results were observed with EGO and Milwaukee nozzles.

Ergonomics and Features Winner | EGO

This category is compiled from the combined opinions of the TBB crew after using the tools. Grip, throttle, battery removal, intake placement, and adjustable chute length were evaluated.

The EGO eked out a win with 10 points, followed closely by Makita and Milwaukee which tied for second place each with 11 points.

Grip

While all blowers had relatively comfortable grips, both the EGO and Milwaukee stood out. They have base stands that can double as a two-handed hold for overhead use or off-balance use.

Throttle | Trigger | Power On

When it came to evaluating the blower’s throttle, the TBB crew favored blowers with a single point of activation. Unfortunately, most blowers employ a boost button, which we feel is an unnecessary hassle and a marketing gimmick.  Some of the blowers, like the Craftsman, have boost features that can be locked on – we preferred that to having to hold the button down. Pro users definitely do not want to have to engage a second button.

The Milwaukee throttle stood out with ambidextrous use and had a very responsive throttle control and no boost button.

Lastly, some blowers have a power-on switch, or safety feature, in order to power on the trigger. Most of the crew found these features frustrating.

Battery Insertion and Removal

When considering the battery removal and installation, the crew really liked those blowers, like the Kobalt, that offer a spring-loaded ejection.

Milwaukee lost points in this category by being the only blower to employ dual batteries.

Adjustable Chutes

Makita, along with Stihl offers an adjustable chute, with several configurations. We felt this may appeal to users who might want to adjust their blower chute to their height.

Air Intake Location

Intakes were also evaluated. The team favored rear-mounted over side-mounted intakes due to side-mounted intakes sucking in the user’s pant legs when held close to the body.

Balance and Rotational Force Winner | ECHO

Too much rotational force can result in a blower that you’re constantly fighting to control, or worse results in a wrist injury like tendonitis. Wrist tendonitis is frequently caused by activities requiring sideways motion of the wrist while gripping. Activities such as using a blower in a side to side motion can lead to Dequervain’s tendonitis.

Rotational Force Rig

We built a rig to hold each blower’s handle to simulate a neutral grip position. The rig allowed the blower to rotate freely on this axis.

We used some image analysis to capture the angle of the blower chute relative to the horizon. The angle at rest with the blower powered off was measured, followed by the blower in the full throttle state.

We considered two values to be the most important when analyzing this data and used their individual rankings to determine the blower with the best balance.

1. Angle under load
2. Difference between no-load and full load

The first was the angle under load relative to the horizon. We found the most strain on the wrist was felt when the blower wanted to pitch down directly at the ground, forcing the user to pull the blower back up to a useful working angle.

The blowers we tested pitched down between a comfortable 40 degrees, to a very uncomfortable near vertical 89 degrees.

The second value we considered important was the change or Delta between the blower at rest and under load. A well-balanced blower should have minimal change in pitch when the throttle is activated. A bower that swings a large amount is likely to be harder to control. The smallest delta observed was 15 degrees and the highest was 57 degrees.

The ECHO took the best Balance category. The Echo had a no-load balance of 19 degrees and deflected to 40 degrees down under full throttle. This comfortable 40 degrees nose-down attitude coupled with the relatively small change of just 19 degrees scored it top marks.

Craftsman came in second with a  no-load measurement of 31 degrees and a full load of 46 degrees. Stihl followed in third place with 19 and 41 degrees.

Cordless Blower Noise Winner | Stihl

OSHA sets legal limits on noise exposure based on a worker’s 8-hour work day. For noise, OSHA’s permissible exposure limit is 90 dB.

To measure relative decibels mounted the blowers. back into our rotational rig, and mounted a decibel meter 24” away from the blower to simulate the distance between a user’s ear and wrist. Three readings were captured and an average was recorded.

The blower that was the quietest was the Stihl coming in at 81.5 dB. The second quietest was the RIDGID averaging 83.1 dB followed by the RYOBI averaging at 84.2 dB.

The blowers that were the loudest were the DEWALT and ECHO averaging 97.9 db.

