I framed an entire basement 1400sqft. Using only this saw for cutting studs. With 2 5amp hour batteries I was getting through the entire day of framing. It was not as powerful as a corded saw for sure but it didn't really hinder production. It did stall here and there when I tried to cut too quickly, again was used to a 15amp corded skilsaw so I had to adjust my pace a little. I would say as a carpenter/remodeler, this saw is adequate for my work. It does lack a little power, but basically every cordless saw does. It was pretty pathetic for rip cuts through 2*4. Stalled out quite a lot unless you went very slow which was a little frustrating. The ergonomics are good, was comfortable using it all day. All things considered, I score it at a 8 out of 10.
FYI I read some reviews on Ridgid's website and people are saying they were having issues with cutting UNTIL they replaced the free blade with a Diablo and the improvement was night & day. Then I ordered one FOR ONLY $99! Thanks for the great vids!
+Chris Cape I use Milwaukee at work, and have bought these brushless ridgid tools (drill, impact and circular saw) for my personal use. They are the poor man's equivalent of m18 fuel. They are that good. Especially with the larger 4.0 and 5.0 batteries.
Your video tutorial on this Ridgid brushless hammer drill is way more educative and superior than what I saw from Tool B. Your videos are precise and are highly professionally done. They are short videos and not boring at all. You actually include a lot of scientific talk in your tutorials. You match your talking points with practicals. So much like an engineering laboratory professor. I discovered your channel today and I have already learned a lot from you than I have learned from your competitor's junky videos. Only the Sparky Channel guy matches this level of sophistication. Because of your videos on this Ridgid brushless, I have decided to consider it a must buy this week but please answer this question for me ------ "Does tthe Ridgid Gen5X hammer drill overheat and then shut down?" Thanks a lot and God's Blessings to you.
One thing I don't like about Ridgid circular saws is there put the grip on the motor housing instead of in front of the main grip like Mikita. The advantages is you can hold the blade guard open without having to stretch your hand when doing a plunge cut.
Got this brushless have both and I love it and have the brushed gen 5x kit but I wanted a brushless model too and just today they accepted my lifetime service agreement so thanks ridgid great review
Got one a week or so ago, but didn't have a chance to use it other than a very few end cuts. Yesterday at the job site, my corded circular saw which we were using to cut Richlite, bit the dust(so to speak). Using a new Dewalt 30 tooth general construction blade, started cutting and was blown away by the power. The battery didn't last though, but in fairness, as i've said, i'd used it a few times prior, so it wasn't a fair test, and i have plenty of battery's anyway(though it comes with the 4.0 amp hour battery if you get the full kit, which is worth it, for sure)as i use and love the Stealth Driver they make. For those not familiar with Richlite, it is paper impregnated with resin, used for counter tops, etc. It's super dense, very heavy, and the manufacturer insist that only a festool track saw should be used to cut it(heavy sigh). We were only sizing the material for handling and will make our real cuts next week once we can get back in the building. The real test will be then, and i most likely will be using a different blade. So far, my only complaint is the safety lock, it's hard for my arthritic hands, and the depth release lever(gauge is awesome and accurate)being on the motor side, and not between the blade and motor(which may just take some getting use to). It's also not light, though lighter than their corded model. Great review, thanks for it.
Since he didnt tell us in this video how many cuts with the brushed model, it was 234 cuts on 2x4s and 85 cuts on the 7/16 OSB. thats 18%-25% increase in run time.
Ok, 312 2x4 cuts and 99 7/16" OSB cuts, but how many cuts does the non-brushless do? Would be a better comparison if you include what other saws have done.
Great video but I agree it is missing a summary comparison at the end with others model. As I'm looking to get the brush model combo and not sure the brushless worth the extra price.
Wow my dewalt 18 v can only get about six cuts of the 2x4 and on 1/2 ply about three. The older 18v batteries that I have suck compared to most newer types. Hey Daniel the young buck doing all the cutting is that your dad ? Awesome 👍👍
I've had 2 of these for the last 3 yrs. Im not a big fan. They always bog down on me when Im cutting lumber. I basically only use them for cutting pvc or vinyl.