Best Price Winner | Hart

When purchasing tools, price is unquestionably a crucial factor, particularly for those of you who are just beginning out in the trades or are DIY/Homeowners just starting out.

We ranked pricing as *kits and with blowers that weren’t sold in kit form, we included a battery(s) and charger to even the playing field.

* Ryobi kit comes with 2 batteries.

At the time of testing, the best-priced blower kit was the Hart coming in at $138.00. The second lowest price was the Craftsman at $149.00 and the third was the Skil at $159.00.

The most expensive blower we tested was the Stihl BGA 86, coming in at $839.97.  The majority of these blowers can be purchased at ACME Tool or your local big box store.

Best Value Blower Winner | Hart

Price and quality will continue to be the top deciding factors for consumers. In today’s economy, consumers are looking for ways to stretch their dollars further, and tool companies need a solution to deliver a well-made, powerful tool at a competitive price, without sacrificing quality.

As we have indicated, we do not include pricing in our overall scoring, but we include it and always suggest our pick for best value.

The Hart was an easy decision for us, it performed exceptionally well in our testing, and is priced the lowest, guaranteeing a seat at the “best value” table. Hart scored in the fourth place in noise, and mid-pack on pretty much all the other categories scored, finishing in 6^th place.

Best Cordless Blower Winner | Milwaukee

Milwaukee 36-volt cordless blower came in first place scoring a total of 20 points. It scored tops in airflow performance, second in features and ergonomics, and fourth in balance.

The Milwaukee operates easily in either user’s hand and has a responsive trigger. Its sturdy base plate doubles as a secondhand grip, and the heads-up battery display is a nice touch. The crew appreciated that there was no boost or turbo button to engage, everything you need comes from the trigger. Milwaukee did suffer in the ergonomic battery scoring category due to the fact that it was the only blower in the lineup with two batteries.  That second battery, while inconvenient, clearly helped push the power and runtime up where it needs to be.

The formidable EGO came in second place with 22 points. EGO scored tops in both ergonomics, features, and the sled thrust test. The EGO was clearly the most powerful of the blowers out of the gate.  The open loop battery control and resulting performance drop over time coupled with the mediocre balance numbers pulled the EGO down from walking away with the top spot.

The EGO is a powerful blower but some users will find that they have to fight to hold it in position, it has a recessed throttle control which the team appreciated. Like Milwaukee, the EGO has a base stand that allows the user to place a two-handed hold for overhead use. Ego also has a nice spring-assisted battery removal feature, which one would not appreciate unless you were testing 15 blowers!

Stihl took third place with 25 points. Stihl took tops in noise and third place in both balance and airflow performance. The Stihl is a robust tool with a nicely designed spring-assist battery removal setup. The team liked that it has an adjustable-length chute, but did not like having to manipulate the awkward safety lever to power it on.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re considering purchasing a blower you should first think about the application, you’re using it for, and then performance. A lot of these blower measurements we shared result in a compromise, so if you want our advice, we feel you should choose a blower that is “stronger for longer.”

Our Head-to-Head tests take time to complete and we are ultimately limited in scope as we’re not a professional testing company. We cannot do long-term testing that would shed light on longevity or durability, and we can’t possibly test every application that you might use a blower for.

We receive a lot of comments about how we arrive at our winner.  We’ve openly shared ALL the data from our tests, and you can rank the tools however you want. In this article, if you hover over the line or column in our graphs, you’ll be able to see the actual values. Hopefully, you’ll find this Head-To-Head useful when comparing compact cordless blowers.

If you have a moment, please check out our other Head-to-Head Tests.

Best Cordless Blower | Head-2-Head Video | 2023

Best Cordless Blower 2023 | Head-To-Head is a post from Tool Box Buzz

RIDGID 18V Cordless 6-1/2 in. Track Saw R48630

RIDGID R48630

3/5

Manufacturer: RIDGID
Model number: R48630
Price: 399.00 Kitted
Power source: 18 volt
Motor size: Brushless
Weight: 8.8

Often thought of as a DIY or semi-pro brand, strictly made for Home Depot, they constantly surprise us in our tool testing events by producing robust quality, high-performing, powerful tools. Many times, their tool’s performance rivals pro brand tools.

Specifications

• Volts: 18V
• No load speed: up to 5000 /min. RPM
• blade size: 6 1/2 inches [1.3mm]
• Arbor size: 5/8 inch
• Cutting depth:
• 90 degrees 2-1/8”
• 45 degrees 1 -1/2”
• Without track: 90 degrees 2-1/4”
• Without track: 45 degrees 1-5/8 inch
• Bevel range. -1 to 47 degrees
• Dust port: 1- ¼” to 1 7/8”
• Track length: 55 inches (2) 27-1/2” tracks
• Blade kerf: 1.6 mm
• Riving knife thickness
• Weight 8.8 lbs.
• Battery: 18-volt, 6 Ah

First Impressions

I was impressed that Ridgid designed their cordless saw to operate on one 18-volt battery and put that battery in a good spot. Other manufacturers have batteries in awkward or hard-to-reach locations.

The Ridgid track saw comes as a kit with:

• Saw
• [2] 27.5” Guide Rail [2 joining bars]
• Clamp

When initially using looking over the saw I immediately noticed how strong the plunge spring was, and wondered if that would later be an issue. It wasn’t.  I also was disappointed to see that the saw has lighter-weight plastic parts and components, such as, knobs, bevel slide, depth of plunge mechanism as well as the track adjustment knubs in the saw plate.

RIDGID Track Saw | Power

The RIDGID 6-1/2” Track Saw weighs 8.8 lbs. and does not have a variable speed dial to adjust RPM.  According to Ridgid, this saw was very specifically dialed in to not need the use of variable speed, effectively eliminating the possibility of the user forgetting to adjust the speed and ruining a cut. We’re ambivalent about the use of track saw variable speeds, as we typically are cutting wood or sheet stock at top speed.

When testing the RDGID Track Saw for cutting power we wanted to use a hardwood that is known for its hardness. When determining the hardness of hardwood, we often refer to the Janka scale. The hardness of wood is rated on an industry standard known as the Janka test, which measures the force required to embed an 11mm steel ball into the wood by half its diameter. We often refer to the Janka test to educate clients on denting and wear and tear on hardwood flooring or wood decking. It is also a good indicator of how hard the wood will be on your tools when cutting.

In the shop, we tested the Ridgid track saw by cutting ¾” Ipe, Mahogany, Maple, and 1-5/8-inch Poplar, which are common hardwoods we encounter here in the Northeast. We made a few cuts in some scrap ¾” Purpleheart.

Our testing showed that the RIDGID saw is underpowered and requires you to push harder than a more powerful saw. We especially noted that the saw struggled in thicker materials.

I was curious how the Ridgid track saw power compared to our cordless Milwaukee and 40v Makita track saws when cutting, so we did some side-by-side cutting to compare. The RIDGID is less powerful than both saws.

Precision

We found the Ridgid Track Saw accurate out of the box at 90 and 45 degrees. Additionally, the saw blade lines up perfectly on the splinter guide track strip at both settings. This is important as we’ve seen other competitor saws cut into this strip when set to 45 degrees.

The saw has a clear plastic window and some measurements allowing you to gauge where the front of the blade is for plunge cutting. It does not have any markings indicating the location of the rear of the blade. If you’re like me and make plunge cuts, knowing where the rear of the blade is matters as much as the front of the blade. To know where this location is, you will need to use a Sharpie pen and make a mark on the saw body.

Track Compatibility

The Ridgid comes with two [2] 27.5” tracks that easily join with two connecting rods. The tracks appear to be robustly made and of good quality. Joining the tracks is easily accomplished by using two joining rods [supplied] and tightening the Allen set screws. The joining rods are stored in the track when not in use.  We really liked the Allen wrench storage location. Both the joining track and blade change Allen wrenches are stored securely in the rear of the saw. A great location and is well-designed and thought-out.