Maybe I missed it but how is the torque compared to the brushed model? Does the new motor add torque or just runtime? My complaint with the old brushed model is that it bogs down too easily in tough wood.
Great review of the saw! I had been hesitant to pick up the kit because of reviews of past cordless saws, but the run time testing and regular blade capacity is very convincing. This type of saw is perfect for what I am planning on using it for, laminate flooring installation. Lots of cuts with no cord on the floor to get in the way of the project. I do have one question, since you were wearing hearing protection, what is the noise level vs a quality corded model?
Thank you so much for taking the time to review these products. I have a questions for everyone... Which cordless circular saw is the all around best 7 1/4 circular saw? I'm trying to decide which to get. I have the Ridgid impact driver and drill, but I'm considering changing over to Makita or Milwaukee, so that I can have all my tools using the same batteries. Which would you guys purchase or stay away from? Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to the responses.
I have been a bosch guy all my pro life. They used to make very quality cordless tools but they are junk now. According to most reviews makita is best, then milwaukee, ridgid and dewalt similar. I switched to ridgid because they are the best for the price and they have come leaps and bounds compared to their old products. Plus you cant beat theyre warranty
I'd be hesitant to label any one of the top tool brands as the "best." Each has their advantages. Don't forget, the Makita 7-1/4" requires TWO 18V batteries to run, while all other manufacturers have made do with only one. That means more power for the Makita, but it will be heavier and will tie up two batteries by itself.
I see that you swapped out the RIDGID blade for a DIABLO for you tests. Is the supplied RIDGID blade garbage and did the thin kerf DIABLO give you a faster, cleaner cut and improve the run-time?
Thanks a lot man. Can you confirm that this beat in runtime the M18 Fuel, but not the makita brushless 6 1/2 ? I appreciate the time you take to make those nice reviews.
+CrazyBee Yes, it beat the M18 FUEL. The Makita is in a league of it's own......UNREAL speed. Keep in mind though, you really cant compare (fairly) a 6-1/2" & a 7-1/4"......the blade is smaller = less mass = less power to turn it.
I just ordered the ridgid 5 combo kit and my circ saw is a lefty... and so are all yours. Why is that? Only 10 percent of pop is left handed. And lefty saws are usually special ordered.
+Thomas tom People on the West Coast are used to wormdrive saws --- having a LH blade.......people on the East Coast are used to sidewinder saws --- having a RH blade. Personally I dont know why they dont make LH & RH models of every saw, but I guess shelf space is limited. These 7-1/4" saws (from almost every manufacturer) have the RH blade orientation.
Approximately how many feet of pressure treated 2x material can the saw rip cut on a 5 amp hour batter? On my Gen 4 it would kill a 3 Amp hour on only 8 feet of ripe. I cut wanted to compare to my old gen 4.
huh...does that saw have the room to take the larger battery for longer runtimes or just the slimline standard batteries that come with it? I have Milwaukee battery powered drills and drivers, the difference between the slim and the extended size batteries is a major difference!
does it seem like the saw takes a while for it to wind up? is that normal? and why did Ridgid decrease the rpms from the gen 4 X? does this give it more torque?
+Kevin Newman From what I am reading online, it seems somewhere in 2016. I would imagine the saw by itself is going to be well over $100 with no batteries......the kit at Home Depot right now comes with the Hammer Drill (that I also reviewed), the saw, a charger, a 2.0ah battery & 4.0ah battery......might make sense to get the kit & sell the drill.
Thanks for the feedback. I think I've just decided to go with the Milwaukee. All of my current stuff is M18 and don't feel like have another tool system and battery system to worry about. Love the videos!
+Johnny Bautista Yes, it works on any circular saw....it is the KREG Rip Cut --- Here it is on Amazon --- www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007K5HIFS?_encoding=UTF8&tag=reatoorev-20
Why Ridgid wont import these tools to Scandinavia (or EU?) ?? We have ridgid plumbig tools only :( and the prices here... check out for example karkkainen.com ... Dewalt DW745 table saw here in Finland 800-900 euros..! and in US (homedepot.com) 299 USD !!