Let’s talk about the two small tracks. At first, I thought it odd, that Ridgid offers two smaller tracks in its saw kit. Offering it with the saw is nice to get folks started cutting, right away. Ridgid claims that they offer the two smaller tracks because users prefer them for portability and transportation. They stated found that many users like the smaller tracks for smaller cuts, like small closet doors. I’d like to know who they asked because I don’t agree with that and feel that the decision is being driven by the merchandise and packaging departments for Home Depot shelf displays and space-saving concerns.

Don’t get me wrong, offering any track with a track saw is a win but I’d prefer it be a 55” track and make the 27.5” track an add-on accessory. I recognize that many pros have cut down damaged tracks or made custom-sized [smaller] tracks for specialty work, but most pro users and serious enthusiasts want a 55” track and a 9-foot track for breaking down sheet goods.

The unicorn solution here is to offer a 55”: track and then buy a second 55” track for ripping plywood the long way.

Ridgid offers two longer tracks as accessories:

1. 55 in. Track Saw Guide Rail (AC55TS)
2. 60 in. Track Saw Guide Rail (AC60TS)
3. Track Saw Material Clamps 2-Pack (ACCL2)

We tested the Ridgid saw on Milwaukee, Makita and Festool tracks, the Ridgid saw will not work on them. Ridgid claims that the reasoning behind this was that Ridgid found that other brand saws that “fit” Festool tracks [inventor of the track saw] are not a perfect fit, which can lead to very rough cuts. The Ridgid saw has its own track so the user will never have this experience.

I’m calling Ridgid out on this, the TBB team has tested every cordless track saw to date, and we have not found that statement true, in fact, our Makita and Milwaukee track saws make incredibly precise cuts on a Festool track.

The Ridgid track, like other tracks, has a non-slip grip strip that works well and is compatible with standard track clamps. The Ridgid saw comes with one clamp, which is a basic design with no frills or UX thought. We found in many, to most track-cutting applications this clamp was not needed.

Two nice safety features on the saw are its riving knife and anti-tip knob that keeps the saw on the track when set at a bevel.

Blade Compatibility

For some reason, Ridgid chose to go against other manufacturers who use a 20 mm blade arbor. Instead, they opted for a 5/8” arbor citing that the blades are more accessible to the source.  The 6-1/2” has a 1.6 mm kerf and this saw does allow it to achieve a deeper cut in 2x material as opposed to their direct competitor, Festool — which has a 6-1/4” blade.

Rail Tension Bars

The two-rail tension knobs keep the saw snug on the track. The rail tension track adjustment cam or rail slot adjustment worked perfectly to adjust the saw to the track. In fact, we set the knobs to the loosest setting, indicating a perfect, snug, out-of-the-box fitment.

On the bottom of the saw’s shoe plate are a set of “replaceable” rail tension bars with screws. These bars can significantly wear over time to the point that they can’t be adjusted to keep the saw snug on the track. It appears that Ridgid made them serviceable and replaceable, eliminating a potential failure point.

Dust Collection

We took several videos cutting different depth materials. We compared the videos and evaluated the dust left on the table after making cuts and we determined that the dust collection when connected to a vacuum is good, not great.

We liked that the dust port is sized to accommodate the most common port sizes which is 1- ¼” ID and 1 7/8” OD. My Rockler Dust-Rite, and Festool hoses fit the dust port nicely.

Electric brake

The electric brake safety feature on the Rigid track saw is fast, but not as fast as some. I’ve seen a few saws go around a bit, but not this one.

Riving Knife

Another safety feature of the Rigid Track Saw is its spring-loaded riving knife. The riving knife is designed to maintain a gap between the board and the cut-off board. It prevents the kerf gap from closing and causing pinching on the blade, which can sometimes initiate a kickback. The riving knife worked as designed and is a nice feature.

Changing the Blade on The Ridgid Track Saw

The Ridgid Track Saw has a “lock-off” button that locks the saw, once lowered, in a plunge position. You’ll want to do this with the battery removed. Once the lock-off is engaged the blade’s arbor nut is exposed in the blade change window. An onboard Allen wrench which is smartly and tightly located in the rear of the body of the saw is used to remove the blade.

Saw Pivot and Plunge Mechanism

Ridgid spent some time on the saw’s pivot/plunge spring and mechanism. They obviously heard our feedback on other brand saws [i.e., DeWalt’s plunge mechanism]. The Ridgid’s plunge spring is robust, and the plunge movement is smooth.

The trigger safety, and release button to power on the tool is centered in the handle, ambidextrous, and easy to activate.

Depth of Cut | Depth Scale | Bevel Cuts

The Ridgid track saw Depth when set to 90 degrees will cut 2-1/8” on the track, and 2-1/4” off the track When set to 45 degrees the depth of cut is 1-1/2” and 1-5/8” off the track.

The depth of cut is controlled by an intuitive and easy-to-operate slider, activated by a large thumb button. There is no fine adjustment depth screw for dialing in micro-adjustments which was disappointing.

The saw can bevel from -1 to 47 degrees. The saw bevel is controlled by two thumb knobs [front and back] on the saw. To achieve -1 or a bevel greater than 45 degrees [46-to-47-degree max] there is a bevel override slider, which moves forward and allows the saw to achieve the extreme bevel cuts. To bevel slider does stop at 22.5 bevel angles, there is no button to choose or ignore this detent stop. We found that setting a bevel on this saw was like most of the other saws. It was intuitive, fast, and easy.

The depth of the cut scale is highly visible and easy to learn. There are two rows of measurements. The white markings are for on-the-track, and the orange marking for off-track use.

The shoe plate on the saw does not have any indents indicating the saw blade location at 90 and 45 degrees when using the saw off the track. While I don’t find myself using a track saw off the track, I can see where this might be useful. For example, making a free hand cut in flooring close to the wall, where the track doesn’t fit.

There is no scoring feature on this saw.

Battery Attachment

The battery is well-placed and is easily accessed without tool or track interference. The battery also inserts and detaches easily from the tool.

Ridgid Track Saw | Fit and Finish

I didn’t have to use this track saw long to get that “first impression” feeling on the build quality, fit, and finish of this saw. If I had to use one word to describe it, I’d say “basic.”

Comparing Track Saw Prices

The Ridgid track saw sells for $399.00 as a kit. The kit comes with a 6.0 HD battery, charger, two 27.5” tracks, 6-1/2-inch blade, Blade and track wrenches, Riving knife, Track clamp, and two connecting bars.

• Dewalt $619 comes with a track and battery
• Festool $879 kitted track and batteries, Systainer box
• Makita 36 V $600 comes with a 55″ track
• Makita 40 v $699 comes with a track, battery, charger, and 2 boxes
• Milwaukee $577 domes with a 55″ track
• Ridgid $ 399 Includes 2 – 27.5” tracks, batt, charger, clamp

No matter which way you look at it Ridgid gets you into a track saw for at least $200 less than its pro-grade competitors.

RIDGID Track Saw Warranty

I don’t talk enough about warranties on tools, and some of you call me out on that.

Ridgid is offering a Lifetime warranty on the track saw with free parts and service. Obviously, there is fine print to read but overall, that’s a really nice warranty.

Overall Impression

The Ridgid track saw is underpowered compared to the pro-saws I’m used to using. If you let the saw cut at its speed, I found it will make consistent, repeatable, accurate cuts.

The saw is basic in features and not as robustly designed as I’d prefer for me, but it’s a well-priced saw for someone new to the trades, and a great shop saw for serious enthusiasts or woodworkers.

RIDGID Track Saw Review Video

Ridgid 18 Volt Track Saw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Cordless Impact Driver

There’s no doubt that Impact Drivers have completely changed the construction industry and drastically improved both productivity and quality. Impact drivers allow users to install screws, structural fasteners and small bolts more efficiently than a drill. Impact drivers drastically reduce broken fasteners, stripped screw heads and costly delays. An impact driver relies on a hammer and anvil mechanism to deploy rotational force when fastener resistance is encountered.   

In our Best Cordless Impact Driver Head-To-Head test, we’ve selected 19 full-size impact drivers from a wide range of manufacturers. We invited all of the major manufacturers to participate, with some brands sending multiple impact drivers.

 

Features Qualitative Scoring Results
MFG	Score	Rank
Bosch	1	1
Makita 18v	2	2
Makita 40v	2	2
Skil	2	2
Festool	3	5
FLEX	3	5
Kobalt	3	5
Metabo HPT 18DC	3	5
Metabo HPT 18DBD	3	5
Metabo HPT 36v	3	5
Milwaukee	3	5
Ridgid	3	5
Ryobi	3	5
DEWALT	4	14
Hilti	4	14
Metabo 18 LT	4	14
Metabo 18LTX	4	14
FEIN	5	18
Hart	5	18

WP DataTables

Best Size and Weight | Winner DEWALT

Size matters to users, in this case, they want a smaller, compact impact driver that still has the power for the applications they need to deploy it in. Compact also means that the tool can be used in more situations, think of tight spot applications like sistering floor joists with a 5 or 6-inch fastener,  in between joist bays. We felt the two most important factors for an impact driver were the weight and head length.  Having a lightweight tool when working overhead, coupled with a compact size that can fit into small openings is a huge win.

To determine a final ranking for size and weight, each driver was weighed without the battery and the head length, from bit holder/collet to back was measured.  Each of these values were ranked separately and then combined into a single factor to determine the winner.   The DEWALT was the most compact impact driver of the bunch. It measures 3.9″ and weighs 2.1 lbs and is 1/2″ smaller than the 2nd place Metabo HPT 18DC  which measures 4.51 inches and measures 2.0 lbs.  Third place was the Makita 18V measures 4.53  inches and weighs 1.9 lbs.

An interesting fact is that all of the tools weigh from 1.9 lbs. to 3.3 lbs.

MFG	Length (in)	Weight (lb)	Rank
DEWALT	3.94	2.10	1
Metabo HPT DC	4.51	2.00	2
Makita 18v	4.53	1.90	3
Milwaukee	4.48	2.20	4
Makita 40v	4.77	2.20	5
Metabo 18V LTX	5.10	2.10	6
Ridgid	5.02	2.20	7
Festool	5.17	2.12	8
Metabo HPT 36v	4.52	2.50	8
Hilti	5.44	2.20	10
Skil	4.92	2.47	10
FLEX	4.68	2.70	12
Kobalt	5.27	2.40	12
FEIN	6.00	2.20	14
Metabo HPT DBD	5.04	2.90	15
Hart	5.82	2.50	16
Ryobi	5.60	2.55	16
Metabo 18 LT	5.64	2.60	18
Bosch	5.82	2.60	19

WP DataTables

Best Cordless Impact Price  | Winner Skil

Price is undoubtedly an important consideration when buying tools, especially for those of you who are just starting out in the trades. We can certainly agree on that and also agree that the majority of contractors have strong brand loyalty and would rather continue with their current battery platform than venture out and create a new line of cordless power tools.

We did not include the price in our scoring criteria but included bare tool pricing for you to use as needed.

The best-priced impact driver was the  Skil coming in at $69.99 bare tool. The second lowest price was the Hart at $77.85 and the third was the Bosch at $99.00. The team all agrees that the Skil and Hart impact drivers fall into the DIY category for users.

There are several pro-grade impact drivers in this test, I’ll use the Festool as an example. In their research and testing Festool found that the most frequent failure point on impact drivers was the anvil mechanism, so they adjusted the shape and material hardness of their anvil to increase the lifespan of the tool. They also decreased the internal strike speed (BPM) so it was less likely to break.

Festool also incorporated a longer trigger which allows for finer control of the variable speed trigger making it easier to manually control slow speed on hardware attachment. The moral of the story here is that pro-grade tools are designed to last longer, for us PROs a tool is an investment that is needed for our livelihood – invest wisely!

Best Cordless Impact Driver Head-To-Head | 2023 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Ridgid 18v 6½” Circular Saw (model R8656B)

Ridgid 18V SubCompact Brushless Cordless 6 1/2 in. Circular Saw

4/5

Manufacturer: Ridgid
Model number: R8656B
Price: $149.00
Power source: Lithium Ion battery
Motor size: 18v
Weight: 7.5 lbs

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I never owned a 6 ½” cordless circular saw until I received the Ridgid 18v 6½” Circular Saw to review.  My work partner Ed and I were skeptical of the saw, particularly because Ed had previous experiences with 6 ½” cordless circular saws that were underwhelming.  The smaller saw with a smaller blade and smaller batteries translated into smaller performance.  Thankfully, this new Ridgid 6 ½” saw was different.

Overview

The Ridgid 18v 6½” Circular Saw follows a similar layout and design to other 6 ½” cordless circular saws I have handled in the past, with a left-blade configuration that is extremely common for the blade size.  Personally, I love left-bladed circular saws because they offer a nice sight-line to the blade for right-handed users.  The base plate on the saw is a full 5” wide and plenty long enough to engage the work surface.  The over-molded top handle feels comfortable and substantial, and the levers to change blade height and bevel are easy to access and adjust.  There’s even a rafter hook for slinging the tool onto the side of a sawhorse or nearby 2x framing member.

Features and Benefits

The Ridgid 18v 6½” Circular Saw is packed with all sorts of features that you might find in a larger 7 ¼” sidewinder circular saw.  Ridgid advertises the following on its website:

• Lightweight Design. Heavyweight Performance.
• Pair with MAX Output batteries for maximum power
• 5,000 RPM
• 30% Lighter Weight when compared to RIDGID’s R8657 Brushless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw
• 27% More Compact when compared to the R8657 Brushless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw
• 50° Bevel Capacity cuts the most common angles
• 2-1/4 in. Depth of Cut
• Lightweight and Durable Magnesium Guard stands up to the toughest job sites
• LED Light for improved visibility in low-light situations
• Accepts 1-3/4 in. and 1-1/4 in. vacuum hose attachments

The Ridgid Subcompact Circular Saw has some impressive stats for its size.  They are as follows:

On The Job

I quickly found that the Ridgid 18v 6½” Circular Saw was a welcome addition to the job site. The first job I used the subcompact saw on was framing a garage.  What better place to test a circular saw than a framing site.  The compact design was light and nimble.   …so light that it could hang off a toolbelt while walking around the job.  The OEM blade from Ridgid was somewhat underwhelming, so after only about a dozen or so cuts through 2×6 lumber I decided to swap the blade for a new Diablo from Freud.  This definitely improved cut quality.

When paired with a Ridgid 18-volt, 4 Ah lithium battery, the saw has decent power and runtime. I managed to make 55 crosscuts on 2×6 SPF framing lumber with one battery.  I think this is respectable considering the size of the saw and the battery.  The Ridgid circular saw had no problem cutting “tough” building materials such as pressure-treated sill plates and ¾” OSB sheathing.

After the framing was complete on the garage, I started to see where this subcompact saw really shines – making quick cuts at different places around the job site.  I loved grabbing this subcompact saw for pre-cutting long lengths of trim lumber to bring them to a miter saw station, cutting small furring strips for our rain screen, and even breaking down waste to better fit in a burn pile or dump trailer.

Room For Improvement

I don’t have too many gripes about the Ridgid 18v 6½” Circular Saw. None of my gripes are deal breakers, nor do they prevent me from grabbing the saw when I need or want it.

The blade guard and its handle feel light-duty to me, but after a ton of use it has held up with no issues. I honestly thought it would break, but it hasn’t.  The base plate of the saw is a bit thin, so running the plate against a speed square as a fence requires the user to handle the saw with a little more diligence.  The dust port is oriented directly facing the user.  At times, depending on what I’m cutting, this results in a ton of sawdust ending up in my tool belt.  The blade depth indicator is a little tough to read as it is a relatively small arrow on an already narrow piece of steel.  Positive stops for bevel adjustment would be nice but are really only a convenience when making repetitive adjustments between 0 degrees and 45 degrees.

Final Thoughts

The Ridgid 18v 6½” Circular Saw is great.  I use the saw all the time, as does my new apprentice.  While this saw probably doesn’t have a full-time position on a framing site, I would darn near consider it a “must have” for a remodeler, general contractor, DIYer, or homeowner.  Compact.  Light.  Easy to use.  What else can you ask for?

Ridgid 18v 6½” Circular Saw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz